Chapter 7

As the first light of dawn seeped through the curtains, Maya stirred, her body protesting every movement. Her muscles ached from the uncomfortable sleep on the hard, cold floor, and a lingering chill clung to her skin. She blinked in surprise as her fingers brushed over a soft quilt wrapped around her. The princess must have returned during the night .

Maya glanced over at the bed where the princess lay, peaceful and oblivious, her breathing steady in the quiet room. Grateful for the unexpected gesture, Maya rose quietly, careful not to disturb her. She folded the quilt with a gentle touch, then hurried to the corner to change back into her servant's gown, feeling her place return with the familiar fabric against her skin.

She pulled her veil into place, tucking away the memory of last night's pretence. The quiet glamour of being the princess for a night was a luxury she couldn't afford to dwell on. With one last glance at the sleeping princess, Maya gathered her composure, preparing to resume her duties. The sun had only just begun to rise, and the palace was awaiting.

As Maya went about her duties, she noticed the princess still sound asleep after her late-night return. Quietly slipping out to take care of other tasks, Maya found herself working beside the other maids, who were already lost in whispered gossip.

One maid leaned in, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Did you hear? Someone saw the prince and the princess kissing last night, right at midnight!"

Another maid nodded, grinning. "Yes! They were so wrapped up in each other they didn't even notice anyone watching."

Amused, Maya couldn't help but join in with a playful smile. "The prince and the princess? Really?" she asked, shocked as her laughter mixed with theirs. But behind her amusement, she wondered if this explained the princess's absence—maybe she'd snuck out to meet him.

As the servants continued their excited chatter, Maya's mind drifted back to her own encounter the previous night. She remembered the warmth of Alexus's arms around her, how close he had held her, the way his gaze had softened just before their lips met. Her cheeks flushed as she relived the sensation of that kiss, how it had felt to lose herself in that brief, intense moment.

The other servants' voices faded into the background as her thoughts spun. Had he felt the same, or was she foolish to think their moment had meant anything more? Maya quickly shook her head, returning to the present, but the warmth of her blush lingered.

Maya's heart skipped a beat as she caught the words of the servants around her.

"Yes, Prince Alexus of Elkodia and our princess," one of them whispered with a knowing grin.

Maya's mind reeled. Prince Alexus of Elkodia? Her thoughts flashed to the man she'd shared that breathtaking moment with—the same Alexus who had seemed so genuine, A part of her felt anxious. He's the prince, she thought, suddenly all too aware of the boundaries between them.

She swallowed hard, trying to mask her surprise. Had he known who she was all along, or had he been as caught up in the moment as she'd been? The servants continued talking, oblivious to the turmoil brewing within her.

Maya leaned in, her voice casual but laced with curiosity. "Where... did the person say they saw them kissing?" she asked, hoping the question sounded like simple intrigue rather than the swirl of thoughts it really was.

One of the servants smirked. "Right there on the terrace, under the moonlight," she replied. "Can you believe it? They were so lost in each other they didn't even notice they had an audience!"

Maya's heart pounded, recalling her own moment on the terrace with Alexus. Had the prince truly kissed the princess there after he left her? Or was there some misunderstanding? The thought made her stomach twist, but she kept her expression neutral, hoping to hide the emotions that must have shown in her eyes.

"At what time?" Maya asked, her voice almost breathless despite her best effort to sound nonchalant.

The servant shrugged, glancing sideways with a knowing smile. "It was late—just past midnight, I think. The moon was high, and the whole terrace was quiet. Perfectly romantic," she added with a sigh, clearly wrapped up in the gossip.

Maya felt her heart pounding harder, her mind racing. Past midnight... That would've been around the time she had been on the terrace with Alexus. Could they really be talking about her? But… if it was the prince they had seen, then that would mean Alexus was the prince of Elkodia.

The thought struck her all at once, and she struggled to keep her expression composed, though her thoughts were anything but.

"Excuse me, I need to go take care of the princess—she must be up," Maya murmured quickly, barely able to keep the tremor out of her voice as she stepped back and turned away from the chattering maids.

She hurried down the hall, each step bringing a rush of confusion and disbelief. Alexus was the prince all along? The realization made her heart pound even faster. She tried to piece everything together, recalling every stolen glance, every tender moment between them, and the warmth of his arms around her under the moonlight.

Finally reaching her chambers, she paused just outside the door, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

Maya sat on the small bed in her quarters, her mind spinning. So... it wasn't me he fancies? The weight of it settled heavily on her chest. All this time, she had let herself believe that Alexus, the man she'd shared that fleeting, tender moment with, had feelings for her. But now, knowing he was truly Prince Alexus of Elkodia—and that he had been seen kissing the princess—her heart twisted with a painful realization.In someway it was her but did Alexus know who he was kissing,she asked herself.

The memory of his drunken voice murmuring her name when she opened the door returned, making her heart ache even more. Could that moment have been real? Or was he only mistaking me for the princess the entire time? She bit her lip, shaking her head slightly, trying to shake away the thought.

With a sigh, Maya lowered her gaze to her hands, tracing over her fingers to calm her thoughts. Maya stood up from the bed, taking a deep breath as she tried to shake off the swirling thoughts. Enough, she told herself firmly. Forget about it. Focus on the present. She had a purpose here—duties to fulfill, and a role to play. The emotions she felt were just distractions and distractions can lead to her demise

She smoothed out the wrinkles in her gown, her resolve strengthening as she turned to face the room. Her task awaited, and there was no room for personal feelings—especially not when they were tied to someone like Prince Alexus.

Maya left her small room, her mind still swirling with the previous night's events. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the tall figure walking toward her until it was too late. She collided with a solid chest, a warm, steady presence that made her stumble back.

Before she could fall, strong hands reached out to steady her, and she found herself face-to-face with Prince Alexus. His hands were firm but gentle, holding her in place as she regained her balance. She looked up, meeting those familiar, dazzling blue eyes, and felt her breath hitch. Only hours ago, those lips—now so close—had pressed against hers, and she could still feel the warmth of that memory.

Alexus's gaze softened as he looked at her, a hint of recognition flashing in his eyes. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, suspended in silence, as if the world around them had disappeared.

Maya's heart skipped a beat as she looked up into the familiar eyes, her breath catching in her throat. The dazzling blue orbs that had haunted her thoughts ever since their encounter earlier that night were now staring directly at her, filled with an intensity that made her pulse race. No, she thought, It's just a coincidence.

She quickly steadied herself, but her legs felt like they could give out at any moment. The feeling of his hands, strong and firm, still lingered on her skin, and the memory of their lips meeting replayed in her mind like a forbidden echo.

"Are you alright, Maya?" Prince Alexus's voice was low and smooth, his gaze never leaving hers.

Maya swallowed, fighting to keep her composure. "Y-yes, Your Highness," she stammered, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. Why does he have to look at me like that?

She quickly stepped back, her hands folding in front of her as a defense mechanism. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention." She lowered her eyes to the ground, trying to mask the turmoil swirling inside her. He can't know how I feel. This is madness.Maya felt a rush of emotions she couldn't quite place. She knew she should step back, should keep her composure, but something about the prince's eyes held her captive, just as they had the night before.

"Forgive me, Your Highness," she managed to say, lowering her gaze as she took a step back, trying to ignore the warmth lingering where his hands had steadied her.

"No need to apologize," Alexus replied softly, his gaze still lingering on her face as if he were seeing her for the first time. "It seems I have a habit of losing my way here," he added with a slight smile, his voice carrying a warmth that sent a flutter through her chest.

Maya forced herself to look away, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Is there something I can assist you with, Your Highness?"

Alexus hesitated, his gaze searching her face as if considering something, before he spoke. "Perhaps...I was looking for the princess," he said slowly, his eyes never leaving her. "But I didn't expect to run into you again so soon."

Her heart ached at the reminder, and she managed a small nod, doing her best to mask her disappointment. "Yes, I was just on my way to see her," she replied, keeping her voice steady.

Alexus studied her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. Then, with a quiet sigh, he nodded. "Very well. I won't keep you, then," he said, though there was a reluctance in his tone, as if he wasn't quite ready to let her go.

Maya curtsied, her cheeks flushed, and quickly turned away, trying to keep her composure as she walked toward the princess's chambers. Yet she could feel his gaze on her back, a weight that stayed with her long after she turned the corner.

But as she glanced back up, she saw the prince's lips curve into a faint smile, a look of quiet amusement in his eyes.

"You seem distracted today," he said, his tone teasing. "Are you sure you're alright, Maya?"

Maya's heart raced again, and she took a steadying breath before responding, forcing herself to remain calm. "I'm fine, Your Highness," she said, keeping her voice even. "Just a little preoccupied with my duties."

She glanced around, trying to break the moment. The prince, however, was still staring at her with that same unsettling intensity, and for a brief moment, she wondered if he saw through her mask, if he knew what she was hiding.

But before she could say anything more, Alexus's expression shifted, his gaze softening.

"If you ever need anything, Maya," he said, his voice lower, "you know where to find me."

And with that, he turned, leaving her standing there, heart hammering in her chest, still reeling from the unexpected collision of their worlds.

Maya moved swiftly, preparing the princess's bath with careful attention, her mind still clouded with memories of her encounter with Prince Alexus. She tried to push them aside, but when the princess spoke, asking if anyone had sought her out, Maya felt her heart skip.

"Yes, Princess, the prince of Elkodia came by," Maya replied, keeping her tone even, though she felt her pulse quicken.

The princess's eyes widened slightly. "Prince Alexus? And what did he want?"

"He… well, he was quite drunk, Princess," Maya said, choosing her words carefully. "He didn't stay long."

The princess looked at her thoughtfully, assessing the situation. "And he didn't notice anything unusual?"

"No, Your Highness," Maya said, her voice steady despite the flash of the prince's face in her mind. "He left shortly after."

Maya was silent for a moment as she continued preparing the bath, careful not to reveal the whole truth. The kiss lingered in her mind, but she knew this was a memory she'd have to guard in silence.