SERAPHIN

Chapter Two

Laylah's eyes widened with shock, her jaw dropping, unable to quite believe her sister's words, "what?"

She looked at her parents for some sort of denial, maybe, but only got sad and worried looks in return.

"How-how do you know she's been kidnapped and not, well, staying at a friend's?" the blonde said, trying to find a way to deny it, clutching onto a thin thread of hope.

Mr. Allocen shook his head, his face blank, "the king received a ransom note from the kidnapper(s), roughly an hour ago. They've sent out search parties for the princess of course, but it's been fruitless so far."

His daughter opened her mouth, perhaps to ask another question, but caught sight of her mother's face and closed it quickly.

"The king himself was here after they found the note," he continued, his jaw tightening, "he was looking for you."

Laylah looked at her family, confused at their sober expressions, save for Bria, who still hiccupped occasionally.

"What...?"

Her father stared directly into her eyes as he spoke the next few words, "he believes you have something to do in this kidnapping. You have been called to the palace for an appointment with King Gabriel himself, at two a.m. in the morning."

***

Laylah had been to the royal palace thousands of times of course- her best friend was, after all, the eldest and dearest daughter of the King Gabriel.

But not even in her wildest dreams, had she imagined she would be taken to the palace forcefully, with security guards breathing down her neck and the sharp point of a sword pressing against her back.

She tried to keep her face blank, her fears and worries in check. She still couldn't fathom the fact that the King thought SHE had a hand in the kidnapping of Ariel Thrones. Although they had fought in the morning, Laylah loved her friend dearly and could never hurt her on purpose.

Her father, Mr. Allocen, had not explained anything-instead, he had had the chauffeur drive her to the palace. The King had forbidden any other family member of hers to even set foot on the lands surrounding the palace and she knew her father had been hurt and that hurt had turned him to stone for the night- he had not even let her explain herself.

She straightened as they approached the palace, and to keep her mind off everything, Laylah looked around, admiring the architecture of the huge building, as well as the scenery. Although it was past midnight, the palace and the grounds were lighted, guards everywhere, patrolling them.

The vast grounds were grassy and wet, with flowers scattered here and there. To her left, the trees rose high, close together, forming a small forest of sorts. To her right were roses, jasmines, daisies, sunflowers and every other kind of flower that could be found in Terra Angeli. In front of her, rose the majestic palace. Made of white marble, with domes and windows and pillars, it was quite a sight to behold. The front doors were wide open, with a guard on either side.

Fear coiled in her stomach and she could feel herself freezing,her blood turning to ice and her brain jamming. The sharp jab of a sword digging into her back awakened her from her trance, and she forced herself to take a small step forward. Step by step she went, until she reached the entrance, and the guards

handcuffed her, sneering and jeering at her. Fury and indignance engulfed the teenager, and it was all she could do to keep her mouth shut and her face expressionless. It would not do to snap; right now, she needed to be calm and collected, she needed to prove to the king that she was innocent. So she held her head high, and marched through the doors of the throne room, ignorant of the luxury that surrounded her.

***

King Gabriel sat in his throne, the beautiful Queen Evangeline beside him. There were guards all over the room, and the buzz of chatter immediately stopped as Laylah entered the room. She ignored the disgusted and accusing stares her way, and made her way to the thrones instead, never breaking eye contact with the furious king.

The king rose from his seat as he saw the girl. Queen Evangeline stood up too, out of respect for her husband. The room was deathly quiet, as Laylah Allocen kneeled in front of King Gabriel, her face pressed against the soft carpet.

"Your Majesty, you called," her voice was muffled by the carpet, but was clear enough.

The king tried to control his rage at the girl, and commanded her to rise. And rise she did, defiantly looking the king straight in the eyes.

"Where is my daughter?" King Gabriel's teeth were clenched, black eyes blazing.

"I have no idea," she replied calmly.

"I said, where is my daughter!?" the king's voice rose with every word, until he was screaming, spit flying out of his mouth, face red.

Laylah had had enough. She glanced at the Queen, at her pained expression and worried eyes. She looked back at the king, at his red face and furious stance.

"Show me the ransom note."

King Gabriel stared at her for a moment, shocked at her demand. But then he threw back his head and laughed humorlessly, "You actually believe you can deceive me that easily?"

She stared at him, "You have no proof, sir. Let me see the note."

She could see in his eyes that he knew she was correct. He ordered the young man beside him to fetch the note, and he returned within two seconds.

The king held out the note for her to take, but she looked pointedly at her handcuffs and he had them taken off her. Rubbing her wrists, Laylah took the piece of paper, and read it out loud:

Your 'Majesty',

We all know of your affectionate feelings towards your daughter, Ariel Thrones. As I write this to you, she sits screaming profanities at me, chained. All I ask is fifty pounds of gold, surely a meager amount in the eyes of the great king, for his precious daughter. If, by the 5th of June, I do not have the gold, then I very sorrowfully, offer you condolences for the death of the princess.

Good day to you, Your Majesty.

-Black Wings.