Later that day;
Maculata is done with her work with the Duke and went straight to her room, two individuals was already waiting for her inside.
"Sister!"
"Peachy and Penzilvana..."
"Please don't give us heavy work"
"I did not even say what your punishment is, sit down first"
All of them sat down, Maculata had a serious expression on her face looking at the two.
"So..."
"It was entirely my idea"
"No...It was me, I was convinced that you needed suitors' sister, I wanted to help unload your burden as well"
"Stop" Maculata say "I have not spoken yet, let me speak first"
"Sorry"
"Who was the one who initially started this?"
Her eyes already landed on Penzilvana, the fair looked away with an awkward smile on her face.
"It isn't a surprise Penzilvana"
"Hahaha..."
"Why did you think that this was even a remotely good Idea, Peachy?"
"I don't want you to be with a noble in the Hexagon Empire, you are already stressed here and why do you think that I would agree to marry someone in the Hexagon Empire?"
"Well...the nobles are unpredictable...and-"
"No one in the Hexagon Empire would dare cross our borders at sea, there is already rising tension in our borders, unless they want a treaty or a delegation arrives here offering their noble, his majesty the Emperor will not allow it"
"This is why you should not put your nose on this matter Peachy, but because Penzilvana here proceeds to put schemes inside your head, and you become an unknowing accomplice you speak words without knowledge"
"I'm sorry sister"
"Penzilvana, I know you are also concerned with this matter but be at ease, right now I have agreed with this suitor business, but this doesn't mean that I am safe in the eyes of the nobles, it will quiet down, but it will not last"
"Was this a bad idea?"
"It is, but I already agreed, the Duke also agrees with your plan..."
'Thank you, Duke Ivan!'
Penzilvana cheered in her head, Maculata continues speaking.
"As for your punishment"
"Uh oh..."
"I did not forget, of course"
"Please, Please give us light punishments"
"Penzilvana, you will now check on those siblings at Lakambini Flower Shop every day for the next three months"
"WHYYYYY"
Penzilvana cried out, groaning, she doesn't want to baby sit another two siblings.
"I can be your errand girl, just please, not being a babysitter"
"Peachy"
"Yes, sister?"
"I've already told you that you should ask for permission first before you act"
"...I'm sorry"
"Your punishment will be, representing me in the noble tea parties"
"...Wow that's way worse than babysitting brats"
"As well as do half of my work, I'm sorry Peachy, but I cannot let this past"
"I understand"
"I know you do not like attending the social circles, but this is also practiced for you"
"Okay..."
"I know you will represent me just fine"
"I'll do my best for you, sister"
Maculata stands up and opens her arms, Peachy automatically embraced her, Maculata loves her sister, but she is the Queen.
She cannot let Peachy be unpunished, she needs to be fair to everyone.
"It is time for lunch, why don't we enjoy lunch together?"
Peachy smiled at her sister, this is the first time in a while that she will eat with her.
The three of them went to the dining hall, Duke Ivan also joined them.
"Did you made up with your sister?"
"Yes, Duke Ivan"
"Maculata and you are the only one's left, you shouldn't be fighting, Peachy watch what you say before you speak them, Maculata is already having a hard time with her work, don't add any more stress to her"
"I understand"
The servants gave them their food before they ate, the food that they are eating is Filet Mignon, roasted chicken thighs and mash potato.
For dessert, it was apple pie, not too sweetened because Maculata does not like sweet desserts.
When the Queen is finished, so were they, even if there plate still has a bit of food that they were about to eat when the Queen stops all of them stops.
"Join me for a walk"
She says to them, they stand up and went to the Queens' side, they went to the back of the Palace.
There was a beautiful flower garden at the back of the Palace, but the trademark Amaryllis flowers is bountiful than all the flowers in the flower garden.
"You look relaxed sister"
Peachy mentioned with a smile, Maculata nods, she couldn't agree more.
She hasn't had the time to take a breather for the past months, she was drowned in work.
"You should take a break in the week ends, my Queen, work will not be done if you become ill"
"You don't have to worry, all of us are keeping an eye on the Queens' health Duke Ivan, she is very stubborn though"
"She inherited her stubbornness from her Father, you Princess Peachy on the other hand inherited your kindness and naïveté from your mother"
"...Naïveté?"
"She means you are a little ignorant, Peachy"
"I'm not Ignorant!"
Peachy puffed her cheeks at what Penzilvana said, the fairy and the Duke laughed at Penzilvana.
Maculata enjoys their company and silently listen to their conversation.
"I still remember how Queen Flora and King Silvril watch over you and Queen Maculata"
"Is...that okay to say?"
Peachy looked a little wary when the Duke mentioned that, when both of their parents died the one who suffered so much was Maculata.
Besides the constant pressure she receives from the nobles and the Council of the Amaryllis, there was always an attempt to end her life.
Princess Peachy was supposed to be the one to inherit the throne, but Maculata is the oldest and the most competent one between the two.
Peachy still didn't know what was happening around her while Maculata already had a mature mind.
The noble faction, the common faction and the Council of Amaryllis clashed on who will inherit the throne between the two.
But the argument ended when Duke Ivan let Maculata speak her mind out.
She was still a cute young girl then, when she spoke to all the factions, the one's who agreed and saw her potential to become a great Queen is both the Common Faction and the Council.
The nobles did not want Maculata to become Queen since they wanted Peachy to become a puppet.
The Common Faction and the Council already saw what the nobles were planning, so they were in intense disagreement with them.
They were not dissapointed when she ascended the throne, but her outer exterior slowly became a mask, the once happy child full of smiles now had a cold, blank and serious expression on her face.
Her eyes do not have any light in them like what they used to.
"You do not have to be careful of your words around me when you speak of the past, I have gotten over it already"
"The past is a part of you, the happy memories are still there, do not forget them Maculata"
"I have never forgotten"
"Although..."
Duke Ivan was about to say something when he pursed his lips and stopped.
"Never mind"
"What is it?"
"You can smile now and then, Maculata"
Maculata stopped and looked at Duke Ivan, she shakes her head.
"I may have forgotten how to smile in the bottom of my heart already..."
"Sister..."
"Maybe some day"
Maculata turns around and started walking again, they follow her around while she admired the flowers.
"I can still make crowned flowers" Peachy says
"...That's good"
"Do you want me to make one for you?"
"I still have work after this, I cannot wear something unsuitable of an image of a Queen"
"We used to make flower crowns when we were still Princesses"
"...Those years have already passed"
Maculata stared at the flowers, she then picks it which confused the three who were following her.
"...Is that"
Peachy immediately knew what she was doing, she is still fast with her hands, she finishes in under one minute and placed the flower crown on Peachy's head.
"It still suits you Peachy"
"Wow"
"It's beautiful"
"Thank you, sister!"
"Do you want one as well?"
She asked Penzilvana and Duke Ivan, Penzilvana nodded but the Duke refused.
She quickly picks the flowers and turns it into a crown, she then places it on Penzilvana.
"Now we are a match"
"Even though it was made hastily it has intricate details"
"I told you, I never forgot, Duke Ivan"
They continued walking, until it was time for them to go back to the Palace.
"Before I forget, your work starts tomorrow, Peachy and Penzilvana, don't disappoint me"
"Tomorrow?!"
"Okay"
"It's time for work now"
Penzilvana doesn't have anything to say now, Maculata was firm about their punishment, and she will not change her mind anytime soon.
She leaves to return to her office while the two walked around the Hall.
"Good Luck with those noble fakes, tomorrow"
"Hahaha, good luck with those young maiden at the Lakambini Flower Shop"
"Tomorrow all the Suitors will face Maculata right?"
"Yes"
"I want to watch that!"
"But she will get mad if you don't do your punishment"
"I will do it after I'm done watching, I want to see what she will say to them, I'll inform you what happens when you return"