26 The Sisters (1/2)

The Demon King's Palace, Shi De Emo, Hei'an Zhi Guo.

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When I was younger, I was raised on a farm in Ostroven to abusive parents. They hardly fed me and would regularly beat me. It wasn't until I met Mei that I found my freedom as a butler. Now, I live a simple yet fulfilling life. I do what I'm asked, keep the palace in perfect shape and in turn, I'm given food and a home.

Mei: ”Wilburt, my sister Lilith is arriving soon. Has her room been cleaned?”

Wilburt: ”It has, your highness. If you wish, I will clean it again thoroughly.”

Mei: ”No. Gather the rest of my sisters and have them meet me in the solar.”

Wilburt: ”At once, your highness.”

Her tall body and crimson red hair complimented her no nonsense attitude. She was always serious about her role as the older sister and ended up being the heiress because if it. She's the only child of the Queen, because the King had a rather lengthy list of affairs. Though, I haven't seen the Queen stop that from treating them like her own.

Me and Mei are about the same age, but I don't let that get in the way of my duties. I've been with her and caring for her for almost 10 years now.

By the other sisters, she meant Bao, Biyu, and Huian. They're always at the courtyard garden. I just have to figure out which one out of the four they're at. I'd ask Mei, but I'd rather not bother her. She's busy as it is already.

I was at the southern courtyard when I came across their mother, the ageless Demon Queen Lihua. I say ageless because of all the time I've been here, she hasn't shown any signs of aging. She really is something else, pale blue skin and platinum hair. I was uneased at first but I'm more comfortable around her.

She's been dealing with the passing of her late husband, the Demon King. Nobody knows about it. The commoners still believe he's alive. Anything to keep the pests from invading again.

Lihua: ”Wilburt, what are you doing here?”

Wilburt: ”I was asked by Lady Mei to gather the sisters, your majesty.”

Lihua: ”It's about Lilith, isn't it?”

Wilburt: ”I have not asked, but I believe it may be so, your majesty.”

Lihua: ”Carry on.”

I'll never figure her out. She has a very good poker face and never reveals her emotions, like happiness or anger.

I went to the western courtyard and found the sisters by the garden chatting and enjoying the environment. I was always told horrible things about demons when I was younger but they're not that bad at all. Sure, they may have odd skin tones, like pale blue and red, and horns in Huian's case, but they're well behaved and keep to themselves.

Biyu: ”Oh, Wilburt, what are you doing here?”

Wilburt: ”Lady Mei asked me to gather you all at the solar, your highness.”

Bao: ”Her again? What does the heiress want this time?”

Wilburt: ”I was not informed, your highness.”

Wilburt: ”Yes, your highness.”

They slowly pick themselves up and we head to the solar. We arrive to see Mei admiring the paintings hanged on the wall, seemingly deep in thought.

Biyu: ”You called for us, Mei? What's going on?”

Mei: ”Lilith's coming home, and as the older sister, I suggest we all—”

Bao: ”You called me out just to tell me Lilith is coming home? Well guess what! I don't care for a bastard child!”

Mei: ”Bao!”

Bao storms out of the solar. There has always been animosity against Lilith. Not because she's a bastard child, but because she always struggled where the other sisters excelled. So she was usually overlooked. Lady Mei, her half-sister, and Queen Lihua, who's isn't related to her in anyway, were the only ones of her family to actually pay any attention to her. The Demon King never paid her any mind and would hit her anytime she tried to gain his attention.

She first arrived at the palace when she was only 9 and the Demon King was already against her. It took the Queen and Mei to convince him to let her stay. As he wanted nothing to do with her, I was chosen as a surrogate. I didn't mind and actually enjoyed raising her with the Queen.

Mei: ”Bao, come back!”

Biyu: ”Don't pay her any mind, Mei. You know how she is.”

Huian: ”Bao always hated Lilith.”

Biyu: ”Yeah, what was it about Lilith, Mei? We know she's coming home.”

Mei: ”It was nothing, don't worry about it.”

Biyu: ”We'll head back to the courtyard if you need us then.”

With the sisters leaving, I was left with Mei who dipped her head in disappointment. She really does try to set herself out to be the responsible older sister. I really feel bad for her.

Mei: ”Wilburt, am I a good sister?”

Wilburt: ”Without a doubt you are, your highness.”

Mei: ”Really?”

Wilburt: ”Yes, you go out of your way to help your sisters, your highness.”

Mei: ”Thank you. Return to your duties, Wilburt.”

Wilburt: ”I will, your highness.”

I resume my duties in the palace until evening arrives. Mei comes into the kitchen as I preparing dinner with the other servants. Seemingly in a hurry.

Mei: ”Wilburt, come with me. Lilith is at the entrance.”

Wilburt: ”Yes, your highness.”

I haven't seen Lilith in almost half a year. Her trip took longer than expected and worried me a bit. I'm relieved to see her home again. She can be absent minded at times. Mostly everyone was gathered at the entrance. Mei, Lihua, Huian, Biyu, and some of the servants were here to welcome Lilith home. Bao was nowhere to be seen.

Lihua: ”Have you seen Bao?”

Servant: ”She chose to remain in her room, your majesty.”

Biyu: ”I don't know why she hates Lilith so much.”

The entrance slowly creeks open and we all get into position to welcome Lilith. She slowly pokes her head and shyly steps inside.

Servants: ”Welcome home, your highness.”

Lihua: ”Welcome home, dear.”

Mei: ”Welcome home, Lilith.”

Lilith: ”Oh, everyone, I'm home.”

Mei: ”How was your trip? Did you get what you wanted?”

Lilith: ”It went well, but I didn't get anything. Where's Father?”

Father? Oh my, she wasn't around when he passed away. I'll have to tell her the news. Mei is motioning me not to mention anything. Why? She should know or she'll really be upset.

Mei: ”He's not here at the moment.”

Lilith: ”Oh.”

Mei: ”Let's go to your room, we should catch up!”

Lilith: ”Alright.”

This is pretty serious. If Lilith finds out about the King, she'd be devastated. She went on her trip just to impress him, after all. The servants disperse but the sisters and the Queen stay behind. They know the gravity of the situation.

Lihua: ”Wilburt, stay with my daughters, I'm going with Mei and Lilith.”

Wilburt: ”Yes, your majesty.”

Lihua steps away. The only remaining sisters were Biyu and Huian. They looked indifferent at what Lilith had just said.

Wilburt: ”May I ask a question, your highness?”

Biyu: ”Hm? Oh, go ahead.”

Wilburt: ”What do you 2 think of Lilith?”

Huian: ”I'd rather not have anything to do with her, but I'll get along with her as long as she lives here.”

Biyu: ”She doesn't take anything seriously.”

It's just like I thought. She really can only rely on her sister Mei for support.

Biyu: ”Wilburt, go to Lilith and tend to her.”

Wilburt: ”Your majesty stated that I—”

Biyu: ”I know what mother said. Go to Lilith, Wilburt.”

Conflicting orders. If something like this were to happen, I'm supposed to listen to either the most recent or the higher authority, which would be the Queen. Biyu's are the most recent, so I'll go with her order.

Wilburt: ”At once, your highness.”

Lilith has her own tower, the south-eastern one. I thought the King was being generous, as most fathers would be in Shi De Emo, but I slowly realized it was to keep her isolated from everyone else. A princess trapped in her tower, as I see it.