Author's Note :

Hello, long time no see, or should I say long time no update?

I wonder if my old readers still read this story.

I apologize, for the very very long wait, it has been years since my last update. But yes, I'm still alive and wish to finish this story.

Actually, I made scribbles of the next chapters to the epilogue since the first time this story idea came into my mind. So, the hiatus was not because I lost inspiration, but merely because of my business and my lack of motivation.

Now, happy reading and standard disclaimer always applied.

UNDER THE SUN

Summer was the most awaiting and anticipated season for Golden Kingdom young Ladies. For the King always invite noble maidens to spend the season in the palace in search of bride for the Crown Prince. However, while other Ladies were struggling to win the Prince's affection, a single maiden stayed obscure. Her eyes set on another, the High Priestess of Golden Kingdom. But how she could convince the Priestess to follow her to her homeland, or - in the worst case - kidnaped her, when the annoying Prince keep his eyes on her and how she keep her façade in front of an overprotective Royal Guard ?

CHAPTER SEVEN

WANTED – Part 1

As he walking to the temple, somehow he felt a strange uneasiness spreading inside, hesitation was weighting his heart too, he wished not to leave. Rei still seemed so upset and vulnerable, her insistence to return home has not ceased yet. Now Lady Molliene left the palace, he wished the girl could stay to keep Rei company, although the same time his conscience voiced his constant warry that Lady Molliene probably would ask Rei's help for her brother. Once he was at peace in knowledge that Lady Molliene did not ask Rei for any help after some times the two spent together, he thought the charm must be worked and Lady Molliene really come to Ellysion because the Summer Stay and she befriended Rei was purely to show her gratitude because of the charm. Unfortunately that was before, before he heard the reason why Lady Molliene must left even when Summer Stay not over yet. What caused her brother's health issue? Was it because the evil possession like Lord Vardilmiard had mentioned in his letters? He really hoped otherwise, that Lady Molliene's brother adversity was not related to evil possession.

"General…" An old priest called out before he arrived to Rei's quarter. He was about to ignored him and just walk away, however the priest's strained face was so obvious. The old priest was one of the Elders in the temple, who usually looked at peace the whole time.

"Is there something urgent?" He followed when the old priest beckoned him to follow to the Elders Hall. He grew weary as he was entering the hall, all the Elders were there wearing troubled expression. He saw maids from Re's quarter, they are trembled in fear.

"The High Priestess, she … she … last night I still bring out her dinner. I, I found she was not in her room this morning …" The priestess who was assigned to serve Rei clenched her hands, she was so frightened in front of him, afraid his infamous temper would explode. He barely contained his anger, but realized that send a search party was the utmost important thing to do immediately.

"We already sent some temple knights to search secretly but unfortunately could not find her anywhere. We send a priest to inform the King. This must not be known to outsiders, the High Priestess disappearance will cause uproar and endanger the Kingdom." One of the Elders said, but Jadeite still think to dispatch his most trusted men nevertheless. "We did not think she was kidnapped, since Phobos and Deimos are no where to be found, so she …" A loud knock on the Elders Hall made him unable to continue his words.

"General Jadeite, your presence was ordered by His Majesty the King at once!"

His strides were hasty, he met his fellow Generals in the corridor on the way to the King's study.

"Jed." Kunzite saw his troubled expression. "The King called us urgently, do you know why?"

"Rei is missing." He informed in low voice. The others were shocked. "Phobos and Deimos as well."

"Is she going back to her grandfather's temple?" Zoisite whispered.

"Perhaps." Kunzite glanced at Nephrite. But the latter shook his head, "The stars are silent."

Endymion stood by his father who sat behind his desk. Both bore very serious expression but none look less regal, it was demanded from Royals not to lose their composure even in the direst situation.

"Jadeite must inform you our situation already, I presume?" The King asked.

"We are here for your command, Your Highness." Kunzite bows.

"The possibility is she is running away to Redhill Temple, to her grandfather. But we must consider if there is another possibility. What the stars tell you, Nephrite?" The King demanded.

"Your Majesty, they choose to be silent, the stars can not defy the gods."

The King sighed. "Zoisite?"

The youngest General bows, "I can not think another possibility, my King."

"Jadeite?" This time Endymion asked. "Did you find anything unusual other than her wish to return to Redhill Temple?"

He clenched his fist. He actually already thought another possibility, that Rei was following Lady Molliene's to her homeland. If indeed Lady Molliene's brother plight was caused by the devil, she might in desperation finally told Rei and asked help. And Rei decided to escape because of him, because he concealed Vardilmiard's plea and forbid Rei to be close with Lady Molliene. If only he confessed, Rei would had gone to the King and asking to be allowed to go to Harthford along with royal knights to ensure her safe trip, Endymion surely would persuade his father for Lady Molliene. But how could he say it now? How could he reveal everything? The King would be furious, Endymion would not forgive him, his brothers would curse his recklessness. So he lied, "No, Your Highness."

He knew what the King order would be, he would dispatch his men secretly to Hartford, not to be noticed by Endymion or Kunzite, Nephrite and Zoisite. But he needed to make sure and he needed Lady Ami to be questioned. "Lady Dylone might know something, it is wise to ask if she know what we don't."

He could sense Zoisite threw him murderous look upon the mentioned name. But no matter how displeased Zoisite was, Zoisite must knew Jadeite said the right.

"I believe you can act as your station dictates you, Zoisite?" The King asked.

Zoisite did not hesitate and knelt. "My loyalty only belongs to my master, my Prince, Endymion."

"Jadeite, you will lead my knights to Redhill Temple tonight. Bring the High Priestess back to Ellysion, you must move in the utmost secrecy. The others escort Endymion to Harthford. You are to be depart tomorrow morning as your previous plan. You are all dismissed." King Artemis waved his hand.

"Father, we still need send Zoisite or Nephrite to investigate the north." Endymion said after his Generals left.

"No. You know your safety is above anything else. I will send your Generals by themselves to Harthford if you are not insist to get Lady Vardilmiard by yourself. Jadeite must go to Redhill Temple, so the other three definitely must go with you. My words are final."

Of course, Endymion understood too well the reason his father was so protective over him since he was born. He had a destiny to fulfill, foreseen by an Elder Priest even before he was born. His father did anything in order to keep him safe, raise him to be the greatest ruler ever known. His Generals taught and trained to be the best advisors and warriors, while their loyalty was ensured to never waver, their life purpose solely for Endymion's sake.

"My Lady, Lord Zoisite requests to meet you, along with Lord Nephrite."

Ami had already predicted this. She felt a bit relief actually, if they came to ask her, it meant that General Nephrite did not have any answer from the stars. She was confident that her plan was perfect but one flaw, which she was gambling upon, Lord Nephrite's talent with the stars. She knew nothing could be hidden from the second General if the stars whispered the truth and secrets hidden by others. Yet, not all time the stars knew everything, often even they see everything they were not to let on all things. This, she knew from Zoisite himself.

She felt conflicted, she was betraying Zoisite's trust but how can she let her friend suffers? Whichever side she chose, she would lose another side, either her fiancée or her friends. She wished Zoisite would forgive her if someday her betrayal was known or if she herself sincerely admitted to Zoisite.

"Ami, were you crying? Is something bothering you?" Zoisite rose from his seat and approach. "Tell me, please?" Zoisite hold her shoulders gently.

She was trying to hide her bitter smile and shook her head. He was so gentle and genuinely worry for her, yet here she was to tell him lies.

She shook her head. "There was nothing. I was just sad because Molliene's departure, I miss her already." She cannot make them suspicious that she knew that Rei had missing and she understood since General Nephrite had no advice from the stars, the success of Rei's escape was now depended on her.

Zoisite kissed her forehead gently and she blushed furiously. She could see from her eyes corner General Nephrite rolled his eyes at the affection Zoisite displayed.

"Do cheer up, you know we will go to bring her back. Soon you will meet Lady Molliene again."

"Yes, thank you."

"That … and soon after he would ask Lord Dylone to give your hand for marriage" Nephrite said bluntly, made her already red face even redder.

Zoisite threw murderous glare to Nephrite and the cup in Nephrite's hand frozen.

Nephite smirked, "Cheers". He raised the frozen cup and bring it to his lips.

Zoisite grudgingly held his annoyance, he knew that Nephrite sometimes could be a pain in the ass and acted or talked much like Jadeite just to annoy his other brothers.

"Ami, I trust you and I believe that you will not speak a word regarding the matter that we will tell you." Zoisite stared her straightly.

She nervously said, "You makes me scared, what is the matter? Of course, I will keep the secret."

"Rei is missing, we think she is running away with her servants to her grandfather's temple."

She pretended to be shocked and covering her mouth. "No…"

"But we want to make sure that she is indeed go there. Ami, please tell me if she said anything to you or Lady Molliene. Or if you notice anything else."

"I only noticed that she was restless, always said that she longed to meet her grandfather and upset that the King did not grant her wish. Though I'm sorry that she must escape, I sincerely hope she will safely arrive to her destination." Ami didn't even need to pretend that she was worry, since she was truly felt that way.

"So she really is go to Redhill Temple." Nephrite exhaled loudly.

"I suppose so." Ami said carefully, hoped that nothing in her voice or expression betrayed her secret.

"I wonder how she managed to plan her escape." Zoisite frowned.

Ami's heart skipped a beat. For indeed, it was her who ensured Rei's successful escape. She was the one who observed and mapped the temple ground, noted how and when the temple guards took turn on patrol, thus chose the safest route and time for Rei to leave the temple, while providing distraction to avoid other temple inhabitants' suspicion.

Author's Note :

Please review. Constructive critics are most welcomed.

See you again.