Everything was disrupted at the Palace. The ever-known peace and prosperity came to a standstill with Princess Alinea’s departure. Prince Kai stood at the entrance to the central hall and peeked inside. Queen Regina was crying inconsolably. Her handmaids were trying to feed her something without much success. King Aldrich was pacing across the length of the room, looking extremely disturbed. Kai couldn’t look at them in this state. He left quietly towards his chambers.
‘My Prince!’ – Liam greeted him.
Kai nodded in response.
‘Did you send out the search party?’ – Kai enquired.
‘Yes, My Prince. ’ – Liam responded – ‘I have sent three parties towards the East, west, and south. I am sure she hasn’t gone towards the White Mountain. Otherwise, the guard at the outpost would have spotted her. There’s nothing to hide.’
‘You are right. I believe she is somewhere inside the forest. Let’s have something to eat. After that, we will leave towards the forest to join the search party.’
‘Yes, my Prince.’ – Liam bowed and followed Kai to the Dining Hall.
Lily, the kitchen maid hurriedly left the dining table with her barely-eaten plate of food as she saw the Prince approaching. The Royals never visit the kitchen or the common dining room. Kai knew that. But today he has no time to wait to be served. He hated the fact that his presence in the dining hall is making others uncomfortable. Nevertheless, he needed to eat something first before beginning a long search through the Quiet Forest. Mrs. Hatchkin came out from the kitchen rubbing her hands on her apron.
‘My Prince! Would you like something to eat?’ – she asked.
‘Thank you Mrs. Hatchkin. Could you please fetch me and Liam something to eat before we leave for the search?’ – Kai asked politely.
‘Definitely, please take a seat at the table.’
Mrs. Hatchkin rushed inside the kitchen and came out with a tray full of fruits, slices of bread, and bowls of soup. Kai and Liam thanked her and began eating hastily.
‘Are the horses ready?’ – Kai asked the groom as he approached the back entrance.
The stable boy, who was nonchalantly approaching the dining room, was not expecting Kai at the dining hall and he was taken aback by the deep voice.
‘Ye..Yes, m..my p…pr…Prince’ – he answered nervously.
‘Ready, Liam?’ – Kai stood up from his seat and began moving towards the exit.
Liam hastily took a few more bites of the bread before leaving with the Prince.
‘Hey, did you send any word to the King and the Queen?’ – Liam asked casually when they were alone in the backyard. ‘I am so sorry for what you are going through, but don’t you think you should tell your parents what is going on? They will eventually hear from somebody else.’
‘I know I should tell them.’ – Kai sighed heavily – ‘But I don’t have much time for that now. I will send them words tomorrow.’
Liam nodded at Kai’s words and patted his shoulder in solidarity. Kai smiled faintly at his best friend and most trusted companion.
‘Let’s bring her back. Shall we?’ – Kai mounted his horse and rode towards the Quiet Forest. Liam followed him.
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