The sun was setting over the horizon, its orange hues glimmering behind a huge castle made of black stone. Mauve, Queen Malicia Velli’s servant, walked down the corridors that led to the throne room. He stood before the door, readying his words. He had to think very carefully about how he would speak to the queen. The guards eyed him bizarrely. He hesitantly knocked on the door.

“What is it!” said Malicia with apparent irritation in her voice.

Mauve entered the room. The queen was glaring at him as she stood by a tall window. He was scared of her but mustered enough courage to speak.  

“Your highness, my apologies…I-I only came to see how you were doing,” he stuttered.

Mauve’s fearful expression betrayed his elegant poise. The fine red suit and slick purple hair would impress any common folk, but the young man’s lack of formal mannerism was disappointing. As beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, he continued his conversation with the queen.

“I actually wanted to ask you if you have seen May around,” Mauve hesitated.

Malicia turned around abruptly to face her servant.

“What a question to ask the queen! Who do you think I am!” shouted Malicia.

Mauve took a few steps back

“I-I’m sorry my queen! It’s just that I’m very worried about her and none of the other servants know where she is,” he continued.    

Malicia walked to the center of the room. 

“To answer your insignificant little question, I sent her to assassinate the king of Istus,” said Malicia with a steely tone.

“B-but she is just a kid!” stuttered Mauve.

Mauve’s fear was replaced with shock and anger as he glared at the queen for a split second before remembering that she could and would send him back to jail if he did not show her the respect she felt she deserved. Queen Malicia noticed this slight change in his emotions and smiled at him.

“I sent May because she is better than most of the previous assassins. I hope this answers your question,” continued Malicia.

Mauve stayed silent, struggling to keep his composure.

 “Yes, my queen,” said Mauve.

Mauve bowed to her

“I shall take my leave,” he said

Mauve walked out of the throne room and closed the door silently.

“May…” he whispered.

***

Mauve had recently found an artifact for Queen Malicia. A moving statuette. As a reward, he was allowed to leave the castle temporarily. The queen enjoyed collecting artifacts for reasons that escaped him. He only stole and sold rare artifacts to get rich but this is also how he got into prison. He cursed himself. Queen Malicia freed him to steal artifacts for her. Now, he was her slave. Mauve reached the castle’s gate. He jumped as he heard a small voice. He looked around fearfully and noticed a little girl with short black hair.

“May! You came back!” he exclaimed happily.

“Yes, but I failed my mission,” replied May sadly.

“I’m glad that you’re alive!” Mauve said, tears welling up in his eyes.

May approached him.

“I’m sorry Mauve, I need to speak to the queen,” said May.

“Let me accompany you,” replied Mauve.

***

May and Mauve entered the throne room. They bowed to the queen. Malicia was pleased. If May had returned, it would surely be to announce that the king was dead. But her smile quickly faded when May knelt down before her.

“My queen I could not assassinate the king,” apologized May.

Mauve’s eyes darted back and forth between May and the queen. 

“Forgive her your highness, she is just a child. This mission was probably too har-,” he started.

“Shut up!” shouted Malicia.

Malicia’s eyes were burning with fury as she looked down at May.

“Tell me what happened!” she raged.

May kept looking downwards, not meeting the queen’s eyes once.

“Killing the king was impossible. He was far too strong and could use light magic. He let me go because I was a child,” answered May.

Malicia’s fury cooled down. That information interested her.

“Oh, so the king can use light magic now?” she said mostly to herself

Malicia faked some compassion as she smiled at May. 

“I’ll let it slide for now. But the king of Istus will have to die!” Malicia said. 

***