Chapter 3:
As Oria walked back to her room, she saw a young man around her age standing in front of the door, presumably waiting for her to get there. He had brown, shoulder length straight hair, and skin that was barely lighter. His eyes were soft and golden, flecked with obvious intelligence.
He saw her and turned and smiled, "Miss Crimson?"
Oria smiled, her heart fluttering at his handsome yet crooked smile, "Yes, that would be me."
His extremely handsome face split into a grin and he handed her a letter, "Lord Serpine would like to speak to you Miss."
She thanked him and as he turned to leave, she asked quickly, "What's your name?"
He turned and smiled cordially at her, "Kane, Miss. Kane Pharaohs."
Oria frowned mischievously, "I don't think I've seen you around before Kane." She had called him by his first name, which was uncommon for higher ranked people to do for servants.
Kane chuckled, "Yes I'm new. Good day Miss." He said and walked down the corridor, a sack of messages to deliver around the castle.
Oria opened the letter and looked at the slanted cursive,
Dear Oria,
I would love to enjoy a little glass of wine with you tonight at eight P.M.
-Nefarian Serpine.
Oria folded the note and opened the door to her room. She called her sensitive maid with her mind. The young woman bustled into the room, her head down.
She pulled out a velvet dress, a silvery grey color. It was simple, but extremely elegant. It looked like a drop of ice. Her maid smoothed her hair back and braided it and twisted it into a bun.
After a while longer, Oria stepped from her room and headed to Serpine's quarters. She knocked on the door and he opened it almost immediately, his pale face cold with a frosty smile.
She curtseyed and he stepped aside to let her in. A small table was set up in the center of the extravagant room, and the room was dimly lit. She sat in one of the dark, cushioned chairs, and he sat opposite of her.
"Oria, I must say, you look stunning tonight." He said, smiling. He snapped his fingers and Kane came with a bottle of wine, looking right at Oria.
He gave her a little smile and then turned back to Serpine and poured some of the deep red wine into his cup, then Oria's.
"Thank you." Oria said quietly to Kane before turning her attention back to Serpine.
Serpine smiled, the tips of his mouth pressed up like it had been ironed, "To Oria Crimson, daughter of Mevolent, and soon to be general."
Oria smiled politely and took a sip of the silky wine.
"So, how are things concerning your training?" Serpine asked.
She shrugged, "My father has decided that Vile is to be my teacher."
Serpine made a vomiting face and Oria burst out laughing, surprised at the sudden change in character.
Serpine joined in laughing and leaned back in his chair, staring right into Oria's eyes, "How is he?" He asked, his green eyes shining with amusement.
Oria sighed and laughed a little, "Infuriating. He attacked me with necromancy today."
Nefarian frowned, "What?" He leaned forward, looking genuinely concerned, "Are you alright? If he hurt you…"
"Oh no." She said politely, "I'm fine. He just knocked the breath out of me." She added, still noticing Serpine's angry face.
He growled, "Still. If I were your teacher, we'd do some useful things, not attacking you every time you turn your back."
Oria blushed, feeling touched by his words, "Thanks, but what Mevolent says is what goes."
Serpine sighed with frustration, and looked out a large window that overlooked the palace grounds, "Yeah, I know."
He looked at his empty wine glass and glared across the room at Kane, who was standing, looking straight ahead,
"Boy!" He said angrily.
Kane jumped a little and looked at Serpine, "Yes Lord?"
Serpine pointed at the empty wine glass and Kane hurried over, filling the glass again, and then doing the same for Oria.
"Sorry Lord, it won't happen again." He muttered, his beautiful eyes downcast.
"It'd better not." Serpine muttered, turning his attention back to Oria.
They continued to talk of many things, and although Oria stopped drinking the strong wine after two glasses, already feeling her head spinning a little, Serpine continued to drink five glasses, until he became drunk.
"So…" He slurred, his eyes duller and less focused, "Oria, tell me, what are your plans for the future." She suddenly felt his leg pressed against hers.
Oria scooted back a little, "I already told you Serpine. I plan to be a general." She said, keeping a forced smile on her face.
Kane noticed her disgust and when Serpine drained his sixth glass, he stayed back, not refilling Serpine's wine until Serpine yelled at him to pour more.
"No," He chuckled, his face getting pink, "I mean, who are going to marry?"
Oria cleared her throat and put her hands in her lap, "I-I don't have any plans. Look Serpine-"
"But," He interrupted her, "I really like you Oria. You're very beautiful."
"Serpine." She cut in, standing suddenly, "I have to go now ok?" She said, saving Serpine from further embarrassment.
"I'll escort her to her room sir." Kane said, eyeing Oria as she stumbled, her head spinning from the wine.
Serpine looked at her and cleared his throat, "Yes, well. It was good to talk Oria. Good talk." He slurred, his eyes closing.
Kane took Oria's elbow to steady her and opened the oak door for her, and led her into the passageway.
"Aren't you worried about him?" Oria asked, leaning a little on Kane.
Kane shook his head and smiled tightly, "He'll be fine. I'm more worried about a tipsy lady walking alone at night."
Oria laughed, "It only takes one touch on my part and they'll die. No one, and I mean no one messes with me." She said, giving Kane a wink. She liked him. Serpine was a pig. She could see that now. The man obviously loved getting drunk, but Kane. Kane was very polite. He was also extremely attractive.
Kane cleared his throat professionally and looked at her with mild interest like a good servant does, "You're a bone breaker then?"
Oria nodded, "Yeah. My father wanted to keep me safe. He got a guy called the Tesseract to teach me. Lets just say it was unpleasant at the least."
Kane frowned, dropping the servant act, "Really? Do you know where he is now?"
Oria waved away his question with a slow hand, "Somewhere on the battlefields, probably giving those sanctuaries some major wounds."
Kane looked upset at her words and Oria frowned, concerned, "Oh no, did you need to talk to him?"
Kane shook his head and hid the troubled look, "No Miss. I unfortunately have a queasy stomach. I don't like to think about blood and gore."
They reached Oria's room and she looked him in the eyes and smiled, "Call me Oria."
Kane smiled and opened the door for Oria, "As you wish Oria." He whispered softly, gazing into her eyes.
Oria smiled and slipped into the room and he shut the door softly after her.
She heard his footstep as he walked away and she fell on her comfortable bed, feeling powerful, like a god.
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