37 No parents, no rules

In the last remaining days, Mano made sure everything was in order. Leaving a few instructions for his stewards, wives, and children to obey by. Departing Mano hugged each of his wives and children, said his goodbyes and left hand and hand with Lady Lyra towards the imperial city.

Standing outside the gate of the Amara clan household Mika turned to her personal maid, "While the parents are away, its time for the children to play."

Leading her personal maid Saavi away. Mika made it back to her courtyard. Motioning for Saavi to watch the doors. Donning a dark purple cowl hooded turtleneck shirt, with long sleeves gracing all the way down to her hands; and skin-tight leather-like pants which travel into her boots. Mika was covered from head to toe. Leaving her hair free, Mika checked herself out in the mirror, satisfied with the results. She let Saavi then change her clothes, which was the simpler version of her outfit.

Sneaking around to the back gate. Mika and Saavi ran to her mother's two-seater shuttle. Under the directions of her mother teaching, Mika buckled in and started the craft. Exhilaration coursed through her as the shuttle elevated above the ground. Sharing a glance with Saavi, Mika punch in the guiding coordinations to Kaia's capital city.

Mika set down the shuttle just as her mother taught her. A little rough around the edges on the landing but overall a success. The first time Mika saw Kaia's capital city she was in awe. A mixture of tall futuristic buildings and flying vehicles; with the unperturbed peaceful nature surrounding. Gave it an unusually zen to the city.

The streets were filled with people starting out their day. Shops welcomed customers into their stores. The food aroma coming from the restaurants brought the heavenly smells of succulent meats and delectable sweets. Mika was on cloud nine. These six days she is going to let loose before her parents made it back.

Never having felt the sense of pleasure from defining your parents. Mika was getting a kick out of this unplanned, un-supervised trip. In the twelve years since she was born into this world, this is the first time she felt like her old self. Confused emotions had erupted inside her at that observation. She didn't want to be like before, nor did she want to be too different. Not wanting to look too deeply into these feeling Mika decided to go with the flow, 'what will be, will be'.

Four hours later...

Saavi and Mika both sat exhausted from all the shopping and gossiping they overheard. Mika now understood why her step-mothers would go shopping so offend. Any time they step foot into a shop, be it clothing, charm, books etc., they would come across rumors. From the shop's workers to the customers. Her ears were ringing, with talk of people she didn't even know.

Tired out, Saavi bought them to a well off eatery. Picking up the menu Mika couldn't contain her stomach grumbles. Ordering honey-fried silver calf, honey-sautéed grand vegetables, oven-baked honeyed sunfish and honey-spiced bread. Topped off with honey-dew milkshakes and honey molten cake. Mika remembered the first time she ate out with her mother, her face must have shown her disgruntlement over the 'honeyed' choices on the menu. For Lyra laughed until tears came out of her eyes. Explaining that not all honey was sweet.

Indulging in the dishes before her, Mika didn't hear the silence until Saavi tapped her on the arm. Noticing Saavi stop eating and her attention was pulled away from her food. Mika looked in the same direction, wondering what could make her maid interrupt her love for eating.

At the entrance to the eatery, stood a man with three guards. The manager rushed to show them the upper v.i.p private rooms. The patrons who were silenced by their arrival soon exploded in whispers.

"That was the third prince right!?..."

"Oh my..."

"I can understand the King now...."

"If my daughter could be so lucky...."

The patrons lost their focus on eating instead they tried to find the reason behind the third prince appearance here.

Mika gave one last look at the retreating back before her attention went right back to her food.

'Nothing worst than your food getting cold.' Mika shook her head.

Saavi saw Mika's behavior, the completely the opposite of the other young misses in the place.

'If Lady Lyra wants the young miss to marry, she may have to look for a chef.' Saavi thought as she watches Mika devour everything in front of her.

"Miss...Are you full?" Saavi asked when she saw Mika lean back in her seat patting her slightly bloated stomach in contentment.

"Nope, still have my honey-molted cake coming." Right on cue, the waiter placed the eatery's famous honey molted cake on the table.

____

Upstairs in a private room of the eatery...

Thallan Eilyra Qinvyre, the third prince of Kaia, sat facing a man of taller and muscular stature than him with fine facial features. His fifth half brother, Ailwin Daero Qinvyre.

"Do you want to order?... I heard they have the best honey molted cake here?" Ailwin melodious voice spoke, as his mouth took a break from eating long enough for him to knowledge his older half brother.