Robellia looked at him, "You remember." Maximus chuckled, "Did you think these would fool me, little bunny?" he indicated down to her chest with his eyes. Robellia blushed as she lightly punched his chest. "You haven't changed one bit. You are as mischievous as ever." "Well, a certain someone has grown a little rebellious. She didn't come by to welcome the crown prince. She avoided going to have lunch with him at the lake; she pretended not to recognize him when she was out on a rendezvous with the stableboy." Robellia rolled her eyes," he is just a friend, max." Maximus fixed her dress's color to hide her cleavage slightly, "Is that so? Apparently, he believes differently, little bunny. What was it that he said? ahhh! You are his betrothed. How amusing of him?"
Robellia looked at him with a gentle smile. She then caressed his face and lay her head on his nape," I missed you." Maximus was about to bring up the topic of the stableboy again, but he sighed and began to gently pat her back. "I missed you, too, little bunny," he finally said after a long while of silence. Robellia raised her head, "I have to go back." She tried to stand up, but he held her down. "Stay liya," "I can't max. You know that." Robellia retorted. "Let me guess. You don't want people to talk, is that not it?" Robellia looked away from him. Maximus sighed, "Why do you care so much? I am the crowned prince. No one would dare harm you." "That's exactly it, Max. You are the crowned prince, and I am a slave girl. It's not that people would talk; I'd be the slave girl who seduced the crown prince to get out of poverty. That would be my image. Our friendship would be irrelevant to many people's prospects."
"Friendship? Is that what you tell yourself? And you are no slave." Maximus gently held her chin to make her look at him. Robellia lowered her gaze," Max." Maximus released her from his grip," Very well then. I'll do as you please. will meet you as this friend, by the lake for lunch. Just like the good old days. Maybe then you could tell me all about your stable boy." Robellia was reluctant to get up, but she did. "Tomorrow by the lake." Maximus fixed his position on the sofa as he spread his legs and arms, giving him a dominant look. He grinned as he saw the tiny spark in Robellia's eyes. "Tomorrow by the lake." "I'll go now," she headed towards the door. When she opened it, she turned to him," Goodnight, Max." Maximus smiled, "Goodnight, little bunny." Robellia walked out.
Robellia got back to the kitchen, and everyone was ready to go to bed as they completed their tasks. "Liya, come on, let's go to bed. I've already cleared our tasks." Genevieve pulled her along. "So tell me everything." Robellia chuckled and told her what happened as they walked back to the servants' quarters. "Liya, you know he is right. You shouldn't care about everything else as long as both of you are happy, and I don't know why you still have the notion that you are a slave. Slavery was abolished years ago. You are like any servant in this palace." Genevieve spoke up at the end of the story. Robellia sighed, "But you also know I'm right. Just because we were set free, it doesn't mean people have forgotten who we are. We are foreigners. In a land we know very little about, from an empire far across the blue waters that has also apparently been conquered." "Liya, you've gone through hell, and you deserve happiness, and calling him a friend to his face. Honestly, if I were him id give up on us."
"What do you mean?" Robellia paused. "Are you playing dumb, Liya? The guy loves you. he cares for you, and you go ahead and call him a friend in bold letters," Genevieve argued. "Gene, you know how Mother feels about Max." "And it's not bad to be selfish once in a while. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need my beauty sleep. So let's move it." Genevieve pulled her along. Once they got to the door of Genevieve's room, Robellia stopped outside. "I'm going to sleep with my mother tonight." Genevieve yawned, "yeah am sure she misses her baby. Go ahead." Robellia hugged her," I love." "me more."
robellia walked back to the room she shared with her mother. When she walked inside, Roselyn was fast asleep. robellia smiled and went towards her. She quietly tucked her in, but she looked worried as she tucked a strand of her mother's hair. She touched her forehead to check again. It seemed Roselyn had a slight fever. "Liya, you are back." Roselyn opened her eyes and smiled weakly, "Mother, you have a fever. How long have you been like this?" Robellia panicked. "It's just a small fever." Robellia rushed towards the dresser and pulled out some dried herbs. "Stay in bed ill make the medicine. You should take care of yourself, Mother. " What if I had slept in Gen's room tonight?" she began to grind the herbs in a motor. She mixed the herbs in water and gave them to Roselyn.
Roselyn obediently drank it. Once she was done, Robellia tucked her in and slept next to her. "Mother, it's not like you to be so careless. Is something bothering you?" "well am worried about you. he came back. Liya, you are not to speak with him. This man is dangerous, and he is powerful. remember your place, Liya." Robellia looked at her mother, "I will, mother." Roselyn sighed as she succumbed to sleep, "I trust you," she yawned before falling asleep. Robellia lay there staring at the ceiling until she finally fell asleep.