It was the next morning, Shadow's time of courting is over, and yet he doesn't want to let go of Maculata in his arms.
"..."
He looks at the window, the sun hasn't risen yet, he sighs and kisses the Queen's head.
Maculata was sleeping comfortably in his arms, her chest slowly rising and falling.
'I hate how I need to hand over the queen to another man'
"..."
'But, it is her wish that this is just a duty or a job...but whenever we both touch, when you scream my name and your eyes look at me with the warmth of first spring...I know you already feel something for me'
Maculatas' brow furrowed, Shadow was a bit surprised at the sudden expression the Queen made.
She slowly opens her eyes, and blinks.
"Good Morning, your majesty"
"Shadow..."
"Are you alright?"
"I am..."
"You aren't sore?"
Maculata gave a faint chuckle, Shadow stared at the Queen.
"No"
"Your majesty...you did things to me that I cannot explain"
"What do you mean?"
"It's not fair, that others would get to see this side of you"
Shadow pouted, Maculata laughed at his demeanour, she then went on top of him and laid on his chest.
Of course Shadow laid straight on the bed so that she could be on top.
"I can't believe, I'm seeing this side of you, not to mention your handsome face"
"Your majesty"
"Did you sleep soundly?"
"A bit..."
"Hm? Why is that?"
"I can't sleep knowing, you are with another man"
"Be calm, everyone is equal to me"
"Will they also touch you?"
"Yes"
"I see..."
"...Shadow"
Maculata held his face and made him look at him.
"This is a job. I know that my queen-"
"No..."
"Huh?"
"Feeling this intimacy, I've unlocked something, I've discovered something, a desire awakened inside me, maybe it's love? I don't know, but I want to find out what it is,"
"Love..."
"Well...I'm confused in all honesty Shadow, when you confessed to me, I felt something, but that made me think as well..."
"What are your thoughts? May I know?"
"I still can't tell, I apologised"
"...Of course"
"If I knew, I would have said it already...but if this desire is only touch and lust, then I am no different from a courtesan"
"Do not say that my queen!"
"No need to become upset, I am merely speaking the truth, but I know it is not lust, If I was lusting on you Shadow, we would have done this a long time ago, without anyone knowing, I am focus on being a queen, I still am, but curiosity got the best of me"
"Do you mean physical intimacy?"
"Yes"
"I see"
"I allowed this to have knowledge, now I have gained it, Penzilvana even said that, I
got burned playing with fire."
"She wasn't wrong"
"That fairy is always right...at some points"
"The sun is about to rise soon, we should ready ourselves"
"Can't we have another...round?"
Shadow stared at the Queen, he shook his head and sat himself up.
"You will be tired"
"You have a point, but-" Maculata kisses his lips and Shadow just accepts it.
He was the one that pulled himself away, his face blushing.
"What is it?"
"I can't control myself any more if we continue, we must prepare now"
He holds the queen in his arms and lifts her up to the bathroom.
"I find your reactions amusing, Shadow~"
"Please, do not tease me"
"Hahaha"
Both of them bathed and got dressed already, Shadow didn't want to let go of Maculata, but he had to.
They share one final kiss before Shadow lets Prince Calcifer be with the Queen.
The ninja exits the room and meets the Prince outside her room.
"Good Morning, Shadow"
"Good Morning"
Was the only thing he said before he left, Prince Calcifer felt the cold shoulder he gave, he wondered why?
He knocks at the door again before the Queen gives him permission to enter.
"Good Morning. Queen Maculata"
"Good Morning, Prince Calcifer"
Prince Calcifer greeted the queen with formality, he bowed his head, arm above his abdomen.
"Let's have breakfast, shall we?"
When the Prince lifted his head, he immediately noticed a big difference in the expression of the Queen.
It made him a little nervous, but he also couldn't take his eyes off of the Queen.
She looked blooming.
Vibrant.
Beautiful.
What happened? He wondered, she waves her hand to catch his attention.
"Please sit down"
"Uh, yes, apologise"
"How have you been, Prince Calcifer?"
"I am fine, what about you? Your majesty? How have your days been?"
"It is splendid! I feel amazing!"
"You do look different..."
"Really...?"
"The intimidating aura on you, lessened for a bit"
"Really...?"
"Yes. That is a good thing your majesty, please do not think ill of what I said"
'I wonder how Prince Calcifer would- such thoughts must not be venture this early, I am not yet inviting him as well, so let us save it for later'
"Letter..."
'...He is a playboy'
"Would you be able to attend?"
"...What?"
"My Father, gave me a letter, the letter contains an invitation for you and for me, he wanted us to attend a Ball"
"A Ball, you say?"
"Yes...If it's okay with you"
"Sure, when is it?"
"Today"
"...Today?"
"...I do apologise for asking you out of the blue"
"No"
"But I just wanted to inform you-"
"Lets go"
"Pardon?"
"Let's go, what time will it begin?"
"Later in the evening, before sun down"
"Alright, that's enough time to work and prepare"
"..."
Prince Calcifer stared at the Queen, he was in disbelief, he couldn't believe that she would agree right away, not to mention the invitation of his Kingdom.
He should be ecstatic to see his Kingdom once again, but because of everything that happened, he didn't think of it.
The thoughts in his mind are focused on the Queen.
'Why the sudden change of behaviour?'
"Your majesty, if I may ask"
"Hm?"
He gulped, he prayed to the heavens that this will not offend the Queen. He doesn't want his head cut off immediately the moment he asked this.
"Did...something good happen?"
"Yes"
"I see..."
He inwardly sighed in relief that the question he asked did not offend the queen.
"Prince Calcifer"
"Yes! Your majesty?!"
"Have you ever handled a woman before?"
"What do you mean, handled, your majesty?"
"Nothing"
'I guess it is not the right moment to ask him such questions'
"Alright..."
"Help me with work before we go to the Rasea Kingdom"
"Understood your majesty"
"Well...have breakfast first"
Maculata chuckled when Prince Calcifer immediately ate. After eating breakfast, they went to her office.
Maculata as usual had a serious expression on her face, especially on business matters and when facing the nobles.
'Her expression doesn't let up when facing work, but her aura of intimidation lessened...although, maybe just for the suitors'
"Your majesty...!"
"ENOUGH! I will not approve of this request, it is ridiculous"
"But wouldn't the Kingdom benefit with this trade?"
"...Say, Viscount"
"Y-Yes your majesty?"
"Do you want to be labelled as a traitor of the Empire?"
The noble paled, he immediately shook his head, and bowed his head.
"You can directly meet the Emperor, with my recommendation"
"I-I apologise...! Please forgive me, your majesty"
'The Hexagon Empire and our Empire were never in good terms, the friction is too strong to just brush it over, hence trade is not recommended'
"I do find it strange that you even asked for this kind of thing, Viscount, don't tell me that you are secretly trading with the Hexagon Empire?"
"Of course not, your majesty!"
"Then why would you even suggest this? Confidently striding in my office. Do you think that I do not know the law?"
'I guess her majesty never changes...her dominant personality and commanding aura is still there'
"You must think so little of me if that is so"
"I never thought of you like that!"
"Ashame really...I admired you since you were very well versed with business overseas..."
"This...is just a mistake! A friend of mine recommended this to me...!"
"Do you not know the law, viscount?"
"...I"
"Knights!"
The moment the Queen calls for the Knights, they immediately enter.
"Take the viscount to the dungeon and investigate his transactions of trade"
"Yes, your majesty!"
"YOUR MAJESTY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"
"Take him away"
The Knights grabbed his arm and dragged him away, she then calls for Shadow, in which he appears instantly.
"Shadow investigates the 'friend' he was talking about, I want to know who implanted the trade to the Hexagon Empire to our Viscount"
"Understood"
"The moment you find out who it is, immediately question that 'friend' of his"
"Understood. My queen"
Shadow glanced at me for a split second when he said 'My Queen' before disappearing, I wondered why he glanced at me.
"Being a noble means that you know the law..."
"Ah...yes?"
"But, I guess, you forget about these things...when you are blinded by greed and offered something of high value"
"I guess so"
"But then, there are idiots like you as well"
"Aha..."
'She never forgot about it'
"Let us have lunch, then head to your Kingdom"
"...!!!"
"Why so shocked? You are the one who told me this"
"Yes! Let us enjoy our lunch"