DAY 2

Morning had already broken, and Alex, Maya, and Elijah were prepared for the day ahead. They made their way to the dining hall, where they found Abigail already seated, surrounded by the lavish spread of breakfast dishes.

 As they took their seats, Abigail smiled warmly at them. "Good morning, everyone. I trust you slept well?"

 Just as they began to serve themselves, a guard entered the dining hall, his expression formal. "Princess Abigail, the prince requests your presence," he announced, his voice firm.

 Abigail's expression changed, a hint of concern flickering across her face. "Excuse me, please," she said, rising from her seat. "I'll be right bac

 Back at the dining hall, Alex and Maya exchanged a brief, concerned glance, but their attention was quickly diverted by the dazzling array of dishes before them.

 Meanwhile, Abigail made her way to the prince's chambers, wondering why she had been summoned. Upon arriving, she curtsied respectfully before asking, "Your Highness, why have you summoned me?"

 Prince Ryker's expression was unreadable as he replied, "I simply wished to inquire about your guests. How are they faring?"

 Abigail's eyes narrowed slightly as she responded, "They are doing well, thank you for asking. But tell me, Your Highness, are you truly concerned about their well-being, or is it something else that troubles you?"

 The prince's face darkened, his jaw clenched in annoyance. "Why would I be concerned about him?" he spat, his voice low and menacing.

 Abigail's gaze remained steady, her voice calm. "Elijah is your brother, Your Highness. And everyone knows that, despite being close once, you became sworn enemies overnight. No one knows what drove you apart, but the tension between you is palpable."

 The prince's didn't give her a response and just ignored her

 After her meeting with the prince, Abigail returned to the dining room, where Alex, Maya, and Elijah were still enjoying their breakfast. They chatted and laughed together, and Abigail joined in, putting aside her concerns about the prince's behavior.

 As the morning wore on, they finished their breakfast and continued to have fun together. The afternoon sun was shining brightly when Abigail walked in an asked, Who's up for a hike?"

 Maya's eyes lit up with excitement. "Ooh, I am! I love hiking!"

 Alex grinned. "Count me in, too. I could use some exercise."

 Elijah, however, looked hesitant. He glanced around nervously, his eyes darting towards the windows. "I don't know, guys. I'm not really feeling up for it."

 Abigail's eyes narrowed slightly. "What's wrong, Elijah? You're not tired, are you?"

 Elijah shook his head, trying to come up with an excuse. "No, it's just...I'm not really comfortable around...wildlife."

 Abigail's expression turned curious. "Wildlife? What do you mean?"

 Elijah's eyes flickered towards Maya and Alex, hoping they wouldn't notice his unease. He knew he had to be careful not to reveal his true nature. But Abigail's piercing gaze made him feel like she could see right through him.

 Maya's enthusiasm was infectious, and she convinced Elijah to join the hike. "Come on, Elijah, it'll be fun! We'll stick together and make sure you're comfortable," she said, her eyes sparkling with persuasion.

 Elijah hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded in agreement. "Okay, fine. But if I start to feel weird, I'm blaming you guys."

 Abigail smiled, pleased that Elijah had agreed to join them. "Wonderful! Let's get changed into our hiking gear and meet back here in 20 minutes."

 The group dispersed, each member heading to their respective rooms to change into their hiking attire. Elijah put on a pair of sturdy boots, comfortable pants, and a breathable shirt. He also slung a backpack over his shoulder, containing snacks, water, and a few other essentials.

 As they reconvened, A guard handed out walking sticks and led the group out of the palace and into the surrounding woods. The sun was shining, and the air was crisp and clean, filled with the scent of pine and earth.