Rakshasa Boyfriend: Alphonse (special preview)

I wasn’t raised in Rakshasa Country, while I had been born there, my father traveled often as a dignitary, and my mother was from Charbagne, where I spent most of my time. My mother was the head of the kitchen for the Charbagne royal palace. From her, I learned the trade and eventually took over the kitchen from her. When my father became ill though, we decided as a family to move back to his homeland in Rakshasa Country. Through my connections, I got a job in the royal palace. Unfortunately, I was the bottom rung in the hierarchy of the kitchen there, so until I earned my place, I was given some of the more menial kitchen jobs.

This was fine, at least my dad was getting taken care of, and the royal palace here was so much different than back home in Charbagne. There was a more relaxed air to this place, and since the Queen herself had once been of the common people, there felt a more familiar presence amongst the staff. Mythri visited the kitchen, often with her children in tow. She felt it was best the children saw how everything in the palace worked, including the people. It was strange compared to the more pompous overtones in Charbagne.

One of the things here I quite like is the staff dinner that takes place before the royal family is served. Most of the staff comes together to eat a large meal, so everyone gets a chance to meet and know one another. I’ve been sitting near the maid staff lately, and I’ve gotten quite chummy with them. I’ve often found myself sitting next to you, and while you are quiet, there is a charm to you that I find endearing.

You’ve said so yourself you’re very shy, but you were very welcoming when I first came to sit at the table. You were the one who made room for me, and you seemed to save me a seat each time at dinner. Although, you were a lady of very few words, your expressions and charm did enough talking. You were distantly related to the Rakshasa, so while you look almost entirely human, you had dark stripes on your skin, and had pointed ears that were velvety. I can only confess this to myself right now, but I have grown a mighty sized crush upon you. I have yet to gather up the nerve to tell you my feelings, as right now, I have been trying to get used to my new job and home.

“How long have you worked at the palace?” I ask one day.

You’re sipping your tea gingerly. It’s hot out so the tea has been served chilled and with little frozen lemon wedges. “I can remember when Mythri was a maid here,” you answer softly. “She helped train me, actually.”

I lean onto the table. “That must be strange, seeing one of your own become the queen.”

“If it were to happen to anyone I’m not surprised it was her,” you set your cup down and wipe your hands on your apron. “But you’ve worked in Charbagne, I’ve heard it’s beautiful there.”

“It is. But it’s a different sort of beautiful,” I say with a smile. “The mountains and the snow it gets, you can’t compare that to here in Rakshasa Country, with all the colors and liveliness.”

“I’ve actually never seen snow,” you chuckle shyly. “I’ve lived here all my life!”

My eyes go wide. “Never really? Well you have to go and visit one day!”

A sad look comes over your face, but you maintain that same shy smile. “I’d like to. But there is no way someone like me could ever hope to one day see the other side of the world.”

It made me sad to hear that, but I suppose it is true. I was lucky to be born to an affluent family. Even if I was staff here at the castle, I was certainly more privileged than most of my coworkers. Maybe that’s why they’ve been giving me such a hard time in the kitchen. Things have been getting better though, and my skills are being put to use in making confections and desserts.

One day, I’m getting a tray ready to be delivered to Mythri’s afternoon tea. She has guests over so I have made something special. As I’m taking it to the sunroom where she has it, I come across a scene just outside the kitchen. You’re standing with your back to the wall while someone I don’t know is talking to you. He seems to have you blocked and while you’re trying to pay attention to him, you look a little frightened. He seems to be paying no mind, just talking and inching ever closer.

“There you are,” I call over to you. Your head pops up and a look of relief washes over it. “We are going to be late,” I add.

“Alphonse,” you whisper.

The man looks towards me with a frown. “Can you take care of it? We were having a wonderful conversation.”

Your smile fades again and you look down at your feet.