The Search
Elora was barely able to stand on her two feet. Her legs and hands were trembling and her hands closed tightly around her ears as if to make the obvious sounds she was hearing disappear.
She knew what those sounds were, but for some reason, she was trying her best to convince herself that she might just be overthinking. She heard the sound of a bone cracking. Was it bone?
And then… There was silence.
She wanted to turn around or open her eyes so badly but her legs were glued to the floor. She should be worried. But no. She knew he would return with not even a scratch.
“You okay?”
A shriek escaped her lips as his voice resounded right next to her ears.
“Ye…yes,” she managed, dropping her hands. “Do I open my eyes?”
“You can’t yet. Keep your eyes closed.”
She let out another shriek when he swept her off her feet all of a sudden.
“I don’t want you to walk on dirt.”
That being said, he lifted her higher and began to take steps forward. Curiosity got the better of her and before she could stop herself, she opened her eyes and looked over his shoulder, her heart jumping into her throat at the sight below her. She froze even though she’d expected it. He stepped over the bodies of the previous living guards and pushed the door open. Only after they stood in the middle of the room, the door locked did he gently let her down.
“Wh…what was that?”
His eyelids dropped. “You never listen, Princess. I clearly asked that you close your eyes.”
“What would happen if…if someone finds out? What if someone sees that and we get into trouble? If that is the case, I…I want to go home.” A line appeared in her forehead and she nibbled on her bottom lip.
“Breathe.”
“We’ll be beheaded.”
“I’ll protect you,” he reassured. “You keep forgetting who I am, don’t you? For the bodies, Draven will take care of them. He’s out there now.”
She let out a breath of relief yet still proceeded to ask. “But how do you know?”
“So many questions.”
She groaned when he flicked her forehead with his middle finger and her hand went to the spot.
“That hurts.” She pouted, rubbing the spot gently while passing him a glare.
“It’s worth ceasing your questions.”
She watched with curious eyes as he dipped his hands into his pocket and retrieved a vial. He popped the bottle open and poured the contents around them.
“What is that?”
“Another question.” He returned the vial to his pocket. “Although, I find this more reasonable so I’ll tell. This is to conceal our scent.”
“Ahh.” She nodded in understanding. “I see.” It was a safe idea. Masking their scent will prevent them from getting caught. Her heartbeat returned to normal at this discovery.
“If you do not like your head on your neck, we can stay here all night until we get caught,” Rafael warned as he walked to an armchair by the side and sat majestically on it. “But if you do love that pretty head, I’ll advise that you start the investigation now.”
Her head snapped toward him instantly. “Start what investigation? You…you brought me here.”
“Oh, I did?” His brows lifted. “I didn’t realize. All I remember is you pleading for us to investigate the death of the princess. It’s only fair that you lead.”
Elora’s jaw went slack. She opened her mouth to retaliate but only a tiny ‘You’ fell off. Had he deceived her here only to force her into the front line? She’d never investigated anything in her life, nor did she know anything about investigation. But truly, finding the cause of the princess’s death was important.
“Time is tickling, Princess.”
She could hear the amusement and smile beneath his words but she could do nothing but glare at him as if he’d wronged her in the worst possible ways.
“We…we didn’t agree on this. This is betrayal.”
“Go on, Princess. Time is ticking.”
“What do I do?” She stomped her foot on the floor. “I’ve never done this before.”
He leaned his back further into the chair, spread his legs apart, and ran his thumb over his lips. “Start searching. If you find anything suspicious, I’ll see.”
Elora bunched her dress in her palm and while dragging her feet against the floor, she reluctantly turned around and walked to the bedside. The room was a dark shade of green. The bedsheets were green and neat, like they’d been attended to even after he princess’s death. The princess must’ve surely loved green. She took the pillows from the bed and seeing nothing underneath them, she glanced behind her, her eyes landing on the man who was watching her intently.
She returned her eyes to the pillow and after she was done putting them back in place, she turned around for a second time and her cheeks reddened when she again found his eyes on her. Not around the room, not on the bed she had her hands on… but on her.
“What?” She didn’t realize until the words fell from her lips.
“What?”
“Well, you were st…staring.”
Rafael blinked. “I was staring because I was waiting for you to be fast. You won’t find a single evidence if you work like a tortoise. Go on with your investigation.”
She sneered. This time, she walked to the bedside table, pulling the drawers one after the other. They were scattered, like not only they had come looking for something. After a thorough search through the room, Elora began to sweat, exhaustion beginning to wear her out. She rose fully, placed her hands on her waist, and let out a sigh.
“I don’t think anything seems suspicious here, Rafael.” She swiveled around, her expression grim and filled with disappointment. Perhaps the princess’s death was as they said? Childbirth?
But just as she was about to turn around and leave, her eyes caught sight of something.