The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

After the dinner was over, Maya waited for a chance to inform Emperor Philip and leave the Royal Palace.

Maya stands near the Emperor's Chamber  alone. She waits for Madam Mary who asked her to wait till Emperor takes his specific medicines.

Maya creases her eyebrows and tries to recall Kalki's words.

'What was the place he mentioned before?! Why is it so difficult to remember the name of the place?! Was it a garden? No... If it was a garden, I wouldn't have felt difficult to remember the place. Was it-'

"Did you remember something?" Sarah comes into the chamber and sighs looking at confused Maya.

In next moment, Maya walks hurriedly towards the Imperial Court. She follows Sarah who is leading her way. 

Even though Maya wanted to avoid seeing Kalki, she has no other way now.

After reaching the Imperial Court, Sarah whispers wiping her sweats "We are here. Now hurry!".

Maya nods and enters through the doorway. She looks at the huge doorway in a daze and walks seeing it with awe. She has seen many such artworks in her country but it still made her to marvel the craftsmanship.

Maya is very engrossed that she didn't even see the person walking towards her.

THUD!

AH!

She bumps into the 'someone' and yelps in shock.

"Watch your steps, My Lady"

Maya gets happy and restless seeing Xavier. She looks down embarrassed and nods "I will".

Xavier who was holding Maya frowns sensing something. He removes his left hand from her shoulder and grips his fingers around Maya's palm.

Before Maya could find his odd behaviour, Xavier asks seriously "Where is your wedding ring?"

Xavier looks at Maya strangely and even more shocked now.

'W-what would...you do..to marry a girl in your religion, Sir?'

Xavier recalls her question in the Church and gasps inwardly.

'How did't it never cross my mind?! If she is married, then how would she have not known about our marriage rituals?! Why would she ask me the question?!'

He clearly remembers how shocked she was to see Jesus Christ's statue in the Church.

'How could I allow a stranger to marry me?'

Xavier's mind is filled with numerous questions after recalling her words on that day. In midst of this confused thoughts, a single question came out of his mouth in wonder.

"Why were you leaving the country that day?"

Maya "..."  You.are.dead. If I tell him, his brother would punish me. If I do not tell him, then he would get angry! How did I end up with these brothers?!

Xavier looks at Maya's startled face and creases his eyebrows in peak of confusion.

'What's happening around me? Why couldn't I understand anything in her matter?! Just what's with her?!'

Maya takes her hands off from his grip suddenly and says "I was called by the Crown Prince -".

Xavier asks looking her in the dead eyes "Answer me a single question before you leave".

Maya stops hearing his tone and gulps looking at his almost mad face.

He asks suspiciously "Are you hiding something?".

Maya is helpless in front of him.

Before she could manage, he warns tilting his head "I don't want to hear your lies anymore!".

Maya looks at him darkly and rebukes "I didn't lie as I said earlier, Sir. I just don't want to tell the truth-".

Xavier interrupts "That's lying-".

Maya beats him announcing "No. It's not! There is difference between fooling someone deliberately and not saying anything to a stranger!".

Xavier gets hurt hearing her words. He couldn't rebuke after this hurtful sentence from her and looks away form her.

'Stranger...So... I was a stranger to her...a mere stranger..It was only me who thought otherwise...'.

Seeing him sad, Maya adds "And how about you? Did you tell me about your true identity? Did I get angry for that? See? I am talking and explaining my reasons to you, aren't I?! When you too did the same thing as me, how could you expect from me to do otherwise?!".

Xavier asks stubbornly "Then tell me now. Are you hiding something?".

Maya declares "I am not hiding anything. I am just not telling you anything because you are still a stranger to me! You helped me and I am grateful for that. Don't expect more from me. I am afraid that I couldn't fulfil the Prince's expectations!".

Saying so, Maya walks ahead angrily.

Xavier stands in a daze without being able to stop her. Even though he felt himself going overboard with her, he couldn't control himself after seeing her without a wedding ring. Not to mention their previous memorable conversations.

'How could she have married Kalki, when she is not even aware of the wedding rings?! If she is not married, then wouldn't our marriage be legit-'.

He stops his subconscious thoughts and sighs 'I don't understand...I can't understand anything until she tells me everything!'.

Before he gets out of his cloud of thoughts, Maya has long gone from the place.

----

Kalki is standing near his throne in the Imperial court and looks at the Emperor's throne with an emotionless face.

He hears footsteps behind him and smirks 'She is here! I have to clear my doubts today'.

As soon as Maya looked at Kalki, she stopped walking and looks around the place nervously.

'What kind of place is this? Why is it very huge?!-'

FOOTSTEPS

She freezes hearing Kalki's footsteps and senses him approaching her slowly.

She shivers subconsciously and doesn't dare to face him as he is too intimidating.

She curses herself once again for doing this to herself. She has always been a brave girl in her life.

'This man for the first time sowed fear in me! This single man made me regret my decisions a million times in few days!'

AH!

Without any warning! Kalki pulls her arms harshly by his one hand and holds a knife near her neck. He hisses in her ear dangerously "Tell me the truth!".