"You wanted to see me father?" Prince Leo asked, entering the private chambers of his adoptive father, King Holden.

"Yes, come in Leo," King Holden said. I'm afraid I have some grave news." He turned in his chair to face his son, hands folded in his lap, his face grave. "Princess Jemma has been kidnapped." Leo's stomach twisted.

"By whom?" he asked, struggling to keep the worry out of his voice. He must not have succeeded, because his father's face softened with concern.

"We don't know," he said. "The only clue was a note left in the princess' chamber that read 'Courtesy of the Ward'. This villain, whoever he may be, left no other hints as to his identity, and no ransom notes or demands of any kind. King Phillip and Queen Melinda fear for their daughter's life. They've sent letters to every royal in the Nine Kingdoms, pleading for help." The king gestured to the open letter on his desk to empathize his point.

"Isn't this a job for Shield?" Leo asked, in an attempt to deflect the urge to pledge himself to King Phillip and Queen Melinda's service then and there. It was a valid question- Shield was the group responsible for keeping peace and order throughout the Nine Kingdoms. The handling of matters such as this would normally fall to them. King Holden, however, shook his head.

"The king and queen believe that Shield has neither the resources nor the experience to handle this. There has been peace in the Kingdoms since since the day the organization was founded. We had all thought that the days of princess napping were far behind us."

"Apparently not," Leo muttered.

"Indeed," Holden agreed, nodding. "Which brings me to why I called you here."

"And that is?" Leo asked

"I want you to travel to Skelion and pledge your services to Phillip and Melinda in finding their daughter," Holden replied.

"Why me?" Leo asked. "Not that I'm unwilling, but do you mean to tell me that there wasn't a single royal in eight kingdoms who was willing to lend Skelion their aid?" King Holden shook his head. Leo pressed his lips together and said nothing.

"Don't look grim, Leo," Holden scolded. "There is a bright side to all of this."

"And what could that possibly be?" Leo snapped.

"I know that you've been in love with Jemma since you were both children," Holden began.

"My personal feelings for the princess are hardly relevant right now," Leo interrupted irritably.

"Don't interrupt me Leo!" Holden said sharply, cutting him off mid-sentence. "However you misinterpreted my previous statement, this is not about your feelings. This is about doing what must be done for the good of your kingdom. People have been desperate to form a marriage alliance with Skelion since the moment the princess came of age. Bringing their daughter back to them may be just the push Phillip and Melinda need to grant her hand to you."

"I should have know you had an ulterior motive," Leo growled through clenched teeth.

"You make it sound so sinister," Holden said dismissively. "I am simply doing what needs to be done to ensure our kingdom's future."

"Fine," Leo said, his voice tense and strangled by anger. "I'll do as you command, but not because you commanded it. I will do it because somebody has to help Phillip and Melinda find their daughter, and since no one else will do it, it might as well be me."

"Rebellion doesn't suit you, Leo," Holden replied disdainfully. "However slight it may be. Nevertheless, I am glad that you have decided to see reason." Leo opened his mouth as if to protest, but then shook his, apparently deciding against that course of action.

"When do I leave?" he asked instead.

"At once," Holden answered sternly. "Now, I'd get moving if I were you. Your carriage is waiting, and you don't have long to prepare." Leo gave his father a stiff bow, turned on his heel, and left the king's chambers behind to prepare for his journey.