1 The Missing King

The handheld mirror on her hand suddenly fell with a crash, causing a large crack to form.

Princess Amelia leaned forward to pick up the mirror, but just as her finger touched the cold surface, a sharp pain pricked on her finger. Red blood dropped onto the mirror.

Bad omen.

"Asher," she muttered unconsciously.

As his name escaped her lips, a hot pain struck through her mind like lightning, causing her to fell off the chair. Gasping in pain, Amelia wrapped her arms and hand around her head as if it would stop the pain.

The broken mirror beside her cracked into tiny pieces by an unknown force.

"Rawr!"

Suddenly, a white creature with an appearance akin to a snow-white tiger cub landed on her side. The creature licked her hand and face as if soothing her.

Amelia panted as she tried to recover from the pain. Once she got over the pain, Amelia opened her eyes into a slit and forced a smile at the creature that has been accompanying her for as long as she could remember.

"I'm alright now, Snow." Her finger ran through Snow's white fur.

The white furry animal continued to lick at her hand until he was sure that his master was in good condition. Only then did he stopped to rub its fur against Amelia's face.

'Knock! Knock!'

Amelia shifted her gaze when someone knocked on her door. She stood up carefully and tidied up herself before she let the person enter. Soon, her maidservant; Rae entered her room.

"Your highness," Rae said with a curtsey. "The advisor seeks for your audience."

Amelia nodded, signaling her maidservant to let the young adviser into her the receiving room.

Her lips tightened impatiently as she watched the young adviser walked in. She signaled her maidservant to leave them alone and Rae tacitly curtsied and retreated outside.

Once the door was shut, Amelia leaped to Damian into a hug.

"It has been five days. He told me that he will be going for two days. Damian, I'm worried," she pulled away to look at him. "The people are worried. Would you please tell me where my brother went to? He's involving himself in something dangerous, isn't he?"

Adviser Damian had an uneasy look on his face.

"Damian, you have to tell me where he went to. Perhaps I could help," she sighed with frustration when Damian gave no hint to tell her where Asher had gone missing. "Aren't you worried at all?"

"Princess Amelia," Damian called softly.

Amelia bit her lip at her accusation. She of all people should know how worried Damian was now that Asher had gone missing for days.

Damian Chase was the king's most trusted adviser. His best friend. The two of them had shared a lot together. If anyone would be worried about her brother's disappearance, Damian would be the one.

"I'm sorry," she swallowed. "I shouldn't have said that. Of course, you are worried," Amelia turned around and sat down on the chair. Then, she buried her face under her palm for a brief second, trying to compose herself.

Damian's gaze softened. He inched towards the princess and pulled her into a hug, patting her hair.

Despite her status as royalty, Princess Amelia was like a sister to him. He had watched her grow up. Both King Asher and he doted on her. The three of them were so close that when they were together in private, none of them was allowed to address each other formally.

"You're right," Damian broke the silence and pulled away. He looked straight into her emerald eyes and sighed. "Alright. Amelia, you do deserve to know the truth."

"You will tell me where Asher went to?"

Adviser Damian nodded hesitantly. His lips curved into a small smile as Amelia's face brightened. "But I need you to see this first."

Amelia raised her eyebrows at the piece of paper in Damian's hand. "What is it?"

"Asher wanted me to give this to you if he didn't return within the period that he promised you. I thought about keeping this for a while longer because I believe that he will return us," he said, watching the princess unfold the letter. "But I think this is very crucial right now."

Amelia read the words on the paper a few times before she tilted her head with a confused expression. "Damian? What is the meaning of this?"

There was nothing much written on that paper except for her brother's apology that he had failed to return as promised. Her brother mentioned something about ascending the throne, but even after rereading it for a few times, Amelia could not understand her brother's words.

Damian fished into his pocket and pulled out a ring. It was not hard for Amelia to guess the owner of that ring. She had watched that ring rested on her brother's hand for years.

"Asher wanted you to have this," The adviser spoke. "You're going to need this to ascend the throne."

A dry laugh escaped her lips. Then, she stopped as she noticed the seriousness in Damian's face. "Are you serious? Ascend the throne? Me?" Amelia gritted her teeth. "Tell me what is Asher up to? Why does he need me to look after this country? What could be more important than his people?"

"Asher—he didn't want you to know what he's been up to because he was up to because he was worried about your safety."

Amelia frowned with anger. "What do you mean, for my safety?"

"He," Damian paused, looking contemplated on what he was about to tell her. "He was investigating the late king's death. Asher received an anonymous letter six months ago. The letter hinted that your father's death was no illness. He was poisoned to death."

"No," Amelia shook her head. "That doesn't sound like Asher at all. He wouldn't just leave the country because of some uncertainty. The letter could be bogus."

"That's what Asher thought too. But suspicious things around your father's death arose when he began his investigation."

"Like what?" Amelia asked impatiently.

"He found out that your father's physical records were altered by the Royal Physician. There were medicine and tonic prescribed but never drank by your father. Asher knew this because he was the one who looked after those medicine prescribed."

Amelia set her eyes firmly on Damian's. "If that is true, why haven't Asher said anything to me? He could have come and discussed this matter with me."

"He can't. Because your life would be in danger," Damian took a deep breath when he noticed Amelia was about to protest. "I will tell you everything you need to know. But please listen to me first."

Amelia pondered for a moment and nodded hesitantly.

"Amelia, there were a few attempts to kill your brother when he ascends the throne. The attempts frequented when he was investigating your father," Damian continued. "Asher was afraid that someone might be after your life if you learn anything about your father's death."

Amelia staggered backward. She held to the frame of her table to support herself. Then she looked up to Damian with doubt in her eyes. "Wait. If Asher didn't want to tell me any of this because he was worried about my safety. Then, why are you telling this to me now?"

His eyes softened. "Because I want you to know what you're about to get into if you were to accept Asher's order to step in as his substitute. You need to know what you are dealing with in the future."