With him/her? NEVER!

Where is the Princess?

Barak

The following days after the weirdest surprise of the century passed as any other before. I've assisted Prince Arthur as his right hand man, the only difference was, that here and there someone stopped me to congratulate on my engagement. I groaned and slid pressing my back against the stable wall while the servants got our horses ready.

- What got into you Barak? You are usually so composed and focused, but lately... I don't know. Are you perhaps lovesick? - Arthur asked and I glanced up at him between my fingers.

- Your Highness, please allow me to let you know that I'd love to punch you right now.

- Hehe, so bad you can't! - Arthur said and I just bit my fist in frustration.

- Seriously, what's wrong? I can pull many strings you know. - I laughed at that phrase. We were technically best friends with Arthur although, due to my parents and Elda's teaching I've tried to keep a somehow professional distance form him. But when it was only the two of us, we were just two teenage boys confused by the world and its changes.

- It's my engagement.

- Honestly, I envy you! Lady Blackwell is such a fine young lady, and her family is of a highly prestigious and respected.

- Envy me? Take her please! Help me get rid of Nara! - Arthur looked overly confused.

- Sorry, I'm afraid I don't understand.

- Forget it... This is something I'll have to solve alone. - the servant came to me and handed our horses.

- Let's go your Highness. - Arthur sighed but hopped on his horse and we headed out to the nearby woods to release some tension. My mind went faster and farther than our horses. "What should I do? Nara? Fine lady? Come on! The biggest tomboy and oddball of the whole empire! She has no friends apart from the Princess and maybe her sister in law. No one is able to stand her for long... And this woman is supposed to be my bride." - a chill ran down my spine and we stopped at a clearing near the river to let the horses drink and rest a little. We sat under a huge oak tree and enjoyed the warm weather in the shade.

- How is your sister doing? - Arthur asked with his eyes closed, I kept mine open and gazed our surroundings while I've answered.

- Elda? She is doing great, they are very happy with Argus... I swear, she tamed the Northern Duke like a good puppy.

- Seriously? That man? - Arthur asked with his eyes now wide open.

- Yes! I think if she'd tell him to get rid of me, Argus would do without blinking his eyes.

- Wow... It must be nice to have someone who cherishes you that much! Actually, it would be nice to meet a lady who'd act like Argus with your sister.

- Marry Nara... She is like my sister basically.

- Even if I wanted to, I can't due to the pact! Also, Nara is like my little sister, I've never looked at her that way.

- I think you can stop pitying yourself Arty! You can get any woman from this and the neighboring Kingdoms. You are the Crown Prince after all. - he smiled but his smile wasn't the happiest. It was the polite one he shows during work and meetings.

- The fact that I should be able to choose anyone makes it impossible for me to choose. There are so many factors to take in consideration. Whatever, my father and mother will choose wisely and hopefully I'll learn to love my future wife.

- But isn't this f****d up? I mean, for example I can't imagine to love Nara... And in your case you'll have to produce heirs and all kind of adult stuff with a complete stranger that you don't even love. - Arthur shrugged and with a chuckle said.

- At the beginning of a relationship we are all strangers. Let's head back, if we stay any longer they'll send a search party again and that one time was embarrassing enough! - I nodded and grabbed the horses again. We hopped on them and by the time we arrived to the Palace we saw many knights and servants looking around desperately. When the butler spotted us he sighed with relief, but they kept searching.

- Oh what a relief your Highness and young Master Wolfie! You are both fine.

- What is going on here Bart? - Arty asked and the butler wiped some sweat off of his already white hair and forehead.

- The Princess disappeared hours ago and we cannot locate her.

- She is probably with Lady Blackwell on an outing. - Arty said and I shook my head.

- Even if they went out, Nara is more responsible. She'd never leave without a location device. - Bart modded and handed me Nara's tiny medal, she always wore. She even bragged about it to me when Nakos made it for her.

- We found this at the middle of the market. Unfortunately, no one saw them around. - Arthur looked at Bart and said.

- Father and mother?

- They left this morning. - Arthur looked lost and worried. Finally he spoke.

- We should stop the search here. If the issue escapes from the palace grounds the Kingdom will end up in an uproar... - I pat his shoulder and looked at Bart.

- Send a message to my sister the leader of the royal knights. She must arrange a search party that contains only trusted persons. Until we don't know what happened, we cannot trust anyone we don't fully know. - Bart nodded and we headed to Arthur's office. He walked up and down almost biting his nails.

- Where could they be?

- Arty, you must calm down. Even if I don't like Nara, I must admit that she's quiet intelligent and loyal to the bones. She'd never betray Amelia and Nara will protect her even if it costs her life.

- I hope that situation won't happen. - Arthur said and the doors of his office swung open. Elda marched in and bowed deeply.

- Your Highness, please worry not, we will find the Princess as soon as possible! I've already started the interrogation of the guards and her maids. The fact that Lady Blackwell is missing too is reassuring. They could be at the Blackwell residence or if they are in any trouble, Lady Nara will protect her Highness. - Arthur's eyes jumped from me to Elda and back.

- Like two peas in a pod... - he said and shook his head in embarrassment.

- I'll join the searching party Elda.

- Me too! -Arthur said but Elda shook her head.

- Your Highness must stay here under supervision. If the Princess had been kidnapped, their goal could be to lure the Prince out too.

- Do you expect me to stay put and play chess while my sister is gone? - Arthur asked with authority in his voice. Elda bowed her head slightly before answering.

- No your Highness, your role is crucial. You must act like nothing happened and maintain the peace within the palace. If it leaks out...

- I'm well aware of that situation. Find my sister, this is an order. - Arthur said, we bowed and left to find Amelia and Nara.

- I know you have your differences with Nara, but any idea where they could be? - Elda asked and I tried to think about where she is frequented.

- I don't think we should focus on Nara, she's probably tagging along for protection. We must figure out what the Princess wanted in the market.