It was almost the weekend, that means Maculata needs to choose who to spend time with at the weekend, it was the last day and that means it was Zeros' turn, they had breakfast, Zero told Maculata that he is alright working by her side in which they did.
"Are you sure that you will not take me to somewhere later?"
"No, your majesty"
"Alright"
They continued eating but Maculata chose to ask Zero of his past, Zero stopped eating and had a dark expression on his face when she asked.
"What happened to the Kingdom that fell, Zero?'
"…"
"You were once a famous marquess, what happened to you?"
"Your majesty, I apologise, but I cannot say my past to you yet, if you do not mind"
"I will not push you to say what happened"
"Maybe when we spend some more time together, I can say it to you, but right now, I cannot, I am sorry"
"Do not apologise, I should be the one doing so since I have opened a wound in your heart"
"Thank you for being understanding"
"It seems that three of you, are not afraid of me, how interesting"
"Pardon?"
"You are not afraid of my looks"
"What is there to be afraid of?"
"My face? The expression that I have?"
"You are beautiful your majesty, there is nothing wrong with your face"
Maculata's heart skipped a beat, she was thankful that Penzilvana nor Peachy is not here right now, she then nods at Zero and became quiet.
She got dressed first, before Zero and her went to her office, she noticed that Zero is being cautious around her, she wondered if it was because in his mind he is still a slave, Maculata called out to him, which startled him, it looks like he was lost in thought.
"You are not a slave right now, Zero, you are a proper person, so please stop thinking that you are"
"I apologise, your majesty"
"No harm done, Zero"
They handled paperwork, Zero was curious on what is on the papers, Maculata told him that he could read it, and she trusts him, he takes a look and immediately points out the problem with it, Maculata was very surprised at Zeros' abilities.
'It looks like he retained his ability as a noble despite being a slave for two years'
"Can you help me?"
"Of course, your majesty"
Both of them worked together, it went faster than normal since Zero had a keen eye on every problem, he is also fast at sorting, they finished in the afternoon, they haven't had lunch yet so they both ate.
"You were impressive…"
"Thank you master" Maculata raised a brow at what he called her he immediately corrects himself "I mean your majesty, I apologise"
"It looks like there is a lot in your mind?"
"Yes"
"You can tell me"
"I am reminded that I was once a noble by being in this castle and working a long side with you, I was famous for seeing problems in documents or paperwork, I was highly praised for it, and I am trusted with the documents of the Kingdom"
He didn't notice that tears were already rolling down his face, Maculata brought out her handkerchief and gave it to him, he apologise for displaying emotions, Maculata shook her head and said that it was alright for him to miss being a noble.
"When I was back inside the Palace once again, I was confused, I told myself that I was once in a Palace such as this, but then I am reminded that this was not the Palace I am working with, the people were unfamiliar to me, I am once again reminded that I am not someone with a title any more"
"Would you like to become a noble once again?"
"If I could…"
"Then you must pass several tests in order to do so"
"Can I?"
"Work with me here in this Palace"
Maculata knows that her burden will lighten if Zero here would work alongside her, maybe she could finally have time for herself, she is not as quick as Zero, but she works with efficiency.
"Reymond, I want you to set up an examination for Zero for him to become a noble once again"
"Right away, your majesty"
Zero lowered his head and silently cried his face is covered by the kerchief of the Queen, Maculata is happy to help him.
There were fresh batches of paperwork, and they work together for them to finish early, both of them relax inside the office having tea.
"I thought you did not like talking about the past? What made you rethink and tell me?"
"I missed being a noble, I couldn't help but tell you, I'm sorry your majesty, but it looks like you have an ability to put someone at ease for them to tell you their story"
"Penzilvana did mention that I do have that ability, although the ability to scare the people are much more dominant than putting people at ease, but when the surrounding people is used to me then I become beautiful in their eyes"
"People are relying on beauty standards these days, that is what I noticed, but I think your hardships and experience resulted for you to become intimidating to others your majesty"
"Maybe"
"I once had a friend who was also as intimidating as you, but he was very kind-hearted and smart, he was executed being wrongly accused of murdering someone, people are quick to judge by appearance, but what they do not know that sometime the ugly is the beautiful and the beautiful is the ugly"
"You speak from experience as well I see"
"Yes, when I entered the Palace the maids were disgusted at me, but when I was clean and fully dressed they were quick to be charmed"
"Peachy was the one that picked you up, I apologise for my sister, she tends to like things that resembles me…"
'By that it means that people do not want me around them'
"I am very grateful to her highness for saving me, picking me up in the streets despite not knowing who I was nor where I came from, she didn't mind the smell, she didn't mind my appearance she just picked me up"
"She had intentions with you that is why she did it"
"My feelings are still the same, despite being picked up by her because of her intentions and for your well-being I am a lucky man to get picked up by a genuine beautiful person both in the outer and inner appearance"
Maculata is very proud of her sister, despite getting angry with her because of this suitor business and being angry at Zero because he was an unknown person, it worked out well, for the first part of this suitor charade.
"I apologise for the Dukes' actions towards you, he is very protective of me, that is why he threatened you when Shadow mentioned that he could not sense you"
"For the Queen what he did was proper response"
"Although why couldn't you be sensed by Zero?"
"I am not full human, your majesty"
"Oh?"
"I have the blood of an elf, fey and human inside me, My mother was half, elf and fey and my father is human, my ability is to be hidden from the people with keen senses such as Sir. Shadow"
"But Penzilvana can certainly sense you, No?"
"Yes, since she is a fairy she can definitely sense me"
"Then you knew that Penzilvana is a fairy and can see her, in her small form?"
"Yes, I just kept quiet about it"
"You really are impressive, Zero, I am thoroughly impressed"
"Thank you, your majesty"
"You seem comfortable in telling me this certain things about you"
He was surprised, he blushes and smiles, Maculata is starting to like this man, but only just a bit, he is very charming and different, every suitor have different aspects in them, but he is standing out from the rest of them.
But this does not mean that she chooses Zero for tomorrow, she will need some time to think about it before she decides.
Every one of them were impressive, but no one really clicked for her yet, she is liking Zero for his usefulness, not because she is beginning to become interested in him.
"I think you will take the exams for a week? You will not be able to join courtship next week I guess"
"I will do my best to pass quickly, so I could court you, your majesty"
"Such dedication, I bid you good luck and I hope you pass"
"Thank you"
"I wanted to inform you before I forget, it slipped my mind earlier"
Time passes by, and it was time to sleep once again, Peachy gave the ledgers of freshly transferred accounts to her sister and then went to her room, she was also tired.
Peachy is learning about politics, economics and etiquette once again, she does not want to let her sister down, so she took it upon herself requesting to be taught again, the Queen was proud of her sister's decision of this.
The day ends with Zero and Maculata resting together in her room, tomorrow will be another day.