It's the end of the day. After spending most of her time in the library, Maya has finally had a bit of luck. She has learned all she could about being a good queen and isn't so doubtful anymore. She's fully aware of her duties now and cannot wait to start working. She returned the books back to the shelves, her head throbbing. She was that exhausted

Although she was still uncertain if she would deliver well, she decided not to let it bother her so much. One step at a time, she repeated to herself whenever those demotivating thoughts crept up on in her mind.

Famished, she stepped out of her library, going straight to her chambers. Her handmaids immediately came to her, asking her if she would like anything. She ordered them to run her bath and send in her dinner. They immediately complied, both rushing out of the chambers at the same time. When they arrived, They came with other maids, helping preparing her bath, filing the bathtub with warm water and scented oils, helping her to bath.

Maya had her bath first before settling down to eat. Since it was getting late, she decided to sleep in her chambers for the first time. Although she was tired, it was still a struggle to finally fall asleep as it kept eluding her. After tossing and turning for so long, Maya finally gave up and decided to go to Dexter's chambers.

Already familiar with the route, Maya walked down the hallways in slow steps. As she did, she remembered her walk with Dexter in the afternoon. A blush crept to her cheeks and she tried to hide a chuckle. He'd been so sweet, almost like his old self, causing butterflies to spread in her stomach. . She couldn't wait to see him again.

She got to his chambers and paused. Hesitating a bit, she knocked on it. When she didn't hear a reply, she pushed the door open, walking inside. It was empty but the discarded ceremonial clothes on the bed told her Dexter was around. She began looking for him but paused when she heard a door open. She reflextively turned to the direction.

" Oh..." She gasped, trailing off. Before her was an almost unclad Dexter, his toned muscles in full display for him. In the dim lighting of his room, his skinned glowed, giving him an ethereal look. She swallowed, her heart pounding. He paused too, staring at her.

" Sorry, I didn't hear your voice so I just decided to come in. I can go back...." she started but he cut her off.

" No, it's okay. I wasn't expecting to see you. The maids told me you were already asleep."

" Well..." She cast a furtive look at his chest once more. Blushing she looked up at his face. " I couldn't sleep so I thought I should see you. Are you just coming back?"

He nodded, a side of his lips twitching. " I was just about to have my bath." He replied. Maya nodded, glancing everywhere but him.

" I'll just wait for you." She muttered quietly, hurrying to the bed.

" Won't you join me?" He asked, his tone suggestive.

As she glanced at him, she was really tempted to. But she shook her head. " No, Maybe another time" she muttered, her throat dry.

Dexter nodded and went ahead to have his bath.

Maya sat sheepishly on his bed, glancing around his chambers, her heart racing. His chambers was beautiful but another reason she liked being here was because it smelled like him. Maya took in a deep breath as she lay on the bed, her body slowly relaxing.

A few moments later, Dexter came out, water dripping from his body. He had a robe wrapped around his body and Maya watched as she dried himself out, wearing his nightclothes, her cheeks in a deep shade of red. If he noticed she was staring, he didn't tell her on it.

He glanced at her. " How was your studies?"

Maya cleared her throat, glancing at him. " Helpful, I'm aware of my duties anf can't wait to start working. Although, I'm still nervous. I don't know if I would do well."

" You'll be just fine. I know it." Then added. " If you want help, I can always hire people to help you out."

She shook her head. " No thanks. Let me handle it by myself for now. I'll let you know if I need any help." She replied him.

He nodded, not saying anything else. He walked to his wardrobe, picking out his nightclothes.

A thought crossed her mind as she watched him. "What about Gegoria? How is it?"

" It's under control." He told her simply. Maya nodded, lost for words. She glanced at him again and he was about wearing his tunic when her eye caught something.

"You still have that scar." She spoke out and he paused, looking down. His hands went down to the stab wound at his abdomen. His eyes dimmed a little, his body tensing.

" Yes." He groaned, his voice bitter.

" Does it still hurt?" She asked, slightly worried.

" Physically, no. But whenever I remember the reason...." He trailed off and Maya's face dawned in understanding. They were multiple scars on his body but Maya didn't want to ask about it just yet. She didn't want the mood in the room to get darker

He finished dressing up and joined her in the bed, beckoning her to come closer. She did. " Have you had dinner?" He asked.

Maya nodded, looking up at his still damp hair. She wanted to run her hands through it. " I did!" She announced cheerfully. He smiled at her then, lightly patting her cheeks.

" Good job." He whispered. Maya felt goosebumps grow out of he body as a blush stained her cheeks.

" Guards!" He bellowed, his voice loud. The door opened almost immediately, One of the guards rushing in, he bowed his head.

"You called on me, your majesty." He announced, keeping his head bowed..

" Tell Rosa to get me my dinner " he instructed him.

" Yes, your majesty.' he said before walking out of the room, closing the door firmly behind him.

" You haven't had dinner yet?" Maya asked, a brow . It was already late at night. He shook his head.

" Not yet." He told her. " I was busy."

" That busy?" Maya asked.

He nodded. " That busy."

A knock came on the door, interupting them.

Dexter gave orders for whoever was behind it come in and Rosa rode in with a trolley filled with plates of food that were covered.

" Your majesties." She greeted, bowing her head.

" You're dismissed." He stated. She nodded walking out of the room.

Dexter stood up to turn up more candles, adding more light to the room.

He settled down to eat. " Won't you join me?" He asked, glancing at her.

Maya shook her head, a small smile on her face. " No, I'm not hungry."

" Please? I can't finish this." He murmured, pouting.

Maya shrugged, then chuckled. " If you insist."

He carried her, placing her on his lap. Then proceeded to feed her. They ate together, with Maya taking a few bites and Dexter gobbling up his. Eating with him was so much better than eating alone. Soon the plates were empty. He called on Rosa once again. She came to clear the plates away. Once again, they were alone.

"Did you apply the ointment I gave you last time?" He asked. Maya froze, slowly shaking her head. She had forgotten to take it out of his chambers with her. She bit her lips nervously.

Dexter raised a brow. " It's still here, right?"

" Yes. I'm sorry. I totally forgot all about it." She immediately rushed out, slightly worried. Was he going to get angry at her?

He heaved out a sigh, kissing her forehead. That seemed to calm her somewhat. He went ahead to bring the jar.

Sitting back down on the bed, he carried her legs up and began applying it once again. Maya gasped at the cold sensation, watching him as he applied it. Memories of the day he did filled her and she gulped, her body tingling. She placed her hands on her cheeks to hide her blush.

" What are you thinking about?" He asked, his gruff voice startling her.

" Me? Nothing."

He glanced at her, a knowing look on his face. Maya face reddened.

" You're enjoying this, aren't you?" She asked softly as she watched him.

" Yes." He muttered. That explains it. He was soon through and he passed the jar to her. " Make sure to remember." He said, giving to her. She collected it, making a mental note to remember this time.

Still holding her legs, he glanced at her. " Would you like to go out with me tonight, on a ride? I would like to take you out now that the weather is still warm." He explained. Maya stared at him vacantly before nodding. "Yes," she whispered, her heart fluttering.

" Thanks." He murmured with a smile, revealing the dimple that was almost never present on his face.

Maya's heart summersaulted in her chest as she gaped at him. How could one man be so breathtaking? It's illegal.

He pulled her close, settling her in his lap. Maya rested on him, letting his warmth ecompass her. Maya finally got her chance to run her hands through his hair. He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her hair.

Maya thought they would be just be cuddling but his kisses stated otherwise. He ran kisses down her hair, all the way to her neck and her shoulders. Maya stiffened, a moan escaping her lips. He paused, licking the rapid pulse at the base of her throat. She shivered impulsively.

Maybe he wasn't so unaffected by the massage, she thought to herself. Perhaps he was thinking about what she was thinking. He sucked at her earlobe, his hands travelling up her waist to her breasts. Maya let out a shivered moan, her lower belly growing hotter, her spine tingling.

She pulled away in an attempt to collect herself, her heart racing. When she glanced at him, his eyes had grown dark, his gaze smoldering. There were a dozen emotions swirling in them but one overclouded them all. It was the same one she was feeling. Maya swallowed.

He kissed her, once, twice. The third time was much longer and filled with ardor. Maya gave in to the overwhelming desires he had stirred up in her, kissing him back.

" If I begin, I will not hold back." He groaned against her lips, one hand cupping her breasts. Maya trembled, biting back a moan. She arched forward, anticipation pounding in her veins as she wrapped her hands around his neck.

The words stuck in her throat but she forced them out. " Don't... Hold back." she muttered, her face burning. She pressed it against his neck.

She felt him grin before claiming her lips with hers. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes.

This is going to be long night.

.

.

.

Fleurie stood before her vanity, nursing a wound at her lip. Her eyes darkened in rage, tears swimming out from her eyes as she remembered where got it. Her father had visited yet again, asking for her progress in the mission he had given her.

She had despondently told him there was nothing yet. As at now, the only dirt she had on Maya was her background. He had gotten angry and her hit her across the face, causing the injury.

.

" Anymore of that nonsense an you'll be going back to your mother's hometown!" He'd barked at her. She wouldn't stop crying afterwards, truly terrified. She didn't want to go back there for any reason at all. Her father used it as a form of punishment, sending her to the impoverished hometown where her mother hailed from, where there was nothing but acres and acres of wilderness.

She only managed to get a hold of herself just recently. She sniffed, hurriedly cleaning off the tears that had fallen down her cheeks. No more will she cry for them anymore. This was not a time to be shedding tears.

She had thought Dexter would be her savior from the hands of her father but it seems like that bitch wants to steal him from her. She won't let her.Never.

" Lisa!" She called out, ringing the bell. She waited until a maid rushed into her room. she bowed once she arrived.

Still staring at her reflection in the mirror, she began saying her orders. " Keep an eye out for the new Queen. Find out about everything she's doing and report back to me."

" Yes, Your highness."

" Make sure no one knows about this." She added, her voice quiet.

" Yes, Your highness." The maid replied, her eyes glued to the ground.

Time to get to work.