9 Hazel's secret and a deal

The lady-in-waiting face was filled with horror as she realized that her secret was discovered. However, she was appalled by the young princess's reaction.

"I can't believe it!" Lily jumped around Hazel with a happy expression on her face. "a real living witch! Why didn't you tell me? I've been dying to meet one!"

Hazel didn't know how to react. She was expecting that her young mistress would scream and tell the guards to arrest her and have her executed.

But instead of fright, anger or rejection, the young lady seemed happy that she finally met a witch.

Snapping out of her initial shock, she knelt before the princess and pleaded with quivering voice.

"Forgive me, my lady. I have been deceiving you for years. Yes, I am a witch but I never wanted to be one. Please don't tell his Majesty. He will have me executed once news will spread."

"I am sure that the king will." Killer nodded in agreement. "Deceiving royalty is punishable by death after all."

"Shut up!" In irritation, Lily grabbed Killer harshly and dumped him inside a box to keep him quiet.

After which she turned her attention to the lady-in-waiting. "I won't tell His Majesty but you needed to tell me the truth from now on."

"Why is it that you are here? You are a witch, right? How come you chose to become my lady-in-waiting?" Lily asked one after another. 

Hazel looked at the blue orbs which had been glowing with mirth and excitement. Knowing that she could trust the princess, she poured out what the other girl needed to know.

"Do you still remember the story about Forsythia?" Hazel began. The princess nodded in response. "I am her."

Lily's jaws almost touched the floor at Hazel's revelation. "What? But how?"

"My real name is Forsythia Hazel Hallows." Hazel confessed. "I ran away from home because I never wanted to be a witch. I wanted to be a normal girl."

"why?" 

"I know that you find it fascinating, my lady. But being a witch is not a good thing." Hazel answered. "People feared us, hated us. They drove us away and have nothing to do with us. We have to live outside of towns... and I hated it."

Lily would have opened her mouth but Hazel continued. "I don't want to curse and harm people. I want to live peacefully with them. So, I chose to leave my home, give up magic and do as I wish..."

"That did not answer my question." Lily incised before asking. "Why did you choose to serve me?"

"I would have died that day when you found me. Giving up my magic and living as a non-caster, I had to pay for the consequences of my actions." she indirectly replied.

Seeing the princess puzzled look, she added. "Without my magic, I had to work to feed my stomach. I was able to fend for myself for a couple of months but some things were bound for disaster."

"Some of my former employers were cruel. They refused to give me food and abused me." Hazel looked forlorn as she imparted.

Then she continued. "When you found me that night, they were about to beat me, violate my body and sell me as a slave. I was thankful to you and his Majesty for saving me back then."

"When I saw you I knew that I have to help you." Lily commented.

"When the King asked me to work here, I thought that I could finally repay your kindness through my services. Plus, I know that life here as a servant would be better than being a beggar on the streets." She finished with a sad smile.

Lily made her way to Hazel and pulled the older girl up. Smiling at her attendant, she then gave her a hug, which surprised the latter.

"Hazel, I will keep your secret..." Lily began after she pulled away. "but I want something in exchange."

Hazel became a bit anxious at the way the princess stared at her. For some reasons, she felt that the girl's request won't be good.

But still she obliged. "Anything your highness."

Lily's face split with a mischievous grin, which made Hazel gulped in response.

~~~

Lily watched in fascination as the sprout shoot from the floorboards. Small branches formed and foliage began covering the sapling in just a matter of seconds.

As it grew in height, branches kept extending out until it reached a span of about 3 feet. The growth stopped and pinkish white buds appeared.

Th buds bloomed fully for a few more seconds before they wilted and small fruits graced the plant.

"Apples!" Lily squealed in delight as the round yellow-greenish fruit began to grow and turn red.

Among all the fruits, apples were the princess's favorite.

As if in a trance, Lily reached out and took one of the fruits which had reddened and ripened beautifully.

Taking a deep breath, she marveled at the delicious smell, which made her mouth water.

"You can eat it if you like. It is not poisoned." She barely heard Hazel's gentle voice.

Closing her eyes, she absentmindedly took a bite. As her teeth sank in the fruit's flesh, flavors burst in her mouth. Her eyes widened at how tangy and juicy the fruit was.

She would've have enjoyed her snack but her attention got drawn back to the tree. All of the fruits fell on the floor and the leaves soon followed.

A startled cry came from the princess when the tree dried up and burst into blue flames.

The apple was forgotten as the young lady watched the azure flame dance. Her blue eyes dilated when the same flame rose high and took different shapes.

Among that caught her attention was the palm-size deer that sprang out and pranced about the room. She almost forgot that it was made of fire that she had stalked forward to touch it.

"You can touch it." Hazel encouraged with a smile.

Lily was a bit hesitant first but eventually her curiosity and fascination got her.

Despite the fear of getting her hand burnt, she allowed herself to caress the flaming creature.

Shock was written on her face when her hand touched the flame. It was warm to touch but not scorching enough to give a first degree burn.

The flames died after a couple of minutes and left the room dimly lighted by a candle.

"That was awesome!" Lily exclaimed. "When will I get the chance to do that too?" she asked with a hopeful smile.

Hazel's smile faltered.