The noon sun bathed the palace hallways in a warm glow. The maid, carrying a tray laden with lunch, sauntered down the quiet corridors of the grand palace. The only sound that broke the silence was the melodious chirping of birds that were raised from a young age to live in the palace. The maid was bound for the youngest prince's room, tasked to deliver his meal after being updated on Victim's decision to lock the princes in their respective quarters for their safety. With measured steps, she approached Prince Second's door and gave a gentle knock.
"Your Highness, Prince Second, it's time for your lunch. May I enter?". She asked, her voice respectful and low. When she received no answer, she presumed he was caught in one of his deep sleep cycles, a habit so pronounced among the help that some would jest he was the kingdom's answer to a grizzly bear in hibernation.
"Your highness, I have brought your lunch. May I enter?". She tried again, raising her voice a little. Still, silence greeted her. She decided to take matters into her own hands, laughing silently to herself about the prince's sleeping proclivities. Using her elbow, due to her hands being occupied with the plate, she pushed open the door. The room greeted her with its customary unsettled air, an aura that seemed to linger about Prince Second. Setting the plate down, she chided gently,
"Always sleeping like a bear... You know, sleeping all day is no good for a prince. After all, you'll miss all the fun!". She muttered with a fond smile. All the castle staff adored Prince Second, his playful spirit was a breath of fresh air in the otherwise formal environment. And they don't really have to be so respectful and humble around him since Second treated everyone around him kindly as if they were his friends. Again, she saw no movement from the bed, so she walked over, her concern growing.
"Prince Second, are you alright?". she asked, approaching the bed. Pulling back the blanket, she froze, taken aback by the emptiness of the bed. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably and she knew this was beyond natural occurrences. Panic set in as she realized Prince Second's sudden disappearance, and she could only think of the worst. Suddenly, her sea blue eyes fell upon a note on the pillow, which she picked up and read hesitantly. The message left her stunned and heart pounding. She raced out of the room, heading straight for King Victim and Prince Chosen who were immersed in a meeting. Panting heavily, she burst into their chambers, a sight of disarray that rode on the horizons of urgency.
"Y- your Majesty!". She choked out between deep breaths, "Prince Second... he's... he's".
"What's the meaning of this intrusion?". Chosen turned, eyebrows raised questioningly.
"What's wrong? Speak clearly, Elara!". Victim ordered her, his eyes looking at how pale her face was as if she had seen a ghost.
"It's Prince Second. He's gone!!".Prince Chosen and King Victim both looked at each other in bewilderment, Prince Chosen stepped forward.
"Second is WHAT?!". Victim roared, slamming his fist on the table. Elara, pale and trembling, repeated her tale. Still slightly hiccuping from her sudden sprint, told them in hurried breaths that Prince Second wasn't in his room when she went to give him his meal and that she had found a note instead. She handed over the envelope shakily, fear inching through her bones. Victim snatched the note, his expression hardening with each word he read.
"Hello brothers, if you're reading this then I'm already gone. As you know our kingdom, along with the others, has been attacked. I knew I had to do something to help so I decided to do what I must do as a prince and not be locked in my room. Please understand and don't be worried about me, I know what I'm doing, love, Second".
There was a chilling moment of silence that followed the reading. Chosen, visibly upset, and Victim exchanged a glance that spoke of a whole conversation in veiled messages. Victim just couldn't believe that their younger brother had decided to sneak out and run off in such a bad situation when he had asked them specifically to stay in their rooms. Victim's face was grim. That foolish boy. Didn't he realize the danger?
YOU ARE READING
Mission To The Unknown
FantasyIn a land where three wise kingdoms ruled, some of which were strict, there were amazing powers and abilities that enabled their possessor to do wondrous things in the world. Each person has his own ability that differs from the rest according to th...
