The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

After walking for few more minutes, Maya and Celina reach a place which looked like a cliff with a steep way. From where they stand in front a rock which would be almost few hundred times bigger than their size, stood hindering the view of the river. Maya opens her mouth lightly and looks at the huge rock in confusion.

Celina speaks wondering "How did this rock appear out or nowhere?!" and mumbles "It might have happened due to the storm and flood".

Maya rolls her eyes "What should we do now, Celina? Do you know any other way?"

Celina pouts disappointed "Please forgive me Ma'am. I think you can't go further. Seems we are not fortunate to see the scenery today. Shall we get back to the Pavilion?"

Maya looks at her darkly 'Will I give up so easily? Not at all!' and asks ignoring Celina's worry "Do you know any other way?"

Celina purses her lips and points at the trees before them randomly "We have to climb the rock or the trees to go to the other side, Ma'am. Now we are separated from the end of this cliff by this huge rock. I don't think we could reach there by either way".

Maya tilts her head in confusion "We can't climb the rock definitely, but why can't we climb few trees?". She walks towards the sides of the huge rock where many trees were fallen and the broken branches connecting the other side of the steep cliff.

Celina stares at Maya as if she has seen some ghost in day light.

'What did I just hear?! Did she suggest climbing those trees to reach the other side?! Is she for real?! How can someone risk their life by climbing those branches?! If she gets slipped, she might fall from the cliff into the river!! How can she even imagine of crossing this dangerous path?'

Maya has already finished her analysis and asks turning to Celina who was looking back at her in horror "Are you afraid?"

Celina blurts in a daze "Who wouldn't be?"

Maya chuckles "You only have big mouth. Come I will lead you-".

Before Maya could speak, Celina cries in horror "No!"

Maya declares "It's really easy, Celina. The branches are really strong enough to withstand your slender body". Saying so, Maya climbs on the broken branches skilfully and turns "You just have to be careful with your steps-".

"Stop!!"

Celina runs towards Maya and pleads "Ma'am, Why don't you wait for me? I will bring some soldiers to help with this issue! We can also see the scenery once this issue is solved, can't we?!"

Maya raises her eyebrows in surprise "Are you for real, Celina?! You suggest that you would bring your battalion of soldiers from their work to solve this mere thing?"

Celina defends "It's their duty to serve you!"

Maya shrugs before turning towards the cliff "Just follow me, Celina. If you are afraid, then you can stay here. I will see you once I come visiting the scenery".

Celina too follows Maya instantly "How can I?! I swear on my life to serve my masters till my life ends!"

Maya stops abruptly hearing her words and looks back at Celina's panic-stricken yet loyal face. Maya grabs Celina's hand with a faint smile and nods "Then let me help you to do your duty!"

Celina gulps yet follows Maya and gasps several times while walking on the slippery branches.

Seeing Maya leading her skilfully, Celina gets astonished "How can you walk on these branches as if you are walking on normal floor?"

Maya answers her while stepping carefully "Practice makes anyone perfect. I am used to this". She creases her eyebrows seriously and grips Celina even tighter whenever they walked on some weak and moist branches.

Celina was feeling as if this few minute stunts lasted for eternity until Maya jumped on the ground finally.

Maya smirks mockingly "Bringing a battalion it seems! See? We reached where we wished to be!"

While Celina was still collecting her wits, Maya walks ahead towards the cliff curiously. As soon as she looked at the scenery, Maya stands frozen. She couldn't believe her own eyes as the scenery before her looked surreal! A large sized water body feeding almost the entire surroundings and effortlessly taking the viewers' breaths away!

'Who would have thought that there would be a marvelling lush green place here, while the whole country is thriving for eradicating the draught?!'.

Maya was taken by complete surprise as she didn't expect this place to be so rich with abundance of nature's grace!

She is unaware of the storms ahead in her way while watching the scenery. Not to mention the people who are on their way towards her. It's oblivion that who really liked the idea of coming back to the place and who didn't!

-----

Celina asks reluctantly "Ma'am, shouldn't we return now? Sarah will be angry if we reach late".

'It's been an hour! How long she would take to leave?! Since she came here, she is just sitting and looking around. Few smiles and even mumbles to herself! Sometimes she is lost in thoughts! Didn't she even think of Sarah once?! I wonder what Sarah would do to me this time!'

Maya stands slowly and pats her skirt "Let's leave".

Celina nods eagerly and waits for Maya to hold her hand while climbing the branch. But her smile disappeared when Maya climbed alone and started walking on the branches!

Celina sighs disheartened and follows Maya silently.

'She is a Queen after all'.

As soon as Maya felt the moisture under her feet, she holds Celina's hand protectively "Careful! Follow me closely!"

Celina's lost smile appears and grabs Maya's hand happily like a lost child.

Maya was about to reach the other side of the rock, but the tree branch suddenly breaks. Maya instantly pulls Celina hard "Fast!".

But she knew that she couldn't reach the ground.

'Oh Heavens! Not again! I knew my madness will cost my life someday!  But I did not expect it today!!'.