The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

As soon as Maya left that hut, she walked aimlessly in deep thoughts. Her mind is filled will all kind of questions which only to made her feel giddy.

Maya couldn't understand why would Crown Prince lead the country into this war while it is facing famine!.

'Which Prince would do that? Especially who is going to be the next King?!'.

She mutters worriedly "Is he really arrogant and ambitious?! A person who doesn't care about his own country, how would he ...".

The thought created a fear in her heart about her future. She keeps the thought away for now and decides to find what is the truth...

She walks towards a village which was really in a pathetic state proving the woman's accusings. She too lived in a small countryside house in her country but the condition of the people here is too tragic.

Maya couldn't believe her own eyes. Walking few yards away from her wealthy Pavilion, she didn't thought that she would find a place which looked almost like a desert.

She stops at a hut and hesitates to knock. 'What if they too will hate me ..after hearing Crown Prince's name!?'

She clutches her fist and knocks the door.

After three more knocks, she really gave up the idea. She turned to go with disappointment.

An old man's voice stopped her "Who is it!?".

Maya smiles lightly "Grandpa...I..I ..".

'What should I ask? What if he gets sick in anger? He is so fragile-'.

The old man frowns and looks at her from head to toe. His eyes stopped at her face and asks "Are you from other country?".

She nods nervously and stammers "Yes ..I..am from other country..I lost my way...and...Can I get some water?".

The old man grunts "Don't you know?! This place only gets water once in a while! Humph! How would you even know!? Come! I will pour some!".

Maya walks into the hut 'once in a while!? What is happening?'.

She takes the water from the old man without drinking and asks about the place....

She wanted to know about the real conditions of the country. And she is very well aware of where to get to know the truth!.

Her toddler steps towards something she never imagined. She had no idea what she is going to face in her life yet. Such a young and innocent mind she had!.

------

After few hours, Maya walks back to her pavilion.

She is completely immersed in her thoughts. The old man's words rang in her ears...

There was a plan of building a dam across a river near the village.

Due to this war, the work got postponed...and the people still continue to work..pay the tax...and funding for the needs of soldiers who were fighting for their nation!.

Alas! If they continue the fight...this people would die of this famine!

She stepped into her pavilion and stopped in a daze seeing the beautiful gardens...a small brook ...pleasant flowers everywhere. It didn't gave pleasure to her eyes anymore. It only pricked her heart.

She sighs guiltily and enters into her chamber.

Sarah bows "Mam! The lunch is ready".

Maya doesn't speak anything because still her mind is filled with that old man's words.

The construction of dam is not a small thing after all. Now the country couldn't withstand this sudden expenditure.

This issue has only 2 solutions.

1. Stop the war and get rid of this famine.

2. Construct the dam without asking money from the palace.

Both should be handled by someone in important position in the Royal Office. Not by a commoner. But she promises herself to do something.

She holds her forehead in distress "Both are impossible like the grandpa told..".

Sarah who was busy setting the food asks "Mam? Did mam say something ?".

Maya mutters "No" and sees the variety of food on the table.

She completely lost the appetite and stares everything for a long time.

Sarah reminds her to eat once again "Mam. If mam doesn't like them, this servant would bring what you like to eat".

However, Maya does have any idea to eat. After a long time she asks wondering "How much you are spending for a day in this pavilion?".

Sarah is startled for this sudden question and bows "Answering to Mam, I don't know the exact expenses but will be almost 20 golds per day...excluding the servants' salary".

Maya creases her brows and asks "Explain how much money would we need to build a dam?".

Sarah is astonished and gasps "Dam?! Mam..this..".

Maya understands how impossible it was, after seeing Sarah's reaction she had no other way than quitting this crazy idea. Sarah's face told that she too had no idea.

After all what she can do?! A commoner!

KNOCK!!

Sarah runs to see who it was and enters "Mam! An Enunch from Palace is here to see you".

Maya nods and walks out.

The Servant is none other than Victor who kneeled his one leg to respect "Greeting Mam! I am -".

Maya is stunned to see a man who was almost her Father's age kneeling before her.

She couldn't help but blurt interrupting him "Please sir! Don't kneel in front of me!".

Victor smiles still kneeling "Mam is too modest. This servant has brought an invitation from The Emperor-".

Maya nods her earnestly "Alright! Please raise! You really don't have to kneel before me. You should have known about our truth-". about our marriage!.

Victor interrupts urgently "Miss!"

Maya closes her mouth doubtfully.

Victor looks at Sarah "Bring some tea for us".

Sarah bows "Yes sir!".

Victor sighs and looks at Maya pitifully. He says in an adoring tone as he felt some unknown affection on her. She looked so fragile and innocent of no idea about Royals.

"Miss! No matter what! You should never forget about your status now. I am well aware of your condition now. So please don't be careless while talking about your personal things in front of your servants! and I am here to invite for dinner with Emperor tomorrow".

Maya nods and contemplates about asking about the country's condition....

She felt this man before her may help her. She also contemplates 'He looks like a person having high position in the country. He even mentioned tabout Emperor! But my instinct is stopping me from asking him....Why?!'.

Even though her steps were slow, she makes sure it is steady. She shouldn't believe everyone as she is not in her motherland. And her literate mind didn't allow her to act in haste.

Her steady toddler step is getting her further towards somewhere and you know exactly where.