The Queen's Guard

Chapter 7

During her training, Maya gained a profound understanding of the gravity of her role. The weight of protecting the queen was not just about individual safety; it was entwined with the very survival of the kingdom. The danger of ruling a realm had become known to Maya. As the last heir to the throne, the queen became a coveted target for bordering kingdoms, each with a hunger for power and a desire to possess the rich lands that lay within her realm.

The vulnerability of their kingdom intensified the need for protection around the queen. The council, still mourning those lost in battle, pressed her to select a new queen's guard.

Maya delved into the history of the attempts to end the royal bloodline, uncovering a sinister plot fueled by the greed of neighboring realms. It was said that a mutual agreement among them sought to divide and conquer, splitting the kingdom among the covetous factions.

As Maya absorbed the weight of her responsibility, the realization of imminent threats transformed her perception of the tranquil halls of the castle. The whispers of political intrigue and the subtle glances exchanged in the royal court became as potent as the clash of swords in the training grounds. The queen's safety was paramount, and Maya knew she had to be prepared for any adversary.

This was the reason why, when she was abruptly awakened early one morning by Ryan's urgent banging on her door, it didn't even take her a moment to snap into her duty as the queen's guard.

- - -

"Commander," the guard had to say it a second time to get Maya's attention; she was still getting used to the title. One of her guards approached her, breathless. He bent down for a moment to catch his breath before looking back up. It was one of the guards Maya specifically recognized from the trials—his voice the same as the man she had collaborated with in the first trial to get up the wall. Theo was his name.

"We think we found it," he said, still catching his breath. With a simple gesture from Maya, the doors were closed, and her blue eyes focused on Theo. "The first map, it's missing."

"What map?"

"A map of the castle."

Maya's eyes widened with fear; they knew what this had to mean, and this made them more vulnerable than ever. "All of it?" Maya asked. "Not the maze; it has never been mapped."

Maya immediately met with Ryan, formulating a plan to fortify the castle's defenses by doubling the number of guards; they weren't willing to take any chances.

- - -

For the next few nights, Maya slept lightly, if she slept at all. The sense of threat had somewhat diminished, taking solace in the understanding that, even armed with the map, the intricate maze of the castle could be formidable for potential intruders. Its complex design and confusing layout served as a natural deterrent. However, the unease lingered. She kept a small distance from the queen, silently watching over her from afar, afraid that the queen would see through her if she got too close.

One evening, after another sleepless night, Maya found herself pushing so hard during training that a sharp pain shot through her body, causing her to collapse on the ground. The repeated pressure on her ribs had left them bruised. Finally realizing the toll on her body, she made her way to her chambers. Along the way, she saw Vic, who noticed her pain-affected walk. Concerned for Maya's well-being, Vic insisted that a healer should attend to her before she went to bed. Exhausted and too weary to argue, Maya complied. The physician provided her with a balm to apply to soothe her pain, Maya insisted she could apply it herself, already feeling guilty for keeping the man up at this hour.

Maya hastily removed her shirt, leaving herself clad only in a simple undergarment that covered her breasts when an unexpected knock echoed through her chamber. Assuming it was Ryan, she hurriedly moved to open the door, paying no mind to donning her shirt again. However, much to her surprise, it was the queen standing outside her door. Carina initially found Maya's expression amusing until her eyes naturally drifted downward, revealing Maya's bare upper body with only her breasts covered. However, any amusement quickly turned to concern as Carina noticed the bruises marring Maya's skin.