by DP Scott
Hete made faces as he stood silently behind Detis watching her fiddle with her jewels. He thought it was funny how she primped in front of the mirror and talked to herself.
"Which one becomes you more, the black diamonds or the purple emeralds? I think they both do. Yes, you’re very beautiful Detis, the most beautiful in the kingdom. Just wait until you’re Queen, with power, wealth and the Solar System," said Detis, smiling at her reflection.
Hete cleared his throat and interrupted by the noise, Detis spun around.
"What do you want now, you horrid creature? I pay you plenty and for what!" she yelled, glaring at him.
"I’ve brought you information, My Queen."
"Well don't just hover, tell me!" she demanded.
"The officer Anton has been released," said Hete quietly, being sure not to make eye contact.
"When?” she asked, becoming almost cheerful. “Is he coming to beg forgiveness? I must ready myself. Oh I like to win, win, win! Everything will fall into place now, I know it."
Lifting her skirt she danced, watching her reflection in the mirror, while Hete who already felt extremely ill at ease began to feel even more uncomfortable. Carefully sliding one foot ahead of the other, he carefully tried to make his escape, but he was not fast enough. The second Detis detected motion she instantly turned his way.
Very calmly and slowly she walked towards him and said, "He’s not coming to see me, is he Hete, my pet?"
Hete began to shake, and try as he might words would not come to his quivering lips.
"What is it, Hete?" she asked ever so sweetly approaching him without making the slightest sound.
It seemed as though Detis’s eyes were burning off the top of his head. He tried not to look at her and wished he’d never come to report on Anton. Thinking as hard as he could on how he was going to tell Detis what happened so she wouldn’t be even angrier, made Hete shake violently. I’ll just say it quickly, he thought and then I’ll run to the door. Kievils were a rudimentary race and always thought in very simple terms.
"Saturna found out and released him. He’s now in her quarters, resting," said Hete, spitting out the words rapidly. But as he turned to take his first steps towards the door, Detis reached out and grabbed the back of his shirt spinning him around.
"HE is in the royal apartments while I rot in the north wing! I won’t stand for this! That child has interfered with my plans once too often!”
Letting Hete go, Detis sunk slowly to her knees and covered her face with her hands. “Why, why does she make things so difficult? I won’t put up with it! I won’t allow a child to overrule my orders! The plans are moving too slowly. I have invested years on this rotten planet. I...”
Feeling sorry for her, Hete stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder for reassurance, copying what Saturna had done to comfort him.
Detis roughly shoved it away and glared at him with hatred. "Don't you ever touch me again! Get out. GET OUT!" she yelled.
Frightened, Hete scampered out the door, but once he was out of the range of Detis, he completely forgot the incident and began to think about going to the kitchen for something to eat.