41 I only fear dark hearts!

Xavier is immersed in his deep thoughts.

'She is a gem of my life now..I admire her courage... She doesn't seem to be afraid of being alone here..in a different country... Even those torn clothes didn't succeed to lessen her beauty or confidence. Last night, in that Royal Blue gown...she surprised me even more. She must deserve better life..with me'.

He stops near the old man's house where he saw Maya for the first time. He hops down from Charles and pats him before leaving him near a tree.

He notices it's still midnight and decides to sleep under the tree for few hours till Maya comes. He is afraid thinking whether she would come. He can't wait to see Maya and he is more excited than anyone in this world now.

He walks towards the trunk of the tree and stops looking at something or someone. He creases his eyebrows and steps forward slowly.

He gasps seeing Maya sat under other side of the tree. She was leaning backwards against the tree's trunk. Her closed eyes made Xavier to frown.

'What is she doing here? Why is she sitting here and how long she has been here? Is she sleeping?'.

He tries to touch her as he can't believe his eyes.

Maya opens her eyes slowly and wonders "What are you doing here Sir?".

'Why are we meeting very often? I know we are supposed to be meeting in early morning. But why should he reach earlier as me?!'.

Xavier sits happily and twitches his body tiredly "I can ask that question too My Lady. Why are you here?".

'Why is she roaming in this time?! Did she return after going to wherever she was staying or was she roaming all the time?! Does she fear anything? Huh...Except the snakes?'.

Maya gets nervous seeing him sitting beside her and tries to make some space between them. She settles with some distance between them and uses this opportunity to avoid his question.

Xavier leans back and smiles noticing her gesture of spreading some distance between them. He asks "Do you have any idea of answering my question My Lady?".

Maya hugs her knees due to the cold weather and sighs "Let's not talk about that. I don't like being there anymore".

Xavier chuckles "You behave like a Princess -". He looks at Maya suddenly "Are you a Princess by any chance?!".

Maya frowns at his question 'What?!' and looks at his serious face. She bursts in laughter "Princess?!".

Xavier raises his eyebrows "You are not?".

Maya waves her hands "Stop pulling my leg Sir. Princess it seems-".

Xavier speaks staring at her "You are no less than a Princess My Lady".

Maya stops laughing gradually and realizes his seriousness by his voice. Even though she couldn't see his face like before, she still felt the anxiousness in her.

'He might be a good player. But no one have ever said those words to me in my entire life!! Wait! Entire life?! Maya..Aren't you just 18? You are speaking as if you lived a complete life!'.

Xavier supports his elbow under his head and lays relaxed.

Both remains silent for few minutes. Both didn't know how to move the conversation further but they want to talk with each other.

He wants to know about her and she wants to hear his voice.

His voice has become Maya's guilty pleasure. But she remains silent as she bounded herself ' He is a mere stranger after all...'.

Xavier tilts his head to see Maya looking at the dark sky. He wonders "Don't you fear darkness My Lady?".

Maya answers in a daze "I only fear dark hearts these days".

Xavier gets stunned and wonders "That's deep. Why do I feel you have some hidden meaning behind this line?".

'What made her so scared? Does she fear someone?!'.

Maya blushes realizing her own words "I was..just saying ..".

'Where did that come from? I wasn't an emotional soul..'.

'I should be careful with this man..'.

Xavier recalls something "Didn't you say that you don't like Royals? Is there any specific reason My Lady?".

Maya turns aside and closes her mouth by her hands scared. She tries to manage and smiles helplessly "Did I? When? I don't remember saying any of those!".

'Liar liar... You hate them! Are you afraid to tell him the truth?! Or are you afraid of his reactions after knowing the truth?'.

Xavier frowns in thoughts and wonders "Are you afraid of them then?".

Maya rebukes instantly "Why would I?!". She felt herself shivering as she is feeling very cold.

'I am just shocked of how dangerous they are. That doesn't mean I am scared of them! My country is known for its bravery. Why would I fear them?!'.

Xavier asks confused "Then what's the reason behind your disliking The Royals?".

Maya shrugs warily "Because I am not one". She adds immediately "But I am glad I am not a Royal now".

She gets worried 'I wish I have stayed in home...My mysterious mind sometimes makes me lose my thinking abilities at important situations...I still wonder how I agreed to come here...'.

Xavier chuckles "Is that your envy My Lady? Everyone is craving to be a Royal. Look at you-".

Maya smirks "Do you like dogs Sir?".

Xavier stops suddenly and creases his eyebrows "Yes My Lady. But how is it related to this?".

Maya mocks "But that doesn't mean you envy not being a dog, don't you?!".

Xavier gasps stunned 'Did she compare Royals to a dog?! The nerve of this girl! How dare she utter this in front of me?!'.

Sensing Xavier remaining silent, Maya shrugs "Don't worry Sir. I was just saying generally about The Royals..not some responsible officers like you!".

Xavier coughs hearing her words.

'Would she even respect me if she knows about me? Why does she dislike The Royals so much? Did someone filled her ears this way? If so I should punish the person who made her hate The Royals!'.