Playlist: Those eyes–New west.

Chasing cars– Tommee Profitt ft, Fleurie

Only for you– Tommee Profitt ft, Fleurie.

(A month later)

Normalcy finally settled back to the kingdom after Gavin's death. The Royal family focused on the duties important to them and assumed their roles in governing the kingdom and the ones they had undoubtedly conquered. Maya quickly realised that being a queen wasn't as easy as she had imagined it to be. Apart from managing the castle and it's many workers, she also had to see to the foreign dignitaries that came to see the king. Since it was still winter, there were very little banquets held in the castle but once spring arrived, things would change drastically.

As exhausting as her job was, Maya barely felt tired from it due to the support she had from Dexter. He was patient with her, taking his time to explain things to her and hiring the best hands. She's now more assertive and her decision making skills had improved during that short period. A new love had grown and she had always caught herself doing her duties with passion she never knew existed. Though the couples barely saw each other once they parted ways in the morning, Dexter always made it up to her by occasionally taking her for walks and having dinner with her. It had become her favorite part of the day.

Maya stared at the ledger in front of her, grabbing her head as she leafed through the pages. There were so many things to do before spring arrives, she had to finish documenting all the expenses she had incurred and possibly write a new budget. Once spring arrives, Maya had planned to host a lot more banquets to solidify her position as queen and get to meet the many nobles that lived with Madonia. She'd been sitting behind a desk for the whole day and she was already tired.

"It's okay. I can do this!" Maya muttered to herself and she fisted her hands in determination. With a renewed vigor, she made to continue her work but soon got distracted, looking out the window. It's almost sunset, Maya thought to herself as she saw the sun at the horizon. Her hands paused in her writing and she spent a while staring at it. Dexter had been saying something about winter coming to an end soon but she's yet to see it. It was still so cold and dry. A smile hit her lips as memories filled her head. So many things had happened these past few months.

From a forgotten princess to the Queen of one of the most powerful kingdom in the continent. All from a single act of kindness years ago. What had supposed to be a price for damnation became her saving grace and surprisingly in the middle of it, she had found a man who loved her to bits, she couldn't get luckier than this. A knock came on the door, interrupting her. "Come in." She called out to whoever was behind it. The door opened and Dexter walked inside. Maya's stomach fluttered on seeing him.

"Hey... Are you busy?" He asked as he walked towards her and Maya shook her head, closing the books before her.

"No, I was almost rounding up anyway." She answered, smiling up at him.

"It's not too difficult, is it?" He asked, worry tinging his voice.

"Nothing I can't handle." She replied, placing her hands on her chin. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to ask if you would like to go oms walk with me." He said as she sat down on the desk, staring down at her.

"Of course! Wait, let me get my cloak." Maya said as she jumped to her feet, going to retrieve her cloak from the hanger where it was placed. Placing it around her body, she rushed up to him. "I'm ready now!"

Dexter nodded before helping her arrange the cloak properly on her shoulders. "There." He murmured. Then he held her hands, "Come on." He said, standing up. Maya trailed behind him, warmth seeping into her body from where he held her. He led her out of her study and to the hallway and their walk began.

It took a while for her notice that Dexter wasn't taking her to the garden like before but she decided not to ask. She later realized he was taking a to the tower in the palace. He led her up the stairs to the upmost part of it, overseeing the palace surroundings and more. Maya had never been there before so she was awestruck by the view. Though there were very little mountains surrounding Madonia, it made up for it by having lush meadows that glowed in the sunset. Maya took several steps forward, drinking in the sight.

"It's so beautiful." Maya murmured as she stared at the view, a smile on her face. The wind tickled her face, blowing her air around and she giggled. "I've never seen anything quite like it." She added. Dexter came to join her where she stood, resting on the railings.

"This was where I first fell in love with you." He began, his voice low. Maya glanced at him but he wasn't looking at her. "Back at Gegoria, when you had come looking for me that time at the villa."

"You remember?" Maya asked, surprised.

"Never really forgot." Dexter said, looking at her. Maya felt her cheeks heat up. He glanced back at the view again. "We were watching the sunset too. You thought it was beautiful. I fell in love with you there."

Maya blushed as she fiddled with her fingers. "You were so young back then." He said.

"We've grown so much since then." Maya added. Dexter went ahead to hug her from behind. Kissing her neck, he replied. "Of course, but we're still very much the same."

"You still love me, right?" Maya asked after a moment of silence.

"I always will." Dexter answered, his low voice, sending tingles down her spine. She turned to face him. Silver eyes held hers, a soft smile on his lips.

"I love you too." She whispered back, reaching up to kiss him. Just then they heard a rumble and paused. "Was that you?" Maya asked. Dexter shook his head and glanced back at the horizon, his face falling.

"Aww, winter is over." He mumbled. Maya turned to look at the view. The beautiful sunset they had been enjoying just moments ago had been disrupted with dark clouds growing in the horizon. The breeze picked up speed and it soon started to smell like rain. She chuckled, her hands still wrapped around his neck. "Wait, that's how you know?" She asked.

He smiled as he nodded. Maya glanced at the maids walking about, they seemed excited for the end of the winter as they had become to troop out. "This is the first rain after four months of cold, dry winter. It signifies the end of winter and the birth of spring." He burrowed into her, kissing her cheeks. "Yeah, that's how we know."

"Dexter?"

"Hmm?"

"I'd like to ask something." Maya muttered as she caressed his face. He reached out to twirl her hair.

"Go ahead."

"Once spring arrives, I would like to host a banquet. We'll be inviting every noble around and you'll be introducing me as your Queen. Will that be possible?"

Dexter kissed her nose. "Of course. I've been wanting to do that for a while. I'm glad you asked. I'm going to make it the grandest banquet you've ever seen." Dexter said, his eyes glowing.

"Then we better start making preparations, starting now." Maya replied, chuckling.

Dexter slowed down with his caresses to stare at her then. With a voice so solemn, he began speaking. "I'm so glad I met you then."

"I'm glad I met you too." Maya whispered back, her eyes never leaving his. Lifting her chin, Dexter leaned in to kiss her. Maya's eyes fluttered to a close as his lips met hers in a slow, sensual kiss. The rest of the world falling away, Maya only existed in his arms. The rumbles overhead grew louder, a storm imminent. Dexter pulled away, his eyes darkened with desire and one emotion that made her knees grow weak. Love.

"You said something about the night being cold, didn't you?" Maya asked and he nodded, placing a thumb on her lips. "You don't mind warming me up, do you?" She asked, tilting her head.

Dexter stepped away from her, folding his arms. The wind blowing his hair in every direction, he looked extremely boyish. "You naughty, naughty girl." He murmured, goosebumps rising on her skin. "Come here." He ordered, beckoning for her. Maya went to his arms. Brushing his lips against hers, he groaned against them. "You asked for it."

"Indeed I did." Maya replied back. Strong hands held hers and he began to pull her along. Maya giggled as she ran behind him, in an attempt to catch up with his long strides. The wind had become stronger now and her cloak had fallen down, her hair flying free. Just like the way she felt. They ran back to his chambers, slamming the door behind once they stepped inside it.

Pushing her against the wall, Dexter stared down at her. "You ready?"

"Always." Maya replied back. His lips descended on her once again and Maya closed her eyes and let the man she loved, love her the way he wanted... And deserved.

Aaah!!!!

Dear God, I need a man like Dexter!

One more chapter left! Guys I'm sobbing 😭😭😭

See you there!