"What on earth do you mean by he has disappeared? Does that make any sense to you? Have you sent out anyone to get him? Tell me right now instead of smiling Darius!" Catherine stood up frustrated that her brother was smiling and enjoying a drink while Alexander was missing. Alexander was always kept in the palace where her brother could see him so did he leave in order for him to go missing? "What did you do?"
"What on earth makes you think I have anything to do with it? He was the one that requested to go back to his home because his shoulder was hurting him. Blame it on him. Leave me out of it," Darius muttered before bringing the cup to his lips to take a sip of it.
"We have the best doctors here in the palace. You could've offered him that. Even if he returned home, that place is as safe as the palace is. Have you forgotten who his father is? Tell me the truth-"
"One of his workers said he went out to meet with a woman. There," Darius's smile widened seeing his sister's confused expression. "Why are you so surprised he would be seeing someone? It's not like the two of you are together. He never mentioned a woman to me but I'm starting to wonder if he ran off with her to get married or something. She must not be someone his father would approve of."
Catherine clenched her fists hearing that Alexander had gone out to meet a woman. If her brother had not agreed to the idea of her traveling to visit relatives she didn't like all for her to spy on them for him, she would've been here to keep an eye on Alexander. She spent years trying to court Alexander and would hate to know the one time she left the palace he had found someone. "I don't believe you. What are you hiding from me?"
"Oh, ho sister. I am just repeating what was sent back to me from his worker."
"You said it yourself that he never mentioned a woman to you. It's not like you would've informed his father about it. Aren't the two of you supposed to be close? Where did this woman suddenly come from? Tell me her name if she really exists." On the outside, she appeared calm and collected as she was always taught a princess should behave but on the inside, she was fuming. She truly believed her brother had something to with this.
"Why are you getting so upset with me, little sister? You weren't even together for you to be getting upset with me. I already told you I never heard anything about the woman. You were chasing him around for so many years, why haven't you grabbed onto him yet? Then I wouldn't have to worry about him getting upset and leaving the palace."
"See, that means something did happen. If he did have a woman he wouldn't tell you because you always get rid of them-"
"Because of who Catherine? Have you forgotten the many times you have pleaded to me to get every woman out of your way? I didn't do all those things alone so don't try to act all innocently now. I swear if you weren't my sister I would get rid of you. Everyone around keeps giving me a headache," Darius rubbed his temple and took a seat. Couldn't she understand he was upset with Alexander not being found?
"I want him back, Darius. I need to know that he is safe."
"He probably is. Not many could get that man beat in a battle. Not even his own father and if it'll make you sleep better at night, I sent Leon to hunt him down. If he returns without Alexander, he's as good as dead. Now, unto other news," Darius had a slightly less important topic to talk about.
"Not now Darius. I can't think about anything else till I have Alexander back," Catherine felt useless because she could do nothing to help find Alexander. Her brother had all the authority to do these things because he was king. Maybe she should write to Alexander's father behind Darius's back so that he could find out where his son is.
"This is a conversation you will definitely want to hear about. It's regarding your marriage." As king and her older brother, it was his responsibility to help her find a husband. He put it off for a while now till he could find some use for her marriage.
"You want to bring up my marriage at a time like this? I told you I won't marry anyone besides Alexander. You might be king but as a brother, you need to take my feelings into consideration. I only want Alexander. Please let me have him," she pleaded just like she had done for many years. Her brother had the power to create an arranged marriage between her and Alexander but he never took it seriously.
"I have taken your feelings into consideration but more importantly, my best interests. After thinking it over, I think it would be best if Alexander got engaged to you. Wait a moment before you scream with excitement," he said when he saw the look in her eyes and the movement to open her mouth. "I want to keep Alexander beside me for a long time and you want to be with him, so I am going to make a royal command for this to happen. Are you prepared to get married, Catherine?"
Catherine nodded her head quickly agreeing to the plan. She had waited so long for this moment to come and now it was finally happening. She was going to become Catherine Mclane. If Alexander really was with another woman, it wouldn't matter. He'll belong to Catherine and she'll have the other woman killed. "Brother, please hurry up and find my future husband in one piece. I have a wedding to plan and I want my groom here as soon as possible."