The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the imperial palace was alight with the warm glow of torches. Yet, neither Lady Selene nor Prince Aedric felt any warmth from the flickering flames. The priest, Elias, was missing, and as the hours dragged on without any sign of him, their worry deepened.
Lady Selene sat in her chambers, her usually calm demeanor strained with frustration. "It's as if he's vanished into thin air," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even the shadow guards have found no trace of him."
Prince Aedric, pacing back and forth across the room, clenched his fists. "This isn't normal, Selene. Someone took him, and they're hiding him somewhere even magic can't reach." His jaw tightened. "We can't afford to lose him. Not like this."
Lady Selene nodded, her eyes sharp. "Then we need to bring in someone who can help us." She paused, then added, "Even if it means dealing with his arrogance."