The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

Maya feels uncomfortable and really feels something weighing on her shoulders ... May be her ideologies about an ideal country and rulers are taking its toll at the right time... but at wrong time for her..

Sarah asks coldly "What's the need of giving us hope when you really wanted to snatch it away in the end?!".

Maya shakes her head lightly and stammers "Sarah.. I never ..intended to stay here. You know ...you know what I wanted ..from the beginning-".

Sarah nods yet mocks "I only know what will our future be if you are there for us".

Maya "..." I would be there for them?

Maya just wants to leave the place without tangling herself further. She Knows what Sarah wants from her. She is not That stupid. But she is afraid because she can't afford that. Or She is not too kind to do anything only for Sarah. Just like Xavier. She is not too kind to be a Queen. Because at the end of the day, Maya too is selfish. Really. Who is not selfish here?

Maya shakes her head in disagreement 'I cannot! I am not going to risk my freedom by staying here! I know Sarah only for few days.... I cannot take this gamble'.

Sarah is disheartened by seeing Maya's protest and fumes supressing her harsh cries "How can you... You asked what will happen to us in our own country, didn't you? Hear me! We will be bearing the brutal whip slashes just because we spilled tea over Princess Veronica's gown! In fact... Take a look yourself!".

Saying so, Sarah unties her waist cloth.

Maya stops her immediately and gasps nervously "What are you doing?! We are in the garden!".

Sarah pushes Maya's hand and removes her outer robes. 

Maya already decided that Sarah has lost her mind in anger. Maya's efforts of stopping Sarah went in vain.

Sarah declares exposing her deep scars in her waist "This! This will happen to me in my own country!".

Maya stares at the ugly scars which contrasted Sarah's flowless skin and she could understand how many times Sarah would have been whipped to get such scar.

Sarah speaks without minding her tears drenching her cheeks "I never wanted to be a servant! Just like you don't want to be Queen! Didn't you say we are of same age and we are equal? You know something? There is a great difference between us, Maya. You are living a dream of many Royal Princesses in this Four Realms! You are trying to lose what I have never ever imagined of! Being a Queen could be a mere title for you. But a hope of eternity for me! I couldn't even dream of marrying a Prince in my life. But look at your fate! It's....It will only be a fable for me!".

Maya feels herself getting emotional on hearing her words. But suppresses her feelings to herself. She puts on the clothes back on Sarah and ties the waist robe silently. 

Sarah continues "Forget about thinking of marrying a Prince, I can't even dream of freeing myself from being a servant just like you are throwing your status. The difference between us is.. You can.And.. I can't! Even though I really want it". 

Maya asks without looking Sarah's eyes "Why me? You might get another Queen who is kinder than me-".

Sarah chuckles while crying and turns wiping her tears "You are again giving me a hope... You can't afford to be a Queen for us. And... I can't afford to believe your false hopes anymore".

Maya felt her temperament urging her to rebuke Sarah. But she couldn't as she can't act reckless again. And give more false hopes to the poor girl in front of her. She has already enough in her life.

Seeing Sarah walking into the Pavilion desolately, Maya is feeling guilty. Even though it was not her sole mistake.

Maya turns back away from Sarah and purses her lips worriedly. 

'Why am I confused now? Didn't I choose to live a selfless life before? To free myself from the Curse? I am .. sacred to face this reality.. I am scared to...become a Queen. What if something happens and I end up in prison? I can't face the brutality of these country's prison and punishments! Death is far better than them! Being a Queen... It's not simple as it looks. Sarah is not understanding. It's not a beautiful life like how she looks! I might have different view when it comes to Administrating a Country but that doesn't mean I can be a Queen! They are just my thoughts! It's not just about being a Queen! It's about being a wife too! To the Crown Prince! And being a daughter-in-law to the Emperor.. and Sister-in law to-'.

She opens her eyes wide at this sudden realization and whispers "I cannot!! I might be able to be a Queen b-but not a Sister-in-law! Never!!".

She only now realizes this tangled situation as if she just now found a new problem. It has been in front of her the entire time and Maya only now acknowledges this as a problem!

She looks at the Bow lying in front of her in the ground and shakes her head "I cannot be a Queen".

She purses her lips and her eyes emitted a determinant glow as if she is sure about her decision! 

---

After two days.

In the Southern Country.

A Royal Inn.

The Inn is exclusively built for the Royal people of different countries to stay.

Kalki is sat in one of the corners of his chamber.

The chamber literally screamed the luxury and the amount of golds spent by each Royal person-But not for The Crown Prince Kalki. He never needs to pay for his stay. In fact, the countrymen would be ready to pay him tons of golds and precious gems just to get a glimpse of him.

Just like how everyone would crave to see the God once in their lives! Such a Godly Prince he is!