I found the butler in the same spot I left him and instructed the guard to fetch Muku, the maid.
The butler hadn't moved a single muscle. He looked like he knew what would soon follow.
"Please let Muku go. She isn't guilty. She knows nothing of this." He insisted
"You know I cannot do that," I said while looking around the garden area.
"This would be a nice place to bring your lover, wouldn't it? It's nice and secluded from the outside. It's really lovely as well." I said
He nodded. He was probably wondering why I was talking nonsense all of a sudden.
"I wonder if I should call it Lover's Cove," I said to myself
He said nothing.
The guard brought in the maid. She looked surprised to see the butler but had a warm look in her eyes when she looked upon him. Her eyes lost that warm look when she noticed me.
"Y-y-your m-m-majesty! I wasn't aware you would be here!" She stuttered
"Muku, how long have you served my family?" I asked
"E-excuse me? Um…I think around twenty years. I was only fifteen when I started working here." She said
I nodded.
"That's correct. You were very loyal in those long years, yes?" I said
"Yes. I am," she said. "You, Majesty, can I ask what this is all about?"
I ignored her question. "I like to keep tabs on the people around me. I know who you talk to, the people you like, even the ones you hate."
She said nothing.
"I also know about your relationship with Lake," I said
"Your majesty-"
"Merkikh," I said
"What?" She asked
"My name. Use it." I said
"Your-...Merkikh. What's going on?" She asked
When I didn't say anything, she looked at Lake. He looked at her with a miserable look and said, "He believes we're traitors to the kingdom."
She was dumbfounded and couldn't say a word.
I pulled a sword from my belt and held it to Lake''s neck.
"No! Your majesty! It must be a mistake! Whatever it is, we were framed! I swear! We are loyal to you! To the kingdom!" She yelled frantically
I stared at Lake, who seemed to accept his fate. He stared at Raquel as if he were memorizing her face, then closed his eyes.
I swung my sword back, and Raquel threw herself before Lake as she screamed. She closed her eyes and waited for the impact that never came.
When she opened her eyes, she saw that I had lowered my sword right above her neck.
"Just one more question: who gave you the ring?" I asked
"I-I'm not sure. It was a wanderer who was visiting the village." She said.
I nodded and handed the sword to Muku.
"You will need this to hunt outside the kingdom," I said
Silence greeted me.
"You will also need to stock up on food and water. Money will also be a necessity." I rubbed my chin as I made a mental checklist of things they might need.
"Your majesty, what's this all about?" Lake finally spoke up.
I looked up and said, "I'm giving you two a new life."
"You are not going to kill us?" Muku asked
I shook my head. "How could I kill the two most loyal people in my life? You two were there for me in my hardest times. I could never repay you both enough."
"A new life?" You asked
"Yes. I will set up an unmarked carriage that will take you outside the kingdom. You will then have a guide to take you to a safe cabin far from the kingdom." I said, now pacing back and forth.
"Why do we need a new life? We can just stay here. You know that we're loyal to you." Muku said
I looked at both of them, who were staring back.
"Someone is using you two. I don't want you guys to be caught in the crossfire. In just a few days, everything will be in chaos, and I don't know what will happen. But I promise I will visit the both of you no matter what." My heart clenched. "I can't lose any more family."
Their eyes clouded as they finally realized my reasoning. They nodded and got ready to leave.
They were rushed to the carriage outside, which was already loaded with food, water, and anything else they needed.
With a tearful goodbye, they rode away.
I calmed my heart and walked back into the castle. What happens these next few days would be absolute hell.