3 days had gone by. The news was still filled with the story of the missing prince of the Goetias, Stolas.
-His whereabouts are still unknown- said Katie Killjoy reporter for 666 news channel- after his gruesome disappearance where his bed was found empty and soaked in blood, the police are still clueless as to how this hateful crime was committed. His family is in disarray...– Stella and Octavia appeared now on the small screen. Octavia was obviously upset and Stella was obviously acting her part.
At the bottom of the screen, there was a ribbon stating that the footage was taken 3 days ago.
- Princess Octavia has since taken the reigns after her late father…I mean! – Tom Trench was quickly scolded to rectify –...After the disappeared Prince...- The tv was showing now a very determined Octavia sitting at a desk filling out some paperwork.
- Such a dedicated youngster! She is making us all feel proud! - said Tom Trench reporter as well for 666 news.
-Yeah, yeah! Very proud...The thing does not even look like she misses him at all! – interrupted Katie annoyed - MOVING ON! In other news. King Asmodeus WHAT IS UP? –
-Yeah! What is up and is this a new trend among royalty? Falling for imps? – laugh Tom nervously.
-Well, I am wondering Tom what do they all see in these scrawny little arses, and since all of you are making the same morbid question, this reporter has started to investigate – Katie pulled under the desk a tight up imp, he was trembling, he was all covered in bruises, one purple eye – Now, get back to work- she said at him and throw him back under the desk.
-hahaha- laugh Tom very mechanically – be careful Katie, we wouldn't want demon rights to be in our case –
-As they would ever care- laughed Katie and so did Tom but again very mechanically looking nervously at the camera.
Octavia turned off the tv, grabbed her backpack, and prepared to go to school. She was now living at her mother's place. Her grandfather took charge of the maintenance of her father's palace. Neither her mom nor she should be near that house until the perpetrator gets caught. -It was dangerous.- the detective said. Stella's house was also under surveillance 24/7.
2 servants would be around the palace only for maintenance, the rest of the time the place was empty and left alone.
-Bye mom! - Octavia said and off she went. Stella snarled at her and went about her own day.
The first day when Octavia was told her father disappeared was a soul-crushing one. She screamed and cried her eyes out. She forced her way into his room demanding to see him only to find a blood dripping bed. She fainted, maybe, it must have been like that since the next thing she remembers was waking all alone in a hospital bed. She walked out and went back to his father's room, dreading every step, only to find the police had cordoned off the area. No one was allowed.
-It wasn't a nightmare – she said to herself and run off from the hospital all the way to the palace. She run until she was out of breath but never stopped. She stood at the front gate and stared at it. No lights and it looked so cold and terrifying from the outside, two words that she never thought of using before to describe her own house. It was twilight.
She made her way to her father's room. There was nobody there, not even the servants. She did not know at the time that everybody has been taken for questioning. The police put the place under surveillance but, by mere chance, she arrived when they were making guards change so, the police never saw her going in nor was Octavia aware of the police standing outside.
She cried all the way to her father's room where she waited and waited until she finally fell asleep.
-Octavia? Is that you my darling? – Octavia heard somebody calling her, she opened her eyes, and there was a tall shadow standing before her, she recognized it immediately – FATHER! - she jumped at the shadow.
-Hey, hey now! I am also happy to see my owlet. I am sorry, I did not mean to worry you! - the shadow hugged her back. Octavia was crying again.
-She said they killed you or kidnapped you and kill you or kill you and dropped you in some ditch…- Octavia was talking very fast and making no sense.
-Wait, Octavia, who said that? -
-Mom did- she looked up at the shadow. The room was in the dark, the only light was the moon trying to enter through ajar curtains.
-What! Noooo, that woman!… I am sorry you had to hear that my darling...-
-But I saw it! There was blood, everything was covered in blood! - she buried her head back in her father's embrace –
-Blood! Whose blood? –
-Yours! - she responded and suddenly realized something dreadful, was she really talking to her father? She let go of the shadow and backed out. The shadow clapped his hands and the lights came on. It was him alright! He was wearing something weird like he came out from a vintage party or something, but it was his father right there in front of her.
-There! Much better- said Stolas and smiled at Octavia. She was beside herself.
-Hey! It's me my dear – called Stolas to calm her down -I am okay, I am not dead or hurt, see?- he turned around so she could check for herself.
She shied out for a bit but seeing it was her father after all she went back and hugged him.
-I was so scared, I thought you left…-
-No Octavia, I promised you I would never leave you behind. I do not know whose blood you saw but I can assure you that was not me- Octavia buried her head and listened carefully to the calm beating of her father´s heart.
-But how? When did you…? Whose blood…? Where have you been? - Octavia disembarrassed and finally made up her mind as to what question she wanted to ask first.
-I was with Mabel- he answered smiling
-Mabel? -
-Yeah! You know, the girl that was speaking to you back at the hospital- his father looked so relaxed and she spoke with so many strangers during his short stay at the hospital that it did not matter, her brain cut her some slack by not really asking who this Mabel person was, she was just so relieved her father was back.
-Octavia, can I ask you for a favor? - Octavia looked at him curiously. – I would…I would like to go on holiday; I know you are about to enter finals so it's okay if you do not want to come but…I was hoping I could just…-
-Yes! - she replied smiling back at him with tears still in her eyes.
Her brain run quickly through the words of the doctor: Once the prince is stable enough, we will move him to a healing house. Even Octavia dreaded those words. She would never be able to see him again. But, if her father just goes on holiday, what could go wrong?
-I'll be right here when you come back. - she answered quickly.
-I'll promise I'll make this up to you. Once your classes are over, we will go together on the best vacation ever! - he hugged her.
-It's a deal! - she laughed. Stolas went about and around the room gathering stuff. Octavia sat quietly on his bed seeing him go, he looked so excited like she has never seen him in a long time.
– you know Octavia, no matter where I am, whenever you feel like it just grab your phone and call me, okay? -
She giggled- you know they are going to ask me to fill in for you, so yeah, I'll be on your case-
-You'll do wonderfully – jumped Stolas on the bed sitting by her side – unless you really want me to stay – he negotiated making a puppy eyes face.
-Oh! Just go away already old man, your sad shriveled feathers need tanning- he laughed and continued going around. She put her head on the pillow and watch him go for a little while listening to his rambling fade away before she fell asleep.
It was now morning. Octavia woke up in an empty, quiet room. It felt very lonely and cold. She remembered her father going around like he was packing but as she walked about the place, nothing seems to be moved.
She started to feel wary. She remembered him saying no matter the time or where she was, if she grabbed her cell phone and call him, he would be right on the other side.
She took her phone and called, the ring tone came so she waited, her heart started to beat faster as the seconds passed.
-Click*- she hears -Father? - she called.
-Oh! Hi my owlet. I did not want to wake up you. I know today is a class day so I let you sleep...- She was beyond relief, her heart needed to come down her throat now.
-Have you arrived already? - she managed to said
-Yes, all good. I am already installed. It's amazing Via, I am thinking you would like it here so maybe we can plan to come together –
-I'll love that…-
-Oh! Miss Octavia! - One of the servants wondered in when he heard voices -I did not know you were back home. Would you like me to serve you some breakfast? –
-Go Octavia – she heard Stolas say in a low calm tone – We can talk later, don't be late for school-
-I'll call you back – Octavia promised and hung up, then turning to the servant said - Yes please, I would like some breakfast – the servant bowed, and off he went.
After that day Octavia decided to keep quiet about her father's disappearance situation, that night when they talked again, he seems oblivious to all that was happening back home and he sounded so happy that she let it slide for the time being.
Time kept moving; everything was alright at least on Octavia' side. She would let society think her father has disappeared so he would be left alone to heal properly, and so she decided to guard him wherever he was by not even asking his whereabouts.
Meanwhile, at the I.M.P headquarters, things were spiraling out of control.