Chapter 29: Midnight Revelation.

"What is happening?" I inquired.

They kept quiet but looked fearful.

"It either you tell me what is going on, or I'll force my way out, and no one should stop me!" I yelled and they fell to their knees

immediately.

"Please your majesty, the Alpha will put an end to us if you go out." The senior maid said fearfully.

"Then tell me what happened, I won't go out. I promise."

"The crowned prince has escaped."

I became stupefied as I staggered to the bed.

"How?…how did he escape?"

"We don't know your Highness, but the Alpha gave us the order to keep you here till they find him."

I sat on the bed as my mind raced with thoughts. A man that could use a love spell can even kill me and he has escaped!

The queen regent! She must be behind this. She wanted to have me killed earlier and this will be her doing.

"I have to see Lorien."

"Please your Majesty, have mercy upon us," They said in chorus.

"It's very urgent, his life is also in danger!"

"We can't let you out, Your Highness; it's the Alpha's order." They replied apprehensively.

I had a sudden headache and placed my hand on my head. Today's activities were too stressful, and it affected me.

"I need some medicines. I have a migraine."

The senior maid went out, and the others locked the door behind her; after a while, she came holding some ground herbs.

"You should try and drink this bitter herb Your Majesty. It will make you calm."

The ground herb water was served into a cup, and I drank it; it was bitter, but as long as it could cure my headache, I was okay with it.

I was told to rest on the bed and I heeded, quietly waiting for Lorien.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lorien's POV

Wrath shrouded me as I saw my combatants coming from the direction I dispersed them.

Alistair must be somewhere close, he couldn't have gone far but we could not find him. He must have transformed to make his escape effortless but he could not have done that without assistance.

"We could not find him, Your Majesty."

The warriors said as they assembled.

"It's already late, we have to get back to the castle. We will continue our search tomorrow." I said as I turned my horse and headed towards the castle, the warriors following me on their various horses.

Seraphina was on my mind, she must have heard the news and gotten terrified. I could leave her or the castle alone, it was too risky.

We entered through the opened gate and the guardsmen closed it immediately. I got off my horse and walked to the two kneeling guardsmen on the floor.

They were guarding the dungeon but did not know how Alistair escaped.

"Where is he?" I thundered angrily.

"Please forgive us, Your Highness; we have been guarding the dungeon for years, but something like this has never happened before."

"So why did it happen now? How could you let the queen's kidnapper go Scot free?"

"Kill us, your majesty! We don't deserve your Mercy." They pleaded.

These two have been the best to guard the dungeon and any of the other prisoners have never broken out. Alistair had shady powers assisting him and I hope it's not from this castle.

"Chain them and triple the security at the gate, not only the gate but everywhere. I had gone to the dungeon earlier before we went out, and the other inmates claimed no one had entered, although Alistair's cell was far and in another direction from them.

They swore they all dozed off at the same time and soon after that, the search for Alistair began.

"Alert the people tomorrow morning to be on the lookout for the crowned prince; anyone who hides him will be punished alongside him," I commanded, and they bowed.

"Where is my son?" Mother's voice called out as she ran towards me.

"He escaped, mother."

"What do you mean he escaped? I warned you not to lock my son up because of that woman now look what happened, are you happy now? " She replied.

"Calm down Mother, Seraphina has nothing to do with this….

"She does! She does; please, Lorien, find my son for me. Find your brother!"

"I will but you have to sleep…

"I am not sleeping until you find me son!" she snapped and walked away.

I headed to my chamber and knocked thrice. The maids immediately opened the door and bowed, making way for me as I entered.

"She took some calming herbs but kept her eyes open until a while ago."

I glanced over her rising and falling body, she was deeply in sleep.

"Thank you for keeping her safe for me," I said; it was the first I'd ever appreciated maids, and they looked amazed.

"We are blessed to receive your gratitude, your majesty. No one will dare take the queen while we are alive." The senior maid said gently and I smiled.

"You can leave now and be wary," I replied and they bowed.

"We have prepared your bath and your food in advance, Your Majesty, the queen herself organized it while we assisted her."

I smiled gently, she must have thought I'd get so deep in the search and took her time to arrange my bath.

"Goodnight, Your Highness." They said in chorus then left.

They seemed excited at the manner that I spoke to them but they deserved it.

I locked the door and undressed then walked to my bathing tub. The water was clean and stagnant. She had arranged every necessary thing needed for the bath. I stepped into the tub and felt the warmness of the water then relaxed and thought about Alistair's getaway.

Mother seemed distressed and would do everything to find her; she was just too dramatic.

Since he had help from a shady place, it would be difficult to find him. Who could have helped him? Seraphina already told me we had enemies on the inside which means I have not been functional in the castle all because of her.

I realized I have been getting soft recently and it was not a good sign. My father has always taught me that a soft heart is the beginning of a falling king. I have been developing a soft heart for Seraphina, and I dislike that. Even though I tried to hide it, it still shows.

I have to get back on track and find Alistair before he initiates another crime. I finished bathing and got out of the tub then put on a linen robe.

I heard Seraphina murmuring something and I strolled into the room. I got on the bed and sat beside her, she had tears flowing down her face. She was asleep but it seemed she was having a nightmare.

"Please don't kill me…please…

"Seraphina?" I called out as she muttered those words.

"But I can't leave like this… not like this."

I placed my hand in hers and took her in my arms then whispered into her ear.

"Seraphina? Wake up."

She stopped murmuring slowly and opened her eyes, her eyes glowed with excitement as they saw me. She was midawake.

"Lorien!" she said as she embraced me.

"That was an alarming nightmare you had." I chuckled softly, comforting her.

"Why did you make me stay here? I was worried about you," she replied, sounding sober as ever.

"Worried about me? Searching for Alistair is not a big deal."

"What if something had happened? What if…

I held her her shoulders and made her look me in the eyes.

"I'm the Alpha, nothing can happen to me. I cannot die so clean up those tears."

She nodded and cleaned her eyes gently.

"What about him? Did you locate him?" she asked eagerly.

"Unfortunately, no, but we are leaving tomorrow, early morning, and comb through the kingdom carefully." I retorted.

"I can come and help Lorien.

"You will. I can't leave you all by yourself, Seraphina; you'll be by my side starting from tomorrow." I declared and she beamed sweet.

"Thank you, Lo… I mean my Alpha."

"What nightmare were you having?" I inquired and she looked down at the sheets.

"It's nothing serious…

"But you cried? It's fine if you don't want to say it but just know I'll always be here for you." I interrupted and lay on the bed then she placed her head on my chest carefully.

"How I wish the world was problem-free," she whispered and I smiled.

"There won't be a world without a problem but as long as we stay together in unity and fix things, the world will be even better to live in," I explained.

"Go to bed Lorien," she said as she yawned.

"You know we should…

She had dozed off and I grinned silently as I pulled the blanket over us, then pecked her forehead.

I clutched my arm around her waist and pulled her to me, using my body to protect hers.