The Scullery
Morning tea in the garden was one of Queen Laverne's favorite pastimes. The fresh smell of spring flowers and the warmth of the morning sun was the perfect way to welcome the day. She sipped her chrysanthemum tea and watched a hummingbird flitter by as her mind wandered off alongside it. Teatime was one of the few moments of solace she had nowadays—royal life was always so chaotic. She was at her most relaxed then.
Although, it could admittedly be somewhat lonely too.
Unbeknownst to Queen Laverne, hiding just a little way down the garden path, in the shelter of a nearby cherry blossom tree, was Dia. As the royal pet, she was rarely able to leave the palace, but today she was able to venture outside (on the one condition that her guard, Seraphim, accompany her).
"Watch your step, m'lady," Seraphim said. "Can't have you hurting yourself now."
Dia only nodded in response. Seraphim had allowed her to take the lead—this was her free time after all. But Dia was remaining very cautious. Being out and about as she was felt somehow illegal, even if she did have permission to be there. Everyone within the palace was so protective over the one mysterious unicorn that lived amongst them. She was too precious to put in any sort of danger, so venturing outside was usually a no-no.
But on the rare occasion that she was allowed out, Dia savoured it. The wild flora and fauna of the palace gardens felt somehow nostalgic to her. And being able to drink in the fresh air was almost enough to distract her from the ever-growing hunger she could never seem to escape, even if only for a brief moment.
Dia hadn't noticed the queen until she caught the sweet scent of her flowery tea in the air. The unicorn looked around but halted when she spotted Laverne sitting at her quaint garden table. She looked so peaceful, silently sipping from her cup as she gazed around at the colorful flowerbeds.
She hadn’t noticed Dia or Seraphim yet. Dia wasn't even sure if it would be okay to approach her.
I would really like to speak with her though… she thought. Her heart, forever-bound with gold thread, fluttered at the idea.
Tentatively, Dia took a step forward. But her hoof hit the root of the blossom tree, and the faint tapping sound was enough to alert Laverne of her presence.
The queen's gaze shot up from her teacup, directing her attention towards Dia. Upon seeing the unicorn, she smiled.
“Why, good morning, Dia. Would you care to join me?” Queen Laverne asked, a welcoming look on her pretty face.
Dia glanced over at Seraphim, who gave a stern nod before slinking back into the shadows of the nearby foliage. Dia knew she would still be watching over her but would remain far enough away that she could have some privacy with Laverne.
Once Seraphim had disappeared, Dia trotted over and took a seat down on the chair across from her queen. The wrought iron had been warmed in the sun and the delicious scent of floral tea had Dia excited.
"I don't know if I remember the last time I saw you outside," Queen Laverne mused as she picked up the ornate teapot sitting between them to pour a cup for Dia. She felt a bit embarrassed; the queen was not supposed to serve her.
Laverne finished pouring her tea and gave Dia another smile. Shakily, Dia reached out to pick up her cup and saucer. It was the finest bone china she'd ever seen—ornate hand-painted lavender decorated the edges, and the china itself was so delicate she could almost make out the silhouette of her fingers through it.
She took a sip, flinching slightly at the heat. But the refreshing taste soon replaced the pain. Absolutely delicious! Dia tipped her head back and kicked her hooves out in delight.
Dia noticed Laverne stifling a giggle.
"I-is something the matter?"
"No, no," Laverne shook her head. "You just look so cute when you drink your tea, Dia. The joy on your face… It's infectious!"
The unicorn blushed at the compliment. "Th-thank you. I'm sorry if it's unbecoming of me."
"No need to apologise. Everyone around here is always so rigid. Seeing you so unabashedly happy is… a breath of fresh air."
Dia felt a smile forming on her face. The queen was always so kind to her. Dia may have not been able to remember where she came from, but she was ever-so thankful that she had ended up in a place with somebody as wonderful as Queen Laverne. There was a darkness that came from being the royal pet, but the queen made it all worth it for Dia.
Laverne continued, "You've been attempting to mix magic with teas lately, haven't you?"
Dia nodded. "Healing magic helps when I'm in pain."
And while that was true, the tea could only do so much for Dia. It helped with her aches and the stiffness in her joints; all the things that came from living in a new body.
But it never got rid of the hunger.
Tea was delicious. It was sweet and warm and incredibly comforting, but it would never satiate her. There was always an empty feeling in her stomach, a growl within her that she could never get rid of.
Dia was hungry again.
And the queen could always tell. Nobody could read Dia like she could—Laverne could tell better than anyone. She would always notice the change in Dia's demeanour, no matter how subtle it may have been. Dia would sometimes try and hide it, but Laverne wasn't blind. She knew her all too well.
"We need to get you some food."
She and Dia were both aware of the fact a regular meal wouldn't help. Only one thing ever filled her—red meat.
Silently, Laverne got to her feet, glanced over towards the bushes where Seraphim was lurking and gave a nod to dismiss her. Once the hound had wandered off, Laverne requested Dia to follow her.
"Come with me," she smiled softly. "I know exactly what you need."
There was a large scullery on the lowest level of the palace. It was where the cooks kept things like sacks of flour and sugar, as well as dried herbs and even bottles of fine wine. It was also where the royal hunters would hang their kills after they'd been gutted and skinned. They kept the best game down there, for whenever the king had decided to hold any celebratory banquets. But Laverne figured they wouldn't notice if a venison leg or two went missing.
"We really don't have to do this, Your Highness," Dia whispered, quietly trotting along behind Laverne as they descended the stairs.
"But you're hungry, aren't you?"
"Well, yes… But…" Dia's soft voice trailed off. "W-won't we get in trouble?"
"And who would dare scold their queen?" Laverne smirked.
There were no other words exchanged until they came to the scullery doors situated at the bottom of the stairwell. The cooks never bothered locking it, so Dia and Laverne were able to waltz right on in.
The smell hit Dia first. Buried beneath the scent of exotic spices and damp wood was the unmistakable odor of blood. In the back of the scullery, hanging from a large hook attached to a rusty metal pipe, was a huge leg of wild venison—thick, succulent, and marbled with fat.
"Go, eat! Quickly now," Laverne urged, "Before the cooks get back."
"I really shouldn't, Your Highness."
Laverne sighed. "Dia," her voice had turned stern. "As your queen, I insist you go and eat that venison."
If the queen had ordered it, Dia had no choice but to obey.
The unicorn took a step forward, then another, then another. Soon she was standing beneath the leg of meat, it hanging over her like a pendulum. She gingerly placed her hand against it. It was cold to the touch.
Dia looked back at Laverne. In the dark, it was hard to make out her face, but she could see well enough to tell she nodded.
Taking a breath so deep it pulled at the golden thread in her chest, Dia lunged forward and sunk her fangs in.
It hit her.
At last.
Fulfilment.
For a brief moment, the shame she had been feeling melted away. Dia didn't see the blood staining her snowy hair, how her sharp teeth tore apart the flesh, or even her beloved queen watching as she feasted. She just saw food. She saw the meat that would remedy her painful hunger. The only thing that seemed to fill the void inside.
Dia ate until her jaw ached and her white hide had turned a dirty shade of pink. She slowly came out of her frenzy, and when she found herself back in reality, there Laverne was, watching her. The deer leg was not much for than a few threads of meat hanging from the bone, with a few faint teeth marks carved into it.
"I… I…" Something heavy hit Dia then. She was ashamed to have shown that side of herself to Laverne. The bone dropped out of her hands and landed on the cold stone floor with a light thump. Dia coiled back in horror, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
But Laverne simply knelt to her level, unconcerned about the blood that got on her shoes or the bottom of her gown. She leaned in, cupping Dia's dirtied face in her hands and pulling her towards her.
"You feel better now, right Dia?" she asked. She placed a kiss on the unicorn's forehead and stroked the tears from her eyes.
She was so warm. So soft and lovely and she smelled so nice to Dia. For some reason, it made her start to cry even harder. But Laverne never let go. She would hold Dia for as long as she possibly could.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Dia felt full.