Kidnapped Bride

"You accepted such orders from Elene." never in his life had he felt more absurd. He only wanted to scare Evangeline. Tell her that she was trapped and only he could help her. He was just an inch away from breaking her. But… he shook his head. 

"She is neither the monique dowager nor she was my wife. What made you think you all can leave because she told you so?" he scoffed when the knights looked at each other.

"The lady said it is your wish."

"......." the grim look on their faces told him that they were speaking truth.

"The lady said that you are touched by our sincerity and want to give us a day off. You have called other knights to guard for the day and we can take leave. There is no one at the palace anyway except the couple. We… we apologize for being fooled, my lord." the man spoke solemnly when Harold laughed. He laughed hard, confusing all of them.

"That little.. She had guts." he was still laughing when suddenly his face went cold. It was so cold that the knights felt goosebumps all over their skin.

"There was someone in the palace and he kidnapped my wife. Go and investigate the lands around the palace. There are many workers living in the woods out there. Or villagers.. Someone must have seen a new carriage or a man dragging a woman or anything. I want to know where she is before dusk or you would not want to know what I will do with you." The knights bowed their heads and left at once.

Harold looked above when he felt someone's gaze and noticed the monique dowager staring at him. He knew she could not hear them but she had a hunch on what was going on.

Her narrowed eyes and dark look told him so but he ignored her. Under her dark gaze, he took the carriage. His aide passed him a map of the lands.

"If the man wanted money, he would have already contacted Callum. The man want something else." Callum nodded solemnly. He was not sure why his master was suddenly so anxious. It could not be as simple as fear of investigative officers. His master was in love with the second daughter. He had married the first daughter only for money and position. Then what made him so anxious?

"Master, is it not better that the lady die?" he asked, confused, when his eyes widened. "Are you worried that she was saved by an ally and they would come against you." he nodded at the realization and checked the map again that he missed the reaction on Harold's face.

Even his staff think that he loathes Evangeline. Only he knew, he had never met someone so fascinating. Everything had always broken in his hands. Either they were butterflies he had caught in his childhood or the pet he had nurtured. Everyone had submitted to his good intentions, his smiles until he killed them after getting bored. But the woman… not even once had she looked at him with a Depending gaze.

She was always so strong, so fearsome, so erect as if she never needed anyone in the world. She did not need him. So, he would make sure that she did and until then, no one could take that woman away from him!

"The hall and stairs were stained with blood when we arrived. The lady must be injured. Even if he had hidden her in the carriage, they must have stopped in the nearest town for treatment. If not.. We can check there." Harold nodded and they both pointed at all the nearest places where a physician could be found.

Callum checked every place personally with two knights following him. Harold stood in the center of the market where men and women were walking , laughing, or working in their shops. He noticed three beggars sitting near a fountain. There was a torn cap placed in front of them. It only has a few nickel or copper coins.

With the winter arriving, the townsmen were busy with their own struggles and no one had time for tending to the poor. Harold walked closer and put a gold coin in each of their caps.

The beggars were shocked, especially the young one. A girl came forward and picked up the gold coin. She had never seen something so shiny given to her. She looked amazed when Harold chuckled.

"Oh dear, do you like that coin?" he asked, amused. His smile made the girl abashed but she nodded. Her cheeks went crimson when he smiled again.

"Then do you want more of them?" he offered, his words got the attention of every beggar sitting there. One gold coin. It was equal to thirty silver coins or hundred and fifty copper ones. One was already enough but if they got two of it, they did not need to worry about food for winters. Their eyes sparkled as each of them looked at Harold as if they were looking at god. Their god!

 The thought made his eyes flicker. 

"I am looking for my wife. She was in our garden last night when we returned from the party but someone took her away. If any of you have seen a young woman taken by a man. I will reward them. She must have put up a fight, so they both must be injured. If any clue could be provided." The beggars looked at each other as if contemplating but the girl did not need to think.

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she nodded.

"Last night when everyone slept, I was still searching for food in the dustbins when I heard the rattling of a carriage. A man covered with a cloak held a woman in his arms and went to the house of Mr Sullimore. They came out at dawn and left in the carriage." she announced with the hope of a reward when Harold sucked in a deep breath.

"What was the color of the dress the woman was wearing?"

"It was a lavender dress, sir."