The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

Maya walks into the church looking at the ceiling works. She c.a.r.e.s.ses the cravings in the side walls and the designs . She smiles marvelling the works.

She turns hearing some sudden screams. The loud alarming sounds can be heard from the distance.

She realizes the sound was coming outside from the harbor. Running towards the door, she stops suddenly by a hand. It pulled her back into the church swiftly.

Maya watches the door closes behind her and turns to see the woman in shock.

The woman is dragging Maya hurriedly in front of the statue "This way!".

Maya gasps "Who are you?!".

The lady answers her instantly "A servant Your Majesty!".

Maya cries in shock "What?! Whose?!".

'Majesty?!'.

Fear creeps in her heart instantly.

'Does she know about me?! She shouldn't!'.

The woman opens a door beside the statue and tugs Maya slightly "Take this way Your Majesty! You will reach the Countryside Pavilion after 3 hours of walking-".

Maya gasps blurting "I won't !".

'I WOULD NEVER RETURN TO THAT EVIL PLACE!'.

The woman looks at her with complete shock "Your Majesty! You have to be safe-".

Maya rebukes "I AM safe here! I don't want to return to that evil place! Who are you? How do you know me?! And why are you sending me back-".

The woman looks at Maya with complete interest and shock at the same time.

'Doesn't she know her status now?! She is Crown Prince's wife! She has to be there where she belongs! She belongs to be in Royal Palace!'.

Maya notices the woman wore men's clothes. With armour and a sword in her waist. She was completely bewitched by the woman's aura!.

'Perhaps she is a warrior! A warrior?! But she said she is a servant! Why is she after me now?!'.

The woman broke the silence "I am here to save you My Lady. I have received an edict to find you and send back to the Pavilion safely!".

Maya frowns "Edict from whom?".

'Who was it?! The Crown Prince-'.

The woman declares shattering Maya's thoughts "The Emperor! He ordered us to bring you to the dinner which will be happening tonight in the Royal Palace. You will be leaving the Countryside Pavilion once the guilty is punished!".

Maya felt her head spinning hearing the sentences.

'The Emperor. .. Dinner in Royal Palace...the guilty-'.

She asks "The guilty?!".

The woman nods with bow "Yes Your Majesty! We have investigated everything thoroughly. The woman who entered into the Pavilion that afternoon must be behind the conspiracy! -".

Maya looks at the woman in disbelief "What?!". She doesn't know whether she will die of these shocking news!.

The woman looks at the door of the church worriedly and says "Yes My Lady! No one has entered into the Pavilion newly except her with the two children".

Maya hisses "It's impossible! I brought them to the Pavilion and they are not behind this-".

The woman states hurriedly, still looking back at the door "Your Majesty! I beg you to leave as early as possible! I can't protect you for long time!".

Maya insists sternly "But they are not behind this!-".

'How can they punish the victims of the draught! I BROUGHT them promising to take care of them! I shouldn't allow that to happen! I know Princess Veronica has schemed this! I won't allow her to punish innocent people!'.

Maya asks with murder intent "When will they be punished? I have to stop them!".

The woman frowns "No one can stop Emperor's decision Your Majesty. But they will be punished in front of your eyes-".

Maya lets out an exhausted breath and holds the door weakly.

'Veronica...You dared to instigate this against that pitiful woman?! Dream on!'.

Maya looks at the woman and asks "Why don't you come with me?".

The woman shakes her head "I have to cover this door so that no one can reach you!".

Maya drags her hand "I can't go alone. Guide me!".

But the woman stood rooted to the ground and declares "No My Lady! I was told to send you back safe and suppress the attacks in harbor".

Maya questions "What if I get lost in my way? I don't know any of this place yet!".

The woman smiles "The way is underground tunnel and you will only reach the Pavilion in the end".

Maya nods determined 'I have to save them. I have to keep my words. I gave them the word so I have to keep them! At any cost!'.

As soon as she entered the way and the door was immediately closed by the woman behind her.

'Why is my life in danger anyway? Why did I believe that woman? What if she trapped me in some danger? What if she works for Veronica?!'.

She gulps at those thoughts and realizes the way was completely dark.

-------

The Countryside Pavilion.

Sarah was tied in her legs and hands. She had been kneeling from the time when Maya disappeared.

She is shivering due to the cold water splashed on her.

She hears a small whimpering sound beside and looks at Molly.

Sarah swallows her dry throat as her own condition is far better than her.

Molly was one of the persons who entered the Pavilion newly. She didn't like her but she also didn't wish to see her suffer like this.

Molly has been continuously tortured and whipped the whole day. To find the truth from the accused, the Crown Prince has this deadly way of torture.

Sarah muffles her cries seeing Molly's condition.

While Molly was lying on the floor lifelessly. Her hairs hide her pale face which has bruised and cut by the slapping.

Sarah doesn't know whether she is dead or alive. She moves slightly so that she could hold Molly's hand.

SL.A.P!

SL.A.P!

THUD!!

Sarah falls on the floor heavily after two tight slaps. Her tears creeped fom her eyes non-stop but she didn't dare to let any sound.

She lifts her eyes to meet a pair of cold ones.

A soldier stood before her and roars "Dare you move an inch you filthy useless woman! I will slit your throat in next second!".

The whole Pavilion was watching the scene. The servants were in fear and the soldiers who entered to investigate were with pride!.

"Try it if you dare!".

A cold voice emerges out of nowhere startling the solider and bewitching the others by its melodious sound.