The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

The Empress closes her eyes tired and speaks persuading Maya "I know what you are thinking right now. But this is not the right time to show our pride. There is something else at stake which is more precious than our pride. Will you help me?".

Maya looks at The Empress with scrutinizing eyes 'What could be more precious for me? The throne? No.. The people? Never.. I am not that selfless... What could it be then?'.

The Empress speaks slowly and cautiously as if she is consciously using her words to not to expose much "Look! I want you to stay away from the Royal Palace and it's people. Go back to the Pavilion at any cost. You should have known about Bhommi's existence by now? Ask her to help locking the Cold Prison Room ..Properly!".

Maya is stunned hearing her and she is about to blurt something loud.

The Empress stops her hurriedly in panic as if she knows what would Maya do. After all she is Maya.

She shakes her head "No! Don't! I could never create this chance ever in this lifetime! I have put my everything at stake to earn this opportunity! Please don't waste all my efforts! I know! I know everything! You locked it immediately and I appreciate it wholeheartedly! You tried your best even though you didn't know anything! But it was not enough to stop the dire consequences! So, without wasting time, ask Bhommi to help locking the door. This time..properly.. With a Forbidden Magic Spell! Bhommi will understand. Just remember ..Forbidden Magic Spell..will you?".

She almost coaxed while finishing the sentence as she wants Maya to remember every word!

Maya registers the name in her mind obediently like a child and The Empress looks at Maya with an emotional smile as if she is looking at her own child.

'Was I really this naive?'.

She is well aware of the rusted memory of Maya due to her own Father's lie. Due to that lie Maya did lose lots of chance to learn and sharpen her mind with memory.

She knew very well that how she couldn't even remember the places in the palaces at very beginning. And now..? Forget it.. one story at one time...

The Empress smiles painfully and darts her eyes on Maya's innocent face. She feels guilty for doing this to herself and asks tears forming in her own eyes "Did you decline to return back to Hindustan?".

Maya could feel her eyes stinging seeing The Empress's emotional face and nods pursing her lips.

The Empress sniffles to control herself and asks teasingly "Are you so sure on yourself?! You could have chosen the other two wishes.. Are you brave enough to risk everything?".

'Didn't I put everything on line to earn this wish from The Goddess?! Then how would she not?! She is me..after all..'.

Same pride bloomed in her heart giving her a hope for something and she holds Maya carefully.

Maya smiles smugly as if she has already achieved something impossible.

'Does this relate to my peaceful future? It should be..as I..huh..The Empress says so!!'.

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

The Empress's face instantly turned into horror hearing the knocking noise and stands at once.

Maya gets astonished at her reaction.

The Empress hurriedly drags Maya into the chamber further and gasps worriedly "Do you remember the name of the spell?".

Maya nods creasing her eyebrows.

'Why is she afraid? Is she afraid of the person behind the door? Or.. Is she afraid because of my presence? She knows that I will not be visible to them.. Then why is she fearing about my presence?'.

The Empress nods determinantly "Very well. You can go now!".

Maya frowns and shakes her head in disagreement 'How could I? How could I leave her alone when she looks like she is in some danger?! I am saving even strangers these days..why would I not save myself?!'.

The Empress smirks "Do you think they will harm me? They are Royal servants. They are just here to inform me about the hearing in Imperial court".

Maya relaxes a little hearing her and nods in relief. She only felt like she has been talking with an entirely different person till now.

'She really looks like Royal person...'.

The Empress walks away from Maya and smiles victoriously "I believe you will do the rest?".

Maya sighs still in regret as she couldn't ask anything to the Empress like how did she become so..perfect...'Perfect? Then Am I not perfect now? No.. I mean..she knows what she has to do... But that's because she has lived this life..unlike you just started this new life- started? I was not thinking of living here..But what made me to stay? If I lock the Cold Prison successfully...what should I do then? Should I go back to Hindustan?'.

Even though she has tons of questions to be answered, she is overwhelmed by seeing herself living a fantasy life.,as The Empress!. She just want to save the moment.

Alas! Living at the moment she has completely forgotten the very important thing to think of. She is the Empress., then who is the Emperor?!.

Instead she thinks 'I wonder ...Would I have really stayed here? If so, why? Why would I?'.

The Empress reaches near the door of the chamber and turns remembering  something.

Maya just stares her with a heavy heart.

'Should I need to leave? Can I not stay here for some more time? I can stay as a mute just to see her for few more moments..'.

The Empress smiles teasingly and declares in a tone filled with adoration "Eros is not scary. Seriously".

Maya "..." Not scary?! And Eros?! That beast?! Is she really me?! And since when she started adoring that beast?!

Maya looks at her darkly with helplessness. She is about to humps is displeased, something shocking suddenly happens at this very moment!

CLASH

SWOOSH!!

STAB!