Chapter 101 - The Witch And Her Favour

>>Yohan

I would have left the forest to meet Milia but with the current situation I decided it was better not to do that and invite her in.

I didn’t want to risk leaving and having the Fae take the chance to go to Maya. I know the Fae aren’t bad people but some of them are very mischievous. Especially the fox spirits.

But even though I let her in the forest I decided to meet her in a clearing.

“Greetings your majesty.” Milia smiled at me, her familiar sat on her left shoulder.

“Hello Milia.” I gestured to her to sit on the benches. She glanced at them and then looked back with a nasty smile, “Are you afraid, your highness?”

“Why would I be afraid?”

“Then why not invite me to the palace?”

“...”

“Please,” She gave me a slight bow, “I’m not here with bad intentions.”

“Last time I met you, you gave me the worst news.” I folded my arms and looked at her unamused.

She maintained her smile. Her lips were long so her smile spread across wider than most people, “I only told you what was going to happen anyway. Even if I didn’t say anything it would have happened. Even if you never came to me, it would have happened. You know that full well, yet you’re afraid.” She stepped closer and then began to walk around me, “Are you not?” She folded her arms behind her.

“I have no reason to be afraid of you.”

“Oh my dear king.” She continued walking in a circle around me, “You aren’t afraid of me, you are afraid for someone.” Releasing her arms she brought them in front of her, “Someone very special.” My eyes followed her while I stood my ground. She did a full circle around me and stood in front of me once again, “Your beloved mate. Maya” My eyebrow twitched at her words, “ I know she’s back. Don’t forget who foretold this after all.”

I sighed, “What do you want? Surely it’s got nothing to do with my mate or my palace.”

“If you know, why not let me meet her?”

“No.” I shook my head and her smile disappeared.

“I already said I won’t do anything. I gain nothing from it. You saved her life in the past with my help, yet you’re acting like this.” She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly, “Tch! Tch!” She smiled as she shot her eyes open, “There is fear in your heart that has no base.”

I gulped. She was right. It wasn’t like she did anything to her and I know very well she doesn’t bear any ill will but I just-

“Oh! I know!” Milia clapped her hands together once, “You fear I might see something bad again. You don’t want to be aware of anything bad again.”

Bingo.

She caught on.

“....” I looked away. There was nothing I could say. She was spot on.

“Well, knowing things in advance can make it sad for longer.” She thought about it as she looked at the sky. Then smiled and looked back at me, “Rest assured your highness. I will bring no bad news.” Her smile turned mischievous, “I think you forgot what I said back then. I said ‘You’ll be needing a century’s worth of patience for the pain you’ll receive but if you endure. All shall be yours.’ Did I not?” I nodded at her question, “And a century has passed. Has it not?”

“I guess… Since she came back.” Although I still haven’t gotten it all.

“You still haven’t gotten it all?” She stole the words right out of my mind. That left me a bit surprised. “Do not underestimate a witch, my King. I may be blind but I see things others can not.” She snickered.

I sighed, “So?”

“Well, I can give you the remainder of what you have yet to receive.”

I narrowed my eyes, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If you grant me a favor, I’ll grant one to you.”

“...” I clenched my fist while I still had my hands folded. “What possibly can you give me?”

“Your greatest desire.”

I looked at her with eyes full of doubt.

“What makes you sure you can give it to me?”

“Oh I’m more than sure. I can bring you something that will grant it to you. You are connected to the forest and know everything about it but I know the stuff that goes on outside of it too” She spoke firmly but I still couldn’t believe it. “You still doubt it.” She read my mind again, “Worry not. I give you my word. The word of Milia von Heltrich that if you grant me a favor I will do the same for you. Bring you something that will fulfill your greatest desire.”

I unfolded my arms and sighed. A witch swearing on her own name is the ultimate proof that she will do what she said.

Even though I still doubt anything can be done but since she’s so confident. I’ll take it.

“Fine.” I replied, “What do you want?”

A smirk spread across her face, “Free access to the enchanted forest. Whenever I want, wherever I want without anyone keeping tabs on me.”

“...” Milia is a witch, so she needs permission to enter the forest each time and when an outsider enters like this, the forest keeps an eye on them. If I give her free access that means she’ll be like any other fae that can come and go out whenever they want and there’s no one paying special attention to them, “Why?”

“I need things from the enchanted forest. Special herbs and stuff that grows only here but I do not want anyone keeping an eye on me and I do not want permission every time. I hate stuff that binds me.”

“What exactly are you planning?”

“Fear not your majesty. It’s something personal.”

“I can not allow a non-fae to enter the forest whenever they want.”

“How unfortunate. I thought you wanted to finally fully find what you had lost.” My brows twitched at her words. It bothered me more because she gave me her word, “I guess the deal’s off then.”

“I can’t grant you access without knowing the full details.”

Milia turned around, “Well then Yohan Kiryu, it was nice meeting you again.” After saying that she began to leave.

My heart began to pound out of anxiety. I knew full well Milia was taking advantage of me. Giving her free access can put the forest-fae in jeopardy.

“Are your herbs not that important?” I asked and she stopped to answer me.

“Well, I guess I can make due without them.” She gave me a smile and started walking again.

I began to tap my foot on my ground in anxiousness.

She was about to disappear from my sight in a few seconds.

What should I do?

I bit my lower lip.

“Okay fine!” She stopped, “But whatever you do, the forest and fae will not be harmed in any way at all.”

She turned around. A nasty smile of victory on her face, “I give you my word that I Milia Von Heltrich will not harm the forest or any of the fae in any way.” She giggled, “I already said my work here is for personal gain.”

“Fine.” I closed my eyes and asked the forest to give Milia the access she wanted. The forest was reluctant as well but it complied since it’s king asked. The leaves rustled and fell to the ground making a certain pattern on the grass around Milia.

A simple pattern that looked like a Key made out of leaves. It meant Milia now had what she asked for.

“The deal is done then?” I asked.

“The deal is complete.” She then turned around again to leave, “Well then Your majesty. My business here is done.”

“Is that all? You asked about visiting the palace.” I asked her before she disappeared.

“Oh that? I was just teasing you. I have no reason to visit the palace.” With that she walked away.

I slumped.

Huh?

Witches sure are hard to deal with.

I took a deep breath.

I will be granted my deepest desire? Huh?