Exactly after Mico told his life to Vincent, Anathea’s carriage arrived.
Mico: Maybe I need to go, she might find me here.
Vincent: I think she already knows.
Mico: I told the queen that I’m planning to talk to you while my daughter is away. And I’m sure to that the queen doesn’t know how to keep secrets from her.

Vincent is right that his daughter already knew of their conversation. Anathea hurriedly got off the carriage and went up straight to her father’s room.
When she opened the door, she found them with cups of coffee in their hands.
Vincent: Hi!
Anathea: Hello!
Vincent: I borrowed your friend for a while. Hope it didn’t bother you.
Anathea: What did you do here?
Mico: We talked.
Anathea: What did you and my father talk about?
Vincent: Nothing in particular.
Anathea: Can I talk to Mico?
Vincent: With pleasure.

Anathea pulled Mico where no one can hear them.
Mico: Why are we here?
Anathea: Tell me the truth. What did you talk about?
Mico: Like what your father said. Nothing in particular.
Anathea: I don’t believe him.
Mico: He’s telling the truth.
Anathea: Did he say something about me?
Mico: Yeah. He also mentioned your brother.
Christopher: It’s a good thing that I found you here. I’ve been looking for you all over the place.
Anathea: Christopher!
Christopher: Don’t worry I wasn’t able to hear anything… about truth or something like that. Promise!
Anathea: What do you want?
Christopher: Just want to say that dinner is ready.
Anathea: Thank you.

At the dining table, Anathea was so upset. She really has a strong feeling that the two of them are lying. She thinks that the conversation has something to do with her.

While eating dinner, Anathea remembered what the queen had told her to tell her brother that his engagement party is allset.
Anathea: Oh, I remember. The queen told me that your engagement party is ready.
Christopher: Really?
Anathea: Yes.
Christopher: It’s been long five years before Lorelei and I got in this engagement and I’m glad that it’s really near at hand.
Anathea: You should thank me. If not for me, you’ll not meet my best friend.
Christopher: Thank you for reminding me that. How about you? When will you decide to get married?
Anathea: How can I be married? I’m not even engaged and worst, I don’t even have a boyfriend.
Christopher: What do you think of Mico?
Anathea: Funny…
Christopher: I’m not joking. Let’s be realistic. It’s not like it’s impossible for you two not to like each other.
Anathea: What if he is already engaged from where he came from/
Christopher: Mico, do you have?
Mico: None.
Christopher: See?
Anathea: Okay. That’s nonsense. Let’s talk about more important things.
Christopther: I almost forgot. There’s a picnic this coming weekend, it would be great if you could come.
Anathea: With whom?
Christopher: Me, Lorelei, Philippe, his girlfriend and you. Mico, would you like to come with us?
Mico: Su… re!

Saturday morning, everybody is ready for the picnic on the park. Everything had been settled the other day.
Christopher: Is everybody here?
Mico: I think so.
Philippe: Let’s go. There will be too many people in the park soon.
Lorelei: You’re right. I think we should be going now.

Everybody got inside in their carriages. There are three carriages in all. One for Christopher and Lorelei, another for Philippe and Mary and the last one for Anathea and Mico.

Everybody is having a great time on the picnic. The two pairs of lovers are very sweet. Of course, deep inside Anathea’s and Mico’s mind, they are envious with them. Anathea thought that if she will stay longer, the more she will envy them. She decided to take a walk beside the man made lake away from the crowd.
Anathea: Excuse me. I’ll just take a walk beside the lake.
Christopher: Okay.
Mico: If you want, I can come with you.
Anathea: Thanks but I want to be alone.
Mico: Okay. Take care.
Anathea: I’m not a kid anymore.

Mico did not forget what the earl had told him. The reason why he came to this picnic is to protect Anathea and he should do what he is ought to do.

A few minutes after Anathea left. Mico secretly followed her. He saw a suspicious looking guy roaming around the park. He observed him and came to the conclusion that this man wouldn’t do any good.
Man: Excuse me. What time is it?
Anathea: Sorry but I have no watch.
Man: Well, that’s easy. I can just say that your time to die.

The man grabbed her arm and dragged her into the lake. She shouted for help but it seems futile because no one could hear her from where she is.

Suddenly, a man appeared from the bushes, he released her from the man and fought with him. But unfortunately, the man is too strong for him. His broken arm still hurts.

Just when Anathea thought she could not do anything. She came across a wine bottle under the thick bushes. She knew she had to do something to help Mico fight with the man. She did what she thought she could not do. She struck the man’s head with the wine bottle.
Anathea: Oh my God!
Mico: Don’t worry. He’s still alive. Hurry! We must go before he can regain his consciousness.

Anathea and Mico ran as fast as they can from the man who almost killed them.
Christopher: What happened?
Anathea: Someone tried to kill me. Mico was there to save me.
Philippe: Where is he?
Anathea: I struck him with a wine bottle.
Mary: Is he still alive?
Mico: I think so.
Anathea: How did you find me anyway?
MIco: I was walking nearby when I heard you shouting. My arm…
Anathea: What’s wrong?
Mico: Nothing serious.
Anathea: Are you sure?
Mico: Yes.

Everybody believed when Mico told them that he was just nearby that is why he heard Anathea’s shouts except for Philippe. He doesn’t trust this stranger. What if he is really a spy? What if Mico paid the man to act out? What if he is just trying to impress her and make them fall for his trap? And when everybody already fell for his trap, he will finish the job himself.

At the house, Vincent called Mico in his room.
Vincent: I’m impressed.
Mico: Thank you.
Vincent: But don’t you think that that will be your first and last encounter with such danger while protecting my daughter.
Mico: I know that already.
Vincent: Good. That’s what I like about you.
Mico: Thank you.
Because of what happened in the park, the security in the earl’s house became stricter. Before you can enter the house of the earl, you must pass in the series of inspections the guards will do. The queen even suggested that Anathea should have her personal bodyguard. But Vincent refused to do that, he told them that he already did something about it so they don’t have to worry.

A month has already passed since the threat in Anathea’s life occurred. Mico kept his promise to keep Anathea out of danger. Before he was only protecting Anathea because of his promise but he is already doing it not out of a promise but out of a mysterious feeling inside him. He fell in love with her. He would risk his life to make sure that no one will ever hurt her. He may not express his feelings outwardly but his eyes betray him. His eyes tell what he feels inside.

The night before the engagement party of Christopher and Lorelei, Anathea and Mico had a conversation.
Mico: Hi!
Anathea: Hello, what are you doing here?
Mico: You told me before that if I want to have fresh air. The place to go is the garden.
Anathea: You still remember that?
Mico: Why would I forget it?
Anathea: Just a little weird.
Mico: Are you not feeling well?
Anathea: Why did you ask?
Mico: I don’t know. I just feel that there’s something wrong.
Anathea: Just a little nervous.
Mico: Why?
Anathea: My life is in danger. If I go there, I might put other people’s lives on danger. It would be a burden on my conscience.
Mico: What are you planning to do?
Anathea: Not to attend the party. It will be just fine without me.
Mico: Don’t say that. The party will not be complete without you. Okay, I promise that I will do everything to keep you and everyone safe. Just promise, you’ll attend.
Anathea: But I’m scared.
Mico: Just promise.
Anathea: …Okay.

The party was held in the most expensive and most elegant restaurant in the country. Earl Vincent can’t come because his body is not strong enough to go out that night.

Everything is well prepared. The food, the music and the ambiance is great.

While everybody is enjoying their meal, someone called for their attention.

Anathea: Excuse me. I have an announcement to make. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to make the official announcement for the formal engagement of Christopher and Lorelei.

Everybody gave them a round of applause.
Christopher: We would like to thank everybody who is present here to share this special night with us. We are very grateful to those people who helped us and to the one who is responsible for this, my sister.
Lorelei: Thank you for being with us all these years and for your never ending support. My special thanks goes to my best friend.

Another round of applause…
Amadea: We would like to take this wonderful opportunity to announce our successor.
Gerard: We think that choosing this person will be a benefit for all. I know many of you would agree. Please step up, Anathea.

After the king announces their successor, a group of men entered the restaurant. They made a warning shot then they began looking for Anathea.
Mico told Anathea to escape before its too late but Anathea refused to do so. She told him that she would only go if Mico will come with her.
Man: There you are.

One of the goons aimed the gun at Anathea.
A gunshot was heard.

Chapter 7 »