Amity and Enmity

Chapter 51

Day: 1247

Days Left: 4233

Lives Saved: 6

Lili, Calanthe, and Oscar gathered outside Princess Alfreda's house by request, the three of them looking at one another, hoping that someone knew what was happening.

Princess Alfreda eventually ordered them to enter, and her three servants came in and sat on the chairs provided whilst the fire demon sat on her bed, her veil covering her rock-skin face and then her paper fan wafting in front, hiding away any facial expressions that give away anything that lurked underneath.

As usual, Lili was overly formal, bowing in respect and only sitting when given permission, Calanthe copying awkwardly, whilst Oscar sat down unprompted, his respect for Alfreda's rank gone just like his memories.

There was a moment of silence before the fire demon eventually began, "I have been thinking for a while... about our current arrangement-"

"It is not up to Your Highness' standards?" Lili attempted to predict her ward's purpose for the meeting. "Of course, it is not! This room is far too small! I shall give the order to-"

Alfreda lowered her head. "No," she said quietly. "Not that arrangement, I meant-"

"Your Highness wishes to move to a new sector!" Lili nodded in agreement. "Though this sector appears safe now, who knows when will be attacked again, or should Annika regain her strength..."

Alfreda winced as Lili continued to ramble on about what was safe for her, some of the reasons so minuscule even for a parent to be concerned about a child being at risk. Was this the impression she gave people? That she was fragile? Was she childish? Or that she was so arrogant and spoilt?

"I am releasing all three of you from my service!" Alfreda finally managed to blurt out.

Lili stopped in her health and safety assessment of the sector, her face blank as if she was still computing what the princess had just said. Calanthe and Oscar were equally dumbfounded, but Alfreda saw something else in Lili's eyes. Were those... were those tears?

The fire demon cleared her throat, wafting her fan. "I know that Mr Oscar, you were already released from my employment when you lost your memories..."

Oscar nodded slowly, looking at Calanthe and Lili.

"But I am officially releasing all of you," Alfreda continued. "You are all free to do whatever you wish; I am releasing you," she repeated as she saw that Lili still could not believe it.

"You are... releasing us?" Lili said slowly.

"Releasing you from my service, letting you all go, firing you, whatever you wish to call it, regardless you are not working for me anymore."

There was a moment of silence.

"May we," Calanthe began quietly. "May we know why Your Highness-"

"Your Highness is making a big mistake," said Lili flatly, her hands clutched tightly to her knees while maintaining a disciplined posture.

Alfreda scowled. "Oh, am I, pet?"

"Your Highness is not safe," stated Lili. "Everything that happened with Annika and-"

"I am not a child!" Alfreda snapped, silencing the room.

Lili glanced away, her brow still furrowed.

Alfreda calmed herself. "I do not need your protection anymore... no, rather, I do not want it. I can perfectly handle myself..." She looked to Calanthe and Oscar. "I can dress and do my hair, and I can feed myself too-"