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“Well—” Maris stuttered, her cheeks hot. “I thought that you might enjoy having a bit more freedom to move wherever you want, especially in your own chamber.”

“Thank you.” Valda nodded. “Truly, I appreciate this a lot.” She breathed out, her hand still touching the string.

“There are more around the chamber, but I would rather have you find them on your own. I am still going to be here in case you need anything.”

“Of course. You are not going anywhere, your things are here,” she said, confidently making her way to the bathroom using the string as her guide.

“About that…” Maris began, going back to her belongings. “You say to put my things in your closet, but your things are in there. It wouldn’t be right.”

“I am telling you to put them there for a reason. Do so.” Valda, although groggy, spoke with firmness and slight annoyance.

She went into the bathroom and made it to a large washbasin. She cleaned her face with a nearby washcloth then moved her hand until she grabbed a miswak with a green paste made of mint leaves. She washed her mouth and then rinsed. It was all part of her daily routine; Maris was used to it and was thankful that Valda knew where everything was placed. She didn’t need help with that.

“Do you still wish to bring your bed to my chamber? Or are we past that?” Valda asked, patting her face with the cloth.

The question caught Maris by surprise. She turned to the large bed and then at the naked goddess. She wasn’t sure if her answer would define whatever it was they had. Or was it just a one-time thing?

Maris snorted out loud, making Valda raise a dark eyebrow.

Who was she kidding? She was the queen’s maid, and she got to see her like this in the intimacy of her bedroom. Of course, it wasn’t a one-time thing. Right now, the only thing she could think about was paying back what Valda had done to her.

“Do I have a choice?”

Valda’s smirk transitioned to a deep chuckle, and Maris felt herself getting wet again. The woman was a work of art, and she knew it. She knew the effect she had on Maris, and she wasn’t afraid to show it. “You tell me. Do you wish to bed me again?”

“You make it sound so fancy, my Queen.” Maris smiled at Valda. Of course, she remembered the words spoken in the heat of the moment last night—of Valda asking her to call her by her name, but they weren’t fucking; they were having a serious conversation. Right?

“Fine.” Valda crossed her arms under her chest, taut muscles out for display, the smirk never leaving her face. “Do you want to fuck me, Seashell?”

Valda and vulgarism were a hot match, and Maris inhaled sharply.

“Yes,” Maris finally exhaled, eyes glued to Valda. “After all, I have some unfinished business.”

Valda laughed, and Maris’s knees almost buckled.

“I do have some important matters to attend to before you pay me back. I need you to take out my clothes, please.”

A tinge of excitement ran through Maris. Valda promised something to look forward to. “I will not stand in your way of ruling, my Queen,” Maris couldn’t help the playfulness threaded in her words. She left Valda in the bathroom and went to the closet, pulling out a simple white shirt and black slacks. She placed a pair of boots near the bed before hearing a knock on the door.

Cerberus raised her head, her fluffy ears flicking. She stood, stretched, and jumped off the bed, racing to the door. Whoever it was, was probably bringing breakfast.

Maris pushed the cat to the side with her leg as gently as she could before opening the door. “You are not going out…” On the other side of the door a smiling Melvian greeted her.

“Morning, Maris.”

“Good morning, Melvian!” It was always nice to see a friendly face other than Valda’s. The guards that stood at the door always looked so stoic, angry, or emotionless.

“I brought Queen Valda’s favorite for breakfast,” Melvian said as she pushed the cart inside. It was a banquet of fruits, oatmeal bowls, sausages, and buttered bread. To drink, there was iced water, freshly squeezed juice, and coffee. Maris’s stomach growled the moment the aroma permeated the air, saturating every corner of the room. “You can eat too. Unless you want something else?” Melvian said, her eyes quickly glancing at Maris’s grumbling stomach.

“I think that will do just fine,” Maris said as she pulled the cart near the small eating table. “Thank you so much.”

Both women were so concentrated on setting the table that they didn’t notice when Valda walked into the living space, fully clothed and brushing dark strands away from her face.

“It smells delicious,” Valda said, rolling her sleeves as best as she could.

Maris turned to the queen and walked to her side. “I got it,” she said before fixing the sleeves, making the ruler look perfect.

“Good morning, my Queen,” Melvian greeted quickly, bowing low. “I brought your favorite.”