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•

Chapter Twelve

"So let me get this straight," Yasmine asked as she jiggled an apple between her hands. "You are friends with that scary man?"

Juliette nodded, a faint blush crossing her cheeks as she remembered her intimate moment with him. "He's not a bad guy–I know him."

"Everything was a fast blur to me." Yasmine confessed. "All I remember was dancing and then seeing his tall figure tower over us."

"He's a good person. He didn't mean- hurting Peter." Juliette closed her eyes and tried to think of excuses to explain Xander's behavior. He seemed nice towards her and she didn't know why he got so scary with Peter.

Gregg who has been silently listening to her talking about what had occurred the night before raised his eyebrow ironically.

"Peter's still in the infirmary, Juliette. If from what you described- it's the same soldier whom I saw when you were leaving the forest. I'm telling you–he," he licked his lips in frustration. "He is not to be trusted." You shouldn't be walking hand in hand with that–"

"Gregg I–""

"No you listen to me, Juliette." He said sternly. "Mabel put you under my responsibility. I am not going to sit and watch you welcome dangerous people in your life with open arms!" Juliette bit her lip and plucked the last petal of the rose she was holding.

"Y-you dont understand Gregg!" She said pouting her lips. "He- apologized!"

"I don't give a damn if he apologized, Juliette!"He argued, his voice somewhat harsh but immediately softened as hurt flashed in her eyes.

"What is it with you Gregg?" Yasmine grumbled, crossing her arms. "Give her break, she still doesn't know how the people in the castle can be. Hell, I can't really tell sometimes."

Gregg sighed and scratched the back of his neck in frustration. "Juliette–I didn't meant to react like this. I'm sorry, okay? I'm just worried about you. Just.." he sat on the wooden chair beside them and buried his face in his hands for a while.  He let out a breath and then gazed at her for a few seconds. "That man is dangerous Juliette."

"Well do you know him?" Yasmine asked impatiently as she took a bite from her Apple.

"All the men who are part of the King's army are dangerous." 

"You can't say that Gregg!" Juliette said weakly.

"I was once part of the army, Juliette." As she stared at the slight wrinkles stressing around his eyes, and the rough edges of his hands, Gregg suddenly didn't seem exactly as young as she expected him to be. When she first met him, she thought he might be slightly older than her, but now as she got introduced to his serious side, she started believing he might be in his late twenties.

"Well, he's not part of the King's army, Gregg! He is one of the King's personal guards!" Gregg rolled his eyes at Juliette and scratched his chin.

"Did he tell you that?"

"All of the King's personal guards stay close to the King. If he had been one, he wouldn't be bothered with us." Yasmine concluded as she shook her head in disbelief. "He's probably lying to you." Juliette dubiously looked at her other friend but he was silent, deep in thought. An anxious feeling tightened around her throat.

"I..what's the point of telling you this if you guys don't believe me!" Juliette stomped her foot in the ground childishly as her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Oh, Julie, it's not like that!" Yasmine shushed as she placed her apple on the wooden counter and seemed to be headed to her.

"It's exactly like t-that!" She wiped a tear with the back of her palm. "Y-you guys think I'm n-naive!" Gregg stood up and was about to say something but she quickly continued. "I've seen the way you guys look at me in doubt when I talk to you about X— about him."

"We're just worried about you." Gregg spoke seriously, scratching his head.

"I can– handle myself." She scowled as their look of disbelief was back on their face. "I-m going back to my chamber." She mumbled and moved quickly towards the exit of the huge kitchen, not wanting to hear their answer.

Yasmine sighed and stared at the head chef in exasperation and let herself slide down the wooden chair. "Maybe we should have been calmer with her."

Gregg simply nodded, an unfamiliar emotion flickering in his eyes.

•

Juliette paced nervously in the maids' hall, anxiety building up inside of her. She knew what Xander did to Peter was horrible and mean, but she couldn't explain why still a part her longed for him.

He seemed very nice towards her and thought maybe he's misunderstood by her friends. It's probably because they don't know him, Juliette thought as he reminisced her time with him.

She sighed and thought of her new friend, Peter. He was in pain because of her. She had agreed to cross something forbidden and she chided herself for not insisting on visiting in the infirmary earlier. Gregg said he already paid his visit and didn't tell her where the infirmary is located but it didn't matter as she decided to ask around and check up on him.

As soon as she was going to reach towards the stairs at the end of the hallway, a girl stumbled out of the corner of a chamber, causing both of them to fall.

"I'm so sorry!" Juliette apologized nervously, the memory of the day before flashing in her head for some reason.

"Oh no, I'm the one who should be sorry. I wasn't paying attention." The girl said as she extended her hand and helped her up. "You see, I'm- new here." She mentioned to the large canvas bag full of clothes besides her. Some clothes have gotten out of the bag as it lay on its side.

Juliette smiled as she helped her put her stuff back in the bag. "I'm new too! I've-I've actually been a month here n-now."

"Oh, really?" The girl turned. Even in full sunlight, her jet black hair was a complete block of darkness. "I am Lucia by the way."

"Juliette," she answered politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Lucia replied as she eyed the hallway. "Is this the maids' wing?" Juliette nodded.

"I can't seem to find a room to settle in. I've been asking everyone around and," she took a deep breath and her hand pressed anxiously on her collarbone "I don't think- there's a place for me." She hugged the canvas bag harder to her chest and gazed worriedly around the hallway. "No one has assigned a room for me."

Juliette gazed at Lucia excitedly. "I have a room entirely for myself! Y-you can share it with me if y-you want!" Lucia's amber eyes brightened at her suggestion.

"Really? That would be wonderful! You have no idea how relieved you just made me." Lucia clasped her hands together as Juliette led her to her tiny chamber.

"It's not big," she explained, "but it's cozy and it has a big window which I really love! Don't worry I'll tell my aunt Mabel to add another bed in the room." Juliette was very happy that she was going to share now her room with someone. She had always admired the maids chambers on the third floor in which Yasmine resided. Yasmine always talked about her friends sharing the room and she always felt a bit alone when she had to return to her own by herself.

"Oh-I'm really happy I get to have somewhere to sleep in." Lucia said as she placed her bag inside the room. Her pale skin contrasted against her jet black hair and amber eyes. She had very sharp cheekbones and her upturned nose had a slight bump at the start of the bridge. Something about her features was always too stark-too sharp edged, Juliette corrected as she noticed that her chin was also somewhat pointy and it made her wonder at her unusual features.

"Are you from here?" Lucia raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Y-yes, yes I am. Why?" Her gaze was steady but she gripped the handle of her bag tightly.

"I am just curious." Juliette replied innocently. "I was wondering if we came from the same village." Her knuckles let go of the bag.

"Oh no, I did not leave anywhere near the villages. My parents," she said as she gazed outside the window. "They worked at the docks." Juliette nodded apologetically, and smiled softly at her in understanding. She had lost her loved ones too.

"It gets better you know." She said as she remembered her friends and Xander. "It's not as bad as it sounds like here." She opened two empty drawers so Lucia can fill her stuff inside.

"The people are nice."

"Is that so? All I keep hearing about working here is never ending fights!" Juliette gasped as she remembered that she has yet to check up on Peter. "Is everything alright?" Lucia asked.

"Yeah! I was only- going to visit a friend at the infirmary." She didn't want to sound rude and leave her alone but at the same time she had to apologize to Peter for what Xander had done.

"Oh. I see," Lucia answered as she stared at two pieces of clothes that lay now on the floor. "Do you mind if I accompany you? I'm really new with the castle thingy and I would really appreciate it if you show me around on our way back."

Juliette agreed, excited that now she has a new mission to do. She didn't feel as lost as she once was and she can easily lead Lucia around. She was also sure that Gregg and Yasmine would be friends with her. Her throat tightened as she remembered her small argument with them. She was going to make up with them as soon as she was done, she noted to herself. She hated having people upset at her.

•

Juliette expected to see everything but the scene that unfolded in front of her.

There lay, her so called injured friend, surrounded by all kind nurses fruit plates in their hands. A large purple bruise stretched over his left cheek and a bandage covered the wound underneath it. She immediately felt bad as she remembered that it was all her fault.

"Alaya I said I want apricots not peaches!" He shook his head in disapproval at another girl that had a small tray of grapes in her hands. "Is it so hard to tell between red and green grapes?"

"You never picked." The girl said, giving up.

"Red is always the answer." He rested his head on his arms and leaned back on his bed. Lucia gazed at Juliette questionably while Juliette smiled at her nervously.

"Well I didn't know you were secretly a royal mister Peter." Juliette teased as she faked a curtesy.

"It's never too late to know." He chuckled as his eyes flicked back to her friend.

"It's good to see you, little Julie." Juliette
smiled and she sat next to him on the bed.

"How are you feeling Pete?"

"Better than ever." He answered as he grabbed a cup of water from a girls tray. "Thanks, ma belle." He winked causing the girl to flush a little.

"This is my new friend Lucia. She just came to move here. Lucia this is my friend Peter."

"You," Peter noted as he scrubbed his finger against his chin. "You look very familiar miss."

Lucia opened her mouth then closed it then opened it again. "Really?"

"Oh yes," He continued as he took a gulp from his cup. Juliette stared between the bruised face of Peter and the shocked face of Lucia, confused as ever. "I always dream of angels." He took another gulp.

Juliette rolled her eyes as she nudged the cup in his hand. He widened his eyes and choked on his water. "Calm down little Juliette." He said as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "I mean I understand you're jealous but really all you need to do is as–"

"P-Pete! Do you ever act normal?"

"Not if I can help it. Makes everything quite boring." Juliette giggled while she fumbled with the rims of her dress.

"I'm sorry you know, for what happened in the garden. It was my fault, I shouldn't have let that happen."

"No Juliette it was mine. I was the one who led you inside. I probably deserved this. That guy-stupid as he is- was probably just doing his job. I made you guys trespass-"

"Still I-"

"Not everything's you fault Juliette. Did- did he hurt you?" Guilt flashed in his eyes and it was clear he was blaming himself for all that happened that day.

"No! He's not a bad person! He wasn't himself- he's nice Pete!"

"You say that about everyone."

"Pete!" She crossed her arms.

"I was just wondering how you managed to return."

"He took me back." Peter studied her face for a second then realization dawned on it. "Oh now I see how it is." She blushed as he grinned mischievously at her.

"Well, at least, I made a very brave impression on you- with running away carrying Yasmine and all." He grumbled as he switched his attention back to her friend who was watching them silently.

"You know, now that I am looking at you you do look kind of familiar." Lucia stared at him confusingly.

"'Nah, just kidding." Juliette nudged him playfully on the shoulder as he laughed.

"I'll leave you to your royal duties then," she said jokingly. "I have a mission to do."

•

King Maximus slammed both of his hands on his desk as he gazed into the map spread in front of him, his aura executing dominance.

He placed an ebony pawn on the map then waited for his advisor to make the next move.
"The rebellion is receding on the west." Braden noted solemnly. A faint smile extended over the King's lips as he replaced the pawn with a much larger one.

"Fear spreads faster than gratitude." He stated as he placed his Kingdoms pawn over the south west side of the map. "Few traitors beheaded and we've gotten back our land- and that's only the beginning." His advisor looked at him in unease as he sat back on his chair and scrubbed in chin studying the parchment on the table.

"The late King–" Maximus' charcoal eyes immediately snapped to his advisor.

"Don't bring my father into this." He growled then stood up and started pacing back and forth in his office.

"It is his fault that everything is in chaos now. I am only cleaning the mess he left all over the kingdom." He snarled as he slammed his fist on his desk. "And what do I get from his beloved people? Nothing but ungratidude and loath. They want to rot in the cheap fantasies he's given them. He was nothing but a selfi–"

"He knew how to coax them and where their weakness li–""

"I am not going to sit back and tell them children's fantasies as I watch my kingdom crumble to dust, Braden. If there's going to be a war on the borders I will not hesitate to fight." He massaged his temples as he leaned over the map again.

James eyed the map then deliberately made the enemies' pawn fall. "I've heard they caught the one letting the bandits inside."

"He's in the dungeons." Braden answered.

The King's hands balled into fists as he retracted his sword. It glinted in the sunlight coming from the huge windows. "Bring him to me," he muttered darkly as he tossed the sword in his hand then placed it back in its place. "I want to have a word with him." His fingers tightened around its handle.

"Let me take care of him, your majesty." The king looked back at this friend and seemed ready to argue but changed his mind and nodded. "I want to know every single information he has. Who has him hired, who he works for. Do you understand?"

"Gladly." The King approached the window and stared outside, his hands in his pockets.

"I don't want him dead just yet." He ordered. "Would be foolish to not kill him in front of the entire kingdom."

Just then, the doors knocked and a tall man along with a red headed woman entered the royal office.

"King Maximus," the tall man began grinning, showing a pair of yellowish teeth. "I apologize for our delay. Monsieur James suggested we have a tour of the castle and I'm afraid we were too tempted to refuse."

"I can only hope you are pleased with the chateau?"

"Oh yes. You have a wonderful place, your majesty." Princess Alexa cooed as she curtsied. "Anyone would be delighted to reside here." She said eyeing the decor and standing beside him.

The tall man greeted his advisor and James while Alexa brushed her hand on his arm.

"I'm sure I have missed many rooms, perhaps you could give me a tour yourself in the future?"

"Perhaps," Maximus replied coldly as he sat back on his chair behind his desk. "Please join me, Prince and Princess." Alexa immediately took the chair facing him, while the prince took the long chaise beside James.

"Tell me, how have you found the festival?"

"Oh, it was wonderful!" Alexa squealed as she gestured towards the prince. "If only my brother would make one for Noirsèmer. It is only refreshing to the soul."

"I would." The prince laughed but it didn't seem to reach his eyes. "Only it's a tradition. Festivals celebrate historical events, Alexa." The king simply raised an eyebrow as he listened silently to their exchange.

"I must say, my King, I'm quite impressed." The prince continued, his voice thick with a heavy accent. "The rumors in Noirsèmer were spreading that Volkeii is being eaten by chaos."

"To rely on rumors would not be wise for a ruler." King Maximus commented coldly, as his fingers played with the pawn he placed on the map earlier.  

"Si, your majesty." The prince of Noirsemer answered, his thin lips pursed. "For there's always a truth feeding the lies." Maximus kept his eyes fixed on his pawn but his knuckles turned white as he gripped it tighter.

"And there's always the weak minded to believe them." A long silence filled the room as the king of  Volkeii held the prince's gaze. Then, the prince's eyes lowered on the map.

"I see you have succeeded in reclaiming the west land, mon roi."

"Indeed." He replied while placing back the pawn on the sketch of his Kingdom.

"You might consider fusing more forces if you plan expanding further."

"What do you suggest?" He asked bored, knowing exactly what his counterpart will answer.

"An alliance, my King." A deep laugh rattled in the King'd chest.

"An alliance?"

"Two kingdoms are stronger than one, King Maximus." The prince leaned back in his chair and squared his shoulders. "Your majesty, the Noirsèmer Kingdom would be more than glad to offer its army."

"Alliance with Noirsèmer is more than appreciated. However, our own military would suffice."

"I am afraid you are being too hasty, my king. At least consider my offer during our stay."

The king turned his attention to his advisor. "Braden have you issued the laws we discussed with Prince Cyran?" He inquired.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Good. Now, we have secured trading with Noirsèmer." He informed Cyran. "I'll consider your offer."

"Very well."

Later on that evening, King Maximus waited for his friend as he finished off his papers.

A soft knock sounded at his door. As he didn't want any guards near his room, he stood up and let James enter.

"Last pair I've found from the dresser's spare for the guards." James grumbled as he thrust the uniform on the wooden desk beside the king.

Maximus leaned against his long wooden desk as he gazed at the metallic armor that lay now on it.

"Very good." He nodded as he eyed the metallic silver shine of the armor. "Just what I needed."

"Maximus," James began, confusion stretched over his face. "You can't keep on doing this." He protested as he eyed the long fur cape resting on the chair behind the desk. "You're putting your life at risk."

"I can manage." The King muttered darkly as he now played with the sword in his hand. "I'm playing a guard after all."

"The kingdom's in immense danger with the death of his majesty."

"What do you want me to do, James? Forge an alliance with the Noirsè? Marry Alexa?"

James' shoulder slumped as he thought about what his friend had said. "Wouldn't it be the safest decision?"

"I think I have another plan in mind." The king answered as he buckled the guards costume over his white linen shirt.

"Don't let anyone in while I'm away." He commanded, and quietly closed the door as he made his way towards the first floor of the royal wing.

The main advantage of roaming the palace at night was that one, it was always too dark and therefore too hard for anyone to recognize him, and two, it was always almost empty. He made a turn and entered a somber hallway.

Long mirrors decorated the walls from both sides, and he stood in front of the one placed on the far right. It had large a golden frame and shapes of beasts and roses were poking out of it.

Maximus sighed and gazed at his reflection in the dark. Is this how Juliette sees him? He thought as he looked over the faint scar he earned when he was fighting in war. It prolonged from his left eyebrow to his cheek. Does he look like a monster to her? Both King and guard?

He shook his thoughts away as his fingers wrapped around the rose slightly poking out of the mirror. He pulled slowly.

A click reverberated in the silence of the hallway as Maximus pressed himself behind the door and closed it swiftly behind him.

Maximus was raised in the dark as an ordinary child and he had spent his entire years studying the castle and its hidden rooms and pathways. As he was the only heir to his late father, he was suddenly thrown into the royal life in late adolescence.

While many see this as a point of weakness, Maximus was actually happy of this trait. While many royals feign sympathy with their people, he had experienced the true pain that comes along with belonging to the common people. He had grown with them, ate with them, trained and fought with them. Though many aren't aware of this, as he was always hidden as a child and his sudden appearance to the throne had forced a shock along the kingdom's population. No one knew anything prior to this royal life, and he took that to his advantage.

Being aware of the hidden pathways of the castle had also helped him in escaping the royal life for a while. The royal duties were always tedious and he always missed his old days where he wasn't despised for mere rumors and weighted down by the responsibilities of ruling an entire Kingdom. They were also the reason he had survived Remond's attack, for very few were aware of their existence. And they, also, had led him to his hope of creating a better Kingdom.

Juliette's nature was soft and angelic and he needed her presence in his stressful life. She calmed him and cleared his mind off the noxious environment that is constantly surrounding him.  He always has the urge to protect her and she gives him hope of restoring his Kingdom.

He descended the last pair of the stairs then headed left towards the maids' building.

It wasn't hard to spot the girl with the golden hair, he observed as he leaned against the huge wall of the building, obscured in shadows.

She was sandwiched between two friends- the ones she was hanging out with in the garden he realized as he recognized the man with the auburn hair, a bandage on his face.

An uneasy feeling tightened around his chest as he frowned at him. He didn't like the idea of seeing her hanging out with him.

He wanted her to be beside him and not some boy who guards the fences at night in festivals.

His eyes drifted back to her figure. She was so tiny and petite and so fragile looking as she giggled with the other girl. Her golden hair glinted off the moon's light and she looked so innocent as she twirled and laughed at something the girl said.

What was the girl doing to him?

He didn't really care as he started plotting of a way to kidnap her from her friends and take her with him for the night...

•
And voilà! A glimpse into Maximus' world! Finally ♥
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Will Maximus manage to reserve some alone time with innocent Juliette? ;)

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–theladyandthefox