It was a bright day, and Maya had just woken up, her gaze fixed on the ceiling she had come to accept as her own.
This was her home now, whether she liked it or not, and she had no intention of staying here passively for the rest of her life—at least not under his terms.
She had spent days plotting her revenge, not just for herself but for Peter too. She was determined to make him regret every single decision he had made, particularly the one that had kept her from leaving.
Swinging her legs out of the bed, Maya headed for the window, flinging it open to let the light pour in. The sun bathed her in warmth, a stark contrast to the shadows in which he thrived. It was such a shame, he didn't know the morning sun was especially good for the body. Since he preferred the darkness, she thrived in the light.
Once again, the bird landed on the branch outside her window and began to sing, its sweet melody filling her with motivation.
Maya rested her head on her hands, watching it with a smile. This was the moment she had been waiting for, and she couldn't wait to dismantle his life piece by piece, just as he had shattered hers.
"Thank you," she murmured to the little bird as it finished its song and took flight, leaving her in a moment of quiet reflection.
Just then, a knock on the door disrupted her thoughts, and Nadira entered, accompanied by Joan and Grace.
"Good morning, your majesty," Nadira said, her sharp eyes narrowing as they fell on Maya by the window. This scene was unexpected. Maya's face lit up with joy, as if the horrors of her past had vanished and it was their first encounter.
"Good morning," Maya replied with a bright smile. "Did you all sleep well?" She inquired and watched as they exchanged confused glances.
Typically, Maya would still be in bed, silent and lifeless. This shift in her demeanor took them by surprise. Had she finally accepted her situation here?
"Yes, we did, your majesty. And you?" Nadira asked.
"My sleep was fantastic. I've never felt so at peace," Maya declared, and they gave her bewildered but relieved smiles.
"If that's the case, Your Majesty must be excited for today. We should get you dressed right away," Nadira suggested eagerly, and Maya nodded enthusiastically.
She quickly shed her clothes, washed in warm water, and let them apply fragrant body oils before donning her inner garments. Finally, it was time for the gown.
"I want the red one," Maya commanded, and Nadira hesitated for a moment before complying. Maya insisted, "Bring it out." The red dress emerged—a stunning gown with a high collar, long sleeves, and a flowing cape. It was extravagant for an ordinary day, but she didn't care; red symbolized passion. And her passion was vengeance. She planned to serve Leon a bitter dish of his own medicine, ensuring he suffered deeply and never fully recovered.
Once dressed, she was escorted to the dresser, where her hair was brushed. She ordered it to cascade down her shoulders and requested a bolder makeup palette than usual. If she were embracing a new, assertive persona, she would also reflect that in her appearance.
When she surveyed herself in the mirror, satisfaction washed over her, but not without noticing the shocked expressions on her maids' faces. It was working, she realized.
"Nadira, I need to speak with you privately," Maya said firmly.
"Your majesty, do you not want us here?" Grace questioned, a frown creasing her brow.
"That's not the issue," Maya replied before her tone sharpened. "You know what? Yes, I prefer to speak with Nadira alone."
The abruptness stunned them, but they nodded and left silently.
As the door closed behind them, Nadira's brow furrowed in concern. Something had shifted in Maya overnight. She seemed vibrant and assertive, and while Nadira welcomed this change, she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. "What do you want to discuss, your majesty?" she asked, curious yet cautious.
"Could you tell me what things His Majesty hates?" she asked, gripping Nadira's hand tightly, a determined light sparking in her eyes.
"Why do you want to know, Your Majesty?" Nadira inquired, her voice trembling slightly as she sensed the intensity of Maya's intent.
Maya took a deep breath, forcing herself to articulate her thoughts clearly as she spat those distasteful words."I intend to avoid everything that displeases my husband to be a better wife," she stated firmly, and Nadira's eyes widened in disbelief as she absorbed Maya's words.
"I want to steer clear of his dislikes to put an end to his anger. I refuse to live in hostility when we could have a happy partnership, love, and children. You know what I'm getting at," she said, a smile that barely concealed her intentions playing on her lips.
Nadira nodded vigorously. "If that's your goal, I'd be more than willing to assist you," she replied, and Maya's expression brightened.
"Alright then, let's get started," Nadira said, and Maya absorbed every word intently. "He detests when his belongings are disturbed, dislikes being touched, and resents anyone invading his personal space. He won't tolerate being challenged or spoken back to—what he demands is what must be done. You need to relinquish your desires and cater to his every need, regardless of your feelings. He expects you to respect his boundaries and avoid meddling in his business. Those are just the basics. Oh, and for the record, you must never reopen the curtains; he abhors the light."
Maya took in Nadira's list, considering how much he expected simply because he was king. She hated his guts.
"If you adhere to these rules, you won't be enemies anymore. You'll earn his regard, and happiness will follow," Nadira assured her.
Maya smirked at her, throwing out a tone of feigned compliance. "Oh really?" she asked, internally planning to do the exact opposite.
All those dislikes? She was going to embrace them. She didn't care about being liked by him; she wanted to provoke him into madness and drive him to throw her out. Happiness and children were the last things on her mind as she plotted her revenge against the tyrannical king. She clenched her fists, resolute in her determination.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Nadira asked cautiously, narrowing her eyes at Maya.
Snapping back to reality, Maya forced a relaxed facade. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for your assistance, Nadira. I'll be sure to follow your advice," she said brightly.
"I wish you all the best, Your Majesty; you know I'm always here to support your best interests," Nadira replied with a warm smile.
"Of course," Maya nodded confidently. Then, placing a hand on her stomach, she skipped ahead, "Let's head to the dining hall; I need to eat. I'm starving."
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention," Nadira said, hesitating as though recalling something.
"What is it?" Maya asked, a hint of impatience creeping into her tone.
"We're not eating today," Nadira stated.
Maya's brows furrowed. What did she mean they weren't eating? She had barely eaten properly in days because of him. "Why not?" she pressed, not liking where this was headed.
"Because we are fasting. Once a year, we partake in a fast. It's mandatory for everyone, so there will be no meals today. I apologize, Your Majesty," Nadira explained apologetically.
Maya gritted her teeth.
How dare they impose such a ridiculous tradition on her when she was starving? She wasn't going to let some customs dictate her actions.
In fact, This is very perfect; she would eat, and she would ensure everyone in the castle followed her lead.