The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

Sarah is standing outside the Emperor's chamber nervously and fiddles with her fingers.

Kalki walks out of the Emperor's chamber within few minutes of Maya's entry.

Sarah wonders 'Did he really summon the doctors to treat Maya?! But why do his gestures saying something else? Would this carefree man care about anyone at least?'.

'I wish he likes Maya's nature..He is a prideful Prince while Maya is a humble Commoner! How opposite they are! Will these opposites attract?! '

Sarah sighs seeing his aloofness and looks at the chamber's door worriedly.

'I wish she could control herself in front of  His Highness! If she irks him, then the consequences would be unimaginable! Jesus Christ! Help her even though she doesn't believe you...'

-----

The Emperor asks looking at her pitifully "Child, How is your health now?"

Maya answers nervously "I am fine, S-sir".

Emperor Philips chuckles "What happened to your words 'father' in your letter now? Won't you call me as you addressed me in the letter?".

Maya gulps subconsciously at his tone. No matter how genuinely he sounded nice, she couldn't help feel nervous at his presence.

Only one thing let her heart at ease.

'It's great that He went out of the chamber! You know who!'.

Emperor Philip speaks in a sad tone "I apologize for whatever you have faced in these last few days, child-".

Maya starts shivering hearing his tone and wipes her cold sweats hurriedly.

Emperor Philip felt like laughing seeing her nervousness and frowns seeing her struggling to stand "What happens to your feet?!"

Maya blurts in anxiety "I just slipped from a cliff! It's nothing to worry Sir!".

Emperor Philip gasps astonished "You did what?! From a cliff?!".

He couldn't believe her words at all. If he heard these words from his sons, he would have rest assured without any worry. Hearing them from this slender and fragile girl made him to doubt her.

Maya just nods repeatedly indicating him that she is fine and remains silent. She couldn't even think of any lies in his presence.

Emperor Philip asks in disbelief "I am well aware of the cliffs, child. How did you-".

Maya speaks hurriedly out of habit "Fortunately I was saved by Prince Xavier at the right time!".

Hearing Xavier's name Emperor Philip gets silent and nods thinking something.

Maya stands uncomfortably for few moments until an another announcement  came.

"Madam Mary has arrived!"

Emperor Philip smiles "See! Madam Mary has arrived at right time with the dinner!".

Madam Mary wanted to visit the chamber right after hearing the news of Maya's arrival. But she was delayed by the dinner arrangements.

She looks at the girl and greets "Welcome to the Royalty, Dear!-".

As soon as she notices the veil, Madam Mary looks at Emperor Philip "This-"

Emperor Philip explains "It's their tradition to hide their faces. No one is allowed to see their faces except the ladies and their husband".

Madam Mary frowns "How could she rule the country by hiding her face like this?".

Maya states "I am not hiding my face, Madam".

Madam Mary tilts her head towards her warning husband and wonders "Are you afraid to face us then, dear?".

Maya lifts her veil instantly and rebukes "I am not afraid to face anyone! I was just-".

Realizing her tone, Maya looks down "I apologize if I didn't anything wrong".

HA HAA!

Emperor Philip laughs heartily and shakes his head "You really tricked our daughter-in-law, My love! Look at that child!".

Maya ".." Tricked me?!

Madam Mary smiles holding Maya's shoulder and makes her sit in a chair beside the sick bed.

She speaks "You are impulsive, dear. You shouldn't do that if you wish to rule our nation".

Maya states blankly "But I do not wish to rule-".

Madam Mary chuckles and smiles looking at Emperor Philip "Indeed! She is too naive, Your Majesty!".

Maya frowns at their conversation 'Are they treating me like a child now?! Why do I feel like I am taken under this couple's wings?! Do they know how dangerously evil I am?! They are treating me as if I am their pet animal! Huh..No as if I am their pet bird! Birds are lovely..for me...'

Emperor Philip raises his eyebrows and warns "Don't you judge her by the innocent looks and talks, My love! You are still unaware of her truth colours!".

Maya ".." What is he talking about?

Madam Mary frowns taking a look at Maya "No Your Majesty. I don't find her secretive about anything!".

Maya purses her lips to hide her sneaky smile "..."

'This couple could make me laugh! Whoa! How good they look while they talk to each other! Is this how a couple in love talk?'.

She gets thoughts of Xavier and smiles 'He is just like his father. He knows how to respect a woman. He is harsh sometimes but not like others...'.

GASP!!

Maya comes back to reality hearing Madam Mary's gasp and looks at her worried eyes facing her.

'Ha! She  must have heard about my fall from that cliff! How boring!'

Maya couldn't hear any of their conversation as she is overwhelmed by the emotions of her own now.

Something made her heart melt 'Since when I have got someone to care for me? I always have been the saving and caring one... How did I end up in this life? The Country's powerful people care for me?! How did this all change suddenly? Kalki....'.

Madam Mary pats Maya's head "Let's have dinner with our family!".

Maya frowns "Family?".

Madam Mary nods "Yes, dear. With our complete family!".

Maya gulps at her sentence and wonders 'Would the Crown Prince be there? And would He be there?.... as I asked him?'.

She looks at Madam Mary's face and smiles subconsciously. 'He resembles a lot like his mother...'.

Madam Mary orders "Arrange for the dinner! Inform the the Princes and Princesses to arrive in the chamber next to this chamber. Our Emperor would have dinner with his family after a long time!".