The Behemoth Princess

“I’m assuming this is an offer that can’t be refused.”

The princess nodded. “This, or the complete and utter destruction of your village...followed closely by yourself.”

Fen sighed. Pulled on her braids. Checked her pockets for her needles and spool, along with the few copper coins she had.

There was nothing of particular value to her back in her room, sadly enough. Not even an excuse to temporarily get out of her current situation. A sentimental person would’ve thought of their family, in such a dire situation. A selfless person would’ve thought of the ethics of serving Princess Aviah, the one and only who had slaughtered hundreds in her conquest of the earthen city’s defenses. A brave person might’ve fancied themselves some sort of martyr, throwing themselves in the way of a tyrant to save a village.

She glanced at the portrait on the wall. Samuel had been an unfaithful bastard, but Mother had adored her husband. Spent an impractical amount of money on that hokey memorial piece.

Lee and Shen were Mother’s children. They were not, never had been, Fen’s brothers in anything besides partial blood.

And Mother. Mother tolerated Fen. Maybe even loved her. Couldn’t stand to have Fen as anything other than a responsibility. Wouldn’t ever stick up for her, or take her side. That really went for the whole of their village.

Fen wasn’t selfless, sentimental or brave. She was bored. She was tired of being tolerated. She didn’t want to watch her brothers, she didn’t want to pick pebbles out of her hair after a walk through the village, and she didn’t want to stay in a place where her biggest emotional attachment was to the washbasin she was constantly hunched over.

Her life was on the line. And she was willing to bet Princess Aviah, vicious, felled brute she was, wouldn’t want to carry that chicken all night. Or do her own laundry.

It couldn’t be worse than watching those brats.

“As long as I get to hold the chicken” She gave the taller girl a clumsy bow, “At your service, Princess.”

Aviah smiled. Fen reared back a shudder.

“Excellent.”