After eating, Bella roamed around the palace in search of something to do since the King and Queen were busy with court meetings. She stopped by Ian's chamber to chat with him, but the door was locked from the outside, as was the king's chamber, leaving her to wonder where both Ian and Dan must have gone to.
She dipped her hand into the pocket of her clothes to take the ring which she had put away because Prince Ian had said it would raise questions from the Queen or anyone else who knew about the rings if they saw it on her.
'Dan?' She called telepathically, but there was no response.
'Dan?' She called again, and when there was still no response after some time, she dipped the ring inside her pocket and continued to walk around the palace.
The King had asked her to act like she was deaf and dumb. She was not to say a word to anyone, not even the Queen, as she might say something that would make people question where she came from.