Oh, by the way... Happy New Month!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉😘

Dexter took her back to his chambers after they came out of the garden, where he took his time taking care of her. He helped her undress out of her clothes before calling on the maids to run a bath for her. Once it was done, he chased all the maids out and assisted her in bathing, washing her hair and face. Maya relaxed against him, blindly following his lead. He helped her rinse before Afterwards, he draped warm towels over her, leading her to the bedroom. Dinner was waiting for them by the time they arrived.

He then placed her on the laps, feeding her. Maya tried to refuse at first, saying she wasn't hungry but he pleaded with her. She ate very little but funnily enough her stomach didn't hurt afterwards, something she had been afraid of. He ate his meal afterwards and Maya watched him eat, enjoying the scene. Watching him eat made her feel full.

The maids came and cleared the plates once they were done. Draped in nightclothes supplied by the maid, Maya sat on the bed, fiddling with her fingers. he glanced at her, his gaze serious.

"Now speak." He stated "What happened?"

Maya opened her mouth and closed it several times, not knowing when to start. Eventually she decided to start from recently. She narrated everything while Dexter listened attentively, not interrupting her once. She stated vehemently that was innocent of trying to run over a child but admitted she did hit Fleurie and push a maid away from her but it was only because they had infuriated her. She also told him of suspicions that Fleurie is behind everything.

" Is that all?" He asked when she finished, out of breath. Maya purse her lips, gazing at her hands. " I guess..." Maya murmured, taking deep breath.

Dexter's brows burrowed as he thought about it. Maya suddenly became apprehensive. She looked up at him. " The meeting you had, what was it about?" She asked, inching closer to him. He glanced down at her, a bitter smile working it's way up his face.

" You, definitely." He replied honestly. Maya's face fell, a lump growing on her throat.

" They are going to win, aren't they?' she whispered, uneasiness seeping into her voice.

His eyes darkened at that. " Although their arguments are valid, I won't let anything happen to you." He muttered. " I promise." With that, he pulled her into his embrace, watching as she burrowed herself deeper into his chest. He felt her tense shoulders relaxed as he began patting her. " I'll do everything in my power to protect you." He whispered against her hair,his fingers trailing her spine. Maya nodded against his chest, biting her lips.

Though his voice sounded calm, Maya could feel the undercurrent of anger beneath. She sighed softly, wrapping her own hands around his waist, residing in his comfort. He didn't do anything else, just patting her back rhythmically till she gave in to the exhaustion that had been haunting her from the beginning. Closing her eyes, Maya's breath evened out and she was soon asleep, snoring lightly.

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Maya woke up the next day to a light tap on her her hands. Fluttering her eyes open, her hazy gaze landed on Dexter's face. The bluish light of dawn had filtered into the room, illuminating the room. Maya glances at his clothes. He was already dressed.

" Good morning." He whispered, lowering himself beside the bed. Maya groaned, reaching out to touch his face. He caressed her hand, running it down his chin.

" Good morning." She replied when her thoughts cleared a little. " It's morning already?" She muttered to herself, she still felt sleepy.

" Yes. I have to go. Stay indoors today. Make sure to eat also. I'll be extremely busy today."

Maya nodded, too tired to answer. He smiled before leaning in to kiss her forehead. Maya suddenly reached out, holding him in place. She placed a kiss on his lips. " Good luck." She mumbled before falling back on the bed,

Dexter eyes softened as he stared at her. "Thanks." He whispered. He stepped away, wearing the last of his attires, walked out of the room. Dexter headed straight to his study Immediately, the guards on sight bowing. He barely paid attention to them. His gentle expression gone, an icy gaze replaced it.

He settled to work immediately and moments later, a knock came on the door. Geoffrey, his personal aide walked in.

"Your majesty." He greeted, inclining his head. Dexter regarded with a nod of his head before passing him a number of scrolls he had been writing before he arrived.

" Begin an investigation on the queen's case. Find out what really happened. You only have one day. Make sure no one knows about it, especially Fleurie." He stated coldy.

"Yes, your majesty." Geoffrey replied, accepting the scrolls.

" Do you have anything else you want to tell me?" He asked curtly, seeing the hesitance on the burly commandant.

" Well, yes. A report has gotten to me that a few soldiers have escaped Gegoria and have gone into hiding. Among them is Knight Nicholas. We are yet to find them."

Knight Nicholas? The name sounded oddly familiar. Dexter raised a brow at Geoffrey. "He was the late princess Agatha's personal knight." Geoffrey replied. If he was princess Agatha's knight, then he most definitely was there when she was being abused her family.

A muscle ticked in his jaw and his muscles clenched, his gaze growing stormy. " Find him, and the rest of the people who escaped." He ordered, his voice lethal.

Geoffrey nodded once again. " Yes, your majesty."

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Maya stayed in her chambers just like Dexter had requested. She spent most of the day sleeping and reading. Food was brought it at the designated times and although she ate very little, she made sure she ate. Eventually she grew tired of it and started walking around the Chambers, inspecting everything in the room.

Laying back on the bed, Maya allowed her thoughts to wander. It went back to the time in the garden where she had met Nicholas. She quickly realised she hadn't told Dexter about it yet, she was too preoccupied with other things.

Nicholas was one of the few people who pitied her in Gegoria. But that was just about it. Pity. And she hated it. Loathed it even. Not to mention he was Agatha's personal knight. It meant she saw him often, by Agatha's side. Maya grew angry just thinking about it. Even when she came of age, the king and queen had refused for her to have a knight of her own. They made it known just how much they hated her.

It was a surprise to see him but he had gone into hiding the second the heard Dexter's voice. She wondered why. If he came to find her why was he looking so haggard? Maya sighed, combing her hands through her hair. She just hoped he was okay.

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Time dragged by and soon it was early evening. Already tired from staying cooped up in Dexter's chambers, Maya decided to go on a walk. She changed into a light dress, putting her hair into a messy bun over her head and stepped out of the chambers. There was nobody around, except for a few guards stationed here and there. She sauntered around the hallways, her gaze drifting everywhere. Thankfully people ignored her as she walked.

She originally planned to go the garden but first wanted to check up on Dexter first. Knocking on his huge study door, she waited for his gruff reply before pushing the door open and walking in. Dexter's gaze was buried in the scroll he was writing, but noticing there wasn't anyone talking, raised his head up. His eyes lit up when he saw it was Maya. Maya let out a small smile.

" Are you busy?" She asked, her voice coming out softer than she had intended. He glanced back at the scroll he was holding, conflicting emotions swirling in his eyes.

" I have time to spare." He finally replied, discarding the scroll. Maya seemed startled by the immediate reaction but continued anyway.

"I grew bored of staying indoors all day and wanted to go on a walk. But if you're busy, you don't have to join me."

Dexter was already getting up from his chair. " I'm free. Completely." He hurried up to her, holding her hands.

" Oh... Okay." She muttered, then beamed at him.

" Then we should go now."

They walked silently, side by side as Dexter held her hands. The wind was especially chilling so Dexter gave her his cloak to wear. Maya accepted it gladly, basking in it's warmth and scent. They reached the gardens, falling into a comfortable silence. They walked for long minutes, not saying anything, just enjoying the scene. In the sunset, the garden appeared ethereal. Maya's worries dissolved in an instant.

Dexter was still holding her hands and he was staring at her. Maya let it go to run ahead of him, picking up a flower and placing it on her hair. Dexter chuckled before helping her to place it properly.

" Thanks." She whispered.

" You're welcome." He replied, his lips curled in a smile. Maya gazed into his eyes and her breath caught. God, but where they stunning. She could never tire of staring at him. "You're the only one I trust here." Maya admitted softly, color staining her cheeks as she gazed at him.

"I'm glad you said that. I hope I never break that." He replied solemnly.

Maya chuckled then, brushing off tendrils of

hair away from her face." I don't think there's anything you'll do that could possibly break it."

Dexter's brows shot up. " Really?" He sounded amused.

Maya nodded, turning to face him, her eyes glittering in the sunset. " Yes."

Dexter stared at her, his heart beating wildly in his chest. Once again, he stood transfixed by her beauty. " You don't know how happy I am to here you say that." He mumbled, his voice rumbling.

Maya only laughed harder, then went on to hug him, kissing his chest— where she reached. " I should let you go now. You are definitely busy even if you don't want to admit it." Maya mumbled, wrapping her hands around him.

He chuckled sheepishly, groaning afterwards. "Maybe I am busy, but I do have time for you." He muttered, pouting like a child.

She grinned up at him, holding his cheeks. " Indeed. Thanks for walking with me. I'll be in your chambers."

" I'll join you soon." He replied quietly.

Maya pulled back, walking away first. Then skipped back to the palace.

Dexter watched her go. When she's like this, he remembers the moments from five years ago and they first met. He wishes she could always be that way. There and then, he vowed. He will do everything to keep her that way.

🙈🙈🙈

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