After looking at the clothes and sandals thrown about, Joseph's eyes wandered to Aria's table. He almost let out a sob seeing a book on it. It was the same book Aria had fallen asleep reading in the library yesterday. Just a day before his birthday.
"Has it really been only a day? Feels more like an year." Joseph said when he noticed something beside the book on the table. It was a little piece of paper with something written on it. He focused his attention on it.
"It seems that we made some kind of mistake and you are the real daughter of the queen. Come seek us if you value your friend. We will guide you.
---Night warriors"
Joseph frowned upon reading those words. A note? From the night warriors? And it was on Aria's table, which could only mean one thing. She had found the note, and had gone to seek them out.
Joseph wanted to punch Aria right now. Why on earth had she gone alone? Couldn't she have shown this note to someone?!?!?!? "She had to be the hero. Why else." he muttered to himself as he picked up the note, going to tell his father where Aria had gone.
But as he picked it up and started walking, the note caught the moonlight coming from the open window. And Joseph noticed something written on the other side as well.
He turned the note, and the floor seemed to go out from underneath him. Joseph could recognise Aria's handwriting anywhere, and the words on it were something only Aria would have written.
"I will make sure Helen gets back, unharmed, don't worry." was all that was written on the note.
Joseph sunk down on his knees as he understood what had really happened with Aria.
She had gotten a note from the night warriors, asking her to come alone if she wanted Helen to be safe. And of course, like an idiot, she had gone alone without telling anyone. Always trying to be the hero.
But suddenly something else hit Joseph. Aria had sought him out probably just before she left. She had come into Helen's room to talk to him, seeming very disturbed. She wanted to tell him about the note, Joseph realised with a groan.
It all made sense now!! Her barrier had been lifted a few minutes after he had lashed out at her. That was the moment she had left. And he, being the self absorbed brat he was, had only assumed Aria had lifted it because she wanted to save her stamina.
Joseph really wanted to murder himself right now. All the anger he had on Aria had been turned inward now. He could have prevented Aria going alone, and Helen would safely be back now. All he had to do was listen!!
Joseph's head snapped up as he realised that sitting here cursing himself was not going to accomplish anything.
The next few minutes were a blur for Joseph as he ran about the mansion looking for his father. When he finally did find him, Joseph could string no proper sentence together.
It took a couple of minutes for Joseph to show his father the note and tell him what he thought.
Mr. Scott's face was expressionless as he read the note and listened to Joseph.