Margeret and Leo both had decided to go with the first option. The rays of the sun had illuminated the palace. The sunlight did little to brighten up Margeret.
This day felt different, to everybody residing in the palace. All the noble lords who had come to witness the grand meeting were busy getting ready for their leave.
Margeret saw the rushing of the royals from the window. She was busy thinking about her future.
Her decision has led to a new turn in her life. She senses a presence behind her.
"The nobles are leaving today, your mother will leave too, Margeret."
Leo's words brought her face to face with the reality that she will not meet her mother again. "I want to meet mother," she says turning around meeting Leo's concern filled eyes.
"I know, you ca-"

"You have been called by the King, Margeret."
They both turn their heads to see Mark standing by the door in his usual position, a hand on his sheath with a smirk on his lips.
"Why?" Leo retorts.
"You can't ask why. You have no rights to do this old General." Mark says venom spitting from his mouth.
Leo pulls Margeret back and whispers,"Do as Braith says when he commands you, Margeret."
Margeret looks at Leo with wide eyes, "You are saying this, Leo?" She asks surprised.
"Just do it. You will get to know why after this," Leo says glancing at  Mark who was trying to listen to their conversation.

Margeret takes a deep breath and says, "I will go."
"Braith won't get disappointed. You are behaving like a good slave," Mark says smiling.
Margeret doesn't reacts on  Mark's words. Rather than Mark it was Braith who deserved her anger more.
Ignoring the hard gaze of Mark, Margeret walks towards her enemy's room.

Margeret was greeted by Braith standing in the balcony, his hands resting on the railing. He tilts his head with a smile forming on his face. Not a genuine smile, but a smile of his victory. Little did he know that this victory would turn out to be his last one.

"You are here, slave,I thought you will refuse, but you are an intelligent woman." He says while leaving the balcony and stepping in his room.

"What do you want?"

He chuckles, "Why are you getting angry? You don't have the right to do it. I had asked for your presence just to inform you that your mother will be leaving in a couple of hours. Also you should know the rules."

Margeret was not going to take this conversation further. Braith sensed this and spoke again, "As a slave you are bound to accept each and every order of mine. You will serve me whenever I ask for that and you won't refuse."

Margeret was furious at Braith's words. She curled her fingers into a fist, trying to calm herself.

"I want you to be Caroline's maid."

"What? But why?"

"You have no right to ask me any questions, slave. Just do as I say," Braith said raising his voice.

Margeret was confused. She thought Braith would keep her as his slave but to her utter surprise, Braith kept Margeret as Caroline's maid.

"You will report each and everything that happens, and yes don't think that I will not use you. You have to come when I will ask for you Margeret," he says with a glint in his eyes.
"One more thing," he says coming closer to her, "If you disrespect my queen, I will not forgive you for that. The color of your loved ones' blood will be the only thing you will see then."

"I have to do this, I can't get angry," Margeret thinks and says, "Yes I will not disrespect your queen."
He raises his eyebrow, "You can leave now and enjoy your last day in that luxurious room, I have arranged  a different room for you. You will be living there from tomorrow," he says and smiles evilly.
Margeret knew that Braith was not a gentleman and he will make sure to make her life a living hell.
She nods her head and leaves.

************
"I did as per the plan, Leo," Margeret says to Leo who was sitting on the chair tapping his fingers on the table.

"You agreed?"

"Yes I agreed to what Braith said," she says sitting down on one of the chairs.

"Good Margeret, he should think that you have accepted your defeat," Leo says.

"But why? I still don't understand why you asked me to agree with Braith."

"Because of Christopher."

"What?" Margeret asks in shock. Before she could say anything else Christopher enters in the room. He smiles at Leo and Margeret. He was about to bow when Margeret stopped him, "Don't bow before me, I think you know that I am not a queen any more because of your king," Margeret says in a harsh tone.

Christopher frowns but hides it behind his smile.
"Christopher, come I was waiting for you," Leo says while smiling at Christopher.

"Why is he here, Leo? He is the royal advisor, he should be with the king not the slaves," Margeret says while folding her hands on her chest.

"I am here to help you, Margeret," Christopher says.

Margeret furrows her eyebrows, "How are you going to help us?"

"Listen to him first Margeret," Leo intervenes. There was tension in the air. Margeret was not ready to listen what the advisor had to say. She sighs.

"I apologize for what happened with you, but believe me I can help you," Christopher says looking straight in her eyes, trying to show her his determination.
Margeret shifts in her chair, "How?"

Christopher smiles, "I too despise Braith. He is cruel, people are suffering under his rule. They need freedom from Braith and you are the one who can give them that."

"But you are going against your king, isn't that a wrong thing to do for an advisor?" Margeret asks.

"Yes I am going against the king for the benefit of the kingdom, and I don't think there is anything wrong in doing something in the favor of the subjects," Christopher replies while leaning in his chair.

Margeret thinks for a while. "How will you help us? We are titled as slaves, how will I take my revenge now?"

Christopher smiles, "You have started your revenge by accepting Braith's commands."
Seeing Margeret's confused expression Christopher says, "He has asked you to be Queen Caroline's maid, so there is something fishy going on, and this will help you with your revenge."

"Who told you I am being made the maid of the Queen?"
Christopher looks at Leo and then at Margeret, "I heard him talking about that with Mark."
Margeret shakes her head.

"You have to find out what is wrong and use that for your benefit, Margeret," Christopher says, "And yes," he continues, "They should think that you have accepted your defeat but not Leo."
"Why?" She asks confused.
"You will get to know about this in the coming time, Margeret," Christopher says looking at Leo. Leo nods his head in approval on Christopher's words.

Margeret averts her gaze from Christopher to the setting sun. The day went in a blur. New revelations were standing before Margeret. Everything was happening so fast, she was unable to keep the track of time.
She didn't realised when Leo left and when she and Christopher were alone in the room.
"Margeret? Are you listening to me?"
Margeret looks at Christopher who was now standing beside her.
"What?" She asked ending her daydreams.
"I asked are you going to let me help you?"
She nods her head and stands up, "You are doing this for your people and I am doing this for my subjects, our goal is same, I hope we work as a team, a good team."

Christopher smiles at her reply, "Yes but we have to be careful. Many people fear him and Mark will be a big obstacle."
Margeret huffs at the mention of Mark, "Yes that general is a big obstacle. If I want to accomplish my goal I have to take each and every step cautiously," She says while staring at Christopher who was looking down, processing her words.
He looks up and says, "Yes and your revenge will be fulfilled quickly now that we are together," He says showing one of his charming smiles. Margeret smiles too, "Maybe this advisor isn't as bad as I thought."

"I will go now before anyone suspects about my absence. It was nice talking with you, Margeret," He says and bows before her. He smiles again and leaves. Christopher glances at Margeret before leaving.

Margeret slumps on the bed thinking about her new life. "Tomorrow I will start a new journey. Braith has asked me to be his queen's maid, there has to be some valid reason behind it. I will meet her for the first time, maybe she can help me in this good cause, maybe."
Margeret closes her and enjoyes the feel of the cool breeze on her face for the last time.

How was this chapter? I know it's pretty late and am sorry for that😐😐
So what do you think about Margeret and Christopher as a team?
What are your thoughts on Braith's decision?
I am changing the update schedule. Nowonwards am gonna update every saturday and sunday.
Keep commenting and voting!
Love you guys! See you all in the next update❤❤