Honey : The Empire's Treasure 427 The King's Illusion

Ailwin could also tell that Mika wanted to do something that would potentially make the King notice her more.

To stop her from acting, he popped the cork and was going to down the potion until Mikaela spilled her glass of water on herself, causing her to jump with a start.

Bumping into his raised arm, Ailwin used this chance to let the vial fall from his hand onto the floor.

*Clink!*

The bottle crashed to the floor, leaking all the liquid inside. Mika and Ailwin though did a mental high-five to one another with their eyes.

"...….." 

Nobody said anything until Mika said, "Oops! Did I do that?... Sorry."

"Sorry!? That is all she can say!"

"That was a potion especially made by the imperial healers!"

"Where did Prince Ailwin get this female?"

"The King's good intentions have gone to waste…"

The officials and rich clan leaders, who were eager to kiss the King's feet, all had something to say against Mika's clumsiness.

Every one of them acted as those she had committed the gravest of sins.

"It is fine. Things like this happen. Although it is unfortunately that my son could not benefit from the potion, there is no need for anyone to get angry." Rychell silenced the voices of complaints.

Ugh! They act like it was their potion that got spilled on the floor. Mika shook her head, not bothering to paid any attention the people behind her. 

"Let us get back to celebrating... Dancers."

Soon males and females dressed in colors reminiscent of winter, fluttered around the hall to the music as if they are snowflakes.

Two servants came to clean up the potion off of the floor. Mika offered her assistance while also taking a small sample of the substance before the the floor was cleared.

Quickly stuffing it into her pocket so no one could notice, she was about to retake her seat when Rychell spoke to her.

"Don't you want to clean your beautiful gown…?"

Mika pause mid-motion, Is he talking to me?

Mika looked up to see Rychell smiling down at her.

"You have spoiled your dress, why don't you let the palace maids help you get cleaned up." It wasn't a question nor an offer. The maids were already by her side, helping her out of her seat and escorting her out the banquet hall's doors.

Ailwin couldn't think of an excuse to stop her from leaving. He could only watched as the servants took her away.

Feeling anxious, he went to follow after her, but was stopped by the King, "Ailwin, where are my warships?"

Stilling under the King's sudden question, Ailwin came back to himself to looked toward Rychell, "Warships?"

Everyone was too distract by the food, music and entertainment to listen to the father' and son's conversation.

Rychell grinned, "Yes, like the one you travel on when you arrived in the here. Although, I don't remember you nor the Shadow Wolves army having one."

"We came into them recently. I like them, we will put them to good use." Ailwin held up his glass of wine to thank the King for his contribution to his army. 

Rychell gripped his glass and raised it, returning his son's salute. 

To anyone watching it would look like a normal toast between parent and child but to the two people involved, they knew this was the battle before the war.

"That's is good to hear. I wouldn't want to Shadow Wolves to be annihilated...too easily."

"Heh, don't worry it would take a lot to defeat us...even monsters, viruses and exploding cities couldn't eliminate us." Ailwin pointed out.

Rychell nodded, he admit that he underestimate Ailwin and his men. What should have easily fixed an annoying problem, turned into an even bigger one to handle.

However, like the fledglings before him, Ailwin will meet his end. I just need to let my friends do what they must for the greater good, than I can kill this impotent fool.

"We shall see." Rychell said, more to himself than to Ailwin, before taking a big sip from his glass.

Seeing the way the King was being so casual about his actions, Ailwin couldn't help but to ask, "Why did you do it?" 

Ailwin's question left Rychell wondering what he was talking about. Is he talking about Rowood City or me trying to kill him? 

Shrugging his shoulders, he answered both. "...because I can."

Hearing the King's answer made Ailwin's blood boil. ...because he can? Thousand of Fae dying and trying to kill me, all because he can!?

"Heh…" Rychell laughed when he saw his son's outraged expression, "...Let me tell you something, boy. These Fae.." Gesturing to the crowded hall, "...all think that the life they are living right now is everything...but guess what, it's not! There are bigger and better things out there than this pitiful planet...and if killing a few Fae will get me what I want, then you should learn to stay out of our way."

Ailwin was so incense, he wanted to fight with his father right now. With his emotions getting out of control, fluctuations of his power began leaking out.

"Ailwin!" Thallan was the first one to feel his younger brother's energy, "What do you think you are going?" Thallan's voice made Ailwin turn his head away from the King.

"Nothing, I'm having a conversation with the King."

"Father is not even there. You have just been staring at an empty spot for the past twenty minutes. Take a sip of wine and relax, will you."

In disbelief, Ailwin looked back at the throne to only see the Queens and their servants there. Rychell was gone.

Looking back to Thallan, he shouted, "Where did he go!?" 

"I don't know...He left a little after your fiancee did." Thallan pointed at the doors before going back to enjoy the festivities. 

F**k!

Ailwin left his table and ran out of the banquet hall, asking the servants where they took Mikaela. He couldn't believe he was fooled by the King this whole time.

Chapter end