Hospital

Instead of going back to her room, she goes to the Kentavaria's office because that was where Methleon was heading earlier. As she approached the said place, she encountered him.

"They took her to the Queen Maurelin Health Facility. Are you sure you want to go now? You might need to rest first because you are on the night shift." Methleon says.

"No, I think I can take a power nap later. I just want to see Chiriu."

"Okay, Let's go."

When they got to the hospital room, they were all surprised to see an unconscious Chiriu on the bed, and in the middle of the room was the Kentavaria Pelarta kissing a lady who appeared to be a noblewoman.

They broke off their kiss when they sensed the door opening. They both look at the door with a surprised expression. Then, they bowed which surprised Nuviette and Methleon. When they turned around, it was Her Majesty the Queen with her husband! The two servants immediately bowed.

"Your majesties," Methleon says.

"We wanted to see Chiriu and I asked Methleon's help to find this hospital," Nuviette explains.

"Oh, you don't need an explanation, Nuviette. Understandably, Chiriu is your friend." Elzilaura explains and then carries on. "But they have some explaining to do." She gestures her hand to the kentavaria and the lady is caught red-handed.

The two clandestine lovers were on the spot now. They froze for a moment not being able to say anything. There was an awkward silence in the room.

"Well, Kentavaria Pelarta? Lady Maeren? Iced in the river? Elzilaura asks. Her last statement was a Fliskan idiomatic expression equivalent to cat got your tongue on Earth.

The lady stepped forward and began to narrate.

"Your majesty, this is what has happened." Lady Maeren pauses for a while scanning everyone before she continues.

"I was about the age of kusom when I met Pelarta. He was also a young servant employed in my father's household as a security officer. I was about to be married when I got kidnapped on my wedding day.

Pelarta tracked me down and found me at my kidnapper's hideout amid the forest. I was so lucky he came just in time before they could harass me."

"I started a fire so I could storm into the hideout and take her away," Pelarta added.

"He got injured as he tried to rescue me so we deemed it best to find a healer in the nearest village. During our journey, I told him I wished not to return to my father and live a normal life instead. Still, he was convincing me that going back was the best option I had.

Upon reaching the village, Pelarta fainted but luckily there was a healer nearby. I stayed on to watch over him and soon, we both decided to stay in the village. We pretended to be husband and wife until things became real. We migrated to his hometown when we conceived. I bore him a daughter, Milveria, who brought joy to our lives.

Our blissful life ended when my father's men found us. They ransacked our home and hurdled my baby to the floor. Thinking it was dead, they dragged us from our humble abode.

Then, Pelarta and I got separated. He was thrown into prison while I was forced to marry a different man of my father's choosing again. I had to because if I didn't, he would have Pelarta killed. So, I did." Lady Maerin got teary-eyed. Pelarta held her hand and caressed her arm with his free hand.

"As for me, I got thrown into prison. A few weeks later, my brother visited me. He tells me the baby is safe. Shortly after seeing soldiers leave our home, he went in and saw how badly damaged our house was. Then, he saw our baby lying on the floor bloodied. He rushed her to the nearest healer and miraculously, the baby was cured.

Since then, he continued to look after our child and raise her like his own. He renamed her Chiriu so that no one may suspect her true identity. We feared that Maerin's father would attempt to kill her again if he knew that she survived." Plearta says.

Everyone in the room was astounded. Elzilaura was rendered speechless. Zyric looked curious but even his eyes widened upon the kentavaria's confession. Methleon and Nuviette were left open-mouthed.

"I got released from prison thanks to my former master, the Duke of Selvar, whom I served as a valet before I had combat training and got employment under Lord Enforn, Maerin's father. He brought me back to his household and had me looked after since I had poor health during imprisonment.

When I was back up on my feet, he wrote a recommendation for me to serve in the royal palace. He deemed it best to send me away so that I could start a new life. I am grateful for his referral which secured me a new job as a hallway servant. During the Fliskan siege, I had a chance to escape and join the guerrilla movement but during the restoration, Your Majesty promoted me to kentavaria."

"Because I learned you are no ordinary servant. You are a security officer and a rebel leader of the Fliskan Resistance force as mentioned in your file." Elzilaura explains.

"That is mostly true, your majesty." Pelarta nods his head.

"What happened then?" Zyric was intrigued. Everyone else looked at him after this remark.

"What? His story sounds like a novel or a play." He points out as he looks at his wife but then turns back to the couple under inquisition. "So, what happens next?"

"I married an old nobleman from planet Sakradi. We never had children because it turns out he is infertile. He was married twice before me. He divorced his first wife because they had no children. The lady had twins after she remarried. His second wife had a baby but upon birth, the child wasn't humanoid. It was revealed she had an affair and was imprisoned for the deception. Finally, we were married for some time and had to endure him. Alas, we had no children until he died.

I returned to Fliska which was coincidentally undergoing restoration. My family had been killed in the siege and I was left as the sole heir of my father's estate. I sought help from old friends and learned of Pelarta's promotion. We corresponded and learned from him that our daughter is alive. The girl is going to be with him soon and we were so hopeful for a reunion until I fell gravely ill. I had just recovered and rushed here only to find my baby girl harmed once again." Lady Maerin's tears rolled down her cheeks. To avoid being stared at, she turns away to face the patient on the bed.

"My brother died leaving Chiriu behind so I asked that she be sent to me. The girl is already grown so she could work in the palace as a handmaid. All this time, she knew me to be her uncle. I was just waiting for Maerin to get better so we could tell Chiriu the truth. Unfortunately, this happened." Pelarta sighed heavily and clutched the lady's hand tightly.

Then, Lady Maerin looks at the queen. She breaks Pelarta's grip and approaches the monarch.

"Your majesty, forgive me for my transgressions. I am to blame for this. It was my obstinacy that led to this. Had I not convinced Pelarta to live in the village, all this would have been avoided. This is my fault." The lady says.

"No, it is I who is at fault. I am older and I should not have given in to your plea. I am responsible for this. I should take the punishment." Pelarta defends his ladylove.

The Fliskan lady steps forward and drops down in front of the queen which surprises everyone in the room. The security team rushed to the queen but Zyric raised his hand motioning for them to stop. Before they could help her up, she rises on one knee and clutches the dress of the queen.

"My queen, forgive me. I am your most obedient subject but I have to follow my heart. You fought for your husband, your true love. I am now fighting for mine." The lady sobs.

Elzilaura was uneasy because of her subject's statement. She was always unhinged when it came to Zyric. Thus, she finds herself conflicted in matters of state and matters of the heart. As queen, she must serve justice but as a woman, she feels for the lady.

The queen sighed and bent down to help her subject stand up. When they were both standing, she began to speak.

"Well, I will have to think this through. For now, let us all pull ourselves together for the sake of Chiriu." Elzilaura commands.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lady Maerin replies as she wipes her tears.

"As for you two, I am expecting confidentiality on this matter." Elzilaura tells Nuviette and Methleon.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Methleon replies.

"Yes, Your Majesty. She is our friend. This will remain a private matter." Nuviette reassures her mistress.

"All right, that's settled. I shall be returning to the palace now. I will let you know of my decision regarding both of you. Perhaps, I give my verdict after Chiriu has recovered. Until then, you may remain here to look after the child."

The couple bowed.

"As for you, we are returning to the palace so you may ride with us. There is enough space in the transporter." Elzilaura says.

"If it's not going to be trouble..." Nuviette slowly remarks.

"It won't be. Besides, we love having you both." Zyric replies as he slaps Methleon's shoulder.

"Let's all get going then." Elzilaura walks out of the hospital room while the rest of them trail behind her.