Alderic's eyes narrowed further, but he said nothing, his mind racing with ways to turn the situation to his advantage. His usual tactics of intimidation and command were useless in this context, where he was surrounded by individuals who were not only unimpressed by his status but also unafraid to challenge him.

Mary, always one to relish in discomforting others, smirked at the prince's discomfort. "You can glare all you want, but it won't change your situation," she teased. "Might as well get comfortable."

Rossette shifted slightly, her earlier anxiety now mixed with sympathy. Despite the prince's arrogance, she understood the humiliation he was experiencing, stripped of his authority and held captive. Yet, she remained firm in her resolve. His presence was a threat to their safety, and they couldn't afford to let their guard down.

Adam, on the other hand, maintained his silence, his eyes fixed on Alderic with an unreadable expression. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the prince's barely contained fury, a reminder of who held the power in this room.

After a few moments of tense silence, Layla stood, her decision made. "He's exhausted, and keeping him here will only make him more irritable. Let's move him to another room where he can rest. We'll decide what to do with him in the morning."

Alderic's glare intensified, but he didn't resist as Adam and Mary stood, ready to escort him to another room. Mary leaned in close, her voice a low murmur, dripping with mock concern. "Don't worry, Your Highness. We'll make sure you're comfortable."

The prince clenched his jaw, suppressing the urge to snap back. He knew he was outnumbered and that any resistance would only worsen his situation. Instead, he allowed himself to be led to a different room, his pride taking yet another hit.

Rossette followed behind, her eyes flickering between the prince and her companions, hoping that this decision would buy them some time to figure out their next move. As they reached the room, Adam opened the door and gestured for Alderic to enter.

"You'll stay here," Adam said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll check on you later."

Alderic stepped into the room, his head held high despite his circumstances. He turned to face them, his gaze cold and defiant. "This isn't over," he warned, his voice a low growl.

Layla, who had followed them to the door, met his gaze with a calm, unwavering stare. "No, it's not," she agreed. "But for now, rest."

With that, she closed the door, leaving the prince alone with his thoughts. The group stood outside for a moment, exchanging glances before Rossette broke the silence. "What now?"

Layla sighed, rubbing her temples. "We need to plan our next steps carefully. His presence complicates things."

Mary shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "He's not much of a threat while he's in there. Let's get some rest ourselves and deal with this in the morning."

Adam nodded in agreement. "We'll take turns keeping watch, just in case."

With their plan set, the group dispersed, each preparing for a long night ahead. The tension lingered, but they knew they had bought themselves a small window of time to regroup and strategize, all while keeping their captive prince under close watch.

______

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the capital city of Rumenia, Layla reclined in her room at the royal inn, savoring a rare moment of peace.

The room, though modest, exuded a quiet elegance that was a testament to the inn's high standards. The soft rustling of papers broke the silence as Raziel entered, a letter clutched in his hand.

"Layla," Raziel began, his voice tinged with curiosity. "This just arrived for you. It's from the imperial family."

Layla's eyes flicked to the letter, her interest piqued. She took the envelope, noting the imperial seal that adorned it, a symbol of the royal family's authority.

Breaking the seal with a swift motion, she unfolded the letter and scanned its contents.

"It's an invitation to the ball," Layla said, her tone neutral, though her eyes betrayed a hint of amusement.

Raziel raised an eyebrow. "An invitation to a ball? And no mention of the missing prince?"

Layla shook her head, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"It's not surprising. The imperial family, especially the emperor and the first prince, likely have their own agenda. Eighth prince Alderic's absence might be a minor inconvenience to them, if they even care at all."

Raziel frowned, his mind racing with thoughts. "So, they're just ignoring it? That doesn't seem... prudent."

"They operate on a different plane," Layla explained, folding the letter neatly and placing it on the side table.

"To them, power and appearances are everything. Alderic's disappearance might not even register as a concern. Our focus should remain on the emperor and the first prince. They are the ones who wield real power."

Raziel nodded, though his unease lingered. "And what do we do about the ball?"

Layla leaned back, a contemplative look crossing her face. "We'll attend, of course. It's the perfect opportunity to gather information."

Later that evening, as the city buzzed with life, Layla decided to take Mary and Rossette out for some shopping.

The streets of Rumenia were lined with vibrant stalls and shops, each boasting an array of goods that tempted passersby. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the chatter of merchants hawking their wares.

Mary, ever the enthusiast, clapped her hands in excitement. "Shopping! This is going to be fun. What are we looking for?"

Rossette, though quieter, seemed equally intrigued. "I could use a few things myself. Let's make a day of it."

Layla smiled, hiding her true intentions behind a facade of casual interest. "Let's see what we can find. We might as well enjoy ourselves while we're here."

As they navigated through the crowded streets, Layla's sharp ears picked up snippets of conversations.

The talk of the town was unsurprisingly centered on the royal family, the upcoming ball, and the recent rumors of a dragon sighting. Yet, what intrigued her most were the whispers about Eighth prince Alderic.