Aftermath

The palace was unsettling for everyone. The once-majestic buildings, which usually stood as symbols of strength and stability, now seemed to echo Kael's terrible mood. The grand hallways, with their high ceilings and intricate tapestries, felt oppressive and heavy, as if weighed down by the collective anxiety of its inhabitants. Staff members, usually accustomed to the palace's grandeur, now moved through its corridors with an unspoken sense of dread. Whispers of fear and speculation spread among them, and the usual hum of activity was replaced by a tense silence. The news of Lilien's disappearance had cast a long shadow over the entire palace, deepening the anxiety and uncertainty that gripped everyone within its walls.

The streets outside were alive with frantic activity as knights and soldiers swarmed in search of Lilien. They combed through alleys and scoured every corner, their faces set with determination and worry. Despite their relentless efforts, there was no trace of her—no clue, no sign of where she might have gone. The city, once vibrant and bustling, now felt like a shadow of itself, haunted by the absence of its beloved queen.

Inside the palace, Kael sat in his office, surrounded by piles of files and documents. His desk, usually a place of order and efficiency, had become a sea of paper, reflecting his inner turmoil. He attempted to review the reports submitted to him that morning, but his mind was unfocused, unable to concentrate on the task at hand. His usual sharpness was dulled by the anxiety and frustration that had taken hold of him. The room, with its grandiose furniture and ornate decorations, felt stifling, and the silence was punctuated only by the occasional rustling of paper.

Kael's frustration was palpable. He paced the room restlessly, his thoughts consumed by Lilien's disappearance. If not for the presence of his vassals and the responsibilities that bound him to his office, he would have ventured out himself to search for her. The thought of her being out there, unprotected and vulnerable, gnawed at him. Every moment that passed without any news only deepened his sense of helplessness and anger. He was trapped by the demands of his position, yearning to take action but feeling powerless to do so.

"Kael," Keara called as she walked in. He looked up with distant eyes. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he replied.

"Do you think she left because she noticed we weren't taking her home?" Keara asked.

"And kill the guards?" Kael retorted, causing Keara to look down.

There was no way to determine what had happened to Lilien, as every lead had vanished without a trace. The absence of any concrete evidence left them in the dark about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. With no clues to follow, and no suspects or motives to investigate, the sense of uncertainty was overwhelming. The lack of answers only fueled Kael's frustration, amplifying his sense of helplessness. Each theory, no matter how improbable, was considered and discarded, but none brought him closer to the truth. The few possibilities that remained only seemed to deepen the mystery, adding layers of complexity to an already dire situation. This tangled web of uncertainty was a constant source of agitation for Kael, exacerbating his anguish and making every passing moment feel like an eternity.

"I just… I wish there were more I could do to find her," Keara said, sitting down.

"The spell…" Kael began. "The protection spell is still intact, so she's fine. I just wish I could track her exact location," he said.

Someone knocked on the door, drawing their attention. Lucy entered with a worried expression.

"What happened to Lilien?" was the first thing she asked.

"We don't know, but everyone is looking for her right now. I'm sorry for the trouble," Kael said, trying to sound composed.

"I don't need an apology," she replied. "I just need my sister to be safe, Your Majesty," she said.

"I feel the same way," he replied. Lucy sighed and stepped forward.

"I've contacted people from Garhian. There's no way she could have been transported there without my knowledge."

"The borders have been closed off. No one is allowed to leave without permission," he said.

"We have to find her, Your Majesty," Lucy said.

"I know," he replied. She curtsied and left without further comment.

"Kael," Keara called.

"We'll find her, I'm sure of it," he said, standing up. "I'm not sitting still any longer," he said, walking to the door.

"I'm going as well," Keara said.

"No," Kael said, turning to look at her.

"I'm going, Kael," she repeated, and he sighed.

"Fine, but you need to keep me in sight at all times," he said.

"No, I'm going alone," she insisted.

"Don't go missing on me," he said and left.

…

At Lilien and Callum's meeting point, Callum sat looking at a book. A maid approached him with an apologetic expression.

"Sir Callum," Kyra called.

"Yes?"

"Her Majesty isn't here right now," she said.

"Where is she?" he asked.

"Actually…" Kyra trailed off. "She left," she said.

"Left? To where? Why didn't she tell me?" Callum asked.

"It was impromptu," Kyra said in Lilien's defense.

"Then… Wow, I… I didn't expect this. I'll take my leave then," he said, looking dejected. Kyra curtsied as he walked out.

News of the queen's disappearance was a matter of grave concern, something that commanded respect and seriousness. In the normally hushed conversations of the palace, the topic was approached with the utmost gravity. Despite the fact that the details of her absence had become the subject of widespread speculation and concern among the populace, there was an unspoken understanding that it was not to be discussed lightly. Conversations about Lilien's disappearance were laden with worry and reverence, reflecting the deep respect and affection the people had for her. Even in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, there was a collective effort to maintain decorum and dignity, recognizing that the queen's absence was more than just a missing person—it was a profound disruption to the very fabric of their lives and governance.