In Everton, things didn't cool down, rather it got worse.
"Your majesty, I fail to understand how the princess could get abducted in a palace that is heavily guarded and defended by well-trained and dangerous guards."
"Yes your majesty, I find it strange, that they could easily infiltrate the palace. Although they had the support of those traitors, who betrayed Everton, it can't be that easy."
"How is it possible that they escaped Everton? Someone of high status must have helped them, not just the guards. There must be a traitor among us.
"Yes I agree, who do you think is capable of breaking into the palace." We have the best defense in all the seven nations, and from this incident, everyone is beginning to doubt that.
"You must do something, King Carl, we must get the princess at all cost, or else Everton will become the laughing stock of all the other nations.
Carl sat down, silently watching his council as they kept blabbing.
"My king, you should say something, not just your council and Everton want answers, but all the other nations.
"And who told you that the princess got abducted? Carl questioned.
"What do you mean your Majesty? The guards and some servants clearly saw the princess getting abducted.
"And what if I tell you, that Princess Zara wasn't abducted," Carl announced.
The council members looked at Carl stunned, how could he say the princess wasn't abducted when everyone knew what happened.
Do you think the shock of princess Zara's abduction affected the king, what is he saying?
"My king, it seems like you're greatly disturbed, why don't we cease this meeting, until you feel better.
But in the meantime, Lord Richards, Lord in charge of defense, will handle the matter of Princess Zara.
Carl didn't say anything but just went along with his council. He left the throne room and went back to his chambers.
CARL'S POV
"Your Majesty, King Alan, and Queen Lyarra of Azrael are here to see you, should I let them in?" Jerald inquiries.
I knew Zara's parents would come to see me, I also knew what they were here for even without them telling me. Ever since the news of Zara's abduction, things have been hectic.
I have to admit, it was not the same without her. There was no one to taunt and annoy me anymore, and I also didn't have to see her annoying face anymore. I should be happy, but for some reason, I was not.
Since Zara's absence, her parents have been restless.
They refused to eat or drink anything, and I feel bad for them. Have I suddenly turned soft? Before I didn't care when people were passing through a hard time. but now, I care more than I should.
It must be that annoying princess, she must be a witch and has bewitched me by making me turn soft.
"Let them in," I told Jerald.
King Alan walked in with Queen Lyarra, who looked just like Zara, but an older version. They looked distressed like they didn't have any sleep.
"King Carl, where is my Zara? bring back my Zara," Queen Lyarra cried.
"King Carl, I made an agreement with you, to form an alliance with Azrael and protect its people. I gave you my daughter, even though back then, we had bad blood, I trusted you. I believed you were capable enough and Zara would be protected. How could you let my daughter get abducted," king Alan let out.
I sat down quietly, without saying a word, I could understand the pain they were going through, But I couldn't tell them, what was really going on.
"Who knows what condition, Zara is in right now," Queen Lyarra added while sobbing.
She suddenly came at me, grabbing onto my cloth.
"King Carl, you need to bring my daughter back. You must save her, I won't forgive you if anything happens to my Zara." She screamed, wriggling me.
I kept staring at Lyarra. If it were someone else, I would have cut off their hands for grabbing me that way. I didn't like how I was feeling. I didn't want to feel bad for anyone. If the enemy gets even the slightest clue that I cared about someone, they could use them against me.
"King Alan, Queen Lyarra I give you my word, that I will get Zara back, and my wedding with Zara will surely take place," I assured.
"King Carl, Since you have given us your word we will trust you," king Alan, muttered.
I could still see the doubt in their eyes but ignored it.
"We'll take our leave now, King Carl," king Alan, said, walking away with queen Lyarra.
Jerald walked in immediately.
"My king, did something happen, do you want to postpone your wedding to Princess Zara?"
I scoffed. "Why would I do that Jerald? I won't postpone my wedding, because I will be getting married to Zara tomorrow," I muttered, with a smirk.
"I want you to call back the one thousand soldiers I dispatched to find Princess Zara?"
"But won't that arouse the people's suspicions," Jerald questioned.
"I don't care, Jerald, just do it.
Somewhere in Everton
Gwen paced around in her chambers, with thought on how to seduce king Carl, while princess Zara was absent.
Her father, Lord Francis, who was the king's advisor, was also in her chamber.
"Father, is there any news on that princess?" Gwen questioned.
"Not yet Gwen. no one knows the whereabouts of the princess and who abducted her. It's like whoever abducted her, disappeared from the surface of the earth."
Gwen smirked, happy that Zara had been abducted, and there was no news of her. It was now the perfect opportunity to seduce Carl and make him hers.
"But I find it strange, that someone could infiltrate the palace and the king's chamber. Something must be going on," Lord Francis let out.
"Father, I don't care about all that. I only care that she's no longer here to stand between Carl and I. Now, I just have to get pregnant for Carl, I don't care what the council thinks, or if it's against the law. I know Carl will surely protect me, once I become pregnant, with his child, Gwen muttered with a smirk.
"Gwen, you know the council, will not support your relationship with the king."
"That's why you have to help me, father. You need to get the council on our side. I hope that witch Zara dies, that way, I won't have any obstacles in my path.
Lord Francis grinned. he also liked the idea of Gwen becoming the Queen. That way, he will not only be the king's advisor but also his father-in-law.
"I support you Gwen, but I can't help, but have a strange feeling. Why didn't Carl postpone his wedding until princess Zara was found? He only postponed it for a day. Don't you find it strange? It's like he's so sure, he would find the princess.
"Stop reading too much to it dad, I'm sure he did that not to stir up more rumors." Gwen reasoned.
Lord Francis sighed. Maybe Gwen was right, he might be reading too much to it.
Gwen didn't care, if Carl had to face many criticisms due to Zara's abduction. she knew he was strong and would get past it.
"What if the King finds Princess Zara, what will happen then, What if he decides to still marry Princess Zara? Lord Francis, questioned.
"Father, I doubt the king will be able to find her. You just told me that no one knew her whereabouts or who abducted her. You don't have to worry, before Carl finds Zara, I will make sure I become pregnant with his child, that way, even if he still wants to marry that witch, I'd already have his child," Gwen replied
I am going to become the next queen of Everton, and I will do whatever it takes just for that title, she thought.