A/N: Hello! I've been having some major crisis and it's been affecting me badly, so I can't write up as much as I want to, but there are going to be some now-and-then updates, however, their lengths will not be as long and pleasurable as you might want it to be.
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Reply to Crowender: It was a jobless man who had been blackmailed into murdering Shirayuki. If you want, you can read the Chapter 31: Abruption, where information has been explained, but not wholly. But in another case, more explanations will be coming on the later chapters. ;)
Chapter 46: Disappear
They leaned over the horses' forelock, desperately soliciting for speed. The forty-eight kilometer per hour galloping of their horses was not enough for the men who had an appalling report to give to their King Izana.
They thanked the Heavens when they finally saw the royal estate gate after over fifteen of riding through the cold forests of eastern Clarines.
The three old, soldierly-dressed, armed men-guards properly introduced themselves to the patrol at the entrance.
"Your Majesty," One of them called as they bowed after entering the hall they had been instructed to.
"Yes?" He replied, concealing his inquisitive of the sudden appearances of these lurk men.
"We received a report from the southern couriers." The one on the right gave the report in an envelope. "Unfortunately, the Wistal Castle has been invaded."
What?! Izana's brow arched knowing who caused the attack in his castle while he is away. A very tawdry endeavor. He presumed something outrageous to happen from his long-time-rival, but definitely not this soon.
"Anyone victimized?" Izana asked.
"Yes, my Lord, but the number or numbers is or are privatized."
Izana kept the envelope to himself, unopened, and sent them off to prepare his trip back to Wistal.
.
.
.
.
The castle was astonishingly tranquil. Usually, the first thing he hears after entering the castle for a long time is the refreshing voices of nature and of servants and attendants.
Zen was first told that Shirayuki was in her office, but unfortunately, she wasn't there. After a while of rummaging and not finding her, he paid his second visit to his twins' room. He saw Alyne, Cora, and Suki. All of them a the same place and the same time while Shirayuki is not to be found. Unusual. His children crawled happily to him. He missed them, too. He's been away for almost three weeks, so yeah.
"Where's Shirayuki?" Zen asked catering both babies in his arms.
The maids stared at themselves before Alyne responded, "We have yet to know anything about her appearance since forenoon. But we did receive a confirmation letter from the King that there is nothing to worry about, that she's still in the castle."
"Alright." Just as Zen was about to leave, the twins held him strongly, not wanting to let go. Zehel, as dramatic as he was, began to sob. He then stayed with them for the next minutes, before he finally left to his brother's quarters with Mitsuhide to inform him of his arrival and an inquiry of Shirayuki's whereabouts.
Zen was so exhausted. Leaving the castle for almost two and half weeks left him drowned that the only thing on his mind now is having a rest.
"The atmosphere is not really gratifying. It's calmer than usual," Mitsuhide commented, and Zen could not have agreed more.
Upon their reach at the entrance, Mitsuhide waited and Zen proceeded. Very much to his surprise, his brother wasn't alone as he had expected. There was a number of around dozen men in the room alongside him, with each having at least some paper in the hands.
Zen bowed, waiting for his brother to dismiss the men so they could have a private talk of results, but he didn't.
In their conversation, it was clear, in their voices, that the information was secret. But overhearing the word 'invaded' and the name 'Lord X' from them Zen guessed what this could be about.
As soon as the last person left, leaving Zen and the king alone, Zen exclaimed, "How could it be, brother. I thought the castle had been secured?"
"We all thought same, Zen. We underestimated." Izana stood up.
"Nevertheless, the castle is shielded, so how come?"
"Bribed castle staff, apparently. You will receive a document of the aggression later and do some research for me."
"Certainly." Zen nodded. "The ladies of Shirayuki informed me that Shirayuki and her aide, Obi, had not been seen in the castle for a while and you know about their presence." He tried as much not to try to sound as if Izana was Shirayuki's or Obi's keeper with such a question.
"Yes, they are in the castle." Izana shrugged, bestowing an artificial bewildered face. "You're dismissed."
Zen's inside screamed. That wasn't the answer he was wanting. He wanted something more specific. Then realized something weird, especially with the way his brother was staring him.
"Brother, does the invasion has to do with the restriction of Shirayuki and Obi?"
"Zen, I dismissed you already."
The sudden feeling of hysteria run through him. A flash of Shirayuki's words of someone heeding her then came to Zen's mind.
"But brother, as far as I'm concerned she's my-"
"The door is beckoning!"
Frustration and slight anger started building in him but tried as much not to show it. His own wife and couldn't even know about her whereabouts and her well-being. Zen couldn't believe it. Suddenly evil situations of Shirayuki started running through his mind. "Was she hurt?! And Obi? Is she even alive or... not?"
"Zen!"The shock chills operate through Zen as his brother ordered him with such might in his voice. "Out! Now!"