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“Wirt, stop being so clumsy.”
“Wirt, you need to be more careful.”
“Wirt, stop tripping over your feet.”
“Wirt this.” “Wirt that.”
These were the constant complaints Wirt, a mere maid, heard while her companion, Maisie, scolded her. It was unbearable even for her, but everyone knew Maisie for doing her job well and being Bill Cipher's favorite maid. Maisie didn't let herself be swayed by the rumors the other servants spread about her. That she was the King's pet, that she had slept with him, that his charms had seduced her… many had their opinions, but she kept her head held high.
Wirt wanted to be like Maisie, who by this point was like a sister to her. She tried to be determined, strong, brave, and always hold her head high. But she couldn't even do a simple favor that her master, Dante, told her to do. She was the clumsiest maid in the place, as her beloved king told her.
The maids of this castle knew that demons inhabited their world. And ever since the demons and beasts arrived here, they had dominated the human race, becoming more powerful than mortal kings, almost like gods. That's why serving these three demonic kings was always available, but at the same time, no one wanted to take the job because of the terror of serving a being of pure, dark evil.
Wirt came to the castle with Maisie to support her younger brother and care for her ailing mother. She needed the money to pay for her mother's medicine and to support her brother in his studies. She served the forest demon, known to all as the Beast, whom she knew as Dante Elderwood.
She always felt nervous working with him. For some reason, the Beast had a fixation on her and expected absolute perfection from her. But no matter how hard she tried, she always ended up messing things up and getting scolded by the beast, either directly or indirectly. He'd tell her she was useless or that she should resign soon. It was something she had to endure every day, and she would do it for longer if it meant her family's survival.
Maisie was now handing her a pile of clean clothes to give to Dante. Wirt's knees trembled with fear, and her skin had goosebumps at the mere memory of his breath on her neck, telling her everything she was doing wrong.
—Come on, Wirt, you're like a cow going to slaughter. You need to calm down — the brunette said to her friend, as if it were no big deal to look into those black eyes intently without trembling. —You'll be fine. Just give him the clean clothes and leave. Easy peasy, right?
—But Maisie! You don't understand! Every time he looks at me with that disappointment in his eyes, it makes my body tremble with the power he has over me.
Maisie rolls her eyes as she watches her friend rub her arms to warm the chill inside her. She piles the clothes she has to carry onto her arms while Wirt tries to keep her balance. —Yes, yes, yes, look, it's a piece of cake dealing with those Kings. Just do what they ask, ignore their attempts to flirt with you or make fun of you, and that's it. You can live in this castle in peace.
—I still don't understand how you do it — she says, leaning down slightly to get a better look at her from behind all the clothes. —You put up with the most unbearable king of all, and yet you're his favorite. King Dante, on the other hand, can't stand me. I still don't understand how he doesn't throw me out of the palace.
—Our Kings are the most mysterious thing on the planet. But don't worry, if I can put up with stupid rumors about me and Mister Cipher, you can do anything.
Wirt wasn't convinced. Maisie was still clearly annoyed by the rumors about her, especially the one about her sleeping with King Cipher. That was the one that made the brunette's blood boil.
—But let's stop talking about insecurities. Now go deliver the clean laundry to Lord Elderwood.
Wirt let out a small, uncertain groan. The brunette approached her and placed her hands on both of her shoulders in a comforting gesture. —Hey... you'll do fine, Wirt... I believe in you, even if you're a walking whirlwind, cleaning.
Wirt laughed at that and rested her forehead against hers. —Thanks, my dear sister...
—Always…— They both crossed their pinky fingers as a symbol of their eternal love and sisterhood. Wirt returned her smile before leaving the laundry room and heading to Dante's royal chamber.
Wirt walked through the wide corridors of the Beast King's palace. The palace was divided into three areas: the red area, the yellow area, and the black area. The black area had gray marble walls decorated with dried branches. The little maid walked across the black carpet, watching the stained-glass windows with their thin, black frames and branches surrounding them. She liked something about these corridors: the paintings embroidered with fine wool. Each stitch told a story about the Beast. The Beast was known to be a great fan of fairy tales, especially those with tragic endings. Little Red Riding Hood was his favorite, although he pretended that Little Red Riding Hood never left the wolf's stomach.
The first painting showed how the beast used to be a young man with a normal group of friends, until the second painting shows how the young man is cursed by the spirit of the other beast. Several paintings showed his transformation slowly, so that at the end of the last painting, it is shown how the young man finally becomes the beast.
killing his entire village and cursing his friends in the ashes of the fire. It was a chilling story that made her hair stand on end. But at the same time, she liked the beauty of these hand-embroidered paintings that told this macabre tale. Wirt loved to read; her favorites were poetry, Gothic literature, and fantasy. Obviously, this story was going to catch her attention and become her favorite part of the Beast's area.
At least these paintings calmed her and distracted her a little before she had to face the painting of a beast stalking two girls from that era. As if it were slowly swallowing them with its shadows. The painting was above the door of the Beast's bedroom. Wirt straightened her long black skirt, dusted her apron, and adjusted her white headscarf. She took a deep breath and told herself that everything was going to be alright. She gathered her clean clothes and gave the already open marble door a light kick.
When Wirt went to inform the King that she was in his chambers, she gasped and immediately covered her face with the beast's clean clothes upon seeing him half-naked. That brief glimpse was all it took for the image to be forever etched in her mind. He was in his beast form, his abs defined, wet—wet enough to know he'd just stepped out of the shower—and his furrowed brow and soft gasps indicated exhaustion. Many say the beast is handsome in his human form, but Wirt always thought his lord looked better in his beast form.
It took the beast two seconds to notice the little maid's presence. He sighed wearily. It wasn't the first time he'd dealt with this maid. —Didn't they teach you how to knock, young lady?
Wirt swallowed hard, wanting to swallow her nerves too. —I'm sorry, my master…forgive me for not knocking. It won't happen again.
—I hope so…
Wirt placed the clean clothes on her lord's bed and kept her eyes closed, not seeing her master's sensual figure. She slowly backed toward the door, and just as her fingers brushed the handle, the beast's cough almost made her jump.
—Where do you think you're going? — The king said authoritatively, crossing his arms.
Wirt could only stammer, unsure whether to tell him she wanted to escape this situation because of how uncomfortable she felt. All she could do was remain motionless, like a deer seeing the light, as the king's footsteps drew closer and closer until they were right in front of her. The beast grabbed her chin and forced her to look him in the eyes. When she finally saw him, he was no longer in his beast form. Now he was a charming man with long black hair that reached his back, jet-black eyes, a sharp chin, broad shoulders, and dry lips that never smiled. Wirt blushed; she didn't want to look down because her king wasn't fully dressed yet, and fortunately for her, he was wearing a thin white sheet from the hips down.
The beast raised an eyebrow, seeing that the little maid didn't respond and remained motionless, her eyes fixed on his. The king could almost imagine the servant with deer ears and a small tail, and she would already resemble the creature quite a bit, with that attentive gaze she possessed. The beast sighed after a few minutes, patting her head affectionately. —I don't know what I'm going to do with you maids, especially you, you clumsy little thing...
Wirt could feel her heart leaving her chest, leaving her unable to react or say anything. She could only let out a soft gasp and keep her head bowed the entire time to show respect to her king. —I'm sorry, my master. I promise this won't happen again. I'll try to be more careful next time— she apologized, feeling she should apologize again.
The beast could only nod indifferently as he walked away to put on a loose-sleeved blouse. —Yes...yes...yes...whatever, tell me what's on my agenda.
Wirt tried to keep his gaze lowered the whole time. He shouldn't be watching his king put on his trousers and hide that body sculpted by the very demon of lust...those buttocks. Wirt shook the inappropriate thought from her mind and began reciting everything the king had planned for the day.
—To begin, my master, you must make your morning visit to the Woods of the Unknown. Afterward, Mr. Enoch, the mayor of Postfield, will be waiting for you to discuss some financial matters concerning his town. Then you have lunch with…—The maids’ words became background noise for the beast. This always happened; he didn't pay much attention to the maids. They always seemed like the same haggard-looking girls who were only good for doing their jobs. However, there was something about this maid that made her stand out from the others.
This maid was rather clumsy and too weak to do her job properly. However, the girl had a good physique: a pretty face, silky, straight brown hair, and those gorgeous cinnamon eyes. The beast took appearances very seriously; they were a reflection of what a person represented and a perfect mask to hide their true self if they knew how to deceive and pretend well. Her body was also…suitable. Neither too flat nor too busty, and she had a healthy figure. He wondered if there was more beauty behind that long skirt. He remembered that Cipher had initially wanted the maids' uniform to have short skirts that showed their chests, but the beast had flatly refused. He might be a demon, but he didn't like seeing anyone humiliated like that, especially a woman. Everyone knew that of the three, Dante was the most chivalrous and had an old-fashioned moral code that he had long followed.
The beast dismissed that thought of looking at what lay beneath that skirt. He didn't want to be like Cipher and think dirty thoughts. When he saw that the maid had finished speaking, he simply nodded at her words and thanked her for her report. Before she left and went through that door, he cleared his throat and asked about something he had noticed besides the maid's beauty.
—Young lady
—tell me, my master— she replied eagerly.
—You look a little pale, quite tired, and you keep stumbling over your own feet. Are you alright?
Wirt blushed with embarrassment. —I'm sorry, my master, I—
—Don't apologize — he said calmly, a mischievous half-smile playing on his lips. —Don't do it again. Tell me, are you working extra hours?
She nodded. —I shouldn't have to make excuses, but my mother is very ill, and I have to pay for my younger brother's studies. I can't even remember the last time I ate properly. I know I shouldn't make excuses, but—
—Don't worry— he said sympathetically. —I completely understand. Taking on extra duties in this castle is work. How about I reward you for your good job?
Wirt thought she was dreaming, that this couldn't be real. —A reward? Good job? — she said, mesmerized. Had something happened to her king? Where was this king who always scolded her and complained about her?
—Don't worry, I mean it. This is an opportunity I don't give to just any maid. How about you join me for breakfast before I leave? — She gestured to the small table with a tray full of biscuits, a teapot, and two fine porcelain cups, and, as luck would have it, two marble chairs. He approached her, offering his arm like a prince, to guide her to the table. —It's tea and biscuits. I suppose everyone loves tea and biscuits.
Wirt was completely mesmerized by her king's beauty. All she could do was nod, mouth agape, and take the arm the beast offered her. She was led to the small breakfast table, and the beast gently sat her in the chair as if she were a porcelain doll. —Comfortable? — Wirt nodded again, utterly captivated. Maisie wouldn't believe her if she told her what had happened in this room.
The beast sat in his chair and delicately poured tea for the girl. —So…—he asked, trying to start a conversation as he poured tea into his cup —you have a younger brother? right?
She took a sip of her tea; it tasted delicious. It was berry tea. —My brother is twelve years old and goes to primary school. I raised him as if he were my own son, my master. He's a well-behaved and quite sweet boy, but our mother is very ill, and well…
—I understand, I feel sorry for you going through all this — the maid's beauty was driving Dante crazy. He wouldn't admit it so easily, but she was even cute when she was worried, even when she was eating, with crumbs of cookies clinging to her cheeks.
Wirt had gained a little more trust with her king and let out a long, exhausted sigh. —Honestly, I'm tired, my master. I'm not complaining, I do everything with a smile, but I feel like I'm dying. I haven't eaten anything proper in weeks because the baker keeps raising the price of bread. I feel incredibly stressed and…and…
—I see… — the beast said, taking a sip of his tea to quench his hunger for this maid. Trying to clear his mind and prevent Cipher's lewd comments about the maids from taking over, he said, —You're just another poor little maid who came to work here to survive. You know, I admire the servants here…they have tragic lives, and yet they come here to work without complaint. It's…admirable.
The little maid's eyes lit up. —Do you really think so?
He nodded again, taking a sip of his tea to hide the small grimace that was forming on his lips. —You know, you've touched me... even though you're the clumsiest person here. I want to promote you as a reward for your efficient work.
—Promote me? — the girl said incredulously, almost choking on the biscuit she'd put to her lips.
The beast nodded again. —You know... I've needed a lady-in-waiting for a long time. A maid who can keep me company every day and who is efficient in her work. I think you already have someone in mind…
—Excuse me, I don't want to disappoint you, and I'm not rejecting this magnificent offer. But... why me? I'm the clumsiest person here and...
—That doesn’t bother me. I know you’ll learn in time and be a good maid for me. I’ll help you fix every little mistake you make.
—My master— the servant’s eyes shone like stars in the sky. Wirt wanted to embrace his king, but she knew that would be inappropriate. This promotion surely came with higher pay. She knew that Maisie, as Lord Cipher’s lady-in-waiting, earned twice the normal maid’s salary. This was her chance, and she wouldn’t miss it. —You don’t know how grateful I am. I am always ready to please you —She almost curtsied while seated, but could only lower her head in devotion.
—Don’t thank me, young lady — Suddenly, the king stood from his chair and stood before the girl. He smiled at her with a sly grin as the girl gazed at him with utter devotion and gratitude —though… I think I already know how you can thank me.
—Thank you? — she seemed to be asking aloud; it sounded stupid, so she shook her head and looked at him again with shining eyes —yes, yes… anything…
—Anything, huh? — The beast looked at her with hungry eyes, his gaze sweeping over her body as if he were touching her. He couldn't hold back any longer; he took the girl's chin and stroked it gently. The maid let out a pleased sigh, something that surprised the beast, but it was enough for him to capture her lips in a quick but soft kiss.
When the kiss ended, the beast quickly pulled away from the maid and coughed, feigning embarrassment to hide his growing shame. —I'm so sorry, little lady. I don't know what came over me and—
—Kiss me again — she said, almost in a trance. But hearing that it sounded like an order to her king, she added a hesitant "please" to the sentence.
The beast could resist no longer, and just as his title suggested, he kissed her wildly, as if he were a wild creature. The kiss was so intense that the maid nearly fell off her chair. The beast broke the kiss and began to carry her in his arms, placing her on the bed next to the tea table. Once she was lying on the bed, she let her king climb on top of her and kissed her wildly again. She unconsciously opened her legs, then closed them again as the beast's hips were trapped against the sides of her knees.
Soft moans began to escape her lips as her king started kissing her neck with his open mouth. She began to kick against the bed, moaning his name, trying to get his attention, not to stop him, but to make him continue. She cradled the back of his head and pulled him closer to her body, giving him more access to her neck to bite as he pleased.
The moans and calls to his name intensified as the beast slipped his hand under her long skirt and began to caress her thighs. As he suspected, her thighs were luscious and perfectly sized. He wanted to slip inside her skirt and bite and kiss those luscious thighs, but he settled for giving them a firm squeeze and biting her neck, eliciting a slightly louder moan from those thin, peach-colored lips.
Just as he began unbuttoning her dress to reveal her corset, he decided he was going too far. As much as he wanted to rip the corset off with a single scratch, he had to restrain himself. He wasn't a savage and depraved creature like Cipher, content with any concubine or maid to be his lover. Even so… why was he so attracted to this maid lying there, surrendering herself to him with such devotion? All he knew was that it was time to stop.
He stood up slowly, ignoring the servant's questions. He ruffled her already disheveled hair and kissed her forehead. —I'll be back soon. We'll have this conversation later — he said, looking at him with those jet-black eyes, a hint of affection in them. —You start tomorrow…
The beast stood up, straightened his shirt, and ran his hands through his hair to smooth it down so it wouldn't be obvious he'd just been with a servant. He completely ignored the maid's questions and pleas, who followed him with her eyes, and closed the door behind her.
—Dante…— she called his name. Watching her king abandon her in that room, not only leaving her with a new job, but also leaving her without a heart, stolen by the king. Now Wirt would never see her king in the same way again. Her job would be harder than she thought.