Chapter 27: Under the Surface

As she entered her chambers, she was taken aback by a surprise sight. Daisy, the young girl she had chosen as her personal maid, was tidying up the already spotless room. The girl's small frame moved with an unexpected grace, her fiery red hair glinting in the sunlight as she polished a silver vase. Reika paused, observing the intensity with which Daisy worked, her youthful face scrunched in concentration. "Daisy," Reika called softly, her voice cutting through the silence. The girl jumped, almost dropping the cloth in her hand. She whirled around, her wide green eyes filling with fear and respect both. "Y-Your Majesty! I didn't hear you come in." Reika smiled softly, gesturing for the girl to relax. "There's no need to be so formal. I see you've been keeping busy. Daisy blushed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I wanted to make certain that everything was perfect for Your Majesty. I. I felt you deserved that more than anything." Reika inclined her head, enchanted by the girl's keen eagerness. "You have indeed done a great job. Tell me, Daisy, why the enthusiasm to please? Why such passion? Daisy reached for the hem of her apron and fidgeted her fingers upon it; after a moment, she looked sideways toward the door as if to reassure herself that they were well and truly alone. When she did speak, her voice came in a near whisper. "Because, Your Majesty.this is all I have," she finally whispered, her voice breaking. Reika frowned and moved closer toward the girl. "What do you mean?" Daisy inhaled deeply, as though fortifying herself. "I'm an orphan, Your Majesty. My father.he was one of the betas in King Lleus's army. He went to battle when I was little and never came back. My mother." Her voice faltered, tears welling in her eyes. "She worked herself to death in the mansion, trying to provide for me. When she passed, I was brought in to take her place. It was the only way to honor her years of service. Reika felt a pang of sorrow in her chest. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on Daisy's shoulder. 'You've been through so much for someone so young." Daisy nodded, tears slipping down her freckled cheeks. "Sometimes, I hear people whispering, calling me cursed. They think I bring bad luck because of what happened to my parents. But I don't want to be a burden. I just want to prove myself. Reika knelt slightly, bringing herself to Daisy's eye level. Her eyes were warm but firm in her resolve. "Listen to me, Daisy. You are not cursed, and you are not a burden. You've been through things that would shatter even the most powerful. That makes you special, not ill-fated." Daisy's eyes had enlarged, her lip trembling while she digested Reika's words. "Thank you, Your Majesty. You don't know what that means to me." Reika gave her a reassuring smile. "And from this day forward, you are under my protection. I will support you, guide you, and make sure you never feel alone again. Do you understand?" The young girl nodded fervently, her tears now of gratitude rather than sorrow. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll do everything I can to serve you well." Reika straightened, her composure regal yet kind. "Good. Now, tell me something else, Daisy. Have you noticed anything unusual around the palace? People behaving strangely? Anything out of place?" Daisy hesitated, biting her lip. "Well.there is something, Your Majesty." Reika's brow arched, interest piqued. "Go on." "In the kitchens," Daisy began cautiously, "I overheard some of the maids talking about you. They were saying.unkind things. Reika's face clouded over, though her voice remained steady. "What sort of things?" "They said you're only a puppet queen," Daisy confessed, her voice shaking. "That you'll never be a true ruler because you don't have the people's loyalty yet. And.some of them laughed, saying you wouldn't last long in the palace. Reika's jaw tightened, a flicker of anger flashing in her eyes. But she quickly masked it with a composed smile, determined not to frighten the young girl. 'I appreciate your honesty, Daisy," Reika said, her tone measured. 'And I want you to know that I am aware of such whispers. They are the words of cowards who do not have the courage to face me directly." Daisy stared into her eyes in admiration. "You're not angry?" "Angry?" Reika repeated, a tinniness creeping into her smiled mouth. "No, Daisy. I'm not angry. I am determined. I am going to find these girls, and they will discover consequences for underestimating the queen." Daisy merely nodded at her, her small hands balling into fists as the child promised, "I'll help you, Your Majesty. I'll listen and let you know whenever I hear anything else, too. Reika's smile softened. "Thank you, Daisy. Your loyalty means more to me than you know." --- As the day wore on, Reika couldn't help but think about Daisy's story and the revelations concerning the palace staff. She knew very well that loyalty was earned and not commanded, and she was ready to fight for it. The palace seemed unusually quiet that afternoon, the air thick with some unspoken tension. Reika decided to take a walk through the gardens, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. Daisy followed at a respectful distance, her presence a comforting reminder of the trust they had begun to build. As they strolled along the path lined with roses now in bloom, Reika's musings were hushed by the faint sound of voices. She stopped, holding up a hand to signal Daisy to remain silent. The voices grew louder, and Reika placed them as belonging to some of the palace staff. They were talking in hushed tones, but their words carried an edge that whetted curiosity. "She thinks she's untouchable," a voice said with bitterness. "Just wait," another chimed in. "She'll slip up eventually. They always do." Reika's heart hardened. She stepped forward, her posture commanding as she rounded the corner. The group of maids froze, their faces draining of color as they realized they'd been caught. "Your Majesty!" one of them stammered, dropping into a panicked curtsy. Reika's gaze swept over them, her expression cold and calculating. "Enjoying your conversation, are we?" The maids exchanged nervous glances, their bravado crumbling under her scrutiny. "I have eyes and ears everywhere," Reika continued, her voice low and dangerous. "Do not mistake my silence for ignorance. You will regret underestimating me." Without waiting for any of them to say anything else, Reika spun on her heel and strode away, Daisy at her heels. As they reentered the palace, Reika's thoughts were churning in anger and resolve. But soon, her determination was intercepted by a chill that ran down her spine. Daisy pulled at her sleeve, her voice shaking. "Your Majesty.did you see that?" Reika followed Daisy's gaze, her eyes narrowing as she spotted a shadowy figure disappearing down the corridor. "Stay close," Reika instructed, her senses on high alert. They ran after the figure; the echo of their footsteps was the only sound to be heard in the long, empty halls. Around the corner, they entered the corridor to find it totally empty-except for the small, folded piece of parchment lying on the floor. Reika picked it up. Her heart was racing while reading the single line written in the most elegant yet ominous script: "The queen may rise, but shadows always linger."