The three servants returned to Mara’s room. This time, not only did they bring her a luxurious meal, they also brought dresses and shoes, but she hardly spared those a glance. She was ravenous. Refusing the first meal had been a colossal mistake (in protest, of course, but one she sorely regretted!). There had to be other more effective ways to revolt that didn’t include parting ways with her stomach.

To her surprise, they doubled up on everything: two large Japanese bento boxes, and another tray with individual dishes; a plate filled with *gyoza, another with *prawn tempura, then there was crab salad, and a bowl of *miso soup. Dessert was yet to be known and the fact that they had covered it with a cloche made it even more appealing. A feast for one person. Her mouth watered even before the servants finished setting the trays. All modesty forgotten, Mara tucked in. Whatever her dire circumstances, her appetite was impervious to them.

‘I hope the food will be to your liking?’ — A familiar voice in her mind. She nodded at the dark-skinned servant girl who smiled back timidly. — ‘I’m sorry it took a while longer than expected. We’ve been busy preparing for the banquet.’

The other two servants maintained their vacant gaze towards the ceiling, unaffected by Mara’s glutenous eagerness. They all waited.

Eventually, after finishing one bento box, she slowed down.

‘Lady Mara has an admirable appetite.’ The servant girl said, with a flustered but polite smile.

‘I… I’m sorry. I forget my manners when I’m hungry.’ Mara said, embarrassment at last seeping in.

‘Please, don’t apologise! Mr Mammon noticed that the last meal was not to your liking. He chose these dishes for you personally.’

Mara frowned. That Mammon guy. Was he using her love for food to get her to submit? Was he trying to make up for how his master behaved? No matter. She wouldn’t be bought so easily! Then she reached for another luscious gyoza piece. — ‘Can I ask, what is your name?’

‘I-I’m Miina.’

‘Miina. A beautiful name.’ — Mara smiled. — ‘It is very nice to meet you, Miina.’

Miina smiled brightly and almost bowed, but then caught herself. This wasn’t how a grey servant moved.

Mara appreciated her clumsiness. It somehow made everything seem less hopeless. Looking closely, perhaps Miina’s awkwardness was the only thing they had in common; she just stood out too much from her dead companions. Her smooth skin, her round grey eyes under her long lashes… she was absolutely stunning. She just didn’t seem to fit in with the others.

‘Miina… do you mind me asking. Are you a human? Like me?’

It was odd, but Miina seemed to ponder before answering. ‘I think I was… once, a long time ago.’

‘Forgive me, but you don’t seem too sure.’

‘I’m a soul… a human soul.’

‘Do you not remember?’

‘It is difficult with the grey on us every day.’ She said with a weak smile.

‘The grey?’

‘The colour, grey. It is the colour they use on us slaves. The colour of submission? They use it on us every day to ensure we perform our duties.’

The colour of submission.

Mara recalled the explosion of grey that horned lunatic threw at her before. Twice! So he intended to control her. To put her in a spell of sorts so she would submit to him. How dare he? She snapped one of the crab legs.

‘Lady Mara?’ The girl asked, fearfully.

‘I’m sorry, I was just lost in thought.’ — She chewed on the crabmeat. — ‘It’s just, you seem different from them.’ — Mara nodded to the zombie servants. — ‘You don’t have any injuries and you’re not missing body parts, and you can talk with your mind like the Shinigami and the tailed guy, Mammon.’

‘The Shinigami…? I’m not sure I understand…’

‘Mammon called him Lucifer.’ — Mara waved it off. — ‘Oh, and please, it’s just Mara.’

A smile lit Miina’s face. ‘Oh, Prince Lucifer. Everyone here calls him Prince Lucious, though.’

‘Lucious… ,’

Miina nodded brightly. Mara tried not to linger on him, not wanting to spoil her delightful meal.

‘So why are you different from the other servants? They don’t even look alive.’

‘I’m sorry. I’m not really sure. The grey has erased much of my memories. It’s just that every morning, a few moments after the dowsing of grey, I’m myself again. It doesn’t happen to anyone else. So I just try to go along with it.’

‘You mean you pretend to go along with it? Why?’

Miina nodded. She seemed ashamed.

‘It wouldn’t be safe for me otherwise. Being different here can be dangerous. There’s no telling what they would do if they discovered me and I’ve seen servants being discarded for less.’

‘Discarded? You mean like fired?’

Miina looked straight at Mara. Her serious stare was so uncharacteristic for a moment, it almost made her recoil.

‘No. They’re sent outside the walls to roam from kingdom to kingdom until the grey wears off. None of them ever return. Hell is a dangerous place for unprotected souls like me. It’s not just the creatures; some nobles have specific and vicious tastes for lost grey servants.’

Mara swallowed, unsure she wanted to ask more.

‘Miina… do you remember anything about your life? Like where you come from? How did you end up here? Were you taken too?’

Miina’s stare became haunted and distant.

‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t pry.’

‘No, it’s nothing. I think I am close to remembering. I think I had a big family… once with lots of sisters, but that’s really all I remember.’ She said with a meek smile.

It looked painful, trying to remember. Again, it seemed he had more in common with Miina than she imagined. She wanted to hear more, to help her somehow and perhaps see her smile genuinely. But was she even in a position to help someone else right now?

Then, as if a someone had flicked her inner light, Miina brightened and her eyes shone with life. ‘It is not all bad here! Mr Mammon, he helps and looks out for me. He seems very serious and strict, but I know he is a good person.’

‘Really?’ — Mara said with disdain. — ‘He doesn’t seem the type to care much about anything besides his precious master. Does he know you’re pretending to be a servant?’

Miina smiled awkwardly and shook her head. She seemed to avoid her gaze just then. Was she this shy all the time? Or maybe she just didn’t want to keep talking about how she was living her life, pretending to be someone else.

‘He is a wolf-warrior, did you know? They are a highly distinguished and respected clan in Hell. King Satan selects them for his own personal guard and his family’s. I heard that when he was young, master Lucious handpicked Mr Mammon himself. This caused a lot of commotion because Mr Mammon wasn’t even allowed to be a warrior. He was different you see, a half-breed. The wolf clan would never allow a half-breed into their warrior ranks, let alone serve royalty,’ — Here Mara held the bowl of miso just inches from her mouth. It was difficult to imagine the prideful Mammon not being worthy of something. — ‘but Master Lucious didn’t care and didn’t want anyone else.’ — Miina continued, oblivious. — ‘He’s proven time and time what an honourable and exceptional warrior he is. He should really be in the official military ranks, but wolves aren’t allowed that yet because of the laws. But we hear the general nobles praising him all the time, wishing he was in their service. Even young wolf warriors from his clan coming to Court, only to serve under him. He just will not leave prince Lucious’ side. Oh, and he’s so popular among the noble ladies! Even the married ones! He is just so handsome and so refined! He’s refused them all and prefers his own company and his work. So amazing.’

Well, even a dry guy like that has his own admirers, it seems. Miina looked like she could talk about him for the rest of the day.

Mara held on to her doubts quietly. No matter how impressive the butler was, he was still helping her captor. What kind of honourable deed was that, then?

*gyoza - a specific type of half-moon shaped Japanese dumplings; traditional gyoza is filled with minced pork and vegetables.

*prawn tempura - typical Japanese battered and deep fried prawns.

*miso soup - traditional Japanese soup consisting of a dashi stock (family of stocks used in Japanese cuisine;) into which softened miso paste is mixed.