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“For the food?” Maris asked with a playful smirk.

“Last night...” Valda rectified as she took a casual bite of her bread and turned her face towards Maris, her eyes closed. “I was able to sleep, and I didn’t have any nightmares.”

“You slept through the night?”

“I didn’t wake up once,” Valda answered with a genuine smile. “Sleeping with you has healing qualities.”

Maris gazed at the ruler, observing as Valda calmly ate her breakfast, picking and biting into the various fruits on display. Compared to the emotional wreck Valda had been the previous night, she seemed more composed now, which gave Maris a sense of relief.

“You know,” Maris sighed, touching the rings hidden under her blouse, “I won’t pretend that you’ll magically forget. You never do. You never forget them, and every little thing reminds you of them. But one day, you’ll wake up, and they won’t be the first thing on your mind.”

“I appreciate your honesty,” Valda said, bringing her mug to her lips. “And your company.”

“It was my pleasure,” Maris replied.

Valda chortled, almost choking on her drink. “Of course it was. Mine too.”

Maris bit into a strawberry, scanning Valda as she ate, finding everything she needed and wanted with ease. Valda was truly remarkable, and Maris couldn’t help but stare. “So, this is it? We’re making jokes now?”

“I guess? I hope it doesn’t bother you.”

“It doesn’t. I’m just curious,” Maris said, furrowing her brows and leaning closer. “Do you usually have breakfast with the maids you sleep with, Your Highness?” Maris teased, and Valda easily caught on.

“If I am being honest, no. But then again, you’re not my maid, Maris.”

Maris shifted in her chair, prepared to deny the fact that she didn’t want a heart mate again but after last night, it was hard to form the words. “Wh— What am I then?”

Canting her head, Valda waved her hands, thinking her words over. “I think you’re more of my personal assistant.”

“Oh? Am I higher up in the hierarchy? If we keep this up, will I become queen?” Maris joked, unfazed as she bit into a juicy strawberry.

“If you fuck me well enough, maybe,” Valda replied, causing Maris to almost choke on her fruit.

“I need you to be in my meetings. A simple maid cannot be there. So, yes, you are higher up in the hierarchy, but it’s not just because of what happened last night,” Valda said, pausing and opening her eyes. “Well... kind of.”

“What do you mean?” Maris asked.

“You know how to keep me calm, collected. That’s useful when it’s time to make decisions,” Valda explained. “And according to many, I am not very good at that.”

Maris shrugged. “Your Highness—”

“Valda,” she corrected.

“Valda,” Maris shook her head. “With all due respect, we... we were intimate. Everyone is calm after sex.”

“You have a good strategy then,” Valda chuckled. “But I think it’s more than just us fucking, Seashell. I think you’re truthful. I don’t often have people being truthful with me. It’s hard to find that. If I can surround myself with people I can trust, it will make things easier for now.”

Maris noticed Valda’s relaxed demeanor. The woman sitting before her was nothing like the mess she had cradled in her arms the previous night.

The table rattled as Cerberus jumped onto it. The cat’s large frame was graceless as she tried to tiptoe across the smaller table. Valda sighed in annoyance and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, pulling her down and accidentally knocking some plates around.

“Stay down,” Valda muttered, handing a strawberry to Cerberus but she took her sweet time to sniff it before scampering off to the bedroom.

Maris couldn’t deny that she was starting to feel fond of the furry behemoth. It was like having a mischievous shadow, making its presence known before causing havoc. Plus, Valda seemed to care for Cerberus, which calmed Maris.

Maris smiled as Valda grabbed another strawberry, swirling the tip with her tongue before biting down and savoring the juicy fruit. She looked down at her own oatmeal and decided it was a better choice. That simple action reminded her that Valda had completely ignored her breasts the night before, and she found herself wondering how the queen’s tongue would feel on her nipples.

“Gods...” Maris shook her head, trying to dispel the rising arousal.