Elysia in Another World (Part 2)

Ch34: Acting Strange P4

Chapter 34: Acting Strange P4
~34.4~
*****

As soon as the butler welcomed Yami inside, she felt something strange, as did Aliana.

"Princess Yami, stay on alert," the invisible guard said. "I am sensing a strange mana... but somewhat familiar. And I don't like it."

"I feel it, too," Yami replied. "Aneue, you can hear us, right?"

"Yes. We all can hear and see through Aliana's NeuraPhone."

Yami immediately felt safer, knowing that her protective older sisters and mother were watching. "Okay." She gave the butler a smile and asked, "Where is my brother?"

"Lord Zen is current in the library reading," the butler answered promptly. "Do you have business with him, Your Highness?"

Yami nodded. "Yes. I wish to invite him to dinner."

"I see," the butler's expression didn't change in the slightest. "I shall relay your invitation and contact your attendant once he has given me his response."

Yami smiled dryly. "That's okay, I'd rather invite him in person. If you ask, he'll simply say no. If I ask, he'll have a harder time saying no."

She began walking through the foyer toward the hallway to the library, but the butler hurriedly cut her off. "Your Highness, please understand, His Highness is busy. I cannot allow-"

She shot him a glare that would not take no for an answer. "You can and you will. Step asi-"

"Master Lowen, the child!" cried a maid as she came running from the stairs.

Yami's expression hardened, and beneath Aliana's stealth magic, Ranna's eyes teared up.

"My baby?" She began to run out of Aliana's stealth magic, but the guard held her hand, barring the way.

"Wait, Lady Ranna. Something isn't right."

"That's exactly why-"

"What is the problem?" the butler asked, his expression remaining unchanged.

"Lady Ren was crying, and nothing we did could calm her. Since Lady Ranna is out at the moment, we decided to ask Lord Zen to help calm the girl."

"And did he?"

"He agreed to help, but..." the maid trailed off, her eyes had already teared up.

"Speak. What is the situation?"

"Lord Zen went into the nursery, but did not allow any of us to go in with him. He came out a few minutes later and told us 'She will be quiet now.'"

"That doesn't sound right," Yami said. "Nevermind the library. Maid, take me to the nursery."

"That's the problem!" she was growing more hysterical. "Lady Ren is missing! The other maids are searching, but I can't sense her mana anywhere!"

Ranna tried to run out of the stealth barrier again, but Aliana stopped her.

"If she truly is missing, you can do nothing for her right this second. Let the conversation continue."

"I can't stay calm, she just said my little girl is gone!"

"I didn't tell you to stay calm, but you need to stay safe. Clearly something has happened. I can confirm Ren is not in this palace. The moment she said Ren was missing, I scanned the entire palace with my magic. We will find her, but your safety is just as important."

Yami transformed her bracelet into a katana and held it toward the butler. "Lead me to my brother immediately."

"Aneue, are you coming?"