Chapter 41. City Belgonia

"Bring that maid in." Peter ordered, while looking around the house for some evidence. He had been livid when he heard the news about that replacement escaping. Of course, he did expect her to escape, seeing as they were late in finding the evidence. Still that didnt stop him from feeling the anger bubbling up inside him.

He sighed, realizing that he was just behaving like Evan. He didnt know if these were his own feelings or some of them have migrated to him from staying to long with Evan. They were best friends and of course, they had a lot in common. This might be one of them. The only difference is that Evan leaned to show his anger more but, Peter would bottle up the feelings and stay low until the opportunity to take out the feelings comes.

Lately, Peter had been feeling a lot more frustrated. The case is slowly getting on his nerves. They were getting the leads and hints but, they were leading towards a dead end. Then there was the nagging feeling inside him, that this is not what it seems. A lot of strings are tangled with this one. On top of it all, Evan isn't in right mind. He was constantly diverting from the work.

Its not like that he didnt want his friend to be happy or spend time on being happy. Hell, he had never seen Evan this happy and he didnt want to bother him about all these. But, he knew Evan more than anyone. Evan took matters to heart. No matter how the matter was. If Evan ever realized that Peter was keeping away from his work, then he would be devastated. And he couldn't even keep him away from his love, he has no right to do that. The only way is to talk with Evan. But, that option is obviously disregarded.

Evan was hard headed. Nothing would enter his thick skull, unless he is convinced about it. Talking him to do something that he didnt think was right, was next to impossible. All these things, were taking a toll on Peter. And he could feel his frustration rising up. In a fit of anger, he kicked a door so hard, that the door flew off from the hinges and landed almost four foot away from him.

The loud bang startled the people who were coming in through the main entrance. The maid who was coming, let out a shriek of terror and his behind the guard, who was bringing her in. Peter whipped his head around and looked the people. He straight up marched out of the house, for some air. He felt like he was going to explode, if he stays in that house for even a second.

He took a few seconds to calm down and was about to turn towards the maid to inquire about the supposed replacement, who now was certainly the person who killed a high official of the royal court. Then, he heard the hoods of a horse, seemingly aggressive in approaching them. He looked in that direction and frowned by the sudden sound. The realization dawned on him, when he heard the sound closely. He sighed heavily. He didnt know how to handle all this emotions that were slowly rising along with the sound of horse's feet approaching them.

Peter straightened up and stood facing the corner at the end of the street. The guard all alerted up at this point. As expected, a slick black horse rounded a corner and almost came to stop on Peter. Peter seemed unfazed with an unreadable expression on his face. All the guards were a little taken aback and stared at Peter and the prince Evan with wide eyes.

Evan eyed Peter who didnt even flinch a bit. He always admired that quality in Peter. But, today, that was pissing him off. He was upset. He already knew what was happening and Peter straight up came here, not even bothering to tell him. He slowly unmounted the horse,eyeing the house before him. He saw the guards strolling up the street and knew the house was in that street. And all the maids lived in this part so, it wasn't a big deal to find.

Peter still maintaining his expression, bowed his head. All the guards, snapped out of whatever trance they were in and immediately to their prince. Evan strolled towards the entrance of the house but, didnt enter the house. There was no point in going there. "Did you get her picture?" he asked Peter, who was now beside him, a step back from his side. "The picture is made and given out." Peter replied subtly.

Evan acknowledged his statement with a nod and turned around, eyes searching. Finally, his eyes fell on the maid, who was desperately cowering behind a tall guard. She was sure, that she was going to die here from cardiac arrest. And when the eye contact was made with the cold prince of Seazle himself, she froze was sure that her heart was also frozen from the amount of fear coursing through her body.

Evan understood the situation and even though, he was annoyed by it, he made his way towards the scared female. When he stood directly in front of her, a sudden image of Aeinshia flashed in front of his eyes. Evan slightly flinched but, it was not that noticeable to anyone, expect Peter. A small frown gently settled on his face but, he decided to leave it aside and watch.

The maid started to shake badly and Evan sighed, defeatedly. "No need to be afraid. I just have some questions for you." Evan started as calm as ever. To say Peter was not surprised, would definitely be a lie. Evan is comforting someone who is not close to him? Maybe he was exaggerating with that sentence, Evan wasn't heartless but, he never comforted anyone aside from the people he is close to.

The maid peeked up to see the Prince's face and when she looked into his eyes, she quickly put her head down. She nodded meakily, saying she was good now. "Can you tell me about your friend?" Evan raised his eyebrows and tilted his head to side. The maid now looked up to his face and frowned in confusion. Nevertheless, she started speaking to avoid any troubles.

"Her n-n-name is Ma-Maya. S-she lives a-alone." she whimpered badly and continued. "She h-helped me and s-some people around. She was k-kind and g-good." she said, now a bit better with her speech. Everyone eagerly listened to her and she glanced around her nervously. She was not sure what was she supposed to say anymore.

"Anything about her past?" This time Peter took over stepping near her. The woman frowned a bit, thinking hard. "She never talked about it." She paused and seemed to dig inside her memory. Peter took this time to analyze her expressions. The woman jolted from her search for the information and stared at Evan with wide eyes.

"She used to tell me she used to work as maid in a rich house in City Belgonia." she completed her sentence with a bit hesitation and doubt.

Suddenly, Evan and Peter had wide eyes. Peter immediately spoke up stepping towards the woman, to which she stepped back in fear. "Are you sure?" Peter involuntarily raised his voice. The maid paused for some moments, which was absolute torture for the two men. She timidly nodded her head, confirming her said statement.

Evan and Peter shared a glance that said "Are you thinking the same thing as me?" With wide eyes, they both nodded and quickly walked towards their horses.

Evan looked at Peter, who mounted his horse and spoke with a stern face.

"We found it."