CHAPTER 3
I awaken two days after learning of William's disappearance. I was still upset about not having him around, and I was hoping he was alright. I got out of bed and got dressed, heading outside to the garden. I head over to the large fountain at the center of the garden, sitting down and thinking about this whole case.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet until I heard a noise coming from the nearby bushes. I open my eyes and turn to see a girl standing by herself, holding a box. I stood up and headed over to her, curious as to why she was here all by herself.
"What might your name be, young one?" I kindly asked with a smile.
"It's Raquel." the girl quietly answered. I smiled, but still wondered why she was here all by herself. I look around a little before taking her hand.
"Where are your parents? Are you lost?" I asked, but Raquel shook her head.
"I'm looking for my brother, William. I came to see him, but he wasn't around anywhere." Raquel answered. After hearing William's name, my smile soon faded away, and I couldn't help but hold back a few tears.
"Well...the thing is that William has gone missing. I'm afraid he won't be coming back." I said, unable to hide the sad look on my face. She started to cry and quickly noticed I was upset as well.
"Did you love my brother?" she asked, and I blushed and looked away from her for a moment.
"My father had arranged for us to be married." I replied. I looked at her and she hugged me shortly afterward.
"We can get through this together, Raquel. I promise you that." I said, trying to smile, but I just couldn't. I was still worried about William and what might've happened to him. I was really hoping that he was alive, and it pained me knowing that he might be dead.
Raquel looked at me, wondering if I was alright since I was staring off into space, deep in thought about William. She waves one of her hands in front of my face, and I soon snap back to reality.
"Did you say something?" I asked, looking at her.
"I was just asking if you were going to be alright. I'm sure you miss my brother a lot, but he's a strong knight. I know he'll come back safe." Raquel replied, trying to make me happy. I hold her close to me while I stare off into the sun while I think about everything that's happened so far. William, the marriage, his dissapearance, and even more.
I start feeling a bit faint, but I try to act strong for Raquel's sake. I look at her, smiling a little, but I was still holding in what I was really feeling.
Raquel and I decided to head inside and go to my room to talk, but along the way, I heard my father talking. I stopped walking at a door that was slightly opened up, and I saw my father talking to Elijah, the second best knight in the guard. He was strong, but his methods were very harsh and always led to violence. My father didn't know about this, though.
"Yes, that's an excellent plan, Elijah. With these training regiments you have set up, we can improve the potential of our knights." the king said with a satisfied smile.
"Only the best, my king. Much better than Sir William, am I right?" Elijah answered. I could tell that he was still up to his usual idea of trying to make himself sound better than William, but he would never be able to get there. Although, since William was gone, I was a bit unsure now.
"Who is that guy? Is he going to replace my brother?" Raquel whispered to me.
"That's General Elijah. Don't let his appearance fool you, he's nothing but a cold hearted monster of a man." I whispered back before returning to listening to the conversation the two men were having.
"So, what do you plan to do about getting the princess married now that William is gone?" Elijah asked. I heard my father sigh and saw him shake his head, almost as if he were unsure of what he was going to do.
"Well, we still have no confirmation that Sir William is dead. If we do, though...I might have to change the arrangements to marry you. You are my second best knight, and without Sir William, you are the best choice." the king asked, and I saw that smug smile on Elijah's face.
"That would be quite an honor, my king." Elijah said. I stepped away from the door, unable to believe what I heard. I would not marry Elijah at all, even if my father arranged it. I took Raquel's hand and started walking away from the door, hoping that William would return, especially since I now know that Elijah would be the next in line to be arranged into marrying me.