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Story of Evil

Chapter II

Daughter of Evil

The princess went by many names, all of which told of her cruelty and youth—Infamous Infant, Childish Princess, Daughter of Evil. She was a harsh ruler at only age fourteen when the gears of tragedy were set into motion. A servant in her likeness was always by her side and had rightfully been dubbed the Servant of Evil.

Rin plopped herself into her throne without an ounce of grace and hung her legs over the arm. "Be quick about it then," she buzzed with a proud flick of her golden hair. "I don't want the bathwater getting cold."

The young woman at the foot of the stairs already had tears in her eyes. She lowered her head, hiding her face under her long hair. "Y-your Majesty," she stammered, "the famine is only getting worse. Nothing will grow, and children are beginning to die." She was trembling from head to toe, fearing the princess but not knowing what else to do. Something had to be done.

Rin raised her eyebrows and perked up as if she had just woken. She looked to Len on her right and then back to the girl. "Is that it?" she questioned. Len watched the villagers heart shattered. "I expected you to have more."

"Your Majesty!" the girl went on, beginning to get desperate. "My brothers can't even get a loaf of bread with-"

Rin scoffed and pulled herself up from her throne. "If they can't have bread, they should have cake," she tittered. "I do love some cake, wouldn't you agree, Len?" Len was standing with perfect posture and his hands behind his back. He nodded.

Len managed to catch the girl's eye as she was about to protest. He knew that, even at his age, he was a threatening creature. Everyone knew who would come for them if they angered the princess. The villager heeded his silent warning and retreated.

Rin made her exit, holding up the front of her elegant dress. As soon as she was gone, the girl fell to her knees and wept. Len looked out after Rin. She was yet to notice that he wasn't following her. He took this chance to descend the stairs and kneel in front of the young woman. The villager shook violently, but she didn't dare move. There were at least six guards in the room at the time, but she knew that they were not there for her protection. The Servant of Evil had authority and could do whatever he wanted with her.

"What's your name?" Len asked.

The girl looked up with wide, surprised eyes, but she didn't relax. "Meiko," she whimpered.

Len smiled half-heartedly. "Nice to meet you."

"Len!"

"On my way, Majesty!" Len smiled to her once more before catching up with his sister. She was waiting for him in the hallway, tapping her foot in irritation. "You get jealous too easily," Len teased. Rin blushed deep scarlet and turned on her heel to continue on her way.

"This has put me behind schedule," she complained with a pout. "I was supposed to be in the bath by now so I can have tea and cake at three o'clock."

"I'll be needing to send for more cake from the neighbouring kingdom," Len sighed.

"Why on earth do we need to go all that way for cake?"

"The famine isn't only applicable to the peasants, and the surrounding kingdoms know this. They can sell to us for higher prices now since we can't grow any crops of our own."

"Well, in that case, we'll raise the taxes. Also, will you go? No one else knows what I like. They'll get the wrong ones."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Len left the princess in the care of the maids for her afternoon bath. He was about to leave when he remembered something. "Oh, and please don't forget that Prince Kaito will be arriving this in a few days." Rin groaned. "We should at least to pretend to have a good relationship with his country."

"He just wants my kingdom," Rin sneered. "They don't think I know what they're up to, but I know what they're up to. I'm not officially queen until I marry, but I won't marry him just because he's the first man to suck up to me."

"It is a terrible conspiracy," Len droned sarcastically. Rin wasn't amused.

"So," mumbled one of the guards at the gate as he gazed up to the heavens, "is it the reflection of the sky that makes the ocean blue?"

"No," Leon grumbled, "it's the other way around."

"How do you know?"

"I just do."

The captain of the guards had very little to do. No one dared to come to the palace, and the princess sent her twin out for anything she wanted.

Meiko suddenly came flying out of nowhere and attached herself to her father, sobbing hysterically. "What's the matter?" Leon fretted. "Meiko, what happened?"

"I was so scared," Meiko wailed, "but I spoke up. I spoke to the princess."

Leon felt his heart skip a beat. He held his nearly grown-up daughter by the shoulders. "Meiko, I told you not to do that! What did she say? Were you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. I'm just a little shaken-up. He came right over to me, but he didn't even touch me."

The other guards all knew Meiko. She would always come to see her father and talk with them, and they cared for her like she were their sister. The sight of Meiko's beautiful face streaked with tears broke their hearts.

"We're all starving," she went on. "While she gorges like a pig, innocent people are dying, but she won't do anything about it!"

Leon quickly covered her mouth. He didn't like having to silence her, but it was necessary to keep anyone else from hearing. If the princess knew that she was being spoken of in this manner, Meiko would surely be killed.

"It's okay," he assured. "I have an idea."

Leon did not tell his daughter of his plan but carried it out on his own. However, his operation only lasted two days.

"What is this?" Rin scowled, turning up her nose at her supper.

"Chicken," Len replied.

"Where is my pork? And my potatoes? And my salad?"

"There is none. See? I only have chicken, too."

Rin glared at him. He blinked his wide, sapphire eyes innocently. "The meals are getting worse and worse," Rin complained. "Why have you not informed me of any problems?"

"You didn't ask," Len chuckled cheekily.

The corner of Rin's mouth twitched, but she refused to smile. "You're naughty, Len," she scolded. "What is happening?"

"Someone has been stealing food from the palace kitchens and giving it out in the towns," Len explained. "Anyone else would tell you that we simply can't get as many supplies anymore, but I've already identified the culprit."

"Get rid of them," Rin ordered carelessly as she began to carve her small chicken. Len bowed obediently.

Meiko had her father home for supper. This was a rare occasion. What made it even more spectacular was that there was supper to be had! She didn't know how he had gotten it, but she didn't mind. He father must have been the bravest man in the entire kingdom!

There was a sharp knock at the door, and the room fell silent. The laughter stopped, and all eyes were on the door. Leon's wife gathered the three boys and herded them into the far room, but Meiko refused to move. She stayed put as her father cautiously went to open the door, grabbing his sword along the way.

As Leon was reaching for the handle, the impatient visitor kicked the door open. Meiko squealed with fright. Leon was knocked back but remained focused. He blocked as his attacker lunged for him, their blades clashing with a loud clang.

Meiko recognised him. He was in a dirty cloak now instead of his almost regal attire, but it was definitely him—Len, the princess' personal servant, the Servant of Evil.

Leon fought for his life, but Len had skills beyond his years. He calmly slashed at the older man without so much as a change in his expression when blood was spilled.

"No!" Meiko screamed. She ran to him as he fell to the ground and held him in her arms. "Don't kill him!"

"Meiko, stay out of the way!" He pushed her aside just in time to deflect the next attack. Len wasn't stopping even if a woman got in the way.

Leon rolled to the side and sprung to his feet, blood squirting from the wound in his side. He roared like a madman and swung furiously at the boy. Len ducked and weaved, but he received several scrapes. He didn't fight back. He waited patiently until Leon ran out of adrenaline.

When the old man left an opening, Len plunged his blade into his heart. Leon froze, his eyes hanging out of his head. Len didn't let him off just yet. He dug in deeper and twisted his blade. Leon cringed weakly and fell to his knees.

"Stop it!" Meiko begged, shaking like a leaf in a hurricane. "Please! No!" She couldn't fight him. She couldn't even move! There was absolutely nothing she could do.

Leon's lifeless body crashed to the floor, his blank stare gazing into the world beyond. Len wiped the blood from his own wounds and his sword on his old cloak and went to leave without a word.

"Daddy!" Meiko rushed to her father and cradled him to her chest. She held him close, accepting all the blood and filth. Her tears fell to his face, but he would not stir. He never would. He would never be able to embrace her in return again.

"Damn you," Meiko whimpered through gritted teeth. She looked up at Len's back as he abandoned his victim. "Damn you!" she shrieked. "You'll rot in hell for this, you bastard! You're just a brain-dead slave for that heartless bitch! I pray crows gauge out your eyes, and I pray she'll have to watch it happen! I hope you die, and I hope she'll never be forgiven!"

Len had stopped by now. He looked back over his shoulder. "Descriptive," he commented. "I hope those strong words of yours never reach the princess, or it shan't be I who is pecked by the crows." Meiko felt her stomach churn. He was threatening her. "Goodnight," he farewelled.

Rin was already in her nightgown by the time she next saw Len. He was peeling off the blood-stained cloak. He hated it when she saw that filthy thing along with the tainted blade. He could tell it frightened her. The smell was offensive, too.

He smiled kindly to his sister. "Pork, potatoes, and salad for supper tomorrow," he said.

Rin smiled back. "Thank you," she beamed. "I knew I could count on Len."

He was the only one left to protect her, so he would. For her sake, he would be the Servant of Evil.