The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

Emperor Philip is taken aback by Kalki's question yet answers proudly "It's the strongest wood ever found in this era! It's called Lignum Vitae. Your father made the wood carried from the island near The Eastern Country to build each and every single place in our places!-"

Kalki looks at his father and asks "What about the Countryside Pavilion?!".

Emperor Philip shrugs nonchalantly "Is there any need to ask? The truth is the Countryside Pavilion's woods would be the strongest of all our places. It should be as it is located near the boundaries of Southern Country. I can't afford to let our enemies to break just like that, can I?"

Emperor Philp laughs at his thoughtful deeds proudly and notices Kalki's serious face. He wonders "What is bothering you, my son?"

Kalki lets out a deep breath and asks "Make me understand its strengthnin a couple of sentences"

Emperor Philip thinks for a moment and speaks remembering something "Ah! I heard it took eight whole years to just cut the trees. My father accepted the defeat realizing that that would be impossible to carry to the shore and even deserted the idea of carrying them to our country. But your father has made it possible by shipping them along the shore instead of bringing them through land route. It took a decade to make these simple frames from the wood!"

Kalki smirks raising his eyebrows realizing his true strength and announces "I will be leaving then-"

Emperor Philip chuckles "To where, my son? Won't you welcome your wife personally?"

Kalki "…"

HA HAA!

Emperor Philip laughs hard seeing his frown as it is rare thing to surprise Kalki. Nothing happens without knowing him. And if something happens, he would know about it in next moment.

Emperor Philip scoffs "It feels splendid to see you like this! Let me inform the news! Your wife and My beloved daughter-in-law would be arrived real soon. I even ordered to bring her to me at instant she reaches the Royal Palace! I wonder what makes her late-"

"The Queen of the Northern Country has arrived!!"

Emperor Philip chuckles "Being an Emperor is indeed marvelling, isn't it? Let's welcome our new family member now!"

----

Few moments before.

The Entrance of the Royal Palace.

Maya stops the carriage before it enters the Royal Palace and looks at the huge entrance nervously.

Sarah who sat holding Maya's hand, asks "What happened?"

Maya asks anxiously "Should I really go into this hell?"

Sarah gasps and closes Maya's mouth hurriedly. She ushers her to be silent and checks around outside the carriage in panic.

Maya looks at Sarah boringly "No one has heard me, Sarah. Stop panicking like me!"

Sarah whines in a low voice "How couldn't I in your presence?! You always create some bad for yourself! Do you have any clue what would have happened to you? Thank God no one heard you!"

Maya smirks "Instead, thank me. I was the one who spoke inaudibly!"

Sarah sighs defeated "I won't argue with you over God, as I don't have time for that now. Let's go in! It's just a simple dinner with Emperor. Due to Emperor's illness, he can't go out from his sick bed. You probably wouldn't even have any chance to meet any others of the family members".

She instructs the men to proceed through the entrance and looks back at Maya confidently "You would be fine. Why are scared when you are in Emperor's presence? He is the one who brought you from your country, isn't he? You don't have to worry in His presence!".

Maya purses her lips and nods subtly. But as soon as she looks sneakily outside through the curtains, she starts getting nervous seeing the luxury of the surroundings.

'I am nervous to see everything… What if they look down on me again like …Him. What if the Emperor invited here to mock me? After all, the Emperor is His father. Would he have any less arrogance?!'.

Maya gets restless and frowns 'Why am I panicking? I admit that I am nervous but that does not mean that I would let others to see through me!'.

She holds Sarah hurriedly and asks "Do you have the veil?"

Sarah looks at Maya blankly "Huh? For what? Didn't you say that you don't believe in any rituals and religions?"

Maya scoffs "I just said that I do not believe in them. But I do make use of them in extreme conditions!"

Saying so, Maya wears a veil and sighs "Just let this night pass soon…"

-----

The Emperor's Chamber.

Kalki looks at the veiled girl entering the chamber and tilts his head curiously 'What's with the veil now? I didn't see her with this before'

Maya enters holding Sarah's hand into the chamber.

"Long live Your Highnesses!"

Maya was about to greet the Emperor stops hearing her plural greeting.

'Who is here other than the Emperor?'

Kalki notices Maya's nervous grip on Sarah's hand and smirks "You may leave"

Maya stops breathing at this instant as she knows very well of the voice and its owner!

Sarah bows formally and pats Maya's hand before leaving Maya alone with the Emperor and the Emperor-to-be! The Country's most powerful men are in front of her.

Even though she is hidden under the veil, she could feel their domineering aura around her. She finally opens her mouth.

"Long live Your Highnesses-"

Emperor Philip gasps "What a naïve way to greet this Emperor! Child, come here!"

Kalki stares continuously at Maya who was struggling to walk towards the Emperor and frowns darkly 'What in the world she is doing? Even a blind can walk better than her without eyes!'

Emperor Philip notices Kalki's reaction and asks "How about leaving my precious daughter-in-law alone, son? We have some important stories to talk about!"

Kalki lets out a relaxed breath "Splendid! I would love to!". He walks out of the chamber instantly as if he was desperately waiting for this chance.