Chapter 9

 He sits behind his desk, and adjusts his glasses.

"So, what can I help you with?" he asks, peering into my eyes.

I avoid his gaze, "I hear Duke Alarie's daughter is missing. Do you have any information beyond what is written in the newspaper?"

"According to our investigative team, the coachmen stated they took a detour, because the lady demanded it," he says, clasping his fingers on top of the desk.

I furrow my brows, 

"I see…"

He continues explaining that the lady could've been kidnapped according to the coachman, and that there was no sign of her anywhere. 

Strange— I left my past self, my corpse…

"Any evidence of struggle or anything left behind?" I probe further.

"No, our investigative team is thorough. They searched the nearby areas as well", he replies.

How is that possible? They should've seen it.

"Strange isn't it? Alarie family's eldest daughter is seen with only a coachman? No guards?" I hint at him to give me more information.

His lips curl for a moment before he catches his mask slip. 

"Indeed," he says, amused.

"Do you have any other witness statements, other than the coachman," I ask, hoping my stay here has not been discovered yet.

"There is one piece of information," he continues, " the night the lady went missing, the town guards noticed suspicious activity".

"Suspicious activity?" I inquire, tension building.

I can hear my heart beating over the sound of the clock ticking.

"Yes, the guards stated it could have been a burglar or maybe the kidnapper themself, suspicious sounds were heard in and outside of the town," he answers.

I gulp, still afraid to look him in the eye.

He points out the investigative team, in their search, came across a set of foot prints. One that belongs to a human and the other equine. Most likely a horse. 

"I see… I hope they find the lady," I try to remain unsuspectful, feigning innocence.

"Well, my second question, will you provide me with a map of the empire?" I ask, trying to move on from the uncomfortable topic.

"Of course," he says, moving towards a bookshelf.

"Here it is," he dusts off the book and hands it to me.

I open the book, it's blank.

Maybe I opened the wrong page? I flip the pages of the book.

"It's blank," I look at him with a puzzled expression.

"You write your journey and destination in the pages. It'll guide you," he says, questionably noticing I didn't know the basics of how the map works. 

My face flushes red,

How embarrassing,

"Geez!" I mutter, heat rising to my cheeks. 

I clear my throat, 

"Right, my third question…" I hesitate for a minute.

Should I ask him about the flower?… Would he know?

"Nevermind," I let out a sigh.

He sits back at his desk.

"Actually," I pause, "can you tell me where I can get extensive information about symbols or power?" 

"That would be the library of Sol. Located beyond the Valley of Wyrms, in the divine city Merceil," he replies.

"I see…thank you," I say, getting up from my seat.

"Anytime," he rises from his seat and guides me out to the lobby, "Do come again— princess," he disappears into the buzzing crowd with a cunning smile.

"What?" My eyes widen from the unexpected comment.

I rush out of the building, paranoid, head down gripping onto the hood of my robe. I flag down the nearest person standing next to the guild door,

"What's the nearest inn?"

"Clover inn," the person replies.

"Thank you," I say, rushing out.

 I open the book to quickly scribble,

"Clover inn"

 An orb appears from the book, guiding me forward. I climb on Orphnaeus's back and follow the orb. 

"He was right," I say, in awe, standing in front of an inn.

I'm seeing and witnessing so many new things, I forget my paranoia for a moment.

I dismount and tie Orphnaeus outside the inn where he can rest for the night. I walk into a lively scene. People hand in hand singing drunk, laughing, crying, showing all types of emotions. I have never seen such brilliance. I laugh light heartedly walking over to the reception witnessing people live their lives. 

"A room for the night, please," I ask the young boy at the reception desk. 

"Sure. Anything to eat for the night?" He asks.

"Uh— yes I'll take whatever you got on the menu," I reply.

He stops what he's doing and looks up at me.

"You want everything on the menu?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh– no, I uh, just the chicken and some soup," I clarify, embarrassment washing over me.

I pay for my stay and meal, and walk over to my room. I lock the door immediately. I barricade it with a chair and crash onto my bed. 

I lie watching the ceiling in my room with thoughts racing across my mind. 

Why must my life be hard? I was starting to feel anger rather than sadness. I am exhausted. 

"Nothing is making sense," I mumble, tossing to my side.

"First, they want to kill me—now they paint me as a missing brat. Second, I know I left my corpse…they didn't see it? Third…" I pause, "who is that informant?" The more I think, the more questions arise, leaving me in the dark. 

I caress the flower on the side of my shoulder.

"What are you?" I drift asleep.