Back in Clarines, Zen was determined to find Kazuki. He increased the number of soldiers patrolling the town and Mitsuhide sent Mihaya to help them. This had been going on since Shirayuki's departure two days ago and they still haven't found him.
"We've increased the number of soldiers in town and yet we still don't have any helpful information on Kazuki" Kiki stated.
"Yeah, I would like to know why he's after Shirayuki" Zen voiced.
"It's because he feels a connection with her" a feminine voice announced. The three looked towards the door and saw Sonya standing there in the doorway.
"What are you doing here Sonya? I thought you went to meet up with a friend?" Mitsuhide asked.
"I am. I was on my way and thought I'd check to see how things were going" She replied as she walked into the room.
"Wait…you know about the situation? Does that mean my brother knows too?" Zen questioned. Sonya shook her head in response.
"I told her about it." Mitsuhide admitted.
"Anyways back to what I was saying. Kazuki was a victim of human trafficking because of his "good looks" and heard about how Prince Moron wanted to make Shirayuki his concubine and feels she doesn't deserve to be "Stuck in a castle" and wants to take her back to the mountains in Tanbarun" Sonya explained.
"How do you know all of this anyways?" Zen asked.
"Well since I've had time off I decided to do my own little investigation on the kid and had a few friends of mine track him down. We managed to find him and thought we could find out where he's been staying here in Clarines, but we eventually lost him in the crowd." Sonya told him.
"You know what this Kazuki kid looks like?" Kiki asked.
"Yeah, he's apart of the Lions of the Mountain in Tanbarun. My parents used to do business with them all the time, so I saw Kazuki quite often" she stated.
"So, you can help us find him is what you're saying?" Zen questioned.
"Well I've been trying. Honestly, I wasn't going to mention about my knowledge of Kazuki until I actually had him, but he has a partner who's very skilled in combat so it's a lot harder than expected" Sonya mentioned. "No offense to you Mitsuhide, but I'm glad Obi was chosen to be Shirayuki's guard. She'll be safer with him." She continued.
"Hey! What's that's supposed to mean?" Mitsuhide whined. Sonya placed a hand on his shoulder as she stood next to him.
"Relax my love, It, wasn't meant to be an insult. I think you're quite the skilled swordsman, but Obi has the upper hand when it comes to plain hand to hand combat" Sonya told him. Mitsuhide blushed at the compliment. Sonya let go of him and began walking out of the room.
"Since you know now; I might as well tell you that the whole "lunch with a friend" was just a cover up so I can go look for Kazuki. I'll let you know if I find him or at least have some leads. See you later" Sonya announced as she waved back at them before walking out of the room.
"Well at least we have something helpful now" Kiki commented.
Later that day down by the port without anyone at the castle knowing, Mihaya met up with Kazuki. He told him about how Shirayuki was no longer in Clarines and is back in Tanbarun at the castle. Then suddenly Kazuki ordered Itoya to capture Mihaya, but he was able to get away by jumping in the water. Mihaya escaped back to the castle soaking wet and told Zen what had happened. Zen was furious with Mihaya but had no time to deal with him. He went to his brother and asked for his permission to go to Tanbarun and protect Shirayuki. It was late at night when he woke up his brother and Sonya whose always present when they talk.
"I can't let you go to Tanbarun" Izana told him.
"I figured you would say that. I plan on going anyway" Zen stated.
"Zen you're a prince. It's not proper for you to deal with this situation" Izana responded.
"I don't care! I'm going whether you give me permission or not" Zen said.
"I was the one who told her to go to Tanbarun. I'll send a correspondence letting them know about the current situation.
"That's not enough! Shirayuki is in Danger! I have to go help her!" Zen exclaimed.
"Prince Zen relax. Like I said before she's in good hands with Obi. He's not going to let anything happen to her I promise" Sonya said trying to calm the young prince who was aggravated by how his brother is handling the situation.
"I still need to go help her. I'm going to Tanbarun!" he voiced right before leaving his brother's office.
"I don't get why he woke us up when he was gonna go regardless of your response" Sonya commented as she began to walk out of the room in her pajamas covering her mouth as she let out a yawn.
"Sonya" Izana called.
"Don't worry I'm already on it. I'll try and leave before Prince Zen does." Sonya responded as she lifted her hand as a subtle wave. She knew what he was going to say. Izana usually uses the word Correspondence as a way of sending Sonya out to take care of things.
