Chapter 109: Elise Is Missing

As Alia stepped out of the training hall, she instinctively glanced around, expecting to see Elise waiting for her as usual, holding a cup of warm tea. But today, Elise was nowhere to be found.

Alia frowned slightly, recalling the past—no matter how late her training ended, Elise was always there, like a caring younger sister, ready with a fresh towel and warm tea. Yet today, she was absent.

Turning to Emma, Alia lowered her voice and asked, "Have you seen the girl who's always with me?"

Emma raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "No, I haven't seen her at all today."

Alia's frown deepened. She wasn't upset about Elise not attending to her—after all, she had never treated Elise as a mere servant but as a sister. What she felt now was not displeasure but worry.

Her first thought was that Elise might have gone to see Adrian, but she quickly dismissed the idea. Alia knew exactly how Elise felt about Adrian. Elise had never sought Adrian out on her own; it was always Adrian who approached her. And even if Elise had wanted to see him, she would have told Alia in advance rather than disappearing without a word. A vague sense of unease crept into Alia's heart.

She couldn't afford to wait. Without hesitation, she turned and walked straight toward Mark.

Mark was in the courtyard, directing a few servants in tending the garden. When he saw Alia approaching, he immediately stopped what he was doing and bowed slightly. "Madam."

Alia got straight to the point. "Mark, where is Elise?"

Mark's gaze flickered briefly before he responded, "She went back her parents' house. Said she had something to take care of."

Alia's eyes darkened, and the unease in her heart surged. Something wasn't right.

Her voice turned cold. "What matter? Why didn't she tell me in advance?"

Mark seemed to have anticipated her questioning. He bowed his head respectfully. "I'm not sure either. I only know she returned home. For now, Karen will be handling your daily affairs."

As he spoke, he gestured toward a woman standing nearby. Karen stepped forward, her posture straight and composed, exuding an air of efficiency. She curtsied slightly and said, "Miss, I will be taking care of your daily needs from now on."

Alia's gaze swept over Karen indifferently. A decision had already formed in her mind.

She didn't like being presented with a replacement without explanation. She liked even less the fact that Elise had left so suddenly, with no notice or farewell. But she knew that Mark wouldn't reveal anything further, and if she displayed too much urgency now, it might only make things worse.

Quickly suppressing her emotions, she kept her expression cold and impassive. "Fine. I'm tired. I'll be resting. Do not disturb me for the rest of the night."

Mark hesitated slightly, as if assessing the truth in her words, but Alia didn't spare him another glance. She turned and walked away.

As she stepped forward, she discreetly shot Emma a meaningful look before continuing toward her room without a backward glance.

—She needed time to think, and more importantly, she needed a space where she wouldn't be watched to plan her next move.

Night fell like ink, shrouding the castle in darkness. The dim light in the room cast a long shadow of the figure standing by the window.

Emma slipped into Alia's room, moving as silently as a breeze. Her sharp gaze swept over Alia—now clad in dark nightwear, tailored for agility, with a few lightweight tools strapped to her waist. She was clearly prepared.

Leaning against the doorframe, Emma crossed her arms, her expression laced with amusement. "You must really care about that girl—to risk sneaking out at such a dangerous time. So, what do you need me to do?"

Alia lifted her eyes, her gaze steady and resolute. She wasted no words. "I had planned to slip out on my own, but ever since the kidnapping incident, the number of guards around the castle has tripled. They may be here for my protection, but they also limit my movements."

She paused before continuing, "Elise isn't someone who would leave without saying anything. I tried calling her several times today, but she didn't answer. I'm almost certain something has happened to her. And Mark… he's hiding something." Her voice was low, tinged with barely restrained anger.

Emma listened to her calm analysis, an intrigued expression crossing her face. "So, you're planning to go find her yourself?"

Alia nodded decisively. "Luckily, I know Elise's parents' house address. It's not too far from here. If she really went home, I can at least confirm she's safe. But if she never made it there…" Her gaze sharpened. "Then this is far more serious than I thought."

Emma tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Your plan makes sense, but there's one big problem—how do you leave the castle? The guards won't let you step outside at night."

Alia met her gaze, determination unwavering. "That's why I need your help. You managed to sneak into the castle before and evade all the soldiers. I trust you have a way to get me out."

Emma chuckled, a sly glint in her eyes. "You have quite a bit of faith in my skills." She straightened, rolling her wrists before giving Alia's shoulder a light pat. "Alright. Since you trust me that much, I won't let you down."

Her eyes flicked over Alia's attire, and she nodded approvingly. "You're all set. No need to waste any more time. Let's move under the cover of night."