The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

Celina continues with a subtle blush "I don't have any rebellious wishes like Sarah..like getting myself free from this servant position. I always liked serving our Royals. After all they fight and die for our sake and well being. I also don't have any big dreams like Sarah. I sometimes have a very simple dream of just learning new things and trying to be impressive. It seems I subconsciously restricted myself from dreaming big. But after seeing you, I wish I could ever dream of ..of..".

Celina hesitates before speaking but continues with low voice so that only Maya could hear "of...falling for a Prince. Still, I couldn't afford to dream of a Prince falling for me..".

Maya smiles faintly "Why can't you? It can happen as dreams do not cost anything".

Celina chuckles at the sentence and continues " As that never happened even in fables of our country... I wish there would be a rule to not restrict a servant to dream about her Prince Charming.  It has become an unwritten rule hear for the servants to only marry the servants! I..really wish some things change because of you. I wish something would change because of a common girl entered into Royalty. Something impossible has already happened and I am little greedy to expect more. After all..I am standing in front of a commoner who is a Queen today. I wonder what change would happen if you become The Empress one day!".

Maya is completely engrossed in Celina's exciting words.

She couldn't help wondering 'There is something about this girl... She thinks simple which is not simple actually. She talks about dreaming small yet it doesn't seem small'.

Celina smiles looking down "I think I should leave...".

She bows slightly "Forgive me if I bothered you".

Saying so, Celina leaves Maya alone with her blank mind.

'I gave her hope to dream big? No Princesses can replace A Commoner Consort's place? My place?! I would become an Empress?!'.

Maya raises her eyebrows with a smirk "I have to be careful around this girl than Sarah. This girl has the ability to adapt faster to the circ.u.mstances. She is already treating me as one of her. She didn't call me with Madam title once! Is she purposely avoided calling me? She already knows what I like to do and what I do not!".

-----

Night.

Sarah serves Maya her dinner silently.

Maya to eats silently so that Sarah would not get more angry. 

But Sarah had other plans!

She asks slowly yet her voice sounded the frustration in her heart "Do you know what the people around the country are gossiping about this order?!".

Maya stops eating and looks at Sarah blankly "....". I thought people won't speak to the person on whom they are angry! She is still angry and talking with me! She is weird!.

Sarah sighs disappointed and states "People are talking that A Commoner doesn't really deserve to be a Queen".

Maya frowns 'I don't deserve?'.

Sarah adds "They are starting to blame Our Emperor for his wrong decision and even doubting His Majesty whether he has lost his right mind. They also say that a commoner girl could never be capable enough for Queen's status. Soon there will be a crowd of common people standing against you to make you step down from your privilege.  The common people will themself remove a commoner consort from her throne only because of your silence now".

Maya starts to understand the real big picture and severe consequences behind Crown Prince's simple order.

'I know how a small mistake of a ruler can impact the people's lives and thoughts. Now I am realising that what extent could it go. How can the people judge whether I am deserving or not?!'.

Sarah adds with a warning note "If you don't do anything now, then you will become an incapable commoner in front of the Whole country! I don't want anyone to think that you are incapable because you are not!".

Celina hears everything from some distance and stands in shock "Will Our Madam leave the country?! I thought she might have changed her mind! But she is still stubborn! ".

Maya is thinking seriously about Sarah's words 'If I decide to leave now, everyone will think that I was thrown out by The Crown Prince... If I get a chance to appear before people I can announce that I am leaving their Crown Prince- ... No.. that could cause severe problems.. What if he gets angry and imprisons me permanently?! What if the people get angry?! I should find a safe way to end everything here before I leave'.

Maya notices Sarah's worry.

'She should be receiving the current situation in the country. That is what making her worry for me'.

Maya holds Sarah's hand and assures "I will do something".

Sarah just nods worriedly.

After having the dinner, Maya is left alone to sleep. 

Maya is still wide awake even after an hour. She is still thinking about both Sarah and Celina's information. 

She is now more concerned about Celina's information as it seemed the closest problem for her.

'Even if I let go of the Madam title, I will be still alive. But by Celina's information about the divorced Consorts,  I should rethink about it. What if this arrogant Prince kills me? Ha! I would not be stupid enough to allow them. But still...Would...He allow this to happen? Will he?'.

Maya closes her eyes finally and only she knows whom she was thinking lastly. But while sleeping she was holding the pendent subconsciously.

----

The Southern Country.

After the Imperial Court of the Southern Country decided to fund the construction of the dam, both Kalki and Xavier were riding back towards the Northern Country. 

Xavier asks looking at Kalki who was coming behind him with some serious thoughts "What are you thinking?".

Kalki wonders carelessly "We should be attacked by now. I wonder what is making them to take so much time".

Xavier "...".