Naomi stood by Isabel in the throne room, looking around anxiously. They were all waiting for Elena to arrive but the princess was nowhere to be seen. Gabe had mentioned that she had gone outside for a minute for some fresh air and went to go get her. Naomi hoped that Gabe would find her, mostly because she was worried about the princess but also because she could no longer tolerate listening to Prince Alonso either complain about how bored he was or brag about himself. Elena had been right about him: he was the most arrogant person in existence. Naomi wanted nothing more than to silence him
She looked at Francisco and Luisa. Both grandparents were speaking with King Juan Ramón but they were visibly worried. Naomi gazed at them for a bit before feeling a light tug on her dress. She looked down and found Isabel staring up at her.
"What's taking Elena so long?" Isabel asked.
"Her dislike of Alonso? I don't know," Naomi replied. "I'm sure Gabe will bring her in here."
"I hope so," Isabel said.
Naomi nodded and looked at the doors on time to see Gabe hurrying inside the throne room. He was carrying something and as he came closer Naomi saw that what he was holding was Elena's tiara. She glanced at Isabel, who had brought her hands up to her mouth and was staring at the tiara with wide eyes. Francisco, Luisa, Esteban, King Juan Ramón, Prince Alonso, and Armando all looked at Gabe.
"Gabe? Where is Elena?" Luisa asked worriedly.
"She's gone!" Gabe exclaimed. "I went outside to see if she was okay and all I found was her tiara on the ground!"
As Gabe showed the tiara to the others, Naomi pulled Isabel aside and whispered, "It would appear that your sister has made her decision."
"It would seem so… What are we going to do? They'll go looking for her and she'll be in so much trouble if they catch her. They won't just let her give up the throne like this; not a chance," Isabel replied urgently. "They'll drag her back kicking and screaming."
"We need to warn her. We have to go to Mateo's house; there's no doubt that's where Elena went."
"But how are we going to get there on time?"
"We're going to need help and I know who to ask."
Isabel gazed at her questioningly as Naomi looked over at Gabe. The royal guard turned his gaze upon her and she motioned at him to come closer. He raised an eyebrow but approached them all the same.
"Yes?" Gabe asked.
"Gabe, we think we know where Elena is. We need you to get one of the carriages, the fastest one you have," Naomi replied.
"You do? Great! I'll let her grandparents know," Gabe said, starting to make his way towards Luisa and Francisco.
Naomi grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "You will not!" she hissed. "We need to do this without them. Elena will be in so much trouble if they come with us!"
"What are you talking about? What do you mean by trouble?" Gabe asked in confusion.
"I'll explain on the way. But right now we need to leave."
"All right, all right. Let's go."
Casting a swift glance towards the Flores to make sure they were not looking their way, Naomi and Isabel followed Gabe out of the throne room. Once outside, the royal guard fetched the roofless carriage and brought it to the front steps. The girls quickly got inside and they sped off towards the gate.
"Will someone please explain to me what is going on?" Gabe yelled over the noise of the horses and the wheels.
Naomi launched into her explanation. Gabe listened intently, never taking his eyes off the road.
"So let me get this straight," Gabe said as Naomi finished. "Elena and Mateo are in love with each other but a law says they can't be together so Elena is giving up not only her crown but being a princess in general so she can be with Mateo?"
"You got it," Naomi said, nodding.
"And she'll be in trouble if the rest of the Grand Council catches up with her?"
"There's no way they would let her just give up the crown like that. And I wouldn't put it past Esteban to accuse her of treason," Isabel chimed in.
"It's a bit of a harsh law. Not all wizards are bad," Gabe remarked, snapping the reins to make the horses run faster.
"We know. We've been trying to find ways to convince the rest of the Grand Council to change the law but then Esteban sprang that engagement on us," Naomi said, somewhat bitterly.
"And Mateo would never even dream of trying to gain the throne. That would mean hurting Elena and he would rather lose his magic than do that," Isabel added.
"I believe that. Don't worry, I'll make sure that we reach them before the others do," Gabe said.
The girls nodded as they sped down the various roads, holding on for dear life at every corner they rounded. When they finally reached Mateo's home, all three of them sprang from the carriage and ran towards the gate. Naomi banged on the door several times but there was no answer. Undeterred, she pushed the gate open and led the others to the front door, which they found unlocked. Naomi glanced at Isabel and Gabe before stepping inside, finding the place seemingly deserted.
"We should look around," Naomi said. "Gabe, you check the study and you look around upstairs, Isabel. I'll take care of the main floor."
"Got it," Isabel and Gabe said in unison before going their separate ways. Naomi searched all over the ground floor but found no sight of Elena and Mateo. She returned to the main entrance, where she found Gabe waiting for her. The royal guard shook his head at her enquiring look.
"No luck either? Yet I was so sure they'd be here," Naomi said, frowning.
Isabel suddenly came running down the stairs, skidding to a halt in front of them.
"They were definitely here! I've found Elena's ball gown on Mateo's bed!" she exclaimed.
"Well, your instincts weren't completely wrong," Gabe said to Naomi. "So Elena came to find Mateo and now they're gone. Do you think they might try to run away from the kingdom?"
"I hope not! I've only just got my big sister back!" Isabel cried frantically.
"Don't worry; I'm sure they haven't gone too far," Naomi assured her. "We'll search the whole kingdom if we must."
"Starting right now. Let's go!" Gabe said, hurrying outside.
The girls followed him. As they ran back towards the carriage, Luna, Skylar, and Migs suddenly landed in front of them.
"Hey, there! What's the rush?" Skylar asked casually. "We saw you guys coming here at breakneck speed and now you're running again."
"We don't have time to explain, Skylar. We need to find Elena and Mateo and we don't have much time to do so!" Naomi said.
"Is this about what I think this is about?" Luna intervened.
"Yes, Luna. Elena has apparently decided to give up her crown because of it."
"Give up her crown? What's going on here?" Migs demanded.
"I'll explain while we're flying. We'll help you guys look for them, Naomi," Luna said earnestly.
"Of course! Count me in!" Skylar exclaimed.
"Count me in as well. But you better provide that explanation, Luna," Migs added.
"Thanks, everyone. Now, let's go; we don't have a moment to lose," Naomi said.
The jaquins nodded and took off. Naomi, Isabel, and Gabe climbed into the carriage and followed them, travelling at breakneck speed once more. Naomi looked around them, hoping against hope that they would find the missing couple before anyone else did.