Page 36 of I Ran Away to Evil
I shouldn’t have to repeat myself. You are a smart child who listens to her parents. I expect to hear from you soon.
Queen Thalia
Keith felt immense satisfaction as he cast [Burning Hand], lighting the letter on fire.
The second missive was from Elder Clarissa from Thistlecrick:
Beg pardon, Your Viciousness,
Please let us know if we are to receive guests from the castle in the future.
Your faithful servant,
Elder Clarissa of Clan Lamia,
Thistlecrick
Ah, that was a mistake on Keith’s part. He had honestly gotten so focused on creating an army to withstand King Simon’s invasion that he had forgotten to inform his subjects that the princess would be visiting. She was a force to be reckoned with, and he shouldn’t like to see anyone get hurt when Ria utterly destroyed those who refused her baking.
He really should find the Dark Enchanted Forest’s Royal Crystal in his godmother’s hoard … or he could just ask the maids to send notice ahead. They knew Ria’s schedule better than he did.
He wished he could just send Tulith to sort Feliwyn’s hoard, but who knew how many enchanted or cursed spatulas that dragon had? She also had a habit of not re-sheathing her knives and swords, just tossing them in the pile. It made searching her rooms a bit … dicey.
“Gimtak!” Keith leaned over his desk and called for the imp working in the aide alcove.
“Yes, Your Viciousness?” Gimtak jumped up and stuck a red pin into the page he was working on before flying over. “How can I serve you?”
“I need you to go find the maid Lilith and bring her here.”
“Right away, Your Viciousness.”
Gimtak was the best runner Keith had, mostly because he didn’t bother with hallways and just flew in and out of windows. And he could search the entire castle in fifteen minutes with his [Scouting] perk.
Lilith came hurrying in. It used to be that she was never summoned to the Dark Lord’s office, but it was becoming a frequent occurrence these days. She curtsied. “How can I ssserve you, Master?”
“How is Rinrin faring with the princess’s wardrobe?” He pushed his glasses up. “And what is Ria wearing to Grand Duchess Calisto’s Spring Ball?”
Lilith curtsied again and answered. “Rinrin has completed tailoring three day dresses, two adventuring outfitsss, a practice suit, riding clothesss, and one evening gown. The princesss has left it up to Rinrin to decide.”
“Is Rinrin in now?”
“Yesss, Your Viciousnesss.”
“Bring her to me,” he ordered. “Please. You are otherwise dismissed.”
Sometime later, Rinrin shuffled into his office.
“This Rinrin is here, Master.” The ratkin was old, and herth’s were especially pronounced because of her broken front tooth. “How may I serve you, Dark Lord?”
Keith asked, “What is Princess Henrietta wearing to the Spring Ball?”
“Me thinks she will wear whatever she wants.” Rinrin chuckled. “But this lowly one is making something special. Heheh, something special indeed.”
“Why am I suddenly worried?”
“Have trust in Rinrin,” the old woman said. “Now, does the Dark Lord want to match with the young princess?”
Keith flinched. Shewasyoung, and that’s why despite their tentative flirtations, he wanted to wait as long as possible. Technically, after her birthday next month, they would only be six years apart, and worse marriages had been formed for king and country in the past.
