The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

"Leave".

Maya sighs relaxed hearing Xavier's voice.

"You can come out, My Lady".

Maya steps down from the carriage by taking Xavier's hand. She stands confused as she is standing at the Entrance of The Countryside Pavilion.

For some weird reasons, she felt this place as her home. She feels comfortable here than any other places in this country.

It might be because this place is away from The Royal Palace or The Crown Prince. May be both could made Maya to feel so.

Xavier declares leaving her hand "I wish you attain more progress when I return".

Maya creases her eyebrows "When you return? That means..I need not to accompany you?!".

Xavier nods with a smile "You didn't like being forced and I don't like to force you to do something ".

Maya felt her heart tugging yet acts as if only looking at him in surprise.

She asks in disbelief "Why?".

Xavier shrugs blankly "Why would I force you to do something?".

Maya states frankly "Because it's your Crown Prince's order".

Xavier purses his lips 'Indeed...I wonder what I would tell him...' and pretends thinking about her words.

Maya frowns 'Did I remind him of the order?! Heavens!' and asks hurriedly "You are not thinking of going back on your own words, are you? ".

Xavier shakes his head helplessly and wonders "Why are you always blaming my Brother?".

Maya blurts casually "Because I do not like him-". She bites her tongue and curses herself.

Xavier laughs lightly "You deserve to be punished for disliking My Brother! ".

Even though he didn't like her disliking his Brother this much, at some corner in his heart he felt happy which also made to feel guilty for being selfish.

Maya rolls her eyes "I am already going through one".

Xavier sighs and announces sadly "I have to go".

Maya feels restless at his tone and feels sad to part him. She doesn't know what to say so just nods curtly. But her eyes were enough to make Xavier sigh.

He turns to go but stops frowning. He says slowly without turning back "I think you should stop expecting a simple life, Maya".

Maya's heart almost stopped hearing her name from his mouth. She just stares him from his back in utter shock.

Xavier nods seriously "You might have realized by now. That you can't live a normal and simple life anymore. So, stop yearning for one".

Maya only then breaths out as she stopped breathing before without even realizing herself. She states the truth from her heart "I do not belong here".

Xavier smirks "Since you entered into Royalty, you already belong here. As for the status of Queen Consort. ." he turns towards her and wonders "Do you really want to be one?".

'I would never like to be a King or Emperor. If you-'.

Maya sighs boringly "I do not".

Xavier chuckles 'Those words are going to be my death!'.

I thought I would yearn to hear the words 'I do' while I marry you. I never thought these three words can also make me feel so happy!!

He asks as if he is warning her for what she could lose if she neglects to be a Queen now "Still..How about in future? What if you start liking being a Queen? And...". 

He stops continuing and hesitates to speak more. 

'I don't want to force anything on her. If she truly doesn't like being a Queen, then I would say my heart's feelings to her and ask her to marry me at once...'.

Maya frowns "Why would I want to risk my life by even being in Royalty?!".

Xavier "...". Very well!

Maya declares "I am waiting for your Crown Prince to end this drama of ours and let me go from here".

' But before that, I should know about the Cold Prison..and close it!'.

She looks Xavier's sad face and asks reluctantly "When will you return? You all..from the Southern Country. ..".

' I do not need to be a Queen Consort to close the Prison, do I?! I already know the secret way to the prison. I just want to know the secrets behind it and Bhommi would return soon. With her help I will close the Cold Prison easily! But about the secret. ..This man would not answer me for now... or..should I just ask him about the Secret Prison?'.

Xavier answers disappointed "We will...return soon".

' If I tell her my heart now, she might reject me instantly. I should give her time and make her realize that being in Royalty is not that bad and wrong. Till then *sigh* I have to be patient....How annoying!'.

Maya wonders "Have you seen the hidden room in the Pavilion?".

' I cannot just say the Cold Prison. ..I have to pretend that I only saw the room..and do not know anything yet..'.

Xavier looks at her suspiciously "Hidden room? Where?".

' How did she know about the hidden room in the Empress Pavilion?! How would have Veronica allow Maya to see that?!'.

Maya states blankly "The one in the Countryside Pavilion. ..I just accidentally saw one while I lost my way in the garden. Do you think there will be any treasure hidden in it?".

Xavier creases his eyebrows seriously "In Countryside Pavilion? How did I not know this?".

Thinking about something, he assures "I will accompany you there once I return. Now, I really have to rush". 

He walks few steps away from her and stops suddenly as if he remembered something. He warns her seriously "Don't ever go there again, Maya. You don't know anything about the place and it might even be dangerous. So, stay away from there till I return".

Maya nods and looks at him walking away hurriedly.

' Why did he sound mysterious? Does he really not know about the Cold Prison? How could it be? Even Sarah, a servant knows about the Prison! He must be lying... I should never trust these Royal people..Did he really lie?.'.