CHAPTER 52: MISSING GIRL

Special Thanks to CKM_Woo For The Gift

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Lucian knocked gently on the prince’s door before pushing it open. He stepped inside and offered a respectful bow to Hades, who sat at his desk, lazily flipping through sheets of paper, his eyes skimming the contents without much interest.

"Your Highness, I’m afraid my journey to Brinmark was fruitless. The Duke has no connection to the shapeshifter," Lucian reported. "Though I must add, he’s still quite displeased about what you did to his ship."

Hades let out a long sigh. "We’ve investigated nearly every significant figure who might have a reason to seek revenge, and yet none are linked to the shapeshifter. How exhausting." He exhaled again, frustration evident in his tone.

"We’ll find him soon, Your Highness," Lucian said, offering the prince a note of reassurance.

Hades set the stack of papers neatly on the table. "What about that boy—the one who tried to escape with the little witch?"

"I haven’t seen or heard anything about him since he left the palace," Lucian replied. "Do you believe he’s connected to the shapeshifter?"

"I highly doubt it. The fool is a coward—he’s probably hiding somewhere, nursing his burns," Hades scoffed, then paused thoughtfully. "Ah, how could I forget? Dear Keiser and his cousin. You should look into them. The Duke is a wealthy man with plenty of connections, he might be involved."

"As you wish, Your Highness. I’ll begin the investigation at once," Lucian said with a bow before exiting the prince’s chambers.

~~~

Madam Thalia barked out commands to the maids and servants, her voice sharp and urgent as she darted from one end of the ballroom to the other. Anytime a ball was hosted by the prince, it sent her into a frenzy. She was a perfectionist through and through, and she left no petal unturned, no ribbon unstraightened. Everything had to be flawless.

She craned her neck and narrowed her eyes toward the far hallway where two young maids were carefully wiping down the portraits that lined the wall.

"Madam Thalia—"

She spun around, startled. "Dear goodness, Fiona!" she gasped, clutching her chest. "You nearly gave me a heart attack. You were supposed to be back ages ago, I—" Her words trailed off as she caught a good look at Fiona’s face. The girl looked pale as if she had seen something truly horrifying. Her hands were trembling.

"What happened?" Thalia demanded, eyes narrowing. "You look like you’ve just seen a ghost."

"I... she... she’s gone," Fiona stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her lips quivered, and her eyes darted as if she were afraid of being overheard.

Thalia’s brows furrowed. "What are you talking about? Who’s gone?"

"Lilith," Fiona whispered, her voice cracking. "I—I couldn’t find her. She’s gone."

"What?!" Thalia hissed, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her into a secluded alcove. She cast a quick glance around to make sure no one was within earshot. "Fiona, explain yourself. Now."

Fiona’s breath hitched as she tried to speak, her entire frame shaking. "I... I told her to wait for me while I handled something else—just for a short while. When I got back... she wasn’t there. I waited, thinking maybe she’d wandered off to look around. But minutes passed... then more. I started to panic. I searched everywhere—every stall, every street corner. I called out her name until my throat burned but she was nowhere, Madam. Nowhere. I asked the traders, passersby—no one saw her. It’s like she vanished into thin air..."

Thalia’s heart pounded violently in her chest, and she felt the blood drain from her face. Her voice came out strained, barely above a whisper. "Are you sure you searched properly, Fiona? Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes, I did!" Fiona replied, her voice rising with a shaky desperation. "That’s why I’m late—I was out there, running through the market like a madwoman. I looked everywhere."

Thalia swallowed hard, her throat dry as panic began to seep into her bones. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, each one more dreadful than the last. She glanced out the nearest window, seeing how the sun had began to set.

"It’s nearly sunset..." she murmured, then turned back to Fiona, her voice lower. "We’ll wait a few hours—just a few—to see if she returns. Until then, not a word to anyone. I’ll speak to Lord Lucian myself when the time is right. Do you understand?"

Fiona hesitated, her eyes wide with worry, then nodded slowly. "Yes... but she could be in danger. You should report her missing now, before it’s too late!"

Thalia stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Fiona’s trembling shoulder. "Listen to me. This isn’t the first time Lilith’s tried to run off. It’s possible—likely, even—that this is just another attempt. And you... you were the one she left with. What do you think will happen when the prince hears she vanished on your watch? You’ll be the first suspect. You will be in serious trouble."

Fiona’s lips parted in protest but no sound came out. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"That’s why I have to handle this carefully," Thalia continued, "We need time. Time to think, to figure out what to do, before this turns into a disaster."

Fiona finally nodded, blinking rapidly as tears slipped down her cheeks. "Alright... I—I guess that makes sense. But please... please do something soon. I don’t want anything to happen to her."

"I will," Thalia replied firmly, though her heart was hammering in her chest. She placed a comfortable squeeze on the shoulder. "Now, go back to your room and get some rest. Leave the rest to me."

Fiona nodded, a jerky motion, then turned and walked away without another word. Her shoulders were hunched and her steps soft.

Thalia remained rooted in place for a long moment, staring after her. She took a shaky breath, then another, trying to calm herself. Her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed down the front of her gown, forcing composure onto her face like a mask.

Then, squaring her shoulders, she turned and strode off in the opposite direction.