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–theladyandthefox
•

Chapter Seven

"Have you not heard?" A girl of Mediterranean beauty informed the audience around her. "King Maximus has been attacked."

Many gasps were heard among the young maids surrounding her, while some nodded in agreement. "Some say he's dead, that's why we haven't heard from him in a while." Another much older maid added, whilst putting a large pile of clothes inside her basket to send them for cleaning.

The labor chamber exploded with protests and arguments as maids gossiped the rumors that have circulated inside the castle–if not the whole kingdom–for the past couple of days.

"I say it's only a matter of time before Remond declares his death and claims the throne." A week ago, for an unknown reason, the King had ordered the execution of his father's advisor Remond. The royal wing was attacked by apparently some of the castle's servants–traitors working for Remond (as he had ran away)– in attempt to murder the new king. Now the kingdom's state is more chaotic than ever as everyone's questioning the true motive of King Maximus or even if he truly was the murderer of his own father.

Speculations on what would become of the Kingdom were once again given here and there, and bets on who would take the King's place were immediately placed after receiving the worse news the kingdom has ever encountered.

Everyone was now almost sure that something wrong has occurred with the King and the apologetic looks etched over the maids' faces said it all. If the kingdom has lost its last heir it would be an invitation for a much bigger and complicated catastrophe: war.

One face, however, among all of audience, if one was careful enough to look, had not been paying attention to the usual gossip that she has grown now accustomed to, and none the least worried, but rather stared almost dreamily at the little piece of parchment that she has been holding in her pocket ever since she had received it. It read as following:

Mademoiselle Juliette,
I thank you for taking care of my personal guard the night before. I have been informed of your humble act of kindness and I can finally say that my decision concerning your exaltation from the palace has been abolished.
If faced with any problems, please feel free to contact my personal guard, Xander, for he is more than willing to offer help as your most appreciated gesture can never be requited.

K. M. of Volkeï

Juliette has now memorized the letter she held in her hand at heart and yet, she couldn't help but smile everytime she re-read it. When she first found the letter on her bed two days after she had helped the King's guard, she was a bit alerted and scared as it had the royal seal. Now that she knew its contents though, she was nervous, ecstatic for a reason she had to know yet and most importantly relieved.

First, she couldn't fathom that the infamous new King of Vokeï, The Maximus of Volkeï, has been persuaded by his guard to reconsider his decision in banishing her. The very daunting man everyone feared has actually written a letter to her! How dear and close her secret guard must be to the King, she thought.

Her secret guard.

Xander.

The man who managed to change the King's mind about her.

It has been a week since she had encountered the King's guard and exactly five days since she had found a royal sealed letter on her bed.

She smiled shyly.

All she  dreamt about for the last couple of nights was of her tall mysterious stranger, the possessor of the dark coal eyes that have managed to captivate her dreams (and possibly her heart) and the last conversation that they shared.

After Xander had given her his promise, he'd asked about her name. That was all she remembered. She had somehow fallen asleep after they had a small talk and when she woke up, he was gone. She blamed the scary giant King. He made her nervous and caused her to spill all the tray's contents. If she wasn't all worked up from what happened earlier she wouldn't have been tired. Oh, how she wondered if she would see him again.

How can a man she only met for one night invade her thoughts without any warning? She felt utterly helpless and confused. He even made her forget about the embarrassing moment she had in front of the intimidating King and the other servants. Ridiculous Juliette! She chided herself.

"So who's been sending love letters to my little Juliette?" Gregg joked as he leaned his leg against the wall beside her. Juliette jumped and  quickly placed the royal letter back in her dress' pocket. She's starting to believe that this man feeds on the joy of embarrassing her.

"Are you not supposed to be at the kitchen?" She barely mumbled, her hand on her chest. 

"Now, now, is this how you greet your friends, little one?" He patted her head, his smile growing wider as she turned as red as a tomato. He leaned down and whispered, "I came to save you from these demons." He eyed the buzzing maids around them. "Don't they ever get tired of talking?"

Juliette shook her head as her fingers circled the paper hidden underneath her dress. She didn't want him to know she held the letter wherever she went. Noticing her movement, Gregg looked at her questionably and winked, "I see, I see."

Realizing what he's hinting at, she crossed her arms and looked away in embarrassment. "What did you really come here for, Gregg?" She asked, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"I wanted to check up on you, ever since you know- the accident. Do you know hard is it to find you?"

"Thank you Gregg." She answered softly. "I-I'm fine now. I– I talked to Aunt Mabel and sh-she has fixed everything." She didn't want to tell him about her tall dark guard and how he had saved her from leaving the castle. He was her little secret now.

"I'm glad to hear. It happens you know." He ran his fingers through his dark auburn hair.

"I also wanted you to taste some of the petits fours that I made."

"We're still on the hunt for your favorite dessert." He winked. "Don't tell me you have forgotten our deal."

"How can I ever miss the chance to taste Chef Gregg's desserts!" She teased, well realizing her face is blazing with redness.

"Very well then. That's a good little Juliette." He offered his hand to her. "Hold onto me, m'lady." And so she let him lead the way to the most gigantic kitchen in the entire kingdom.

~~~~~

"My goodness, Gregg!" She moaned as she took another bite of the little pastry. He's taken her to a quiet corner of his kitchen and they both leaned against a wooden counter. "They're–"

"Magnificent, exquisite, superb. I know, I know." She poked her tongue out at him as he gave her another.

"After all," he said, his hand still holding hers, "when one sees such beauty everyday, it becomes a challenge not to create beautiful art." He kissed her hand.

"You've known me for a week Gregg." He let out a heartfealt laugh, loud and all.

"You're such a precious little thing." She shook her head as she tried to hide her red face with the petits fours in her hand.

"Alright, look little one." He ruffled his auburn hair, and she noticed some strands turned golden under the light. "I have a mission for you."

"A mission?"

"A mission–" He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "–that you might not like." She looked at him curiously as placed a silver tray full of glazed petits fours in front of her. "You're going to serve for someone."

"Who?"

"The king."

"The KING?!" She choked on her bite.

"Easy there," He gave her a cup of water. "You know the rumors are not true. He's alive and well." He continued seriously.

"But I only know that because I'm the head chef." He crossed his arms.

"So it's confidential." He nodded.

"And I don't want anyone to know." He pushed the tray towards her. "You don't gossip. That's why I want you to take it."

"N-no! I can't be the only one Gregg! P-please! I can't stand anywhere near him! You know what happened!" Juliette couldn't believe what Gregg was asking from her. There was no way she could be in the same room as King Maximus! Sure he was kind enough to change his mind about banishing her, but if she messed up this time, there was no way out! Not even Xander could save her!

"Besides, you already knew the rumors aren't true because of his letter and you'll get to thank him for forgiving you." She might have mentioned the letter to Gregg without the secret guard detail. "I mean c'mon. Who would have ever imagined that King Maximus would change his decision. It's a miracle. Thank him. You might save the kingdom after all." She frowned, anxiety filling up her senses already.

"I-I don't think I c-can do this Gregg." He places his hand on her shoulder.

"I promise if anything happens I'll take full responsibility. I really don't want to risk telling anyone and disregard the rumors. Me and Meredith have been carrying the meals for the past week. Mer's sick and Mabel's busy with the maids. Those are the only two I can trust." He pleaded.

"I'll be your personal chef for a week. You'll feel like a royal. Everyday's a new desert. What do you say, huh? Huh? Huh?"

"I-I t-think you're right. I should thank him. He was really kind to me." He smiled assuringly.

"There's nothing to be scared of. You only need to place the dishes, thank him and leave. Easy peasy." Easy for you to say. She shuddered as she remembered his imposing figure. He would snap her in half just with one hand.

"Now, let me tell you the directions to the study room. Next time, you're going on your own."

"There's a next time?!"

"Who knows."

~~~~~

Gregg's instructions were clear: knock on the door twice and wait for permission to go inside; yet, as she stood in front of a large wooden door on which engraved on it with golden letters were the words 'the Royal Study Room' , she felt like had lost sensation over her limbs. Anxiety and fear consumed her as she started imagining the worst scenarios that could ever happen.

She shouldn't have agreed with Gregg. Living the rest of her life eating gruel and dried bread and not being in the same room as the King alone sounded far more merciful than tasting Gregg's tasty desserts and seeing the king.

Knowing that accepting Gregg's deal was a terrible idea and that it's too late to go back down now, she knocked the giant door twice with one hand, while gripping the other tray with the other.

"Come in." The king's booming voice reverberated from inside the room. Closing her eyes and muttering a silent prayer, she finally opened the door slowly, her eyes never daring to leave the floor.

Steady, Juliette, steady. She told herself. The least thing you want to do is trip in front of him again.

The study room–like the other royal rooms– was immense. Large wooden tables on which were scattered maps and pawns filled the room, and sitting behind the large desk was King Maximus in all his glory. A very large window that almost covered the whole wall rested behind him, showing a perfect view of the fountain in the garden underneath. The King seemed be signing a few papers and fixing them with the royal seal.

"Place them near the chess table, Meredith." He said, not paying attention to her. She put a strand of hair behind her ear as she nervously looked around.

Chess table, chess table, chess table. Darn it, why can't she spot any chess table! The room is too huge!

"I..uh.." She started nervously.

"Oh for God's sake Mere–" a pause. A shift in movement. "Mademoiselle Juliette."

"Y-your m-majesty." She muttered softly. She could feel her cheeks burning red as she stared at the tray in her hands. Even her hands were shaking! She was so sure she looked like a ridiculous shaky tomato.

"I assume you've received my letter." Despite not daring to glance at him, she could feel his eyes burning daggers at her.

"Oh y-yes. Th-thank y-you so much–" then widened her eyes and added "your majesty." There, she thanked him. She didn't even do it right. She's never going to listen to Gregg ever again.

The King stood up, blocking the light from the windows behind him. She could feel his tall muscular figure moving towards her and she gripped the tray with her hands harder, scared that it would slip from her hands.

"My guard spoke very kindly of you."She could feel like him getting closer with each step. "You've saved his life."

"He's also saved mine!" Realizing her foolish response, she added, "I m-mean, your majesty, your guard managed t-to c-change y-your decision." Oh, how she wished the earth would swallow her whole at that moment.

"I assume he did. I believe I was a bit too harsh with my decision." He spoke, amusement obvious in his voice.

Was the King laughing at her?

"I was quite impressed. A maid who knows how to cure wounds." Somehow, his intimidating voice reminded her of her Xander. His, however, sounds far more arrogant.

"Did you work in an apothecary before?" He inquired. He was now mere inches away from her, his looming figure obscuring her view.

"I-I u-used t-to take care o-of my mother, your majesty." He was so close to her now, she could feel the heat radiating his body. If she made one step forward, she would bump her head with his chest.

"Here," He suddenly spoke. "The chess table."

"Oh." She widened her eyes in embarrassment as she realized the chess table was right on her left the whole time. She was now sure she looked and sounded utterly, completely and entirely ridiculous.

She quickly placed the tray on the empty space near the table. But then, again, the table looked so fancy, she thought as she stared at it. Even the pawns and pieces looked odd. The King was silent the whole time as she fixed the food on the plates.

As she was about to bow and dismiss herself, the King stalked a step towards her. Feeling a bit intimidated, she took a step back.

"Mademoiselle Juliette," He said roughly. "Please inform the Head Chef to only send the usual servants responsible for my meals." He spoke seriously. Despite being scared and not wanting to be around his presence, the words he just said felt like knives stabbing her heart.

His words were clear. The King didn't trust her and still found her as a threat. Or he just found her stupid and ridiculous he didn't want her presence near him altogether. Or both.

Sadness swept through her as she solemnly nodded, bowed and made her way towards the door.

"Do not disregard the rumors." He commanded, his authoritative voice making it clear she would be dead if she did otherwise.

"Y-yes, y-your majesty."

Juliette didn't know why tears welled up in her eyes as she closed the Royal Study Room's door. Why, she was just wishing she'd be as far away as possible from the King. She couldn't describe what she was feeling. She was scared from him and the tone he used with her. She was sad he didn't trust her. She was a bit relieved she came out alive. Perhaps, it's for better, she told herself and finally decided to go back to her little cozy chamber.

King Maximus paced back and forth inside his office. Goddammit, he cursed. He's not supposed to lose his mind everytime he saw her. The girl was driving him insane.

He punched his desk as he re-attempted to focus on his never-ending papers but failed miserably. The Kingdom is in chaos, traitors are roaming free, and all he could manage to think about was some girl who saved his life a week ago.

He ran his hands through his dark hair. He refused to be like his late father. His father was a kind man, and he blindly allowed enemies to walk inside his land. For Maximus, to be powerful and feared is greater than being kind and loved. It didn't matter for him if most of his people disliked him, he was determined to purge his kingdom completely from traitors and perhaps expand it–even if it meant him ruling alone.

That was until the girl with the golden hair came.

Amidst a storm of ruins and treachery, she was a soft brush of rosy air. Her presence calmed him. She was so gentle and naïve, and he didn't understand why he gets the urge to protect her everytime she's near. She was still oblivious about him being the guard, he smiled in amusement.

He knew dismissing her was for the better. He didn't want to risk her knowing his identity. He had so much weight on his shoulders right now, and he needed to clear his mind before focusing on such matters. He had no time to spare. His whole daytime is solely dedicated to his Kingdom. A king would never leave his land undeterred.

But perhaps, he could become a guard in the night.

~
Finally the attraction between the two is growing ♥
What do you think will happen after Maximus has decided to pay a little visit to golden haired beauty in the night?
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Take care ♥
–theladyandthefox