15 First Daughter of Lorelei
***
Castlebourne
Telmarath
"Is there no news about my brother yet?" asked Edmund.
The crown prince had come to visit Howard's study as usual, where Howard was arranging many of his plans to maintain the stability of the Athalaris Kingdom.
"Be patient, Prince Edmund. We already know what happened to Prince Alexander's procession," Howard replied, standing tall before his study window, staring out into the landscape of Telmarath City.
"It was not bandits who killed them but soldiers from a great house!" annoyed Edmund.
"Anger will not solve anything; it will only lead you to destruction," Howard replied.
The 45-year-old man in a black-brown long shirt suit turned his body around, watching Edmund's figure in a luxurious shirt covered in gold patterns and a pure white furry coat.
"I cannot sit on my throne if you have not confirmed my brother's condition!" Edmund groaned, angrily pointing at Howard harshly.
Instead of being scared, Howard smiled broadly as if everything was fine. Howard dared to walk closer to Edmund while both Howard's hands held Edmund's two muscular shoulders.
"He is Prince of Athalaris. Every house is trying to find his presence. His Majesty has also spread the word to find Alexander," Howard replied.
"His Majesty is not the only one worried; I'm as worried as he is. I have assigned the Phantom of Council to search for Prince Alexander," Howard said.
"When can you confirm Alex's whereabouts?" asked Edmund, trying to confirm Howard's promise.
Howard was silent. It was difficult for the Duke of Athalaris to ascertain when and where Prince Alexander's whereabouts were in a short time.
The best guess Howard could give was that Alexander was being held captive by House Archibald or House Helferich.
If he was indeed being captured by House Archibald, it would make things easier for Howard. However, it would be a different matter if the Helferichs did it.
They were very clever and careful in guarding their land. It had been five years since Castlebourne had tried to bring down the Helferichs, but the result was always defeat.
"Soon. I cannot be sure when and where he is until my informants give me the details," Howard stated.
"If Alexander has not been found before my wedding, I will marry Lady Sera Lorelei. Our agreement is canceled!" threatened Edmund.
"I will try, Prince Edmund," Howard replied.
With his heart still upset, Edmund waltzed out of Howard's study, leaving the Duke of Athalaris alone with his thoughts.
'There is not a single trace to be found there. I think I'm dealing with a wise man,' Howard grumbled.
'Is it possible Prince Quentin did it?'
Howard turned around and looked forward again, gazing at the landscape of Telmarath City with the sight of the people going about their business.
'It's impossible. Quentin is a foolish man. He doesn't understand politics or government at all.'
***
Avolire Castle
Redfair
News of Prince Alexander's kidnapping had already spread throughout the kingdom, including House Lorelei.
They had yet to take any action in response to what Castlebourne had told them about Alexander's disappearance.
Lord Caspian was still seated on the throne of Avolire Castle, with Lady Sera and his other children standing together to the right of the throne room's red carpet.
"Prince Alexander has not yet been found. It's been five days since the news of Alexander being kidnapped," revealed Lord Caspian Lorelei.
"Then what about your agreement with Duke Howard?" asked Lady Grace, wife of Caspian Lorelei.
"If Alexander cannot be found, the agreement is canceled," replied Caspian firmly.
"If the agreement is canceled, the alliance with Reingard will likely be broken, Lady Grace," interjected House Lorelei's advisor, Sir Mathias.
"Do we need to break the alliance with Reingard?" asked Lady Grace.
"It is for the honor of House Lorelei. Reingard has broken the oath they made three years ago," emphasized Sir Mathias.
Standing to the left of the red carpet, Sir Mathias began to move his body to the side, thoroughly looking at Lord Caspian sitting on the throne of Avolire Castle.
"You must consider the honor of House Lorelei, Lord Caspian. If we remain loyal to Reingard, they will abuse us again," stated Sir Mathias.
He glanced sharply to the side, looking at Lady Grace solemnly, "In the end, Reingard will forever regard House Lorelei as a lowly house easily betrayed."
Lord Caspian was silent, his eyes watching the dispute between them, Lady Grace and Sir Mathias.
Lady Grace was firm on maintaining the alliance with Reingard, while Sir Mathias wanted House Lorelei to end the alliance with Reingard.
Among them was Lady Sera, who looked confused about the situation.
She was devastated and heartbroken when she heard Prince Edmund preferred Lady Melissa Hildemar as his queen.
"We can propose Lady Sera as Prince Edmund's second wife," insisted someone from Lady Grace's side.
"Are you disrespecting Lady Sera? A second queen is the same as death. Lady Melissa does not want Prince Edmund's attention to be split," revealed Sir Mathias.
"The worst result is the tragedy of Queen Catherine's assassination. We all know who killed the Great Lady of Helferich!" stated Sir Mathias.
"STOP IT!" shouted Lord Caspian, causing the entire halls of Avolire Castle to fall silent.
"You're busy talking alliances and honor when it's Lady Sera who will bear the burden of humiliation. Don't you understand that?!" growled Lord Caspian, snapping at everyone in the place except for Lady Sera.
Lady Sera was bowed down languidly, both eyes closed.
The 24-year-old beauty with reddish-black hair couldn't help but cry as she realized she was being used as a subject for dispute within the halls of Avolire Castle.
Lord Caspian turned his head to the side, seeing his first daughter sobbing in a low voice. The dispute within this room must have affected the woman's mind.
"I will decide later. Now, you all go and leave me alone with Lady Sera!" declared Lord Caspian.
Without arguing, one by one, the people in the room began to leave, leaving Lord Caspian alone with Lady Sera.
After everyone left, Lord Caspian stood up from the throne and stepped closer to Lady Sera.
He did not hesitate to embrace Lady Sera, making the beautiful woman vent her loud cries in the arms of her father's body.
"I know this is tough for you, but try to bear it, Sera," Lord Caspian pleaded.
Lady Sera nodded, closed her eyes and hugged her father's body tightly. She did not know what to do. Sera could only rely on Lord Caspian to solve this problem.
"I don't want them to fight because of me," Lady Sera stated.
"I know. For now, you should calm your mind and heart. Let me solve all these problems," replied Lord Caspian.
Realizing the strife in the palace was caused by her made Lady Sera's wild mind grow.
She only wanted the situation inside Avolire Castle to calm down. One of the ways the woman thought of was to settle down outside Avolire.
"I will solve this problem by myself," declared Lady Sera, wiping away tears and looking intensely at Lord Caspian.
"How?" asked Caspian, curious.
"With something that none of you have ever thought of!"
Lady Sera began to release her embrace on Lord Caspian's body, leaving the hall to reach her chambers.
The plan to escape with the reason to calm her mind was the right thing to do. It was impossible for her to go south, let alone west.
The best she could do was to go north, towards Lanercoast.
The day turned to night. Lady Sera was ready with her belongings. When it became deserted in Avolire Castle, the lady walked quickly with quiet steps to the stables behind the castle.
When she arrived at the stables, no one suspected her. Lady Sera could breathe a sigh of relief.
The woman mounted her white horse, sat on the saddle, and then rode quickly away from Avolire castle.
The few guards who were off guard saw the departure of Lady Sera riding quickly away from the castle.
Three horsemen began to chase after Lady Sera, who appeared to be speeding towards the north, Lanercoast.
Since there was no diplomatic agreement between House Lorelei and Helferich, the soldiers would have difficulty catching up with Lady Sera if she had already reached the Lanercoast region.
"Wait, Lady Sera!" one of the soldiers shouted.
Lady Sera ignored the three soldiers' pleas, advancing towards Lanercoast to escape. The border between Lanercoast and Redfair was the Avarde River, precisely at the Alree Bridge.
When she arrived at the bridge, Lady Sera strengthened her heart to move on through the Helferich outpost in the south.
The Helferich soldiers were now chasing Lady Sera with arrows ready to be shot at the woman. The three Lorelei soldiers could do nothing but return to inform Lord Caspian.
Amid the chase, Lady Sera finally arrived at the city of Calden, the center of Lanercoast's government. However, her horse tripped, causing Lady Sera's body to bounce forward and roll on the cobblestone road.
While visiting the tavern in the south of the city, Prince Quentin noticed a commotion on the city street close to his current position.
Out of curiosity, Prince Quentin began to spur his horse to arrive at the crowd of people on the city street.
People began to make way for Prince Quentin and his three escorts. The young man's eyes witnessed a young woman lying unconscious on the city street.
"What happened?" asked one of Quentin's guards.
"She crossed the border," stated the soldier guarding the outpost south of Lanercoast.
Quentin dismounted, walked over to the woman and crouched down. Quentin's hand reached forward, uncovering the reddish-black hair that half covered the woman's face.
Quentin was shocked to find Lady Sera before him when the hair was lifted.
"Lady Sera?" asked Quentin.
"Take her to Calden Castle!"
