Deidelia's Heart

Deidelia Steinbet laughed with an obnoxious expression on her face as she poured wine over a frightened young lady; the onlookers were stunned at the display.

“Look at you, Melody!” Deidelia’s voice carried disdain. “Don’t you resemble a thirsty mutt?” She fixed her gaze on Melody.

“I don’t care how much my darling looks at you; you’ll always be a commoner, a filthy commoner.” Deidelia called out the woman in front of everyone; there were just eyes filled with pity for the young lady being bullied.

The scornful gaze of Lady Deidelia was a chilling sight, driven by her hatred for the other female, who had encroached on her property.

“Lady Deidelia!?” A man’s voice boomed; the King and Queen watched with an embarrassed look and couldn’t help but sigh.

“Your pranks have gone too far!” A young man approached the two, and the bullied woman looked at the young man with hope in her eyes. “Ian!” The maiden called out.

Deidelia noticed this change in behavior and was appalled at the blatant flirting. How dare she call the Crown Prince by his first name, and in front of her no less.

Feeling her anger rise, she grabbed Melody’s arm. “Who said you could call my fiancé by his name?”

“Argh!” Melody screamed.

“Answer m-”

Slap. The sound of a hand connecting with a cheek echoed in the royal palace.

Deidelia stepped back slowly as she touched her cheek. It was starting to sting really badly, and this feeling was building up in her chest. She turned and looked at the man who had struck her.

The assailant glared coldly at her. “Let. Go. Of. The. Lady. You are hurting her.” Deidelia stood in silence as she touched her cheek, shaking before letting go of the lady’s arm.

Lady Melody fell into the man’s arms. “Your majesty!” She called out.

Grabbing ahold of her, he gently swayed and held her in an intimate position.

Deidelia held her cheek before she smiled gingerly. “My honey touched my cheek.” She said as she turned and approached the Prince for some form of affection but was coldly ignored.

Turning to leave, Deidelia smiled. “I’ll see you next time, Melody.”

No one seemed surprised. “I do not understand their love story at all,” some noble whispered.

“Lady Deidelia seems to love being struck. Why does she always cause problems?”

“Is she that desperate for her betrothal’s attention that she would throw her pride away?” Another voice whispered.

Deidelia returned to her chambers, her servants undressing her and washing her before she climbed into bed with a blank expression on her face.

The next day came by fairly quickly; she started her day by going for an early morning run, and only the servants she chose herself were allowed to wait on her.

After she returned from her run, she found her breakfast already waiting for her. She nodded with satisfaction at the obedience of her servants, but that’s when something caught her eye.

“Lizzie!” Deidelia called out in anger.

“Mistress?” A young maid rushed in.

“Did I not tell you to not make mistakes?” Deidelia asked threateningly.

“Yes, my lady, I apologize, please punish me as you see fit.” The maid said in fear, shaking visibly at the idea of being punished by Lady Deidelia. She bowed on her knees.

A sinister look appeared on Deidelia’s face as she spoke. “Well, since you so carelessly placed the eating utensils on my table, where a duke’s daughter would eat, I think a fitting punishment would be…”

The maid trembled in fear. ‘I was hoping…I was hoping she would not pick on me tonight as well…’ Lizzie thought, breaking into a cold sweat. The scars on her body itched, and she could feel the pain from her memories surfacing.

“Sir Luzit!” A knight entered the dining palace.

“My lady? How may I assist you?” He asked as he saw the maid on her knees, and the idea of her fate started to make sense.

“One lashing for Lizzie; she can’t seem to serve her superior properly.” Deidelia ordered as the maid shivered.

“I will take this punishment and vow to do better!” Lizzie nodded eagerly with tears welling up.

This reaction from the maid seemed to be off-putting for the young noble lady. Where was her fear? Why did she seem relieved?

As the knight helped the maid up and out of the dining palace.

“Lizzie!!!” Deidelia’s voice called out.

Lizzie froze as a shiver ran down her spine, feeling lightheaded. Lizzie turned around slowly. “Y-yes, my la-”

“I spot several errors here!” Deidelia exclaimed as she knocked over a glass, spilling its contents onto the white silk fabric.

“There is even shattered glass here.” She said as she dropped the glass on the floor.

“Imagine if I were to cut myself on this!? This is tantamount to treason. Don’t you agree?” Deidelia asked as she stared at the maid’s face, just in pure silence, awaiting the response.

A dark smile stared at the maid. Lizzie was terrified; she couldn’t disagree or it would look like she is calling the Duke’s daughter a liar, which would add to her sins. She had no choice but to agree and take the blame; surely the lady wouldn’t do anything too drastic.

“Y-yes, I-I have committed treason…” The maid uttered as she sweated profusely.

“Lady Deidelia, I don’t believe it would be a wise-” Deidelia turned and glared at the knight.

“Do you value your knighthood, Sir Luzit? Because I just need to tell my father of your deeds, and you would be disgraced with your head on a plate.” Deidelia taunted.

The knight grunted before lowering his gaze and bowing. “I apologize, my lady.” Luzit kneeled.

“Good. Now, Lizzie, due to this unfortunate situation your mistakes have caused,” Deidelia mused. She aimed for a punishment that wouldn’t let the maid off too easily, for it seemed Lizzie knew her role perhaps a bit too well.