Royally Challenged
By io sono mi-cchi
Chapter 34: Hear ye! Hear ye!
The town crier carries his bell and rings it as he bellows, "Hear ye! Hear ye!"
A crowd gathers around him. "People of Heiomachi, Princess Miyu of Kozuki has been missing since a fortnight ago. She is suspected to be detained by bandits after the attack on Princess Christine of Hanakomachi's entourage." The people around him begin gasping and chattering their opinions on the dreadful fate of the princess. He clears his throat before continuing, "Those who know her whereabouts or any useful information to help locate her shall report to the palace. Report your knowings immediately. You will be rewarded handsomely. Thank you."
He steps down from the town square's platform and posts the written notice on the town's bulletin board. He sighs and prays that the princess shall be found soon. He does not really butt in the castle gossip, but he feels the tension rising between their leaders. There has been talk among the maids that war might spur between kingdoms. There is also that story where the fallen kingdom from long ago might re-emerge. It's gossip, but he still feels anxious. There might be some truth in it, which he has yet to extract.
Whatever the truth may be, he still wishes for the safety of the princess. He heard so much about her, mostly childish things. Some of her ladies-in-waiting curse her for her unruliness, but no one wants her dead. She is just a harmless little princess.
Unknown to him, the princess's ignorance is the cause of many a people's harm. The Queen's health is declining. The King entertains more and more paranoid thoughts, fuelled by the gossips about other kingdoms' imminent attack. People suffer from the tension as well. All everyone can do is sigh, hope for the best and carry on.
A/N: I'm still alive. Don't be too disappointed. LOL. I'll try to revive this story to the best of my abilities. :)
Personally, I've been struggling to write for the past years. It feels refreshing to write once more, but I hope this becomes consistent. Huhu. Thanks guys for still reading even though I've been having an on-off relationship with writing,