Eva the Maid

  The doors to the Queen's chamber were magnificent as was the room. It was decorated from the ceiling to the floor, yet they did not seem immoderate. Everything laid in place naturally, and her presence in the room only made it complete.

  I stared at her as she took a seat on the terrace of her chamber. For a while she did not speak and stared at the empty wooden table in front of her.

  "Siren, Li leave the room." She ordered her personal maids. They, though reluctant, did as they were asked.

  "Eva" she called my name softly.

  "Yes," I spoke.

  She pointed at a table indoors. "Brew me a cup of tea," she asked and then laid back on the chair. Her eyes looked out into the gardens. Perhaps she was admiring its beauty, she appeared breath-taking. I could only applaud the King's choice for the Queen of this kingdom.

  The sudden order from her confused me. “Pardon?-” Surely, she didn't call me here to just pour her a cup of tea? Even after my expression of confusion, she did not respond. So I hurried as per her request."... Right away!" My heart was still pounding. What if I make a mistake?

  The table had a mini kettle and many jars filled with different kinds of leaves. I recognised one of them as the herb infused barley tea which is rather popular in my hometown. I had brewed it ever since I was little. My hand reached out to the familiar bottle but it never graced it. How dare I even try brewing ‘that’ for the Queen? And hence, I picked the jar that looked the fanciest– the one adorned with ribbons and designs. It must be valuable. As I held the bottle in my hand I glanced at all the other fancy jars of herbal and branded teas. People of my status could only dream of touching these but for the Queen it was nothing. Somehow, I felt bitter.

  The fireplace next to it had already been burning. It was neither winter, nor was it early spring, did the Queen prefer lit fireplaces? Even in the afternoon? That was a waste of precious firewood. I poured the tea leaves and water into the kettle and placed it into the fireplace.

  All the while the Queen did not utter a word. I was well aware that she had hired people to brew tea for her. What if she dislikes the flavour, and off my head?

  That thought made me shudder.

  The kettle boiled as I prepared the teaset on the empty wooden table on the terrace. Queen Ren’s vision was lost in the trees growing behind the shrubs of roses and jasmine, and the marigolds.

  I poured the tea into the tea cup, my hands shaking with all the anxiety, while the Queen did not move or speak. After I had done so, she stared at the cup intensely. All the while my heart was pounding fervently.

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  Her lips touched the cup and the tea slowly poured into her mouth, my breath did not leave my body.

  She placed the cup on the table. "You are not very talented," she stated.

  My heart sank, was I about to get reprimanded for that?

  "Are you from Hasmornd?" she asked.

  No.. How did she know? I could not bring myself to lie, the anxiety of being caught lying to the royalty was enough to kill me in my sleep. I nodded. "...yes.." my voice, barely audible. Feelings of apprehension welled up in me and I felt like crying. Was I going to be thrown out?

  I should have known, how could I ever expect anything good when I myself was born out of the city of poor and dirty? My lovely hometown– the city of poor and dirty– Hasmornd. It lived up to its reputation, hindering the nobles from hiring anyone from there, let alone royalty!

  I had wondered whether I had used all my life's luck to get work in the palace. Given, I hadn’t been completely honest about my origins. Given, I had to run around to find people who could vouch for me. Given, my parents had to give up all their wealth to get me this work. I felt miserable. Was it really my fault that I was born in that city? The city of the poor and dirty.

  I had hoped I could live a life out of poverty. Was I not even allowed that?

  I decided to plead my case.

  "My Queen- it is true I am from Hasmornd- b-but I work diligently! With perfection! Please! Please, consider my plea to keep working here-" my voice trembled.

  The Queen simply stared at me.

  "Eva, with the lies you are brewing you will be thrown away regardless…" her head rested on her crossed fingers as she looked out at the garden.

  I grabbed my skirt, wiping the sweat that accumulated in my hands. My tension had made me bite my lip. I only relaxed at the noise of the Queen sighing then reclining on her chair.

  "Eva, why did you not brew the barley tea from the city of Hasmornd, even though you reached out for it?" she asked.

  I looked at the floor, barely holding back my tears. She had noticed that? “I- I was just- I used to make it for my father but I-" tears slowly rolled down my cheeks.

  "Since on that table are the ingredients for that tea, I wish for you to brew me a cup," she requested.

  I stared at her, crying, confused, was she not going to execute me? I stared at her eyes that exuded passion so intense that I felt it burning my heart. What was it? What was this passion for?

  I ran to the table and started preparing. The familiarity of working with a tea I had always made, provided me a sense of ease.

  This time when she had sipped the tea she did not comment, but called for her personal maids outside.

  "Siren, Li, take Eva make sure she perfects this blend of tea!" she commanded.

  "Yes, my Queen!" They both responded and looked at me.

  Although a relief ran through my veins, a chill made me question her random decision, "My Queen, d-does this mean you liked the t-tea I brewed?"

  I think I should have not asked that.

  "Eva, this tea is not something nobles consume, yet it is King Dine's favourite. He had expressed an interest in wanting to drink it, so as his Queen, I find it my duty to do my best." Even though she spoke sternly, her voice never left the softness.

  That is when It dawned upon me that the passion in her eyes was the passion of love and the desire to serve its cause. But then was the Queen already aware of my meager origin– that I was from Hasmornd and that I could very well be capable of making that tea the King requested?

  I felt an uncomfort bubble in my heart as my mind filled itself with questions.

  But I remembered, I neither held the authority nor the wealth to question anything the Queen did. Besides, it seemed to me that she was overlooking the fact that I had lied to get this work. This compassion of her, kindled my hopes and I decided to serve her.

  "My Queen, I will do my best!" I answered euphemistically.

  She did not speak but continued staring at the garden below.

  Maybe I was dull or maybe I was naive. If only I was a bit more intelligent….