Nine

In the dimly lit room, the air was heavy with anticipation as Alana's father and grandmother engaged in a serious conversation. The room was adorned with intricate tapestries, depicting scenes from ancient battles and royal lineage. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the aged faces of the two individuals seated across from each other. Father of Alana, a man with greying hair and deep lines etched into his face, spoke with a mixture of concern and determination.

"Well, I'm going to tell you everything, sit down," he said, his voice carrying the weight of his words.

Grandmother, a graceful woman with silver hair cascading down her shoulders, gracefully settled into her seat, her eyes fixed on Alana's father. The room fell into a contemplative silence as Alana's father began to unravel the secrets of the past, his voice filled with emotion.

"Fifteen years ago, we were embroiled in a fierce war with the humans," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "Neither side held a clear advantage, and the situation seemed insurmountable. Desperate for peace, the humans proposed a union between our families. I vehemently opposed it, but the council voted in favor, and I could only watch helplessly as the decision was made."

As he spoke, Alana's father's eyes darted between his mother and the memories that haunted him. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white, reflecting his inner turmoil.

"The humans made a dire promise," he continued, his voice cracking with a mix of anger and concern. "They declared that if Alana and Clara were to divorce, they would wage war against us. I cannot bear the thought of lives being lost because of me. Every life is valuable, and I am determined to avoid such a calamity."

Grandmother listened intently, her expression a mix of reassurance and determination. Her eyes held a glimmer of confidence as she spoke.

"They dare not harm us as long as I am here," she asserted, her voice filled with conviction. "By the way, did you know that Alana has a daughter with Lucie?"

Alana's father's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth agape. He struggled to find words, his emotions swirling within him like a tempest.

"What? Seriously?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief and excitement. "That means I'm a grandfather! I would love to meet her. Please, Mom, bring her one day so I can see what she looks like."

Grandmother's gaze softened, a warm smile spreading across her face. She reached out, placing her hand gently on her son's, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"I have watched her grow, and I also have a favor to ask," she said, her voice filled with affection.

Without hesitation, Alana's father nodded, his eyes fixed on his mother, a mix of love and concern evident in his gaze.

"Of course, anything you want," he replied, his voice filled with unwavering support.

Grandmother leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with a sense of purpose.

"Can I have access to the castle documents?" she asked, her eyes searching his for understanding. "And can you gather all the guards? I wish to see each and every one of them."

Perplexed, Alana's father furrowed his brow, curiosity burning in his eyes.

"Why gather all the guards?" he inquired, his voice tinged with both confusion and intrigue.

A mischievous glint danced in Grandmother's eyes as she replied, her voice laced with mystery.

"Don't ask questions, my dear," she said, a knowing

smile playing at her lips. "I know exactly what I'm going to do."

Meanwhile, in a bustling train carriage, Eloïse and Alice found themselves on a journey towards an unknown destination. The rumbling of the train and the swaying motion of the carriage made Eloïse feel increasingly queasy, her face pale and contorted with discomfort.

"I feel really sick on this train. I hate taking the train. It always makes me nauseous. I feel like I'm going to die," Eloïse thought, her internal turmoil mirrored in her physical appearance. She gingerly laid herself down, seeking relief from the relentless motion.

Observing her friend's distress, Alice grew concerned, her eyes filled with empathy.

"Are you okay, Eloïse? You look pale," Alice asked, her voice carrying genuine worry.

Struggling to find her words, Eloïse managed a weak smile, attempting to downplay her discomfort.

"Yes, don't worry. It'll pass," she reassured, her voice strained. "Tell me, how much longer do we have before we arrive?"

Alice glanced at her watch, her brows furrowing in concentration.

"We still have 1 hour and 55 minutes," she replied, her tone gentle.

"Thanks," Eloïse whispered, her mind plagued with thoughts of her discomfort. "I think I'm going to die. I've only been here for 5 minutes, but it feels like an eternity."

As the train finally screeched to a halt, Eloïse felt a wave of relief wash over her. With unbridled enthusiasm, she leaped out of the carriage, her feet hitting solid ground. Overwhelmed by a sense of liberation, she couldn't help but express her joy.

"Finally, I'm free!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with exuberance. "She starts running around and kisses the ground."

Alice, however, maintained a more composed demeanor, reminding Eloïse of their purpose.

"Get serious, Eloise. We need to find the ring quickly," Alice urged, her voice tinged with a mixture of fondness and concern. "She's so adorable," Alice thought to herself, a smile gracing her face.

Before Eloïse could respond, a voice interrupted their jubilant moment. The familiar voice belonged to none other than Jade, an experienced and slightly aloof member of their team.

"What are you doing here?" Jade inquired, her tone laced with surprise.

Eloïse's eyes widened as she recognized the face before her.

"No, what are you doing here, Jade?" she retorted, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Maria, Jade's partner, stood by her side, her expression guarded yet tinged with a hint of intrigue. She interjected, shedding light on their purpose.

"We're here on a mission to find a necklace. Look at this announcement," Maria explained, her voice steady.

Eloise and Alice exchanged puzzled glances before revealing their own intentions.

"We're here for the same thing," Alice confirmed, her voice echoing with determination.

Confusion and tension filled the air as the realization of their shared objective sank in. Eloïse's mind raced, desperate for answers. She swiftly reached for her phone, dialing the number of the young woman who had assigned them the mission. The phone rang, and a voice answered on the other end.

"Hello?" Eloise spoke, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

The young woman responded, her voice calm and composed.

"Hello," she replied. "What's the problem?"

Eloïse struggled to find the right words, her mind grappling with the unexpected turn of events.

"How come there are two teams searching for the necklace?" she inquired, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and confusion.

The young woman's response was matter-of-fact, delivering a blow to their hopes.

"I don't think you'll succeed, so I decided to have another team," she explained. "However, I will give the mission reward to the group that brings me the necklace."

As the call ended, Eloise's heart sank, her mind racing to find a solution. The tension between the two teams became palpable, each party determined to claim victory.

"Forget it. We're the ones who will find the necklace and pocket the 200,000 jewels," Maria declared, her voice filled with arrogance.

Eloise's eyes narrowed, her resolve firm.

"Dream on! We'll be the ones to find it," she retorted, her voice echoing with determination.

With the tension hanging in the air, Maria and Jade chose to diverge from Alice and Eloise, each team heading in opposite directions, their intentions clear. Jade, in her perspective, felt a sense of confidence wash over her.

"I didn't expect to see them, but well, it's us who will find the necklace first since we have more experience," Jade thought, her eyes focused on the path ahead.

Maria, walking alongside Jade, chimed in, her voice tempered by caution.

"You're probably right, but we should never underestimate those smaller than us," Maria warned, her tone tinged with a hint of concern. "Plus, remember that my arm is still injured, so we need to be very careful."

Jade nodded in agreement, fully aware of the challenges they might face. They pressed forward, their footsteps echoing through the quiet surroundings.

As Eloise and Alice regrouped, they pondered their next move. Alice's gaze met Eloïse's, her eyes filled with determination.

"So, where should we start our search?" Alice asked, her voice steady.

Eloise consulted her GPS, her mind focused on the task at hand.

"The GPS indicates that the ring is in a nearby town," Eloise replied, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and determination. "Let's go to that town and ask the villagers if they have seen the necklace before."

Alice nodded in agreement, impressed by Eloise's quick thinking.

"Yes, that's a good idea. Let's go," Alice affirmed, her voice filled with confidence.

With a shared goal in mind, Eloïse and Alice set off towards the nearby town, their footsteps echoing in sync as they embarked on their mission.

They entered the quaint town, their footsteps resonating on the cobblestone streets. Eloise and Alice approached various individuals, their eyes filled with curiosity and determination.

"Excuse me, sir, could you stop for a moment, please?" Alice called out to a passerby, her voice polite and earnest.

The passerby turned towards them, his face reflecting mild surprise.

"Yes, ladies, what do you want?" he replied, his tone accommodating.

Eloise held up a picture of the necklace, her eyes scanning his face for any glimmer of recognition.

"Have you ever seen this necklace before?" she inquired, her voice filled with hope.

The passerby shook his head, his expression apologetic.

"No, sorry, it's the first time I've seen it," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.

Alice offered a smile of gratitude, acknowledging his cooperation.

"Thank you anyway for taking the time to talk to us," she said, her voice appreciative.

Undeterred by their lack of success, Eloise and Alice continued their inquiries, approaching numerous individuals. However, the responses remained the same. No one had any knowledge of the elusive necklace they sought. As the sun began its descent, casting a warm glow over the town, Eloise made a decision.

"I think we should stop the search here and find a place to sleep," she suggested, her voice weary yet determined.

Alice agreed, the weariness evident in her voice as well.

"Yes, there's a hotel nearby. Let's go there," she agreed, her voice tinged with relief.

Their tired feet led them to the entrance of the hotel, and they stepped inside. The atmosphere was cozy, with dim lighting and a welcoming ambiance.

"Good evening, sir," Alice greeted the innkeeper, her voice polite.

The innkeeper, a middle-aged man named Monsieur, returned the greeting with a warm smile.

"Good evening, ladies. How can I assist you?" he asked, his voice friendly.

Eloïse stepped forward, her fatigue apparent, but her determination unwavering.

"We would like to take two rooms, please," she requested, her voice tinged with a touch of weariness.

The man face fell slightly, regret lining his features.

"I'm sorry, but we only have one room left," he informed them, his tone apologetic.