Page 45 of Once Upon a Crown
I sighed. “We had a fight, and I need to talk to her.”
“I’m sorry,” Gwen replied and shifted in her seat with some discomfort. It wasn’t a wonder she took long breakfasts every morning with her reading material. It would be a while before she would be able to walk normally and go back to other leisurely activities. I bet she missed the archery range back home.
“How’s your ankle feeling?”
“Still the same.” She shrugged. “It’s becoming quite a nuisance, I’ll admit.”
“Well, I’m sure it will feel better soon.” I rubbed my hands together with some awkwardness, knowing I hadn’t been a good brotherly figure to her in recent times. Knowing we both couldn’t deal with what Thatcher had done and not knowing how to be there for her. Or how to even talk about it.
“Maybe you should try Her Majesty’s chambers. It’s still quite early, after all. She might be getting ready.”
“Right.” I nodded in thanks and headed back to Elara’s rooms. I was surprised to find the doors standing wide open, with Anesta inside the room, her face as white as a sheet.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” she breathed out. “I’ve asked Rhen to go and look for her. Maybe she’s just gone out for an early ride without telling us.”
“What do you mean Rhen is looking for her? Why would he be looking for her?”
Anesta looked at Elara’s empty bed and then back to me. “She was acting strange all of last night. I thought maybe she just wasn’t feeling well or something but now I don’t know...”
“How do you know she’s not just somewhere in the palace?”
“I looked through her trunk. Her cloak, her gloves, even her satchel weren’t there. I think she’s gone.”
My heart sank from my chest all the way to my feet.
Gone?
“Gone where?”
“I don’t know,” Anesta said again, although I already had a few ideas in mind and none of them were good.
My eyes drifted to her sheets, the bed neatly made as she had left it. As I walked over to the bed, I spotted a folded piece of paper on a small table nearby. It was practicallyinvisible between all the trinkets, but I spotted my name in her handwriting.
I quickly grabbed the paper and unfolded it. Letters from Elara were never a good sign.
Dear Cai,
Please don’t be angry.
Well, it was a little too late for that.
We both know the importance of this key and the diary. I really believe it to be the answer to everything. Tell everyone that I’ll be all right and not to send anyone looking for me. See you soon.
See you soon. Soon was too vague.
“What does it say?” Anesta asked.
“She’s gone to look for a key to the diary. I don’t know when she’ll be back.” I held out the letter towards her.
“Just like that?” She took the piece of paper from me. “She left just like that, without telling anyone?”
“She knew I thought it was too dangerous and that I would try and stop her,” I admitted.
“But I doubt you would do so without good reason, Your Majesty.”
“When has Elara ever listened to good reason though?”
