"It's almost time."
The Crown Prince stares at the clock, and it shows 830pm.
[She (ivy) hasn't come down.] he looks up towards the second floor, [Maybe she's still chatting with the Princess.]
"Anything wrong, your highness?" Count Malone, one of the ministers of foreign trade, asks the prince.
"No. It's nothing."
"I'm sorry I had to raise this matter during your celebration."
"No. It's okay, Count Malone. I understand your concerns. I will have the soldiers increase patrol for the trade routes, and I will also have the knights despatch to investigate on this matter."
"Oh, thank you, your highness." Count Malone let out a breath of relief. "I'm sure that would help reassure the people. I just prayed that the monster sighting in the woods is just a misunderstanding."
"Has there been any casualties?"