Honey : The Empire's Treasure 428 The King's Illusion 2

Led by three maids in a rather tight formation, two at her sides and one at her back. Mika felt like she was walking on death row. 

Using this chance to look around the palace, she decided to wait to confront these three to see what they planning.

Using this time to observe her surrounding, she realizing that the hallways were made dark with minimal lights from the candles hanging from the ceiling. She couldn't make out much. Recognizing that she might be able to find her way back, she dropped some of her nanos in the halls like crumbs as markers.

"Where are you taking me?" She ask once she noticed that they were getting further and further away from the banquet hall.

"A resting room."

"How much farther?" 

"…"

When she didn't get an answer, she slowed down her pace until they finally came to a stop.

"I asked a question, and I would like an answer." 

The three maids looked at one another in dismay, and then stared at her with blank looks.

When Mika continued to stare back, that's when the leader of the three maids, gave her two companions a signal to hold Mika by her arms.

Quickly understanding what is going on, Mika jabbed to female on her left in the gut with her elbow. Then punched the one on the right in the neck and pelvic kick the one in front of her.

With all three of the females down she ran back towards the banquet hall.

However, two minutes into her getting away, she felt a disturbing force coming from the direction she was running towards. Swiftly change her route, she ran into the closest unlocked door.

*Click* *Gently Closes*

Mika listened at the door and heard steady footsteps getting close before fading away down the corridor.

Waiting a few more minutes, she figured the coast was clear and twist the nob to find that it was locked. 

You got to be kidding me!

Turning around to see where she has trap herself, Mika walked out of a dark cove to see trees, brushes, grass and the night's sky above.

F**k!

She had made her escape to the imperial gardens.

Having never been to the palace before and the door behind her is lock, she didn't know which direction to take to get back inside.

Eeny...Meeny...Miny...Moe! Catch a crooked King by his toes, plan to killing him before he knows...Eeny...Meeny...Miny...Moe!

Selecting her route, Mika began walking in that direction. As she enjoyed the scenery, it didn't take long for her to realized that she was just heading deeper and deeper in the gardens.

Argh! If only we were allowed our personal wristbands inside the palace.

"For all this, I should have just stayed near the locked door and waited until someone came out, so I could go back in!" Not having the gift of foresight, Mika could only berate herself. 

Tired from walking for so long in attire she's not use to, she looked for a place to sit and rest.

Although, the stained glass dome over the gardens is exquisite, it paled in comparison to the night sky.

Gazing at the stars and moon, she relaxed for the first time this evening. She was sure Ailwin was going out of his mind with worry. However, she wanted to enjoy the night sky a little longer before trying to find her way out again.

*Crunch*

Twigs suddenly snapped behind her, making her spin around to the intruder.

Rychell and his steward stood in front her, illuminated by the full moon's glow.

The aura he was giving off was much stronger than what he was giving in the banquet hall. In fact, the one in the banquet hall felt like a shadow of this person standing in front of her.

"Why are you here?" The King looked down his nose at her.

"….." For the first time in her life Mikaela couldn't get words out of her mouth, the pressure she was feeling from him, physically weaken her knees.

Is this the real King?

Her heart was pounding as if she had ran a mile in a minute. Sweat was dripping from her skin but she knew she was feeling cold.

"Didn't you not hear me?"

"I-I got lost…" Mika manage to get out three words.

Rychell turned his head and sighed. When their eye contact was broken, she felt her body coming back under her control.

What the!? Did he do that or did I imagine my body reacting in such a way?

Perceiving it to be the former, Mika was not happy. Her enemy was playing minds games.

"May I ask the King to show me the way back?" She smiled politely, covering up annoyance.

Rychell stared down at Mika's face, "...you are Ailwin's female." Since is wasn't a question, she didn't bother on responding.

"One of the prince's female wants ME to guide her back to the banquet...heh." Rychell smirked as he looked up at the night's sky.

"Is it too hard for you to do?" Mikaela asked, "….*Sigh*, I can understand. My great grandfather has the same problem, even though he has been living in the same house for over two hundred years. He still can't find his around." 

Glancing down at the petite female, Rychell was aware she just insulted him.

Did she just called me old and senile...?

"I know my way around my home."

"Of course, you do~ but just in case, let's see if we ask your servant to guide us back."

Mika started walking away before realizing that they weren't following her. Turning around she called him like she would a stray puppy in her old life. 

"Come on, come on King Rychell, come here~" She patted her thighs.

The King's right eyebrow twitched at her mocking.

"Do you think you are funny?" He glared.

"Funny?... Was I telling a joke?" Mika bit her lip and pondered.

Surprise at the female's response, Rychell scrutinized her from head to toe.

The next thing Mika felt was a solid force hitting her in the chest. She flew backwards towards a row of brushes.

*Pang!*

After she landed she coughed to clear her lungs of blood and dust.

Carefully stood up on wobbly legs, Okay, I admit….I kinda deserved that.

Chapter end