Maria's POV:
"Sweetie," I glance at my dark-haired friend who purses her lips together. "Let's be reasonable about this."
"No! I want daddy!" A scream rings out from the room as I gulp. What do you do in this situation? "If daddy isn't there, I'm not coming out."
"Melody," Her mother's hand rattles the knob. "Listen to me and unlock this door right now."
"No."
Purple eyes widen as they slightly narrow. "What did you just say to me?"
"I want my daddy."
"We all want him to come back," I said after a few moments of silence. "But we don't know where he is."
A whimper comes from within the room. "Daddy…"
My friend looks at me with a sigh as I shake my head. "What are we supposed to do now?"
"The only solution I can think is to break the door."
"What?!"
"Hear me out," I place my hands in front of my chest. "She has locked herself in her room for hours now. The only meal she had was breakfast so she must be starving. If this keeps up, considering how stubborn she is, she might never unlock it."
"But-"
"She's right," Footsteps enter my ears as I turn my head. A figure wearing all black walks towards us. "If she's not willing to unlock the door, the only option is to use force."
It's not the only option but it is the quickest.
Gold and silver eyes stare at my dark-haired friend with a neutral expression. "Why are you here?" She asks as he blinks.
"I'm your husband. Of course I'm supposed to be here."
A scoff escapes her lips as she waves a hand dismissively. "Yeah right."
He shakes his head looking at the door. "Melody, come on out, little princess."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I want my daddy."
I wave a hand to signal the servants to retreat clearing the hall.
"Your father's not here right now."
"Then," A sniffle rings from the room. "Where is he?"
"He's going on a mission and won't be back for awhile."
"Why not?"
"Well, let's just say he has to deal with this himself."
Huh?
"So," A hand rattles the doorknob. "Ready to come out?"
"You're not daddy. I want my daddy."
"Come now, sweetheart, you must be quite hungry." A gray-haired teen hands him a tray of food as he fans the smell below the door and into the crack. Oh… he's trying to lure her out. Smart. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't go hungry."
"Go away."
"Aw come on. Tell you what. If you unlock this door, the tray of food in my hands will be all yours." His eyes glance down at the tray then to the door. "It even has your favorite cookies."
"You shameless liar." Purple eyes roll as he glares at her. "Those aren't even her-"
"Are you trying to interfere with my plan?" He whispers as she folds her arms over her chest. "Just let me do my thing, Your Highness."
"Whatever."
"How do you know what my favorite cookies are?"
He blinks looking down at the chocolate chip cookies. "Isn't it obvious? Your father told me all about it."
"Really?"
"Yes," He passes the tray to me as my eyes widen. "He told me to take care of you."
"Why couldn't he take care of me himself?" A noise of displeasure escapes from her lips. "Why does he have to go away?"
I'm wondering that as well. Why did he leave without saying anything? Also when? How did he do it without our knowledge?
"Well," The guy in front of me hums placing a hand under his chin. "Let's just say he had a very important place to be." Very important? "But don't worry. He will be back before you know it."
A silence passes between the room and the hall as we glance at each other.
"How soon?"
"I don't exactly know when but I can assure you, young princess, your father will return." The being next to me speaks after a minute of thinking. "He gave me instructions to take care of you. What happens when he comes back and he sees you like this?"
She doesn't respond as he twists the doorknob gently. "You may not know but your daddy is very scary."
"Scary?"
"Yes. Maybe not to you but to me… did you know what he made me promise? He made me swear I will take care of you and your mother during his absence or else something bad will happen to me."
"What will happen?"
"Oh trust me," Silver and gold eyes roll. "You don't want to know."
She stays quiet once more as he blinks clutching his head with a hiss muttering something inaudible. Huh…
"Hey, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." His eyes shut for a moment. "A dizzy spell that's all."
"Sunshine," My dark-haired friend speaks up with a frown. "I know you want to see your father. I want to see him too but locking yourself in a room won't solve anything."
Her hand grabs the other doorknob pursing her lips. "Melody, please, unlock this door."
"I want daddy." A whimper escapes the room. "Mommy, I want my daddy."
"Come on, honey." Her hand rattles the door. "He's just gone for the time being. It's not forever."
(Click)
The door opens as a tiny figure steps out of the room. Purple eyes fill with tears as she squeezes a stuffed gold dragon in her chest as tightly as she can.
"Mommy," Tears drip from her eyes as her mother immediately picks her up holding her close to her body shutting her eyes.
"Honey, it's okay." A hand pats her back. "I'm here."
"I-I want daddy." A whimper rings through our ears. "D-Does he not want me anymore?"
Why on earth would she think that?!
"Sweetie," My friend hugs her closer stroking her hair as she buries her head into her neck. "Your father loves you more than anything in this world. Although he's not here, that doesn't mean he doesn't want you."
The child gulps with another whimper as her mother soothes her by patting her back. I mean… I get why she's upset but is there a reason why she's so attached to him? Maybe it's the age?
A hiss rings through my ears as my eyes widen at the man next to me. His hands cover his ears as he grimaces. Holy…
"Are you sure you're okay?" My friend sways a bit as I immediately grab his arm. "You look as if you're about to pass out."
"Maria, I'm… fine."
"You're lying." I summon up a chair as I lower him onto it. "Look at me."
Gold and silver eyes meet mine as he winces at the lights. "Squeeze my hand." A soft grip touches my hand as I raise my other hand in front of his face. "Now, can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding up?"
"Three?"
So he's not delirious. This is a good sign.
"Have you eaten or drunken anything today?" Hm… could it be dehydration? I hand him a bottle of water. "Here. Drink this. It will help."
"I said that I'm-"
"You're as pale as a sheet." My eyes narrow as he clutches his head once more letting out a soft groan. "Listen to me and drink or else I'll have no choice but to call Nistro."
The man in front of me winces as he sips the water slowly. The physician threat always works.
"Better?"
His hand touch mine as he hands me back the bottle. "I told you I'm fine."
"Fine my head." I roll my eyes as I push him back onto the chair. "Sit. Don't be in such a rush standing."
"You're overreacting."
"Overreacting?" I raise a brow as my hands lands on my hips. "Oh if I'm overreacting then you just go ahead and stand. Don't blame me when you fall limply and the doctor comes in."
Seriously. What's with him not caring about his health? He's just like Astral in this aspect.
A scoff rings through my ears as I glance at my dark-haired friend bouncing her daughter lightly soothing her cries.
Hah… what a relief that this is over.
Zach's POV:
"Zach, what on earth are you-"
"Star, just listen."
"Can you go into Astral's office and get a manila envelope?"
"Why?" She raises a brow as I loosen my grip on her wrist. "And was that why you dragged me out here? To get a file?"
"It's important."
"If it's so important then why can't you go get it?"
"Because it will look suspicious if I do."
After all, I didn't step foot in his office recently so if I go now it will look off.
Green eyes widen. "What are you planning-"
"Just go into his office and find a manila envelope. It should be in the second drawer of his desk."
My friend places her hands on her hips shifting her weight to her right leg. "Zachary, you're acting highly suspicious right now. Should I be worried what you might do with that file?"
I expected this. Hm… got to come up with something…
"I just need it to verify a couple things that's all."
"I don't believe you."
Why is she like this?
"Ok," Looks like I have to lie a bit. "Astral told me if I needed something from his room, I could go get it."
She blinks blankly at me for a few seconds. "Then… why are you asking me to go?"
"You've been to his office before, right? Please," My hands meet each other as my lips curve into a pout. "Do your friend a favor."
…
…
…
"Fine." My eyes widen as she agrees. "But you have to tell me what you will do with the file."
I fold my arms across my chest. "Why?"
"Knowing Astral, the file you requested must have sensitive information about an individual. What if you choose to harm that being or use it against them?"
"I'm afraid I can't disclose that."
"Then go get it yourself." She starts to walk away as I grip her sleeve.
How should I approach this?
"Although I can't disclose what I'm planning but rest assured, I will not harm innocent beings."
Emphasis on the word innocent that is.
"Hm," A hand rests under her chin narrowing her eyes at me. "Fine but you better promise me you won't harm others."
"I promise not to harm innocent individuals with that file."
She lets out a breath shaking her head. "Give me a few minutes."
5 minutes later:
Her hand hands me the file as I flip through the documents. Looks like she's correct after all. All the information is here.
"Thanks, Star. I owe you one."
Now to get this to Estrella and Count Luca and it's game over for him.
Astrana's POV:
"Darn it," My body flinches as a whisper rings out from behind me. A guy rubs his temples with a scowl. "Astral's going to get it for making me suffer like this."
Huh?
I raise a brow as I lean closer to him. He shuts his eyes with a hiss. "Honestly, would it kill him to stay asleep for the time being?"
Asleep? What is he saying?
"Is there anything I can help you with, Princess?"
My body stiffens as he opens his eyes with a neutral expression. His arms fold across his chest. "It's not really nice to listen in on a being talking."
I scoff waving a hand. Play it cool, Astrana. "You think I wanted to listen to you muttering to yourself? I saw you rubbing your temples with your fingers and was concerned that's all."
"Oh really?" His gold and silver eyes roll. "Well, you have him to blame for that."
"Him?"
Who is this 'Him' we are speaking of?
"Anyway," The being in front of me clears his throat. "What are you doing here?"
"This is a hallway so obviously, I was roaming and that's when I saw you."
He blinks blankly at me. "Do you have nothing better to do?"
"Hey! Watch what you-"
"Your brother currently has a bunch of paperwork on his desk that needs approval." His fingertips run through his hair. "Of course, I can take care of them but they need his signature in which your father said forgery is a crime or whatever." A mutter rings through his lips. "That Eliphas."
My eyes widen as they narrow into his. "Raizel, you have no right to insult my dad. He can kick you out of the palace right this instant if you dare insult him again."
"Does it look like I care, Princess?" An index finger points to his face as he lets out a yawn. "I'm only doing this because of your brother. I could care less about the beings on which he surrounds himself with."
Why this little guy is so annoying!
I fold my arms across my chest shifting the weight of my body on to my other leg. "If forgery is a crime, what do you expect me to do about it?"
Gold and silver eyes light up with a smirk. "Yes. Forgery is a crime but there's no rule against helping with the paperwork right?"
What does he… "You're not saying I-"
"How else will we deal with the mountain of paperwork?"
"You do realize my dad checks over them right? If he sees that I forged my brother's signature, I'll never hear the end of it!"
Royals are supposed to be role models. They're supposed to be perfect. Set an example for the others. If I get caught forging important documents… I don't even want to think about the consequences.
A groan escapes his lips as he face palms. "I knew you were too goody goody to commit such a crime. How typical."
"That's right." He's using reverse psychology. Got to not fall into his trap. "Forget about it." I turn my head away. "There's no way I will be forging his signature. Not to mention, I don't even know what it looks like."
…
"Fine then," He reverts back to his neutral look. "Can you at least stamp the seal of approval and look over them? Just seeing the paperwork on his desk makes my headache even worse."
"Sure. I can do that."
I better redirect all the upcoming documents to my place. My eyes narrow as he looks around the palace. Something tells me that he won't be doing any work anytime soon.
Dark's POV:
If what he said is true… My hands shut the door to his office as I make my way to the couch. Then we don't have much time left.
"Just how am I going to awaken his memories?" I mutter to myself while laying on the couch. Also where is Selene? I can't even sense her aura. Is she still sealed in a vessel?
I glance outside the window. The bright blue sky. "This is more complexed than I thought."
(Knock)(Knock)
And… here she comes.
"Yes?"
"I brought you some food." A female voice rings out as I let out a breath. Right on cue.
The door opens revealing a tray of food as a woman walks in placing it on the table. Soft golden eyes stare at my figure on the couch with a concerned look.
"Are you still suffering from that headache?"
"Why are you here?"
She blinks with a frown as she approaches my body sitting on the couch. "My daughter called you to have dinner with us but you didn't respond so I decided to bring food here."
How can I eat when there's a crisis going on? Not to mention because of Astral, my headache isn't subsiding. Damn it!
"Want some medicine?"
"No. Medicine can't cure this headache." I wished it can though. My eyes drift to the food tray then to her. "I'm not hungry. You can leave it there and go about your business."
"If I leave here, you're not going to eat, are you?"
"Isn't it obvious?" My eyes roll looking at the ceiling once more. "Besides, I'm not hungry."
"Nonsense," A hand yanks my hand up as I groan. "Do you know how many times my son used that as an excuse?"
"Don't you have anything better to do?" She forces me up on the couch placing the tray of food on my lap. "You are the Queen after all. Surely you have a lot of things to do. Why waste time with this?"
"Yes but I'm not letting you skip dinner." Gold eyes narrow into mine. "I let you skip lunch because you said you weren't hungry but not dinner. Now eat."
Am I really being forced to eat?
"But…" I wince clutching the side of my head with a hiss. Astral! Just what are you doing?!
"See? It's because you skipped lunch. I bet that's the reason your headache won't go away."
No. That's not it. Blame your son for my pain.
"Now eat," A hand shoves a spoon into my fingers. "Before I force you to."
Oh come on! You think the Queen would have something better to do. Hm… the quicker I eat, the faster I can get back to brainstorming ways to unlock the seals!