The next team would be the garden hunters. Well, they're in a garden...hunting, not hunting gardens- Ahem! Sigh, let me start over...

We now go into the palace's Garden Labyrinth. There, you could see that Riley and Kevin are looking around in the large, very much over-sized, flower maze. Some of it's flowers were sold to be put out into the town as decorations. So the garden wasn't as thick as it normally is. The black haired maid sighed, sitting down next to her guard in not-so-shining armor. "This is a pretty big maze..."

Kevin waved a hand, obviously not worried about it. "Ah, She's most likely not even here. Mai was here yesterday morning. Why would she come back here again?"

Riley sighed. "I'm just worried...I know that she's most likely fine but...she gets distracted easily this time of year." 

He thought back. "Yeah...Last year she was really clumsy. Didn't she run into a wall like fifteen times?" 

She giggled at the thought. "Yes, she can be quite clumsy despite her violent way of dealing with things."

Kevin frowned slightly. "Violent is right. You should see what she does to us in training! I am never facing her in a one-on-one sword fight again! That woman doesn't have the word 'mercy' in her atlas!" The very thought made the young man shiver. She didn't reach the rank of Captain at the age of sixteen for nothing...Kevin knew the truth though...She is a demon! She must be.

She chuckled at him. "I think you mean 'dictionary'." 

He blushed at his slight mistake. "W-whatever! It's pretty much the same thing!" She laughed some more at his attempt of defending himself. He didn't mind her correcting him though. Kevin was just glad he could make her laugh. When she was worried about something, she always had a saddened look on her face. He hated that expression, and tried to cheer her up as much as he could.

"A-Anyway, Mai could even be in town right now having the time of her life! Just watch, she's most likely having fun right now! She needs it too." 

Riley seemed to be comforted by the comment, giving a warm smile. "You're right," She started, leaning on his shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine."

   ~ ✿ ♥ ✿ ~   

"Achoo!" Mai rubbed her nose as Zed contemplated if he had heard right. Her sneeze was very high-pitched. He decided to cover his amusement with a smile. "Seems you're the topic of somebody's conversation."

She only shrugged her shoulders calmly. "Most likely the cellmates complaining to the guards about me behind my back again." He gazed down at her. How can someone say that like it's normal? Let's rephrase that- How can a young woman say that like it's normal?

He only shook his head. "You're something else..." She raised a brow at him, taking a bite of her still steaming sweet roll. He also started eating his bread, a bit surprised. "Your dad's a pretty nice cook."

She smiled, gazing into her roll. "Yeah, he started baking after my mom died and took over her shop. Though his bread is very good, he's still doesn't have anything on mom's Secret Braided Loaf." He looked down at her, surprised that she was sharing such information. She wouldn't meet his gaze, but he was okay with that, she was giving him what he wanted for now. Information.

He took the chance, even if it might be a bit pushy, his curiosity got the better of him. Cats have nine lives anyways. "What...happened?" She seemed to have seen this coming as she sat down on a bench, leaving him enough room to sit next to her. He took it, giving her his full attention as she spoke.

"My mom was always a bit sickly, or that's what my dad told me. After I was born, she got sick more often and passed away when I was about seven. At the time, dad worked for the king as one of his generals and became a close friend. That's how me and Elizabeth got to know each other so well. After my mom died, dad retired and said he would raise me by himself, taking over the shop and me having to teach him how to bake. It took a while, but he got the hang of it." She laughed at the memories.

Zed took in this information slowly, analyzing each piece carefully. That's when a thought came to mind. Glancing down at her, he debated briefly if he should ask. Shoot. He had eight lives left.

"What about...Elizabeth? You were there, weren't you?" He had his suspicions from her sad expression earlier, but kept it to himself until now. Now seemed to be a good time to ask questions. He was proven right when her expression changed into the same one he remembered. "That's right..."

With a deep breath, she started to explain. "I was eight when it happened. Me and Elizabeth were playing in the Garden Labyrinth behind the castle. That's when a strange figure in black clothes came out of nowhere and forced Elizabeth away from me. I tried to get her back, but ended up hitting my head on the ground and knocking myself out. I woke up much later that night, being told that they couldn't find her anywhere. After that, I made it my goal to become stronger."

He listened carefully. "That's why you become Captain of the guard, right?" He remembered her mentioning that before when talking to Elizabeth. 

She nodded. "Right, mostly so I could become stronger, yes. I just...didn't want to lose anyone else."

His eyes softened. "It wasn't your fault you know." 

She gave another sigh. "Yes I know." As silence settled between the two, Mai took it as a sign to finish her sweet roll. Zed followed suit, putting the last bit of his own bread into his mouth.

When finished, the two decided it would be best to head towards the docks. Mai was glad that Zed had listened to her. Getting that off of her chest proved to be very refreshing. Though he wouldn't talk much about himself, he listened carefully to what she had to say.

She smiled to herself. "Today, is a very good day."