Marina woke up with a pounding head and aching body. It felt like she had gone through a relentless exercise schedule, all her muscles were so sore. She tried to get up, but, something was weighing her down.

She peeled her eyes open, only to come face to face with Nathan, who had cuddled against her. She tried a lot to get up without making any noise, but, didn't succeed. Marina called out to Nathan three times in a row, but, when he did not budge, she simply pushed him off the bed. Nathan landed with a thud on the floor.

"Oh God!! What the hell just happened?" Nathan asked while sitting up, his elbows (on the bed) supporting his weight.

"Care to explain why we were cuddling?"

"You really don't remember anything that happened yesterday, do you Princess?" Nathan asked while smirking.

After racking her brain, Marina finally started remembering - the dress, Queen Rosalind, how Nathan helped her, their dance, fuzzy wuzzy and finally their kiss. Marina's cheek instantly flamed up out of embarrassment from her actions, but, she wasn't sure about the kiss part. It was a pretty blurred image.

"Did we really kiss or is it just my imagination and headache doing wonders on my memory? Well, I can't really ask Nathan. What if we didn't? Then he would think I was fantasising kissing him."

Nathan's voice brought Marina out of her thoughts.

"So, you do remember," Nathan answered himself while getting up from the floor and sitting on the bed

"How did this happen?" Marina asked Nathan.

"You were drugged."

"What??"

"You were drugged. You know D-R-U-G-"

"Yes, yes, I got it. But, who did so?"

"Queen Rosalind and that reminds me she has a lot if explaining to do. By the way, how do you feel?"

"Like thousand carriages ran over me," Marina replied bluntly.

"It's okay, you will feel better."

"Where are you going?"

"To bathe, why you want to join?" Nathan asked while smirking.

"N-No, what I meant was, why are you getting up so early, I take bath at this time," Marina replied, blushing.

"I see, well today I am going to beat you and get ready first," Nathan said while grinning as he hurried off.

After bathing, Nathan quickly dressed up and went somewhere, but, not before telling Marina to come to Queen Rosalind's room as soon as she was ready.

~At Queen Rosalind's room~

"*KNOCK, KNOCK*"

"Come in," Queen Rosalind answered while sipping her morning tea.

"Oh-Uh Nathan. Come sit, son," Queen Rosalind said nervously.

"You know that I am not here for a chit-chat," Nathan answered while standing in front of Queen Rosalind.

"Then, why are you here?" Queen Rosalind asked while placing her cup on the table.

"Why did you do it?"

"What did I do?"

"Don't act so innocent!!" Nathan shouted at Queen Rosalind while banging his palm on the table.

"You drugged Marina, made her wear that dress of yours. Why?"

"How-"

"Don't even try denying it, I have evidence against you. What was that maid's name? Madeline? Yes, Madeline. Lucca has caught her and she has confessed everything."

"I don't know any Madeline, someone is trying to frame me."

"I never said the maid took your name or accused you of anything. You, yourself confessed it right now."

Queen Rosalind paled on hearing Nathan's words.

"Why? Why did you do it?"

*Silence*

"I am not going to repeat myself, either you open your mouth or I am sending royal guards to take you to prison on the account of drugging Princess Marina Vendler, my wife," Nathan said calmly.

"I-I, don't do that."

"Why did you do it?"

"Because I wanted revenge, she insulted me by returning the dress and refused to wear it. Because of her, you talk to me like that-"

"Don't you dare blame Marina. You lost your respect on account of your actions."

"Then what am I to do? Shower flowers on-"

"Speak with respect for my wife!!" Nathan shouted angrily at Queen Rosalind.

"When she comes, you better apologize to her or be prepared to face the consequences," Nathan ordered Queen Rosalind on hearing a knock.

"Come in."

"Good morning, Queen Rosalind. I hope, I am not disturbing you two?" Marina asked while looking at Nathan, then at Queen Rosalind.

"No, you did not disturb us. I was about to go," Nathan replied, leaving Marina and Queen Rosalind, but, not before glaring at Queen Rosalind.

"I...I wanted to apologize to you M-Princess Marina. I confess, I drugged you, but, I thought you were separating me from my son. I am really ashamed of my actions and I think you should call the guards and throw me into a cell. I am really sorry," Queen Rosalind said, wiping her fake tears with her handkerchief.

"I-It's okay, Queen Rosalind. I forgive you, you only did it because you thought I was distancing you from your son."

"Now, with your permission, I would-"

"Yes, you may leave."

Marina walked out of the room, only to crash into Nathan's chest.

"You were eavesdropping our conversation?"

"You shouldn't have forgiven her. Well, it's no use telling you now, but, she will have to pay for her actions that I will make sure. I am going to take this matter to court," Nathan said as he started to walk away.

"No, you won't," Marina argued back while grabbing Nathan's wrist to stop him.

"Why won't I and why do you want to protect her?"

"She didn't mean harm, she thought I was trying to separate you from-"

"That's bullsh!t, she is just making excuses."

"Fine, if you don't want to listen to me, then don't. But, don't ever expect me to talk to you after this," Marina said while walking away, but, Nathan stopped her by holding her wrist.

"But-I, that's not fair," Nathan argued but Marina continued to look in the other direction, clearly ignoring him.

"I agree with you"

"You know I can't stop talking with you," Nathan mutters to himself.

"Then you won't take this matter to court?"

"*Sigh* Fine, but only if you promise to be more careful and Marina don't think her as simple as she appears. She is really wicked, enough to drug you," Nathan said while letting go of her wrist.

"Things you make me do, Princess," Nathan commented as he started walking away.

"Nathan?"

"Huh?" Nathan asked, turning around to face Marina.

"Thank you, thank you for everything," Marina said while blushing.

"Your most welcome, Princess. But, I wanted to ask you something."

"Yeah?"

"Was the bear Fuzzy Wuzzy really Fuzzy?" Nathan asked while smirking as he recalled their last night's conversation.

"I-I don't know," Marina answered, her cheeks red with embarrassment as she ran away in the opposite direction to hide her face.

While Nathan had a hearty laugh at Marina's expense.

************************************************************
Hello dear readers!!

So, what do you think, did Queen Rosalind deserve Marina' forgiveness? And what are your views on Nathan's reaction and the way he felt with the situation?

All the three cast edits are made by flowerofpomona. Thank you so much Maggie, they all are wonderful😍😍😍

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)