Peachy and Penzilvana brought Zero to the Palace as they promised, they gave him a bed, food and money.
They were eager to see Zero when he was clean and in a proper attire, they waited for him to finish bathing and dressing.
They were at the lounge when they waited.
"Maculata is asleep by now isn't she?"
"Yes, she won't know"
"The maids looked pretty disgusted when we brought him in"
"They shouldn't judge too much"
When the maids entered the lounge, Zero stepped inside.
"Greetings, your highness, Lady Penzilvana"
Penzilvana and Peachy gaped, they were shocked that this was the person they picked up at the alley.
"Are you Zero?!"
"Yes, I am"
"We struck diamond!"
Peachy and Penzilvana let him sit across them, Peachy ordered the maids to bring tea and snacks.
"Why were you at the alley, Zero?"
"As you can see, I am a slave, I escaped two times in a row now, I was dying at that alley, when the both of you picked me up, I was very grateful for it, you also gave me a job, which is this"
"You aren't wrong about that"
"What happened before though? Before you became a slave?"
He didn't answer, dread and hurt was written on his face, Penzilvana changed the question of Peachy.
"This job of yours, is not simple, you must respect the Queen and Princess Peachy here, since you are a slave, I know you lack etiquette, but please be mindful around the royal family"
"I understand"
"Not to mention the other suitors...if the flyers or posters work"
"They will work!"
"You need to be out of sight first from Maculata, Peachy and I will be the one to surprise her, not the other way around, just keep yourself hidden"
"Understood"
"Well, again. Welcome to the Veritus Palace"
"Enjoy your stay here!"
"I am in great debt to the two of you"
"Don't mention it"
"We just wanted to see you clean and with clean clothes"
"I see"
"The maids earlier, looked disgusted, but it seems like you have charmed them, we expect you to do the same with Maculata"
"I will do my best, not to fail you"
"Okay, it's getting late, we need to see what will happen tomorrow, if suitors do come then you are in charge of entertaining them Peachy"
"I'll sell my sister like priceless jewel"
Morning arrived as fast as the moon went down, Peachy had visitors, she hurriedly went to whoever those visitors are.
She wore a simple light blue dress, open toed light blue heels and her hair is tied in a braid, she looked very simple.
There was a meeting with the nobles this early morning, Penzilvana is with Maculata, she is always with the Queen whenever there is a meeting, or she needs to inspect the Crystal Mines, or some part of the Kingdom.
Both of them are inseparable, Peachy is a little jealous of them, but she knows that Maculata is her sister, and they grew up together, they are closer than the stars and the moon together in the sky.
She arrived at the drawing room and there were five men that was ready to court whoever was on the wanted flyer or poster.
"Please sit down"
Peachy urged, all the men sit down and waited for Peachy to speak, first Peachy told the maids to serve them tea and snacks.
Once they were served, she proceeded to talk, she explained first that the one who they will court is an important figure.
If they get scared on who it is, they are free to leave the Palace immediately, but they will gain no merit in just showing up and not receiving the task.
She told them if they understood and if they were ready on whom they will court, they wait in anticipation for her reveal.
"It is none other than my sister, Queen Maculata!"
The four men shook in fear by the mention of the Queen's name, the other one was just mutual about it.
"If you accept then you will live in the Palace with free food three times a day, free clothes, and a compensation, that is the merit you will receive when you accept"
"I apologise...but I need to go"
"Same here"
"I cannot even face the Queen without shaking in fear"
"I see...then you may go now"
The three hurriedly left while only two men stayed, one was cowering and fear and one smiled at her.
"It is an honour to court the Queen"
"I-I will do it"
"You do not have to force yourself..."
"I insist"
"Alright, the maids will show you your room, welcome aboard"
Back to where Maculata and Penzilvana is, Maculata's mood becomes sour by the minute because of the nobles.
They were debating on raising the prices of the exportation of products in the Kingdom, Maculata knows all too well that this is the greed of the nobles.
"Are you okay, Maculata?"
"These buffoons here shouldn't even be debating like this"
Maculata says to Penzilvana in a hushed tone of voice, the Duke stepped in seeing as though the arguments are being pointless.
While the Duke explains why, this is a pointless debate Penzilvana thought of Peachy.
'Did she succeed? I heard that there were idiots that took the bait...I can't believe that actually worked' Penzilvana shakes her head.
"This meeting is now adjourned"
The Duke was the one that dismisses the meeting.
'I would never mess with the Duke...I mess with almost all the people in the Palace, but the Duke is that one exception that I would not cross the bridge over' Penzilvana thought.
"Maculata, your reports, I want to see them and I want you to see my reports as well"
"Thank you for doing that Duke, I let them be, hoping that they would see their stupidity"
"Let's go to your office to discuss this"
Maculata was about to stand up when Reymond arrived.
"What is it Raymond?"
"Crowned Prince Calcifer arrived your highness"
"Let him leave"
"He is already inside the Palace"
Maculata clicked her tongue in annoyance, she exits the Parliament while they were all walking, Penzilvana's eyes widen at the figure that was standing outside the middle of the hallway of the Parliament.
'YOU IDIOT'
Maculata's brows furrowed when she saw the unknown individual that was standing outside the hall, Maculata knows all the faces of the nobles and servants alike, she has never seen this man in her life before.
'Walk away Maculata' Penzilvana chanted in her head, she went towards the unknown man.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
"I apologise, but I am lost"
"Reymond what is this incompetence?!"
"I apologise My Queen, every maid already cleared out the tourist in the Palace and these areas is restricted, my maids and butlers secured the entire hallways already, I do not know where this man appeared"
"Shadow!"
"Yes, My Queen?"
"Why did you not remove him?"
"I..."
Shadow looked baffled at the man in front of them, he is also confused as to where this man came from, he did not sense anything.
"I do apologise, but I did not sense anything out of the ordinary, this is peculiar, even now I cannot sense the presence of this man"
The Duke stepped in and pulled his sword out, pointing it at the face of Zero, Penzilvana paled her hands covering her mouth.
"Shall I slay this intruder?"
"Stop, Duke Ivan, let's be considerate of the servants of the Palace shall we? We shouldn't spill blood in the Halls outside the Parliament"
"What shall we do with him?"
"It looks like he does not have any weapons on him, let us take him back to my office"
"Are you certain?"
"Shadow, do you sense any malice from this man?"
"No. My Queen"
"Let's go"
Shadow and Duke Ivan made sure that Zero would not do any harm to the Queen, Maculata trust the two that they would immediately act if this man decided to attack.
When they return to the Queen's Office Maculata sat down leaning back in her chair.
"What is your name? "
"Zero"
"Alright, Zero, can I ask you how did you end up at the Hallway outside the Parliament?"
"There was a hidden entrance behind the wardrobe, I was curious where it would lead, so I decided to follow it"
"First, why are you staying in the Palace"
'We are screwed.... '
Zero explained to them what happened yesterday, Maculata was not amused, she felt like a migraine is about to start
"Maculata and Peachy was the one that planned this?"
"Yes"
"You are aware that bringing in a royals name is punishable by death?"
"Yes"
"Duke sheathe your weapon away, it looks like I need to talk to my beloved sister"
Maculata is smiling, but the darkness on her face does not show mirth, her eyes became cold, Zero was terrified by her expression.
A knock diverted their attention, she gave permission to the one knocking, entrance to her office.
"I apologise, but Crowned Prince Calcifer wishes for an audience with you"
"I cannot believe that this is happening and when the Duke is here"
"Let's see what this is all about"
"Your majesty, there will be a a noble tea party after lunch, what shall you do about that as well?"
"CANCEL ALL OF MY APPOINTMENTS AND SCHEDULE"
"Your majesty....?"
"You heard me"