" Compile a list of the people who worked in Gegoria's Royal palace while she was there and kill them all." Dexter announced to his commandant very early in the next day while he was study.

Geoffrey snapped his head to look at the king, confused. " W-why?" He stuttered out, surprised.

" Those people hurt the one they were supposed to be protecting. They do not deserve to live." He replied calmly, his eyes still on the scroll before him.

The order didn't make sense to Geoffrey. Why would the king want them all dead? " But, your majesty! You can't just kill innocent people like that!" He replied, trying to make the King see reason.

Dexter glanced at him, his eyes cold. " They became guilty the moment they laid their hands on Maya and treated her the way they did." He replied.

Geoffrey stood there in shock seeing the king was serious with his order. This is strange, the King has never been this reckless since his mother's death.

He wanted to argue more but seeing the resolute look on the king's face, clamped his mouth shut. He bowed his head.

" Your wish is my command." He muttered beneath his breath, bowing his head. He stepped out of the study, closing the door behind him.

His order didn't make sense he knew, but he had spent the last night thinking of how different Maya was now. So many things must have happened that he wasn't aware of it.

Especially the scars. His eyes darkened in rage as he remembered, his hand paused in his writing, his body tensing. He would never know the extent of their damage to her.

Anyone who tries to hurt her, before or now would pay direly.

.

.

.

Maya woke up the next day after a night good rest. filled with vigor and determination. She wanted to go and learn everything there was to learn about being a good queen. Once again, Dexter wasn't there when she woke up but she quickly realised that he must have begun his work.

The maids came to her chambers and after helping her bath, served her breakfast. After filling her stomach with a hearty meal, she immediately went to the library in the palace. The she picked up every book that talked about the duties of a queen and settled down to begin reading.

They weren't a lot of duties attached to it. They were majorly just to support the king in his decisions, host banquets and bare heirs. They was also the function to manage the palace while she was at it.

Except Maya didn't like people and she detested banquets. Remembering her debutante and how she was ridiculed by her half-sister, Maya hardly attended any banquets unless it was absolutely compulsory.

She quickly dismissed that and focused on the next important duty. Overseeing the affairs of the palace. It didn't seem to hard at first but Maya started studying on it and saw how complicated it was. It involved a lot of management, spending and instructing of every single worker in the palace.

How is she supposed to go through with this? Does it means she has to be nice to all of them? She grimaced. She wasn't that much of a good person. Well, she was going to start somewhere.

Maya groaned, huffing out a breath. Ruffing her hair, she stared at the book before her. This is going to be hard.

.

.

.

" Where's the queen?" The King asked one of the maids that passed by him as he walked down the hallways. The maid stopped, replying him that she was in the library. He nodded, dismissing her. The maid bowed and left. He missed her already, he wanted to see her. This is stupid, you were with her all night, his subconscious reminded him. That didn't matter, he said to himself as he headed to the library.

He headed straight to the library afterwards There, he met Maya buried in a pile of books, a frown on her face as she peered at a book before her, her brows scrunched in concentration. A smile split his lips as the sight.

Quietly approaching her, he watching as she groaned, grabbing her head ." I don't understand anything!" She groaned, huffing.

" Would you like me to help?" He asked. She jumped from the chair, startled. Seeing it was Dexter, she let out a sigh, relaxing. Then turned to him..

" What are you doing here?" She asked, a brow raised.

" I came to see you." He replied easily, his voice gentle. He glanced at the books before her. " What are you doing?"

" Trying to figure out what my duties are. Didn't expect it to be so hard." She muttered underneath her breath as she glared back at the books.

" How long have you been here?" Dexter asked.

" All morning." She replied, flipping the pages of another book. All morning, it was early afternoon now.

" Would you like to go for a walk?" He offered. Maya stared at him then nodded her head, closing the book she held.

" Of course. I do need a break." She said as she stood, straightening her gown. " I was beginning to get annoyed anyway." She muttered to herself.

He watched as she stood to her feet, leading her out of the library. He walked her to the garden, which was filled with rows of trees and flowers. The sun shone brightly ahead and butterflies filled the air. Workers could be seen tending to the plants as they walked side by side.

" Wow... It's really beautiful!" Maya gasped as they walked, her eyes darting around at the lovely rows of flowers that were designed in such a way it looked like a maze. His steps were slow and Maya didn't have to try too hard to catch up with him.

Lovely scents wafted through the air as it was the height of summer the hot sun didn't affect her so much, since they were sparsely shaded by tress.

" Have you been here before?" Dexter asked, on seeing her reaction. Maya shook her head, a small smile on her face.

"No, but I wanted to yesterday while I was on my tour. Didn't get the chance to. It's really beautiful. It could easily be my favorite part of the castle! " She turned to him, her eyes glinting. " I heard its your favorite place too."

Dexter nodded, a corner of his lips quirked up. " Other than the fact that my mother designed it, I spent a lot of time here growing up as a child. My mom would go on evening walks and I usually accompanied her." Dexter chuckled as a memory of him running around at the garden filled his head.

Maya watched as Dexter's face glowed talking about his mother. He must have been really close to her. He had to, he was the mistress child after all. Maya glanced back at the garden, walking along with Dexter.

" She sure has an eye for these things. It's magnificent." She muttered quietly, plucking a rose to from one of the rose bushes.

" Thanks." Dexter replied behind her. He collected it from her and placed it behind her ears. Maya blushed at the act but she didn't say anything else.

" I saw your mother's portriat." Maya let out quietly.

" You did?"

" Yes." Maya replied, nodding. "I asked the maids to show me. She looks a lot like you. Like a female version of you. Except darker skinned and definitely prettier..." Then hurriedly added " I hope it's alright." S

" Of course it is. It's just a portriat." He replied, then his eyes clouded over. "I kind of wished you met her alive though. She would have loved you." Dexter said and her heart skipped a beat. She looked away.

" Staring at her portriat yesterday and I kind of realised why your father fell for her. If I was a man, I would be smitten. Speechless even." Maya added.

Dexter paused, then grinned.

" You're talking to her son."

Maya folded her hands. " It's explains why I'm smitten by you too."

Dexter shook his head, a smile on his face as he walked away. Maya caught his ears turning red. She stifled a chuckle.

Maya wanted to ask him how she died but she didn't want to ruin the moment they have right now. So she chucked it deep within in herself. Another opportunity would present itself.

Maya took in a deep breath, sniffing in appreciatively. Going on walks likes this made her remember the times at the villa, where she used to go on walks, oblivious of the world and it's dangers.

" I've missed this..." She let out softly, her eyes partly closed, the afternoon breeze caressing her face. " I feel so much better now. Thanks for bringing me out." She said to Dexter. He nodded, his eyes smiling. In the sunlight, his eyes shone differently. Maya was awestruck by it, she could spend hours just watching them. So alluring.

She quickly collected herself, clearing her throat. " I should get back. There are still things I need to do. And I'm sure there are things you want to do as well."

Her sentence made him remember the duties that awaited him. " Indeed there are." Dexter muttered to himself, rather displeased. He turned to her, a small smile on his face. " Thanks for coming out with me."

Maya felt her cheeks flush. " You're welcome."

Dexter walked ahead and Maya joined him, they went back to the palace. Maya was about to bid him goodbye and head back to the library when he pulled her back. He retrieved something from his clothes.

" Here, have this." Dexter said, handing her a small pouch. Maya collected it from him, glancing at him. gingerly feeling for the contents. It was cookies. When she realised what it was, a grin split her lips, her heart skipping a beat. He remembered everything about me. Things I had even forgotten.

" Thanks. I'll see you later" she said, twirling around and almost running down the hallway, her hair bouncing around. Dexter watched her as she ran, a smile on his face. And it stayed even after she disappeared.

.

.

.

Fleurie had been watching the King and the new Queen go on a walk, her heart laced with with anger, jealousy even, a frown on her face. She fisted her arms together as she watched them a walk, a smile on the lady face and a contented look on the king's face.

Peering closer, her eyes narrowed when she saw him smile. Is the king smiling? All the time she's known him, he'd never smiled. Her rage multiplied. What sort of charm is she using?!

She's hypnotizing him. That could be the only way. Otherwise, why would the king be behaving out of sorts with her? Her mind went back to the day before when she had walked out on her, how dare her. Does she know who she is?

She sighed, shuddering as she remembered her father's order. He'd practically ordered her to find faults in this woman that they could use against them and here they were going on a walk! So annoying!

But he met me first! He should be smiling at me, not at that peasant! Fleurie thought furiously. As she stared at them, the jealousy grew until she couldn't bare it anymore. She stepped away from the window, hurrying out of the room.

She found the king in the hallway, on his way back to his study. " Your majesty!" She called out as she hurried towards him. He stiffened but he didn't stop walking. She had to run to catch up to him. By the time she was at his side, she was panting, her heart racing.

" Your Majesty...." She called out breathless. He turned to her, a stoic look on his face. His smile had dropped and a cold expression replaced it.

" What?" He asked, his voice cold, angry.

The intensity of the words spoken caused Fleurie to jerk and she began stuttering, her eyes darting around.

"I-i just w-wanted to talk to you." She rushed out, her cheeks flushed. She gripped her clothes to keep herself from trembling.

" Make it quick." He snapped, but his face was expressionless. Fleurie bit her lip, wondering where she should begin. She glanced up at him and swallowed.

" I just wanted to talk about the new Queen..." She began cautiously, her voice small. Dexter's eyes darkened. Fleurie felt a chill run down her spine and she trembled involuntarily.

" What about her?" He groaned in the calm, deadly voice of his.

Fleurie's hand grew clammy and it became a struggle to say what she thought. " Do you think she would make a good queen? I have met her yesterday and she does not possess these qualities your majesty. I think you're making a mistake. She's not who you think she is, Your majesty. Please, rethink your decision." She rushed out, bowing her head.

Silence fell and it dragged for so long, Fleurie started fidgeting. She couldn't look up at him, but the coldness that settled on her back showed her just how furious the king was now. Fleurie began hyperventilating.

" Does it look I care about your opinion?" He asked, the coolness in his voice sending shivers down her spine. Fleurie's heart skipped a beat. " And who are you to come up to me, discussing to me about my queen?"

Fleurie swallowed, sweat pouring out of her body. She closed her eyes, her heart beating loudly in her chest.

He took a step closer and Fleurie took several steps back. " Let this be the last time you come discussing something like this to me." He warned in that calm voice but he could as well be shouting." There would be no next time." He added quietly, his voice frosty. He turned and walked away,

Fleurie fisted her hands at her side, tears slipping from her eyes. From the hurt and pain, came a new found determination. She will prove him wrong. He'll see.