Intrusion

"Lord Darrion is here to see you, princess," Lucy informed Athena. 

"Send him away," she said emotionlessly as she continued reading the book in her hands. 

Though the princess was no longer under house arrest, she had not left Hemlock Mansion in a month. Rumors claimed that she was ill but no one was sure. 

Apart from an occasional visit from King Orion, no one else had seen her. No one dared to ask the king about his daughter either. 

Lord Darrion had been refused countless times. But this time, he was adamant about seeing her for himself. 

So, when the maid gave him the answer he had expected to hear, he was having none of it. Lord Darrion barged into the courtyard looking for the princess. 

"Lord Darrion! You can't do this!" Lucy gasped as she ran after him. 

He headed in the direction of her bed chamber, thinking she was cooped up in bed. But to his surprise, when he entered, she was nowhere to be found.