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Title: Whistleblower's Disappearance
Inspired by: Chapter 20 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia
Wordcount: 222
Rating: General
Barely a week had passed when the first of the periodic reports trickled into my office.
The shadow guards were discreet. They would only slip the reports to me when I was utterly alone. Noticing the tightly furled parchment nestling beside the eagle quill I used to sign documents, I quickly smoothed out the paper and read the few sentences written there.
Red arrived safely in halfway inn. Reaching Tanbarun in three days.
I crumpled the paper and threw it into the fire.
To date, we still had no news of the would be-kidnappers. We had come to a dead-end. That is, until Maruko arrived, bearing grave news.
Mihaya the Tanbarun had disappeared.
I narrowed my eyes.
"How is that possible?" I asked in a low tone.
"The guards have been questioned. Apparently, he picked the lock of the cell he was in and took advantage of the changing of the guards on duty."
Simply clever, I mused.
Dismissing Maruko, I summoned my shadow guard by snapping my fingers thrice.
Padded feet landed softly behind me.
"Tell the person dogging her footsteps to keep his eyes peeled and report to me every single thing."
"Understood, Your Highness."
I leaned against the table and let out a heavy sigh of worry. Why do I get the feeling that something bad is about to happen?