The Mermaid Chase (2)

"Goodbye, Mister, Brielle. I'll see you again," Max said as he waved his hand and ran towards the forest. After Max left, we turned our back and walked our way to the cave. But suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps. I looked back to see where it came from.

"What is it, Brielle?" Papa asked, looking at where I heard the sound.

"I think there is something there, Papa," I said, pointing at the bushes.

Rustle, Rustle.

Something was moving behind the bushes!

Papa held my hand tightly as we checked the area. We silently walked, and when we were about to get hold of the bushes, something jumped out.

A rabbit!

"Rabbit... Brielle, it's just a small animal," Papa reassured. "Let's head back home."

"Yes." We walked away and headed home. But there was something that was bothering me at that place. I think I saw a shadow back there. A Human. It looked like that. No, maybe I'm just confused. There is no way a human will be here. Yeah, there is no way.

***

Sol Palace: Office of the Emperor

The Commander of the Knights, Sir Helden, entered the Emperor's Office. "Greetings to the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty Ian Caspian Callis!" He bowed his head as a sign of respect.

"How are things going?" While reviewing the stacks of documents on the table, Emperor Callis asked.

"Yesterday, Viscount Hoffman was seen visiting the Square theater, which is where the monthly auction takes place. Slaves were progressively transported inside and kept there. This slave auction was said to be special because a rare item will be sell-off."

Emperor Callis tapped the table with his finger, "Get me a ticket in the auction. I'll see what rare item Viscount Hoffman is hiding."

"At your command, Your Majesty," Helden replied.

"Is there an update on that man?" Emperor Callis added.

"Yes, Your Majesty. His name is Elias, a commoner, and worked as a meat vendor in the capital. We searched his house, but it was empty. The neighbor said that he left a few days ago. He was last seen in front of Square theater, conversing with an employee. Till now, the imperial guards were thoroughly searching for him."

"Okay. You may leave, Helden," the emperor commanded. Helden bowed his head then stepped out of the room. Emperor Callis was left alone in his office, surrounded by a mountain of paperwork. He loosened his tie, let out a long sigh, and pondered. He murmured, " Brielle...Elias...Square theater." He closed his eyes for a minute but was then disturbed by the knocking on the door.

Knock, Knock.

Creak...

"Father!"

"What are you doing here, Ethan?"

"Am I not allowed to visit my father?" Ethan sat down on the fine lavish couch and looked at his father.

"Is the world going to end? How come my firstborn child became so sweet," Ian sarcastically said.

"I'm not here for sweet talk," he answered in a serious tone. "Why did you purchase so many children's toys and dresses? Is that for that kid Brielle?"

"Heh, the news spreads faster than I thought. I should think of punishment for Helden. That talkative brat."

"Well, are you going to adopt that kid?" asked the prince.

"...No. He has a father," he said, smiling. Though he was smiling, Ethan can feel that there was an ounce of regret in his voice. He can tell that his father, the emperor, took a liking to this kid. It was strange. Really strange.

"When do you plan to meet her?"

"Why are you asking? '' The emperor was confused about his son's question. It was a rare sight that Prince Ethan, a matured prince despite being thirteen-year-old, had taken an interest in a child.

"Let me accompany you. I would like to see it myself. Just relay the information through Helden." Ethan stood up from sitting on the couch, turned back and bid goodbye by waving his hand. "Then, I'm leaving now, Father."

Ian left dumbfounded. His son was known as the cold prince. He would not look at anyone or anything except the Empress, his mother. And now, a child about whom he knows nothing but her name has piqued his curiosity! And not even that, he will spend his precious time just to meet her!

"Ha...haha… I'm not the only one who went crazy," Ian said to himself.