A/N: Disclaimer's in the first chapter. Read it if you want. How does a long chapter sound?

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"Missing?" Kyree asked. "How could he be missing?"



Marisse shrugged. "I don't know. He just disappeared."



"But surely someone knows where he is?" Kyree insisted.



"If someone did, would there be search parties roaming the countryside?" she snapped.



"Keep your voice down," Ethan hissed. "My sister has a wounded patient who needs to rest."



"Sorry," Marisse responded in a hushed tone. "Anyway, as I said, he's missing."



"We've established that," Ethan said shortly. "This sounds like just another piece of your baseless gossip. Where did you hear this?"



A somewhat proud expression crossed Marisse's chubby face. "This time, for your information, I heard it firsthand from a credible source." She smirked at Ethan, proud not only that she'd heard a juicy story before her neighbors, but also that she'd surely made a fool of Ethan.



"And just what is this 'credible source'? A bored old farmer?" He sneered at her.



"Try a palace soldier," she retorted.



"Will you stop this? You're getting loud again," Kyree scolded. "Anyway, why does this affect us, exactly?"



"Don't you see?" Marisse squealed. "With the prince gone, we'll be vulnerable to invasion again. I don't think Altea can survive another war. We could be doomed!"



"I think you're overreacting," Ethan remarked. Kyree nodded.



"We must stay calm," Kyree said. "Isn't it possible he just went somewhere to be alone?"



"You naive girl, do you really think a prince would go anywhere unescorted and without telling anyone? He could have been kidnapped!"



"If it was a kidnapping, there would have been a ransom demand. Be rational," Ethan replied to Marisse's latest worry.



"What of murder?"



"Don't you think someone would have found out by now if that was the case?" Kyree inquired.

"Not necessarily. Criminals can be tricky."



"Marisse, since when were you an expert on crime?" Ethan scoffed. "Can't you think of a less....negative explanation?"



"Well, the soldier did say that those closest to the prince speculate he went to visit the grave of his dead love. Some saw him leave the palace, but he's not returned."



"Isn't that typical of you, Marisse?" Ethan demanded. "Always making things out to be the worst they possibly can be. What you just said sounds far more likely than any of your previous explanations."



Marisse sniffed. "I don't have to stay here and be insulted! Good day!" she snapped and stomped out.



"Can't you be a little more civil to our neighbor?" Kyree sighed.



"I have no patience for her nonsense," Ethan said simply. "Didn't you have something you were doing?"



"Oh, yes!" Kyree cried. "I can't believe I let her distract me!" She filled the clay mug with water, then returned to Marth's bedside.



"What was all that about?" he asked tiredly. "I was asleep, but people started yelling and woke me."



"Nothing you need to worry about. My neighbor was gossiping and making a big deal over a situation that is hopefully not as bad as she thinks." She handed him the water, and he drank gratefully.



"What situation?"



"Don't worry yourself over it. I'll tell you if it becomes a problem, I promise."



"It sounds worse than you say. What is it? Please tell me," he pleaded."



"Will you drive yourself insane wondering if I don't tell you? All right, all right. She says the prince has disappeared."



This was the first time Marth had realized that his absence might alarm someone. "Ah," he said to himself. "Maybe it's best I finally tell you everything."



She gasped. "You KNOW something about this? So that's why you never told me who you were! You're...you're a criminal, and something horrible has happened to Prince Marth!" Kyree wailed. "I thought you were a decent man. I....I can't believe Marisse's wild assumptions could be true." She appeared to be fighting tears. "I...helped a criminal."



Marth looked at her, both concern and annoyance in his expression. "Would you please let me explain?"



"Trying to justify crime? It's not going to work, so I don't want to hear it!"



"I'm not a criminal," he would have shouted if he had the strength. "You have it all wrong. I told you that you wouldn't believe me if I told you who I was. Wouldn't you at least like to know why?"



"I guess it would be fair to let you explain," Kyree answered meekly.



"I'll understand if you don't believe me, but please trust me. I did not kidnap the prince. I AM the prince." He looked at her, expecting her to laugh or scold him for making up such an outrageous lie. He added softly, "If I had some way of proving it, I would."



"Maybe there is. If those soldiers Marisse mentioned are still nearby, they might be able to determine if you're telling the truth or not. I warn you, I'm leaving now, so if you're lying, admit it now."



"If I lie, you may hit me over the head with a heavy object," he grinned.



"If you lie, you'll be in even bigger trouble than with me. I'll be back as soon as I can."



"I'm certainly not going anywhere."



Kyree returned with three soldiers following closely. Marth heard one remark, "This guy better not be a fake. Any minute we waste could be too late."



"Back here," Kyree told them. Marth wrapped himself in the quilt, embarrassed, as he still wore only his underwear.



"I don't believe it! It's really him!" one soldier exclaimed. Bowing deeply, he asked, "My prince, are you all right? Your condition does not appear good."



"If it weren't for Kyree, I might have died," he answered.



Kyree looked embarrassed that she'd ever believed this man a criminal or liar. She dropped an awkward curtsey and stammered, "Forgive me for doubting you, Highness. Please don't be angry."



"No harm done," he assured. "If I believed everything everyone told me, I'd have been long dead. And there's no need for formality. In fact, I preferred the way you acted before I introduced myself."

"We will return to the palace with the news immediately. I assume you wish to return home?" one soldier asked.



"Not without repaying Kyree in some way."



"I am honored merely by your presence," she insisted, blushing.



"That's nonsense meant to flatter me, and we both know it. I have a better idea. Do you want to finish training as a proper healer? There happens to be a court doctor who would be pleased to take an apprentice."



Kyree was astonished. "You would do that...for me?" Her expression turned glum. "What about my brother?"



"He can stay at the palace as well. A tailor's services are frequently needed. Do you accept my offer."



Kyree was speechless. She nodded.



"And you, Ethan?"



"Certainly."



Kyree finally found words. "I...can't thank you enough. You're so kind."



"You saved my life. It's the least I can do. Get your things together." He turned to the soldiers. "Return to the city and assure everyone I'm alive. Send a carriage for us, as my horse was stolen and I cannot walk. And please, bring me some clothes. The outfit I was wearing was destroyed."





That evening, they found themselves at the palace, comfortable and well-fed. Marth was now under the care of the royal physician and his new apprentice. Ethan had immediately set about the task of repairing Marth's damaged clothes.



Kyree sat beside the prince's bed, wanting to be there if she was needed. He slept peacefully, now clad in a warm nightshirt and burrowed under satin sheets, his wounds rebandadged. Kyree gazed at him silently, thinking of how handsome she found him.



"No," she whispered. "That won't do. I can't become attached to him. It's....unprofessional. Besides, if I'm not good enough for a merchant's son, a prince would never have me." She reflected a moment, trying to banish her feelings, when her new master entered.



"Kyree, it's getting late. You should rest."



"But what if he wakes and needs something?"



"If that happens, his servants will tend to it." The doctor looked at his pupil kindly. "I can tell how deeply you care for others, but you must not neglect yourself, either." Run along, Kyree. If you're too tired, you cannot work properly."



She nodded, and taking one last look at the sleeping prince, headed toward her new room.

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A/N: Now things will get interesting. I hope this was long enough.