Playlist: Darkside by Neoni. Enjoy reading!

Fleurie hurried back to her chambers, fuming. She was beyond angry. Nothing was working! Slamming the door behind her, she let out a muffled scream, gritting her lips! It frustrated her to no end. That didn't work to help alleviate her anger. Needing an outlet, she began throwing things to the ground, watching as they shattered to the ground.

There was just no way! How could she be stubborn?Sitting in the middle of the rubble, Fleurie gnawed her lip, tears stinging her eyes. She angrily blinked them back. Why isn't anything working? Is she really that invincible?

No, there has to be something that makes her tick. Something that'll cause her to make a mistake. No human is perfect. Fleurie sat for so long, working all the wheels on her head. Eventually, just when she was about to give up, an idea trickled into her head. One that made a sinister smile crawl up her face, removing her anger and filling her with glee..

Why didn't I think of this earlier? Fleurie wondered as she stood up to her feet. It was the perfect plan. This time, she was sure it will work.

.

.

.

The day drifted to an end and Maya was exhausted. She'd gone back to her office and spent hours studying, yet there was little improvement. She was still struggling but she knew with time she would get better. That thought firmly placed in her head, Maya decided to retire for the day. This time however, she would be heading to Dexter's chambers.

When she got there, she found out that Dexter hadn't finished his work. Nevertheless, his chambers was open for her to use. It was there she decided to have her bath and dinner. It was quiet but strangely peaceful. By the time she was through, Dexter still hadn't returned. Missing him, Maya contemplated going to see him but shook it off almost immediately. They already spent most of the afternoon together, she didn't want to come across as clingy. She debated in going back to her chambers but changed her mind. That wouldn't work either.

She slipped under the covers. Wrapped in his scent and longing for him, Maya found herself falling asleep. She didn't know when he arrived but she knew when he joined her on the bed, wrapping his arms around her. She'd been having a nightmare. He'd gently woken her, a soft smile on his face, his eyes tired. " It's okay. I'm here." He murmured, his low voice soothing. " Go to sleep."

Glad to see him, Maya moved closer to him, breathing him in. All of her jumbled nerves settled and she soon drifted back to sleep, this time devoid of nightmares. When she woke up the next morning, Dexter was nowhere to be found. Swallowing bitterly, she realised he had probably begun his day. She's beginning to feel the pangs of his absence.

Still, she was grateful he makes out time to spend with her. She didn't know how she'd live if he was cold and distant. She dragged herself out of the bed, getting ready for her day. A knock came on the door, interupting her.

" Come in..." She called out. Her handmaids arrived, bowing their heads. She regarded them with a nod of her head. They immediately set to work along with other maids, helping her run her bath and lining up her dress. Her breakfast was brought in but unfortunately, Maya could stomach very little this time. Maya shuddered, knowing the symptoms for what they were. She tried forcing herself to eat more but it only caused her to feel more uncomfortable. Giving up, she asked them to clear the plates.

Maya let them wash her, dress her up. Today it was a purple satin gown that flowed from the waist down and was adorned with diamond sequins and diamonds. Draped in a cape, they braided her hair, fixing jewels on it. Maya gazed at herself in the mirror, glad at her transformation. Finished with her morning abulations, Maya started to go to her office. Her handmaids were right behind her.

She dreaded the work she was about to meet. She was still being taught by the royal accountant and reading every book there is about accounting but she still couldn't make sense of anything. Maya found it embarrassing.

Maya could feel the nasty gazes those maids who listened to the rumors were giving her but she paid them no heed. Due to her unconcern it had been forced to die down significantly. Her handmaids gave her the news while they were running her bath. They seemed happy about it. Maya could care less.

She spotted Fleurie come in her direction and slowed down but didn't stop walking. She planned to ignore her once again but when the latter deliberately went ahead to stand in her front, Maya had no choice but to regard her. She cast her withering look, gazing up and down. Today she looked reserved. It could only mean one thing. She has something up her sleeve.

As she stared at Fleurie, she resolved within herself to ask Dexter why she was even here in the first place. She'd been nothing but trouble for Maya these past few days.

" What is it?" She muttered, already irked.

Immediately Fleurie bowed, surprising Maya. She raised a brow but every other expression was hidden.

" I came to apologize. I'm sorry for spreading a rumor about you. I didn't know any better." Fleurie said, sounding remorseful.

Maya pressed her lips together, biting back a scoff. Narrowing her eyes, she glared at Fleurie. "Apologising?" She muttered. That was surprising.

" Yes. It was petty of me to try and infuriate you that way. I thought you were weak and had evil intentions, judging from your background. I've only just realized that I have been making a mistake." She raised her head up then. " I hope you can forgive me."

" Forgiveness?" Maya repeated, the word sounding incredulous even to her.

Fleurie hesitated, casting a nervous look at Maya's cryptic gaze. " Yes. Forgiveness."

Deep in her mind, Maya knew that the apology was fake, judging from the glint in Fleurie's eyes. Still it was first time someone had ever acknowledged that they did something wrong to her.

" Well, thanks for the apology, if you don't mind is would like to leave now. " She took a step forward. " Excuse me." She said but Fleurie was quick to stop her, getting right in front of her.

" If you don't mind, I would like to speak with you." Fleurie hastily said. "I just want to offer my advice."

Advice? What's going on here? "Make it quick." Maya snapped, eager to be away from Fleurie soon.

" I just noticed that ever since you arrived, you've never shown you face to anyone. Other than the palace workers, no one out there really knows who you are. For someone who is trying to build a good reputation with the people, that's not the way to go. People need to know who you are."

" What has that got to do with you?" Maya asked icily, her eyes glowering.

" You come from a small kingdom and although you're a princess, I've never seen or heard of your m before. If the council is surprised, you can be imagine just how much the people are. No one out there, really recognizes you as queen of Madonia. Shouldn't you be working on that?"

As much as Maya hated to admit it, the argument was a valid one. She should be doing more. Maya tried to tap down the bitter feeling rearing it's ugly head in her heart but Fleurie was still speaking.

" Even without my rumors, people already have doubts about you. You can't hide behind the King forever." She said.

" This is none of your business. Why are you concerned about it?" Maya asked, a brow raised.

" This isn't something you can dismisses for long, my lady." Fleurie said, too stubborn to bring herself to call her, Majesty. " You're still under probation by the Royal council and unfortunately it's something the king can't help you with either although he may have tried. If your reputation worsens, you will be stripped of the title and the King would have to be forced to take another partner."

Can the laws of Madonia do that? Maya wondered. She's never been deeply versed with the laws of the kingdom yet. As if reading her thoughts, Fleurie tilted her head to the side and added. " The Royal council has the power to vote you out."

On the outside, Maya looked calm and collected as always but the inside, there was a tremor sweeping her mind. She already knew it wouldn't be easy but she didn't expect it to be so hard either.

" If your intentions are true. You would be doing something about by now. Or you could risk loosing your position and the King as well." Fleurie said.

The way the last words were said caused the simmering anger she had within her to the boil to the surface and her gaze flickered. Maya knew all her intentions coated under the guise of advice. She fisted her hands together, taking in a deep breath. When she opened them, they returned back to their usual emptiness.

" Thanks for your advice. I'll keep it in mind." She bit out, hating the aftertaste.

Fleurie made a mock bow. " Thank you for listening. I'll take my leave now." Fleurie added before walking away, a smile on her face. Maya worked her jaw, willing herself not to overreact.

As Fleurie walked away, a victorious feeling bubbled at the bottom of her heart. Finally! She has the last laugh! Frankly, it doesn't matter if she does anything to try and build her reputation because she'll always remain queen until the King states otherwise. But since that isn't happening anytime soon, she would have to use the council to her advantage. Luckily, she had people on her side. But Maya doesn't need to know that.

Now she gets to watch and use this to her advantage. Oh, this will be fun!