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Suddenly, a large water pitcher tumbled off a nearby table, shattering into pieces on the floor. Water spilled out in all directions, soaking everything in its path. Maris quickly realized that this was her chance. She focused all her attention on the water, summoning it to her will with a flick of her wrist.

She closed her eyes, and the wind’s roar faded away as she concentrated on the liquid. She could feel it swirling around her, moving in response to her commands. With a sudden motion, she raised her arm and sent a sphere of water hurtling towards the princess’s face.

The sphere struck the princess with a satisfying thud, drenching her and knocking the wind off her. The gusts faltered then dissipated completely. The room fell silent, except for the princess’s coughing. Water must’ve gotten in her nose. Good. She deserved it for acting the way she was.

Maris sighed in annoyance and ran her fingers through her hair, which had become loose from her bun. She turned to Valda, her nostrils flaring and her chest rising and falling in agitation. She understood Valda’s anger. To have something suddenly taken away with no explanation would infuriate anyone. But the princess needed to think things clearly before destroying everything in her path.

“You need to control yourself,”Maris muttered.She hissed as she gathered the objects that had been thrown to the ground by Valda’s temper tantrum.

“Would you?!”

Maris thought it would be better to stay quiet. Instead, she kept tidying the bedroom and kept herself busy.

“I thought so…” Valda said, turning to lie on her side. “Who are you?”

“Your new exclusive chambermaid, I suppose.” Maris grabbed another object from the ground and slammed it on the nightstand. Good thing it was just a brush, or she might have shattered it in her anger.

“Your name?”

Closing her eyes and inhaling deeply, Maris decided to go along with the princess’s questionnaire. If it meant she would calm down and maybe trust her, what could go wrong?

“My name is Maris, Your Highness.”

“Maris.”

As she uttered her name, Maris couldn’t help but notice the way the princess’s voice caressed it, drawing out every syllable with a gentle touch. It was as if Valda had taken Maris’s name and transformed it into something more, something magical and alluring. A shiver ran down her spine.

“Maris,” she said again, testing the word on her tongue.

The cat jumped on the bed, releasing a soft and quick purr.

Good timing. Maybe she would be able to change the subject. “I hope this is your pet.”

“Cerberus?” Valda called out while the cat meowed loudly and pressed its head against Valda’s face.

“He’s been keeping an eye on you.”

“She.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“She is a girl,” Valda corrected, patting Cerberus’s flank.

“Cerberus is a girl?” Maris asked, incredulously.

The princess shrugged nonchalantly. “It was the first thing that came to mind…”

“Right. To name a female cat the name of a three-headed male dog. A complete contradiction.”

Valda snorted. “It’s original.”

Maris placed the last object on the nightstand and stared at the princess’s muscled bound back as she lay on her side, petting the cat. “Can’t argue with—”

“Are you here to follow my every move?” Valda asked, cutting her useless comment. “Are you going to see if I fall on my face or stub my toe?”

Maris rubbed her temples. “If you don’t stay put, yes, probably.”

“I haven’t heard your name before. Are you a new hire?”