Chereads / Insidious Pleasures / Chapter 40 - Mikela and Aros

Chapter 40 - Mikela and Aros

The curtain closed again which made Daisuke and Yuna break off their character. They quickly ran off the stage while Kagome and Nami came on.

Harue, Hishimi and even Paro helped to bring a few necessary props for the next scene.

They brought in a table and a mirror on it. The mirror had an artistic design around it, deviating it from a simple mirror. It is to show that this was used by wealthy people.

There was also a chair that Kagome sat down on with her beautiful dress still on whilst Nami was in a maid outfit.

As they were ready, the curtain was again raised and the judges were greeted with two female high schoolers, both with a straight face.

Kagome, playing 'Mikela', opened her mouth and started their scene.

"How do I look, Angie?"

Kagome referred to Nami as 'Angie'. That was Mikela's personal maid's name.

"You look fabulous, Ojou-sama."

With a stoic face, Angie casually complimented Mikela. She pouted as a result of Angie's tone because it did not sound like she meant.

"You could at least make it look like you are actually fascinated."

"I am, Ojou-sama."

Still, with the stoic tone, she made Mikela sigh but smiled in the end. Because that is how Angie was supposed to be. Since they were kids, Angie would be with Mikela even though Angie was one of the servant's daughter.

As a result, she was appointed to be Mikela's personal maid.

"Ojou-sama, are you going to meet that man again?"

"...Who are you talking about?"

"That commoner magician."

"His name is Aros."

Mikela's displeased face displayed was for Angie not remembering his name. It was blatant that Mikela was more than curious in Aros.

She turned to Angie and corrected her again.

"Make sure to remember his name from now on. Okay?"

"Whatever you say, Ojou-sama."

Mikela pouted at her reply. It exuded indifference however, Angie will obey her orders.

"What the hell were you talking about?"

Suddenly, a male voice made Mikela surprised and immediately, she reverted to looking at the mirror.

"Oh, Brother Mak. It is quite rude to barge into a lady's room."

Fujita entered the scene and adopted the role of Mak. His somewhat furious glare was aimed at Mikela.

Angie bowed while Mak approached both of them.

"Do not change the subject!"

"Why are you yelling now?"

Mikela turned back again, this time to Mak.

Fujita actually messed up this part. He was not supposed to scream that loud to make him seem more furious than expected.

Behind Mak's mask, Fujita was scared shitless. So, he tried his best to play along.

*Cough*

He covered his mouth and slowly return to his impassive face.

"Anyway, I came to pass off some rather unfortunate message from Father."

In order to make the flow continue without a constricting timeline, Fujita had to skip some intended lines.

Kagome helped to make it smoother.

"You could have just sent one of the servants."

"I felt that it is more convincing if i delivered it myself. You are forbidden to go near that man, Aros."

"..."

Obviously, Mikela did not accept her Father's decision.

"Why!?"

"What Father says is final. You are to follow his orders or else you will not step a foot off your room."

"What!?!"

"Well then Mikela, I hope you will do as what Fathers say, or else, that Aros will also receive consequences."

This was a clear threat to Aros through Mikela.

Mak then turned and left the stage. Just Angie and Mikela was here.

Backstage, Fujita was faced with Paro.

"Paro-senpai. I am extremely sorry. I made a mistake!"

"Oh no, it is okay Fujita-kun. The act is still on as you can see. You are doing well so far."

"...Thanks senpai. You are really encouraging me."

Fujita then joined Hishimi, Harue, Rina, Seita, Yuna and Daisuke who were lying in wait for their appearance in their varying scenes.

"Yo Fujita-kun, you are doing great," Daisuke called out to him.

They all welcomed him back with a relaxed tone. The atmosphere around them was warm so it would make anyone get rid of their worries.

Since only Nami and Kagome were on that stage, no one else is going to go there until their scene is over.

And that would take some time because Kagome, meaning Mikela expressed her discontent towards her Father and Brother Mak.

"We have some time to spare. Come and sit with us."

Fujita did as he was told.

"It is all going well so far-"

"Don't jinx it now. You are taking responsibility if something untoward ever happens."

Hishimi interrupted and simultaneously blamed Daisuke in advance.

"Hah?"

"Calm down Hishimi-san." Harue sighed at Hishimi's frantic concern.

Either way, she refrained from behaving like this and returned to being an ignorant person who brightens the mood.

Seita took over and discussed their future involvement in a simple manner.

"Okay. I am going to ask if anyone has forgotten what to do from now on."

Nobody said anything so that put a smile on Seita. Nonetheless, he checked with everyone just to be sure.

"So. Let's go through with everyone in the right order after Kagome-san and Nami-san are done with their part of the act."

The first one to go was Seita himself.

"After Kagome. I am going next. Aros will receive the news of Mikela not meeting me through Angie. Aros will decide to go to her mansion to meet her anyway."

Then Seita looked at Daisuke. It was his turn to speak now because he would appear right after this scene.

"Then, I, as the King, will witness Aros leave Mikela's room as I enter the room. In a fit of rage, I then order Mak to destroy Aros' village as a punishment for not obeying his order."

Daisuke aimed his gaze at Fujita. He noticed and spoke in the same manner as they were doing

"As Mak, I will go to the village and create chaos. That sounds ridiculous coming from me!"

""""Hahaha!""""

They laughed at his self loathe moment. Seeing that he elevated the atmosphere, Fujita brought a thin grin on his face and continued briefing.

"Then when Aros arrive in time to save everyone and kill the soldiers with me, I use Ariella as a hostage to protect myself."

Fujita finished and looked at Rina to join in. She hesitantly talked as she still felt guilty of her fall at the beginning of the performance.

"...This will be my last scene where I will get killed by Mak...This will also be Fujita-kun's last scene as he will be killed by Aros."

"Geh!" Fujita did not like the sound of that. He does not want to get killed, of course, this is all fake. But as Rina stated that, he still doesn't want to hear that.

Seita again took over.

"Then, Aros will indulge in rage and will go to the kingdom and confront the King."

Finally, Yuna interrupted him to tell the finale.

"Through all the violence and discussion, Mikela will reason with Aros and spare her father through a heated dispute."

Paro who was afar was listening to them. She opened her mouth and let everyone hear what she said.

"And that is the end of the story."

They all veered to Paro.

"We have come all the way to here. Make the judges enjoy our act."

That was also everyone's intentions. From the start, the first years were nervous. But now that they were in the middle of a performance, they were not as agitated compared to before.

Nami was holding her own with Kagome whose acting skills were top notch. That was an achievement itself for her.

The anxiety that Kagome expressed was certainly attracting the judges.

They recognized her talent and beauty.

"Well, looks like it is time for me to go."

As Seita stood up, ready to go on stage, the rest followed suit.

Kagome finished her part and the lights were turned off for Kagome and Nami. Seita came on stage and Kagome came off with her anxious expression vanished.

However, Nami stayed on stage.

Seita brought a cloak with him to hide Nami's appearance to a certain degree.

Quickly, she wore it and waited. The lights came back on.

Seita started with a polite tone, "Um, who are you?"

"My name is Angie. I am the personal of Mikela-sama. I have a message to deliver on behalf of Ojou-sama." Nami was talking as if she was being cautious of her surrounding.

Angie does not want anyone to spill the bean of her presence to Aros.

".....Okay."

"Ojou--sama is forbidden from meeting you. The consequence was that she would be isolated in her room. She wants you to forget anything that happened to you."

"What!?"

Aros was appalled.

"Forget about her? Why!?"

"Because if you keep contacting her, you will incur the wrath of her father. You will be treading on thin ice."

"....."

The slight pause had the whole auditorium in silence. With resolute, Aros refuse to do what she says.

"Angie you said your name was, right?"

"...Yes?"

"Tell your Ojou-sama that love does not shiver from mundane thorns."

"....I warned you." Angie then turned and left the stage.

Later on, it cut back to Mikela receiving the message from Angie.

Mikela was not happy about what he said. Maybe he does not worry about his life or he was just fearless, the power that her Father has was nothing to be meddling with.

After all her father was the king.

Abruptly though, when Angie and Mikela were discussing, Aros showed up from out of nowhere.

Both of them were surprised. Mikela raised her voice.

"How did you come here!?"

"Shhhh!!! Keep your voice down. I just used my power."

"Why did you come here?"

"I thought it would be easier for us if we talk face to face."

Observing the situation, Angie bowed to Mikela and announced her leave.

"I will be waiting outside, Ojou-sama."

She did not stop her. Angie left, leaving Aros and Mikela alone. They began to discuss.

"Why wouldn't you listen to me? My Father is not accepting our relationship. It is pointless to continue."

"Are you saying we should end this? Are you sure about this?"

"We have no choice!"

Mikela starts to have tears flowed slowly down her cheeks. Aros approached her even closer and wiped it down with a few swoops of hand.

The tears kept streaming down. Mikela started sniffing and wanted to hide her face.

But Aros grabbed her shoulders and made her focus on him.

"What do you want, Mikela?"

"...." Her stifled cry and sniffs enshrouded between the two of them

Mikela tried to avert his question.

"I am trying to save you from ruining your life here!"

"What do you really want Mikela!! Tell me!"

Aros asserted his resolve and was prepared to receive whatever answer Mikela would give. He would be ready to accept her decision.

With the help of his serene eyes, it would be difficult for Mikela to avoid or lie to his face.

Her soft voice emerged and with a pained tone, she desired the impossible.

"...I want... to be with...you...."

".....Is that so, Mikela?"

".....Yes..."

Her flushed face with tears buried into Aros' chest. He patted her head gently, trying to soothe her anguished heart.

"Me too Mikela. I want to be with you."

The happiness embroiled amongst them as they revelled in each other's embrace. They have reached another level in their relationship.

At the moment, they were disregarding anything else that was in the room.

"I wished we would stay like this forever."

Mikela shyly replied, "...Me too."

However, 'forever' was changed into 'a few moments'.

"MIKELAAA!!!!"

A coarse and infuriated scream snapped Aros and especially Mikela from cloud nine.

What Mikela saw was her enraged Father that came into her room. A jolt of terror ran up her head.

Her Father saw Aros with her. This spelt doom to both of them.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from this commoner!!?"

Aros was about to retaliate but Mikela intervened and protected him.

"But Father, I love him!"

"You foolish girl!"

Her Father tried to restrain Aros by grabbing him. But before his hand could reach, Aros quickly escaped with the help of his power.

In the end, he ran out of the room, not to be seen.

Kagome used her telekinesis power while still acting desperate for her Father's approval.

That required the utmost concentration to execute her power and act at the same time. That shows how much talented Kagome is.

When Paro secretly hoped that she would rely on Kagome, it was because of that very talent.

"Father... Listen to my selfishness for one last time.... I want Aros to be my life partner."

He gritted his teeth as he witnessed her daughter's rebellious action. He did not listen to Mikela from now on.

At this moment, her Father chose a path clouded by fury.

"MAK!!"

His yell surprised even the judge. One of them almost jumped out due to the sudden fright.

His son, Mak entered the room and approached his Father.

"What is it, Father?"

The maddened King ordered his son a ruthless order that both Mak and Mikela were astonished.

"Burn Aros' village and kill everyone living there!"

"-!?"

Mikela couldn't speak a word. She was shocked. Was that her Father' true colour?

Mak wanted to confirm what his Father just blurted out. Even for him, this was too cruel.

"...Father. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes! Go and fulfil my orders, Mak!"

"....Fath-"

"Go!! Do not make me repeat twice!!!"

Mak was silent however, he did not refute his Father. He turned and commenced to carry out the orders.

But abruptly, Mak was stopped by his sister, Mikela. She grabbed his arm and pleaded.

"Mak!! Brother!! What are you doing!!?! Have you no heart!?! Stop what are you are doing!! For me!!"

Mak shoved her crying sister away and quietly left her room.

Seeing that Mak was not convinced, she turned to her Father and begged to change his decisions.

"Father! Stop Brother from committing an unforgiving sin!! Have mercy!"

"I have already told you to not meet that Aros. Disrespecting my order is a sin itself! Let this be a lesson to you!"

Her Father put her away and left the scene. His decision was not going to change no matter how much Mikela pleaded to him.

"Father!! Don't do this to me!!!"

No one responded to her cries as she was stranded alone in her gloomy room.

The pitiful princess clenched her hands with helplessness. In this instant, she reminded of Aros' happy face which made her even more ashamed.

Because she would be the reason for his downfall.

"AROOOOOSS!!!!!"

Her cries peaked the despair she experienced as she fell and lost consciousness.