Chapter 146: Got Caught
Erica waited for a while before leaving her hiding spot inside the hollow of the tree. It has been a while when she last heard the footsteps of the bandits chasing them. She looked at the way where her maid ran and made a sad smile.
"Please be safe." Erica said silently.
After that she ran the opposite direction where the bandits chased her maid. She still needs to survive and to take revenge against the king.
'I will surely kill your beloved bastard daughter in front of your eyes.' Erica thought.
Erica ran under the cover of the trees. It was just past midday, and the sun was still high in the sky.
Not long she had come upon a back road. This road is different from the one they have been travelling on. The road towards the tower was a main road used by many, while this back road is small.
'Maybe I can find someone that could help me.' Erica thought
Erica had conjured a story that she would tell when she met someone on this road. She would tell them that she was a normal merchant lady and her carriage full of goods, were attacked by bandits. She was lucky to get away.
Erica has been walking for some time now but still wasn't able to encounter anyone on this road.
"Well this is a back road after all." Erica said. 'I guess not many uses this road, with the main road which is much nicer to travel on as an alternative.' She thought.
Not long, Erica heard some horse hooves. It was approaching her from behind. She turns around, feeling hopeful that she was saved. She sees a beautiful black stallion.
Erica looked up and can only see the rider's silhouette because the sun was just behind. The stallion seems like a war horse, so maybe the rider was from the army. The build of the rider was male, so probably this was a soldier from an army unit. Erica was now elated, she can pretend to be a merchant in distress. With her current look now, none will recognize her as a noble. And not all people from this country had seen the queen, even an army soldier.
"E-Excuse me, can you please help me?" Erica started to act. "The carriage I was riding was attacked by bandits. Luckily I was able to escape."
Erica was silent for a while, waiting for the rider to reply. Once he replied, she will tell him her conjured story.
"Well, look do we have here." The voice of the rider rang out. Erica was a little surprised with the rider's reply. Why did he reply like that and the voice also sounded familiar?
"Why is the queen of the nation being here in such a remote road?" The voice asked sarcastically.
Erica was now surprised, the rider recognized who she is instantly. She tried to block the sunlight with her hands. She squint her eyes to see the rider's face. Then she had the shock of her life.
"P-Prince Regaleon?!" Erica had her eyes opened wide.
"It is really surprising to see you here, Queen Erica." Regaleon smiled. "Oh, you are not the queen anymore. You have just been banished to the far corners of Alvannia."
Erica felt frightened with Regaleon's chilly smile. She felt shivers ran through her spine.
'Of all the people, why did I have to encounter him?' Erica thought.
"Speaking of, aren't you on your way to the tower o Grace?" Regaleon looked puzzled.
"M-My convoy... My convoy was attacked by bandits." Erica can't use her conjured story anymore, with Regaleon being here now. "I was lucky to escape. I am not sure of the rest."
