On the western part of the castle lay a designated area for the king and council members, reserved strictly for administrative functions.
This space was secluded , given the significance of the discussions held there, and well-guarded to ensure the confidentiality of sensitive matters concerning the kingdom.
The meeting room filled rapidly as the king arrived, dressed casually in pants and a shirt with sleeves rolled up—an indication that he was not in the mood for prolonged deliberations.
"Let's get started," Leon declared in his usual commanding tone as he took his seat after his entrance was announced. He turned his piercing blue eyes to the elderly man on his right. "Lord Thomas, you called for this meeting. What requires my attention?"
Lord Thomas steadied himself to address the assembly, his gaze scanning the other council members before returning to the king. "Yes, Your Majesty," he began, clearing his throat. "We have several urgent matters to discuss. We should start with the bandit attacks along our trade routes…" His voice trailed off, and the council members nodded in agreement.
"Let's hear it," Leon replied. Thomas nodded and proceeded to outline the pressing issues at hand.
"Your Majesty, the recent bandit attacks along our trade routes are becoming a significant concern. We suspect it is related to the instability stemming from border disputes with Azura." Lord Thomas detailed, while Leon maintained a composed facade, though impatience simmered beneath as he preferred swift resolutions.
"I will not allow these attacks on our people or our trade. I want these bandits dealt with—swiftly and decisively. Capture or kill them; I care not which. Just ensure it does not happen again," Leon commanded.
One of the council members, a middle-aged man called Lord James, raised a hand. "Sire, we should increase military presence along the borders and offer rewards for information regarding the bandits."
Leon nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Implement both measures. Make certain the populace knows we are taking action. I want the roads to be secure for trade and travel. Azura may attempt intimidation, but we will demonstrate our strength."
"Yes, Sire," Lady Elizabeth responded. "We will enhance security and gather intelligence on the bandits."
"See that you do. I expect tangible results. These bandits are a plague upon our kingdom, and I will not stand for it," Leon retorted, turning his narrowed gaze back to Thomas. "Is there anything else?"
Thomas leaned forward to address the next topic. "Ahh… Yes. Your Majesty, the food shortage is escalating into a serious crisis. The people are growing restless, and there are whispers of discontent in the city."
Leon's lips tightened, and he responded firmly, "Find a way to bolster food production and distribution. I want results within a month."
Lord James, ever thoughtful, signaled he had a point to make, but Lord Thomas prepared to interject simultaneously. Leon motioned for James to speak first, prompting an irritated glare from Thomas directed at James, while Lady Elizabeth observed the ongoing rivalry, aware that both were vying for the king's favor.
James proposed, "Sire, we could look into importing grain from neighboring kingdoms or institute rationing to ensure everyone has sufficient food."
"Importing grain is a last resort. I demand that our farms flourish. Ensure our farmers receive the necessary support. I want to see a genuine increase in production—not just a temporary fix," Leon asserted.
Lord Thomas nodded in agreement. "Yes, Sire. We will focus on aiding farmers and exploring ways to improve crop yields."
Leon tapped his fingers on the table, surveying the council members present. "Is there anything else to address?" he inquired.
"No, Your Majesty. Those were the critical issues that needed addressing," Lord Thomas replied.
Leon nodded firmly. "Then this meeting is adjourned." He rose, and the others stood, bowing their heads as he exited.
As he strode toward the east wing, he knew he had paperwork awaiting his attention—he had left it unfinished due to the meeting. However, as he walked, he noticed his guards' frantic movements, on the ground floor, a clear sign of disorder. He paused, inhaling deeply.
"What the hell?" he thought, noticing an inexplicable smell of food lingering in the air when they were supposed to be fasting.
The cooks were instructed not to prepare any food until tomorrow when the meal was scheduled, so what was that aroma he was catching in the air?
As he crossed the upper floors, his blue eyes narrowed in on a figure clad in red approaching the staircase—there was no mistaking it; it was Maya.
His jaw clenched. Why was she holding a tray with a plate on it? Anger boiled within him as he balled his fists.
She hadn't eaten anything, had she? He questioned internally, struggling to keep his composure and not snap.
As she climbed the staircase, their eyes met. He noticed her body tensing for just an instant before she dismissed it and continued upwards. When she reached the top, where he stood waiting, she greeted him with a smile—one he recognized as insincere-as she turned and entered his chamber, opening the door without hesitation.
Leon's gaze darkened, his lips parted in disbelief. What the hell was happening? First, she was holding food when she wasn't supposed to, and now she was invading his space—a space he valued above all else.
Maya stepped inside. Her eyes quickly surveyed the room, taking in the bed, cupboards, wardrobe, and the darkened corners that matched his preference. She strode towards the table, exuding a sense of ownership that infuriated him as he watched from the doorway.
After setting the tray down, shifting away the papers, a smirk crept onto her lips.
She turned to face him. "What are you doing? Come in." She gestured for him to step inside, and his eyes narrowed in disbelief.
Yet, he did step in, slamming the door behind him. "What are you doing?" he demanded sharply, closing the distance between them, his gaze locking onto her with a predatory intensity meant to instill fear.
"I brought you food. I thought you might be starving... Am I not considerate?" She tilted her head, her audacity igniting his anger further.
"You realize you're not supposed to eat anything today, right? Nadira made that clear, didn't she?" His voice sliced through the air, each question laced with incredulity, firmly believing Nadira had conveyed the message.
But Maya seemed unperturbed, intentionally pushing his buttons.
This time, he wouldn't tolerate her nonsense. If this continued, he would send her to a place worse than the dungeon, for even that didn't seem to deter her. He gritted his teeth as he towered over her, fighting the urge to reveal the darkness he held within.
"Nadira did tell me..."
"And you still chose to eat, didn't you?" he pressed, anger radiating from him.
"Yes," she admitted, "I was hungry... I hadn't eaten for days—"
He cut her off, "Whose fault is that? Who told you not to eat?"
"Your fault," Maya shot back defiantly. "After what you made me do, how could I eat? How could anyone eat?!" Her fists clenched at the memories of that awful day in the dining hall, where her face had been buried in a grotesque mixture of blood and soup.
She remembered the nausea that had come from it, the struggle to find her appetite again after being subjected to such horror. She could only bring herself to eat now because she had forced herself to forget, at least temporarily.
His voice dropped dangerously low as he stepped closer, "And on this day, you chose to defy me by eating? The day I specifically ordered everyone to fast?" His words were a low growl, each syllable dripping with barely restrained rage.
Maya huffed, maintaining her defiance as she turned her gaze away. Her expression was one of disregard, and he narrowed his eyes further, incredulous at her lack of remorse. She had disobeyed him and defied the tradition and yet stood there unrepentant.
With her arms folded, she challenged him, "Why do you even ask everyone to fast?"
"Is that your concern?" he retorted sharply. "Do I owe you an explanation? I am the king, and you will follow my orders." He reminded her, ensuring she understood in case she had forgotten.
"Oh, just because you have power doesn't mean you can wield it however you please," she began firmly.
"You should have stated the reason for our fast. Must everyone suffer just to satisfy your whims? I'm certain you must have eaten and drunk well while letting everyone else starve. Isn't that just the kind of monster you are?" She accused him, and then drew a sharp gasp as he gripped her neck and slammed her against the wall.
"I'm doing my best not to kill you here, Maya," he growled, his grip tightening. "You're pushing me to the brink, and I might just lose control. Then you'd never open those eyes again." His words were a chilling whisper against her ear as she struggled for breath, gripping his hand in a futile attempt to free herself—his strength overwhelming, as if he were anything but human.
Her expression twisted with bitterness. Wouldn't it be better to die? Freedom from him and all this suffering seemed tempting, but she refused to grant him that satisfaction.
With her face reddening, she fought against his grip, unyielding in her defiance. He could do whatever he planned; she wouldn't back down.
Leon was losing it all, and his grip on her tightened to a dangerous level. Just then, the door swung open, pulling him back from the edge of madness. He released her, and Maya collapsed to the ground, rubbing her neck as tears slipped from her eyes. She quickly wiped it away.
His icy gaze shifted to the door, landing on Nadira and the other maids standing there. "Did you just have the audacity to open the door?" he questioned incredulously.
Without hesitation, Maya sprang to her feet, and ran to the front, to shield the others by spreading her arms wide. "You won't hurt them," she challenged, positioning herself defiantly between them and Leon, who glared at her with clenched jaws, capable of doing away with her in an instant.
"Your Majesty, please, it's all my fault. Don't send Her Majesty to the dungeon again," Nadira pleaded as she knelt beside Maya, joined by the others.
"Didn't she ask for this?" Leon shot back, piercing Maya with an intense glare. "You instructed her not to eat, or have you forgotten?" He spoke as if Maya were merely a subject to punish without a second thought, and she clenched her teeth in response.
"If she's being sent to the dungeon, then you'll have to send us all, too. Everyone already ate," Nadira insisted. Joan shivered in fear from behind, realizing the error in their plan. This was not how they intended for things to unfold.
Leon's dark chuckle echoed through the room as disbelief washed over him.
First, it was Maya defying him, and now this maid had joined in? Including the guards who had earlier been running around like fools?.
He turned his gaze to Maya, who defiantly tilted her head in response. "Was this your scheme, hmm, Maya?" he taunted, amusement glimmering in his eyes. His disdain for her only intensified.
She swallowed hard but answered boldly, "Of course, they wouldn't have done anything if I hadn't told them to." She took the blame willingly, prepared to defend them.
"Guards," he commanded, and they entered the room. "Every last one of them who disobeyed my orders shall be executed immediately."
What!?
Maya felt her body grow cold, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her. The guards wasted no time in rounding up all the maids.
"Please, Your Majesty… Have mercy. We'll never do it again," they pleaded desperately.
Maya stared at him, her heart pounding as one of the guards approached to take her away. "You can't execute us because we had food!" she protested.
"Incorrect. All of you disobeyed me," he reiterated, his eyes cold and his voice laced with menace.
"Let them go—just take me," Maya demanded, struggling against the guard still holding her.
He tilted his head slightly. "Everyone had food, and everyone shall be punished. It's only fair. You should have considered the consequences of crossing me," he replied, his tone steely.
Maya's heart ached as she glanced at Nadira and the others being led away, realizing she had dragged them into this situation. She had never wanted to involve them; they had come to protect her, but now it was she who had placed them in danger.
Maya clenched her fists, resolve hardening within her. She would not let him do this to her.
She yanked her arm away from the guard's grip and broke free, making a beeline for the table.
Leon's expression hardened as he turned his gaze toward Maya, a frown etched on his face. His irritation deepened when he saw her boldly drinking the soup from the bowl. How dare she continue eating in his presence?
The audacity of this woman fueled his anger, and he clenched his teeth in frustration. He was finished with her antics.
Leon strode towards her, ready to grasp her hand and force her out.
But just as he closed the distance, she pivoted on her heels, rose onto her toes, and pressed her lips to his. He froze, his hand poised in mid-air, and lips parted slightly. Without hesitation, she slid her tongue in his mouth, against his own tongue, ensuring he tasted her.
And he tasted that soup she drank.
He swallowed.
Maya smiled against his lips, knowing he had broken the fast too.