It was Prince Calcifers' turn to court Maculata, early in the morning Shadow already left Maculatas' bedroom when he woke up, he still couldn't believe that he slept next to the Queen.
But he is a little sad that he wasn't the only one that will be sleeping next to her, different men will be sleeping next to her not just him, but he was still happy spending time with the queen face to face.
Maculata woke up and washed her face and brushed her teeth not caring whether someone is beside her, she is used to being alone and the suitors are nothing more than a chore to her.
Although it is 'fun' having a little company, but this company will not last, and she knows this, that is why she does not bother herself whether someone is next to her when she awakens.
After doing her morning routine, the servant on standby in her room asked her what breakfast she would like, she told her what she ate last week, the maid bows and leaves her room while she fetches her food.
Meanwhile, Prince Calcifer is phasing back and forth in his room, nervous on what Maculata would say to her, she is still mad at him because of that banquet, he deeply regrets his words at that banquet and this is his chance to redeem himself.
But how will he act around her?
Does he act like usual?
"No, I shouldn't act obnoxiously"
'I should be cautious now, and mind my manners' he said biting his thumb, he then went to the bathroom to prepare after bathing and then dressing up in his princely attire, a knock caught his attention.
"Excuse me. Prince Calcifer"
"Yes?"
He opens the door, a maid hands him a large box, she then bows and leaves, he looked confused as to what was inside the box he closes the door and brought the box inside laying it down on the bed, he opens it to reveal a black suit.
"What is this…?"
There is a note attached to the box, he read it out loud blushing at what the note says, it was from Maculata.
"Wear this clothes, you are not in a special occasion, so please do not wear your royal attire, you are courting me and I do not like a gaudy looking outfit for special occasions, a normal and simple suit is more suitable for this"
He takes the suit out from the box, and he wears it taking off his royal attire, he places his attire inside the wardrobe.
When Maculata approved of the suitors to live inside the Palace, he immediately took his things from where he was temporarily living and brought it all here, he wanted to feel like royalty again so much that he did not care on what the servants think of him when he hastily moved here.
He was now dressed in casual formal attire, he then leaves the room but before that he gave himself one last look in the mirror before he left.
Maculata was already eating breakfast inside her room when a knock diverted her attention from the food that she was about to eat, she then looked at the maid and asked her.
"Who is my suitor for today?"
"Prince Calcifer, your majesty"
"Tsk"
She clicked her tongue, she nods at the maid to let him inside, she didn't so much as glance at the Prince when he entered and greeted, she just told him to 'eat breakfast' and then she ignored him.
"Your majesty"
"…"
"I know you are still mad at my words at the banquet, but please forgive me already, I have already suffered a lot because of those words that I uttered"
"The consequence that you have received up until now is suitable for you, do you think that people especially the nobles would forget those words that you have said? Even to me and my sister, that memory is still fresh in our minds"
"But you have agreed to this courting, my courting"
"Agreeing on you courting me does not mean that I have forgiven you or will forgive you at that matter, maybe someday I will forgive you but not today or the next time we will meet, this is just a formality for all the suitors that got dragged into Penzilvana and Peachys' idea"
"I see"
"I do see that your attitude slightly improved"
"…Thank you"
"Slightly does not mean better though"
"I still apologise your majesty"
"Enough apologies, how is King Zavan?"
"I have not seen my Father since I was kicked out of the Rasea Kingdom, your majesty"
"Right, he also writes apology letters to me weekly, how embarrassing for you and him"
Maculata sips her tea, Prince Calcifer slowly eats his food, glancing at Maculata from time to time, checking her mood.
"Why don't we take a walk in your garden, your majesty?"
"I am busy with paperwork, why don't you help me assemble my paperwork later, Prince Calcifer?"
Maculata is still indifferent towards the Prince, it seems that Prince Calcifer left a deep wound on Maculata's pride at that banquet, but what did happen at that banquet what was his words that Maculata and the other nobles cannot forget?
"Maculata~"
Penzilvana flew towards her and sat on her shoulder, she notices Prince Calcifer in front of her, she grimaced and was about to fly off when she was stopped by Maculata.
"What are you doing?"
"Stay here with me, it is a bit awkward looking at Prince Calcifer"
"You mean his face annoys you, right?"
"Yes" she admitted her voice was just a whisper talking to Penzilvana
"You should forgive the poor guy already Maculata, it's been five years already since he made that stupid comment"
"…'You are so uptight Queen Maculata, a Queen that does not know how to let loose and enjoy the banquet is a boring Queen'…"
Prince Calcifer almost choked the orange juice that he was drinking, Maculata folded her arms looking at the Prince.
"Will you also die just like my Father?"
"I-I would not want to follow in your father's footsteps, your majesty"
"Those were your words in front of me and every noble inside that banquet, I still remember every word of it"
"Calm down Maculata, think of the Rasea Kingdom too, it also suffered because of this idiot's comment of you like that"
"This is the chance for you to redeem yourself, maybe in these times of you courting me, will I be able to finally forgive you"
"I will do my best, your majesty"
The Queen was done eating and Prince Calcifer stops eating as well, she told Prince Calcifer that she will see him later in the afternoon, they did not have lunch together.
Maculata ate inside her office, and then kept on working, she made Penzilvana run an errand for her since Reymond is managing the gardens today.
When Penzilvana returned she was in her human form, she returned from the Knights Palace holding paperwork, she meets Prince Calcifer at the halls holding a bouquet of red roses.
"Don't tell me you are going to give that to Maculata?"
"Yes…?"
"Give it to me"
"If you want-"
Penzilvana snatches the bouquet from his hands, Maculata called out for Penzilvana and she opens the door and enters her office, Maculata's eyes furrowed seeing the flowers.
"Why do you have flowers with you?"
"You remember that noble that always sends you flowers?"
"You mean Prince Calcifer?"
"No, the other one"
"Burn those flowers"
She burns the flowers igniting it, it turned into ashes and Penzilvana snaps her fingers in order for the ashes to disappear, she gives the papers she had to Maculata and went over to her behind the table revealing Prince Calcifer.
"Prince Calcifer…? When did you arrive here?"
"Just now, I apologise for not knocking loudly enough"
"Come here and assemble this paperwork for me"
Penzilvana is helping her sort the finance papers, while Prince Calcifer assembles the reports of the nobles, while she on the other hand signs paperwork.
"Prince Calcifer, when you were still in the Rasea Kingdom what kind of work were you doing?"
"I attend the Parliament, talk to the nobles about business, secure the Kingdom with our Knights, be a delegate for our Kingdom and inspect the Kingdom"
"How about now?" Penzilvana questioned once again, he looks at Maculata then looks away.
"You only asks for forgiveness for the past years?"
"Yes"
"Wow, this poor guy"
Maculata did not say anything and focused on what she was doing, after her work was finished and Reymond arrived she had tea with the three.
"The Rasea Kingdoms' reputation plummeted when you made a fool of yourself, but right now, as of today, its' reputation is beginning to rise again because I accepted you to court me"
"I see…"
"Do you know now why royalty must watch their words?'
"Yes"
"I hope you continue learning. Prince Calcifer"
When the day ended, Maculata had a light dinner with her sister, and her suitors, Penzilvana was resting on her shoulder leaning on her neck.
The suitors asked how did her day went, and she just gave one answer 'normal', that was all the conversation in that dinner, all of them felt that she is already tired, she went to her room and got dressed, Prince Calcifer also went to his room to get dressed in his sleeping attire.
Maculata was reading a book when he knocked, she lets him in, and he enters, she just nods in approval for him to join her bed, he went down and laid beside the reading queen.
His face was a little flustered, and he was a little uncomfortable, but he fell asleep after.
Maculata closes her book after she was done reading and laid down her back facing Prince Calcifer she then went to sleep.