Chapter 123

Chapter 123
I rested my back on the chair and smiled.
I love how quiet the hall is now.
The girl was done with arranging the plates. She went to the kitchen twice to drop the plates and slowly began to clean the tables when she returned.
"This must be her first time," Tiffany whispered.
"Obviously," Pearl answered, and I nodded.
Kath and the other maids came in a few minutes later. She handed over eleven keys to me.
"Lead them to the kitchen and make sure they don't slack off at work," I told her.
I knew many were pampered kids who didn't know what always happened in the kitchen.
"Yes, ma'am," Kath answered.
All the girls, except my friends and me, followed Kath obediently out of the hall.
Tiffany tapped on her table. "Oh my goodness. That was intense, you know?"
Her joy was obvious, as she expressed it with her eyes and a smile.
She must be thrilled.
"Did you see the look on their faces?" Pearl asked.
"They were terrified," Ashley answered.
I nodded. "Tomorrow is definitely going to be different."
"What if they try to test you tomorrow?" Pearl asked.
"Then my plan remains. I will speak to Kath about it."
Pearl nodded. "That is a good idea."
"They won't be disrespecting you in a long time," Tiffany answered.
"That's if Nyra did not instigate them again," Ashley said. "She is in charge here."
I sighed. Aside from Nyra, no other person can disrespect me. After all, I am in Royal Room 1.
"I have an idea," Ashley said and we stared at her.
"What is your idea?" We asked in unison.
"Isn't my cousin coming tomorrow?" Ashley asked, and we nodded.
"Yes."
"Come over," she said.
We moved closer to her, and she said some words to us. I shook my head, moving away.
"Nah, I am not doing that. What if I get into trouble?"
Ashley smiled. "I don't think you would. I've got you."
"I think you should do that," Tiffany said.
"Ashley is going to help out," Pearl said. "You just need more positions, which would reduce her chances of controlling you."
I shook my head. I understand getting more positions will reduce Nyra's control over me but getting that done is nearly impossible.
How am I supposed to even do that?
Ashley patted my hand. "All you need to do is trust me."
I stared at Ashley. I want to trust her, but what if the Demon King thinks I am trying to use his relationship with Ashley to my advantage? And then dislike me more?
I shook my head quickly. I can't let that happen.
That thought was enough reason to make me not accept Ashley's suggestion.
"Are you okay, Karen?" Tiffany asked, after tapping me slightly to get my attention.
"Yes?" I replied. They all stared at me strangely; I began to wonder why. "Did I miss out on something?"
"You've missed out on a lot," Pearl answered.
"I don't think she got what we said. Did she?" Ashley asked.
"I don't think so," Tiffany answered. "She was lost in thought half of the time."
I stared at them, confused about the conversation they were having.
What are they talking about? What did I miss out on?
"What did..."
"I think we should leave the hall," Tiffany said, cutting me short.
I frowned. "I am about to ask a question here. Why are you cutting me short?"
"Karen, we've overstayed the time. The hall will be locked in a few minutes. We can't get caught."
I took a deep breath. "But what about my question?"
Pearl smiled. "Don't worry. I will fill you in on what we talked about."
I nodded. That's a good idea.
We left the hall just in time and were lucky enough to have walked a few distances away from the hall before it was locked.
"That was a narrow escape," Tiffany whispered. "I can't imagine getting flogged for that."
"Well, you won't. You don't have to imagine it," Ashley answered and that ended the conversation.
We headed to our different rooms after exchanging goodbyes. Kath wasn't back when I got to the room so I decided to prepare my bath and be ready for bed before she comes.
I bathed, dressed in my pyjamas, and was lying in bed when I heard a knock.
It must be Kath.
"Kath, please, come in."
I waited for Kath to open the door and come in. When she did not, I knew she wasn't the one.
"Who is that?" I asked but got no answer.
I stood up to check who it was. I did not open the door, I just looked through the hole. It was Miss Miranda.
Why is she here? Did I do something wrong? Am I going to get punished again?
She knocked again and I had to open the door.
"Miss Miranda," I mumbled.
"Were you asleep? Did I disturb your sleep?" She asked but I shook my head.
"You did not, ma'am. Is there a problem? Am I in trouble?"
She smiled slightly. "You are not. Someone is here to see you."
Who would want to see me? Nathan?
It can't be the Demon King. He is coming tomorrow not today.
"Who please?"
"Master Nathan," she replied and I sighed.
But why is he here so late?
"I will go in and change," I mumbled. "Do you want to come in and wait?"
"If you don't mind."
I opened the door widely to let her in and then offered her a seat while I quickly changed into comfortable clothes.
"I am ready. We can leave now."
"We can't leave yet," Miss Miranda said. "You can't leave your room open. Kath should be here in a few minutes to lock the room."
I furrowed my brows. Locking the room, sounded strange to me. I have never noticed Kath locking the door.
Maybe she does and I am not aware of it.
I sat down on the bed to wait for Kath. When she came, we left the room. I had to watch Kath close the door to see if she would lock it, but she did not.
Is there a way to lock it that I don't know about? I might have to ask Kath when we are alone.
Kath left, and Miss Miranda and I went through the elevator.
"Do you know why he is here to see you?" Miss Miranda asked, breaking the silence between us.
I shook my head. "I do not. He did not say why?"
"He is not obligated to tell me," she answered.
I did not ask further questions; she did not either.
We just waited for the elevator to stop so we could leave. The door opened and we stepped out. It was an empty but long hallway.
As far as my eyes can see, I only saw a few rooms, or rather halls, because each has double doors.
I wanted to ask Miss Miranda where we were but I decided against it.
I don't think she would tell me.
We walked a few distances and stopped in front of a room with only one door.