38 A queen without a kingdom.

You heard me, he told him without flinching.

Sebastian raised his hands to hit him when cosmos appeared from the shadows moving towards him.

Are you fighting? he scoffed.

No, Sebastian right hand man said replied without looking at him.

Oh you all must be really drunk, he chuckled.

The man left Sebastian and cosmos without saying another word.

Sebastian was still staring at him, not saying anything.

Are you okay? Cosmos asked him, eyeing him suspiciously.

"What! "

"You don't look fine"

"What do you mean, I just drank a lot of wine earlier in there, so I am pretty unstable. "

"I noticed, if I was with you, I would have warned you. "

I am fine, really, what do you want? Sebastian asked him, reminding himself he never invited this man here.

Em, I heard something happened so...

Something like what? What are you talking about? He feigned ignorance.

I heard some dead body was found here.

Oh that, it is some shallow grave, probably someone buries their family here.

"That is odious, in a path, I mean why dig a shallow grave. "

"I don't know, is not like I know the person who did but we don't have to worry about that now because I have properly buried her. "

"Her? "

Yes, Sebastian replied growling at him. What is it now, he thought.

Nothing, cosmos said without flinching.

He hissed, walking back into the house with cosmos at his side. The intense stares of the men said it all, he was they all had heard what happened.

That punk, he spat remembering his right hand man, if he had just told him first but he was more worried about other things.

The man was getting notorious as time passes, from always questioning him to this. And he had indirectly accused him of killing the woman, not that he was wrong but how dare him.

If he had told he got his suspicion right, he will have to eliminate him, an opposition to his plans was his enemy and why would he spare his enemy?

..... ..... .... .... ..... ...

The cloud darknened gradually, the trees roared with the wind making noise too monstrous for her ears.

What the hell was am I even doing here? She blunted out. She had not makes half of the journey but she was starting to regret it.

Maybe it was a bad idea after all? After remembering that her new found Freind tried to convince her not to.

It was about to rain, it looked like a storm and she was in the open going without williams knowledge of it.

She wondered what will happen if he found out, her new friend would probably tell him where she went but before that, she was sure to get very far and he wouldn't leave the palace searching for her.

He would definitely send the royal gaurds to, how ironic, his father did that to. The second time she was running from them but this time around she wasn't escaping, she was seeking for a solution to their problem. That would maybe safe them from the impending danger.

She wasn't sure of plan, but what was the bad in trying. But she was afraid, this wasn't about trying, she desperately needed help, they all do.

... ... ..... ..... .... ....

He hadn't seen Natalie all morning, he wasn't bothered at first, she had insisted in staying sleeping her room and he didn't convince her not to. Maybe she needed, time for herself, so many things had happened, so many of them did too fast which could have overwhelmed her. He felt some type of way too.

But it was getting to midday and he didn't see her, she haven't had breakfast too, what was she doing in there. It was already mid day when he came to the door knocking.

No answer, was she dead, and image of his mother commuting suicide came floating into his mind and he panicked.

He pulled the door knob and he realized it wasn't locked all along.

He opened the door slowly only to see nothing but a pile of clothes on the bed, she wasn't in the room.

Where did hell was she? He thought. Was history repeating itself again., was she kidnapped. That was impossible, with all the guards stationed in the palace, it was very safe.

Had she escaped again , maybe she had realized that they we're never going to happen, together and all these was a waste of time.

But where did she go? He asked himself, his mind was blank and terribly he was alone, he didn't excited act Gerald not until tomorrow and he had no one to talk to.

How did he get here, he was worried for her than himself and he soon forgot that he already had an impending problem, "Sebastian."

He sat on the on the bed confused, he wasn't prepared for this at all.

He heard a knock on the door and he was startled, he opened it to see the surprised look on his face. He had forgotten about him until now.

Your majesty, its you, he said grazing off him like he was embarrassed.

Good day to you, my friend, how are you doing? Williams asked him straightening up. better than yesterday and where is queen Natalie? He asked, hoping she had taken his advice.

She is not here, actually she is missing?

Missing? He said aloud, so she had gone...

Excuse me? Williams blunted out not hearing what he was saying.

did he say that out loud? He thought.

Em, I am very surprised. Where did she go? He said pretending not to know.

I am more confused than you? Williams said sincerely. but don't worry, I am sure she is safe. Even though I don't know what this is about.

Natalie told me not to tell anyone, he thought, but it is hard keeping it to myself. Williams looked so worried. He went into the his room and tried to sleep but couldn't, he was having nightmares and he grew worried.

What if Natalie wasn't safe, that would not be a surprise since she was out there alone in the woods with only an ace, he had given her in case something happened.

He should have gone with her, when he couldn't convince her not to go, he was hoping she would change her mind.

He then decided to tell him, he couldn't live with the guilt knowing she was not safe and he aided her.

I know where Natalie went?he said staring face to face with Williams.

You do? Did she tell you? William said, apprehensive.

Yes she did, I tried to discourage her but failed., she is really stubborn.

"You don't have to tell me that twice, OK tell me, she went to Sebastian isn't it."

"No, worse than that, she went to Gilda.

"Gilda! , what is she going to do there? "

"She is on a quest to... to tell them of Sebastian plan and convince them to join you in bringing him down. "

What! That is ridiculous, what was she thinking? And how did she do this without my telling me?.

"She was afraid you wouldn't let her and yes she is right. "

"Wait!, Excuse me, he charged at him, are you supporting this stupidity. "

No I am not, you didn't hear me, I said I tried to convince her not to.

"Maybe, you didn't try enough. "

"Look, why are you mad at me, my hands were tied... "

"You should have told me before she left, only heaven knows where she is now that if she is safe. "

Well, yes you are right but somebody had to do it?

"Do what? "

"Stop Sebastian. "

"You must be out of your mind, somebody but not Natalie, she is...

"Weak?, feeble... A woman? Maybe that, I think you are underestimating her. "

"What nonsense, she is my wife and I have the right to be worried. "

"She said you were married just for you to... "

"Well, damn that. You think I don't know, what that got to do with any of this? "

"I think you are just trying to control her and use her for your own... Whatever, do what you want now. All I know is that she is obsessed, like all of us, to be free. "

Williams gasped, his mouth wide open with nothing coming out, he tried to form the words but couldn't.

The man stared at him then he was leaving before Williams started talking, in what sounded like a whisper yet audible.

"I saw my mother struggled helplessly and killed, with no one by her side, she was strong and courageous and all that but... Look what happened, sometimes it not just about being brave. Someone would have to but not her, she is too important. "

He wanted to say something but he decided against him, maybe he was angry too, too angry that he couldn't stop her but she was still out there and they were just wasting time.

He turned to Williams and told him, his voice slow and calm.

"I will go find her, I knew this was a mistake all along".

Before Williams could say any other thing, he left.