TROUBLE

TROUBLE
Chapter 43

AUTHOR'S POV

The celebration was still in full bloom when Clio realized something was wrong.

She had been laughing moments ago, her mouth filled with berries as she helped herself to some fruits, whilst in a conversation with Jira and Benedict.

“I am so glad we came. Who would have expected this to turn out better than we imagined,” Benedict said with a handful of berries. “These are the most juicy fruits I have had in a while.”

“Yes.” Clio chimed in, munching on the recent berries she stuffed in her mouth. “It's like berries from a tropical island and not a frozen kingdom. I wonder how they got it.”

“Maybe the Goddess didn't curse the entire kingdom after all.” She added with a satisfied smile, as her eyes darted across the crowd, scanning the sea of faces.

Royanna was nowhere in sight. It had been quite a while since she left to do whatever; she should have been back by now. However, there wasn't even a trace of her.

A sliver of unease crept up on Clio's spine, and the feeling refused to leave.

“Royanna isn't back yet, I am worried.” She revealed to the others her worry, her smile slowly fading.

Jira frowned. “How long has it been? You said she went to get drinks, right?”

“I assumed, since she wouldn't tell me. She seemed to be in a hurry so I let her leave.” Clio replied, wiping her wet hands on her dress.

“If it's been a while, then I don't think we should sit back and just wait. We should look for her.” Benedict suggested, looking between Jira and Clio.

“We should check Elena first, we may find her there.” Clio proposed and the duo agreed.

Without another word, the three of them left the square. Jira quickly found Sandra, Ritha, and a few other warriors, scattered among the crowd. They whispered the situation to them, seeking their help to find her, while they went to Elena's.

“Let's meet back at Elena's stall if you find anything,” Clio informed the group before setting out with Jira and Benedict.

To not alarm the villagers, the group split into small groups and moved quietly through the streets, calling out Royanna’s name under their breath.

Arriving at Elena's stall, they find it open which is a save for them. Clio had initially thought they would not find Elena at her stall because everyone was at the wedding, but seeing it open with active burning candles, they were all relieved.

They walked into the small compartment but it was empty. “Elena?!” Clio called out.

“Yes…”

The trio jerked, shaken by her voice coming from behind them. They turned to see Elena stepping in with a small smile.

“Oh dears, what are you doing here? Is there something wrong with the dresses? Where's Royanna?” She asked as she walked in, removing her cloak and hanging it on the wall.

Clio felt her heart skip a beat at Elena's question, “Y–You don't… She isn't here?”

“Is she supposed to be? Girls, is everything alright?” Elena asked, concern etched on her face. “Did something happen to Royanna?”

“We fear she's missing.” Benedict chimed in.

“She’s not missing, she just wandered off and hasn't returned.” Clio countered Benedict’s words to ease the tension.

“Then we must not waste any more time. Come with me.”

Elena led the search navigating the village as the only one truly familiar with the routes and streets.

They kept searching, but as the minutes stretched into nearly an hour, they returned to Elena's stall to meet with the others.

They met them outside and from the look on their faces, it was clear that they didn't find her.

Jira’s breath misted in the air as she turned to Clio, speaking in a quiet voice. “I am getting scared, the commander can show up any time from now.”

Clio’s chest tightened. “What are you saying? That we abandon our friend?”

“That’s not what I meant…” Jira began, but Clio cut her off, voice rising.

“She might be in danger!”

Her outburst echoed faintly through the air, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Finally, Benedict stepped closer. “Clio’s right. We can’t just go back. What if she’s hurt? What if someone took her?”

“I am not leaving until I find her.”
The others exchanged hesitant glances but reluctantly agreed. Spreading out again and mid search, it suddenly hit Clio.

“Kithara,” she whispered. Wasn't a part of the search team, and neither was she in the crowd.

She stopped dead in her tracks. Her pulse quickening…

Jira turned, confused. “What is it?”

Benedict and Elena also stopped.
Clio’s voice trembled. “Have you seen her tonight? Kithara.”

They all shook their heads, “No.”

“She’s gone too,” Clio said, her tone growing cold. “She must have followed Royanna, or worse...”

Jira's eyes widened slightly. “Clio, you don’t know that.”

“I don’t want to think about it,” Clio snapped, her eyes burning. “But you know how Kithara has been lately. She has been desperate, angry. What if Royanna caught her trying to escape again? What if Kithara… Oh Goddess…”

She couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought.

Jira placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let's return to the village square and find her. We won't know if she did something if we stay here.”

Clio nodded, wiping her tears, “Come on.”

They turned back toward the heart of the village, quickening their pace.
But as they emerged from the dim alleys and back into the square, they all froze.

A group of armored guards was already t
here, Saphena at their head.

Clio knew her presence there meant trouble, with Royanna still missing.