Chapter 4 - Chapter 2: Lost

Sunlia Meeting Room

Queen Elizabeth: Have we done the right thing?

King Louis: Yes! I'm certain one day Vanessa will understand that I took this decision in her best interest.

The following day

Sunlia Meeting Room

Knock! Knock! Knock!

King Louis: Enter!

Maid Josephine (Bows) Josephine greets the king and queen.

King Louis: Rise!

Maid Josephine: Thank you, your majesty!

Queen Elizabeth: What did you want, Josephine?

Maid Josephine (Kneel) It's terrible, my queen!

Queen Elizabeth: What happened?

Maid Josephine: It's about the princess!

Queen Elizabeth: What about the princess?

Maid Josephine: The princess is missing!

Queen Elizabeth: What do you mean, she's missing?

King Louis: Explain yourself!

Maid Josephine: Well, this morning, I went to clean the princess' room and----------------------------

Early this morning

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Maid Josephine: Princess, may I enter?

(No response)

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Maid Josephine

(Oh, the door's open!)

Sorry for the intrusion, princess.

(As I entered the princess' chamber, I noticed she wasn't in her room. I thought she had gone for a stroll like she usually does, but later on, I realized it wasn't the case).

Actual time

King Louis: What makes you think she's not in the castle?

Maid Josephine: I searched everywhere in the castle, but I was unable to find her. Also,------------------------

King Louis: Also what?

Maid Josephine: She didn't show up for any of her lessons this morning.

Queen Elizabeth: Oh no! Where's my daughter? Where has she gone?

King Louis: Calm down, dear!

Gather all the royal guards immediately!

Maid Josephine: Right away, your majesty!

Josephine exits the room.

Queen Elizabeth: Do you think she ran away?

King Louis: Nothing of the sort happened. She must have gone out to get some fresh air. We'll find her! She mustn't have gone far.

Somewhere far away

Princess Vanessa

(I finally got away from the kingdom. I'm finally free from all those royal customs and rules. Starting today, my new life as a knight will finally begin. New life, here I come).

Sunlia Kingdom

Fifteen minutes later

Sunlia Meeting Room

Knock! Knock! Knock!

King Louis: Enter!

Maid Josephine (Enters) As you requested, all the royal guards have gathered.

King Louis: Good! You're dismissed!

Maid Josephine: Yes, your majesty!

(Josephine exits the room).

King Louis: I gathered you all here to discuss some important issues. As you all know, the princess disappeared and no one knows where she is. What were you all doing yesterday evening?

Sir Antoine (Captain of the royal guards, unit 1) Yesterday, I went out to have my sword repaired. As for my unit, they were out patrolling.

Sir Bastian (Captain of the royal guards, unit 2) As for me, I was feeling unwell, so I went to my room to get some rest. My unit was also out patrolling.

King Louis: What about you, Sir Ricardo? Where were you yesterday?

Sir Ricardo

(What should I do? How should I respond?)

Well, actually----------------------------------

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Queen Elizabeth: Enter!

Lady Daniella (Bows) Daniella greets her highnesses!

Queen Elizabeth: Rise!

Lady Daniella: Thank you, your majesty!

Queen Elizabeth: What brings you here so early in the morning, Daniella? Did you need something?

Lady Daniella: I'm here for my brother.

Queen Elizabeth: For your brother? I don't understand.

Lady Daniella (Ricardo younger sister) My brother is too ashamed of himself. He won't dare tell you the truth, but I will.

King Louis: What truth are you referring to?

Lady Daniella: This whole issue is entirely my fault. If not for me, the princess wouldn't have disappeared.

Sir Ricardo

(Why have you come here, sister, and why are you taking the blame for me?)

King Louis: It's your fault this happened?

Lady Daniella: Yes, your majesty! Yesterday evening, I asked Ricardo to go shopping with me for some new clothes. He didn't want to come with me as he was to guard the royal palace, so I threatened him with my health. I told him if he were not to accompany me, I wouldn't eat or drink. In the end, he had no choice but to comply with my request. Don't blame my brother! If you have to blame someone, then blame me. I'm the one in the wrong. My brother has nothing to do with this.

King Louis: Is she telling the truth?

Sir Ricardo: Yes!

King Louis: Why didn't you tell me?

Sir Ricardo (Captain of the royal guards, unit 3) I was ashamed to show up in front of you. Our troops went out patrolling around the kingdom and I was to stay to guard the palace, but I left my post. The princess disappearing is entirely my fault.

Queen Elizabeth: We don't blame you for what happened! It wasn't your fault

King Louis: Captain Antoine and Bastian, gather your units and go search for the princess. She must still be nearby.

Sir Antoine & Sir Bastian: Yes, your majesty!

King Louis: You're dismissed!

Lady Daniella: Let's go, brother!

King Louis: Wait up, Sir Ricardo!

Lady Daniella: I'll wait for you at home. Goodbye, your majesties.

(Lady Daniella bows and exits the room).

King Louis: Sir Ricardo?

Sir Ricardo: Yes, your majesty!

King Louis: Come here and sit with me!

Sir Ricardo: ???

King Louis: It's an order!

Sir Ricardo: Yes, your majesty!

King Louis: Have a drink with me!

Sir Ricardo: Your majesty, I-------------------------------------------------

King Louis: I know what you're about to say. The one asking you to drink with him isn't the king, but a father in grief. Won't you drink with me?

Sir Ricardo: I'll drink with you, your majesty!

King Louis: Good! Here's a glass of wine for you.

Sir Ricardo: Thank you, your majesty!

King Louis: Do you think I did the right thing?

Sir Ricardo: On what subject, your majesty?

King Louis: I decided on my daughter's marriage without consulting her. Do you think I did the right thing?

Sir Ricardo: Why are you asking me, your majesty?

King Louis: You know my daughter better than anyone. You're the only one she spends most of her time with. You're her childhood friend and the one she trusts the most and is the closest to. If there's anyone who can answer my question, it's you, Ricardo.

Sir Ricardo: Do you want an honest answer, your majesty?

King Louis: Yes, please!

Sir Ricardo: As a king, you did the right thing, but as a father, you failed. Excuse me for saying so but you were never there for your daughter. You were always busy with imperial affairs and you neglected your daughter. Her change of character is due to her solitude. Excuse me, your majesty! I said too much.

King Louis: Thank you for telling me this.

Sir Ricardo: I'll excuse myself with your permission.

King Louis: Yes, you may leave.

Sir Ricardo: Thank you, your majesty!

(Sir Ricardo exits the room).

Somewhere far away

Princess Vanessa: I wonder how everyone is doing in the kingdom. I left so hastily that I didn't have time to prepare. How's Ricardo doing? It hasn't been twenty-four hours yet and I miss him already. I'll send him a courier to let him know I'm okay.

Sunlia Kingdom

Greenhouse Mansion

Lady Daniella: You're back!

Sir Ricardo: Yes, I'm back!

Lady Daniella: Aren't you forgetting something?

Sir Ricardo: Thank you for saving me! By the way, how did you know where I was?

Lady Daniella: I asked the guards. What is this all about?

Sir Ricardo: The princess disappeared and no one knows where she is.

Lady Daniella: Someone knows where she is.

Sir Ricardo: Who?

Lady Daniella: You!

Sir Ricardo: Excuse me? What nonsense is coming out of your mouth?

Lady Daniella: It isn't nonsense. It's the truth, isn't it? Haven't you helped the princess escape?

Sir Ricardo: I don't know what you're talking about.

Lady Daniella: You don't, hum? Where's your horse, big brother?

Sir Ricardo: ???

Lady Daniella: Where's your arc and arrows?

Sir Ricardo: ???

Lady Daniella: Will you still deny the truth?

Sir Ricardo: No, I won't! You got me there, sister. I gave up! You won. How did you find out?

Lady Daniella: Yesterday, as I was out shopping, I saw you with Vanessa.

Yesterday evening

Sir Ricardo: Now, go!

Princess Vanessa: What about you? What will happen to you if I leave?

Lady Daniella: Who's my brother talking to?

Sir Ricardo: Don't worry about me and get going! The troops will soon get back from their patrol. Hurry up and go! Nothing will happen to me.

Lady Daniella: Who is she? I can't see clearly from here.

Princess Vanessa: Promise me one thing?

Sir Ricardo: What, Vanessa?

Princess Vanessa: Promise me to take care of yourself.

Sir Ricardo: I promise! Now, go!

(Goodbye, Vanessa! Take care of yourself!)

Lady Daniella: She's getting away! Isn't that Ricardo's horse and on her back, isn't that my brother's arc and arrows? Ricardo never lets anyone near his horse. Could it be? No, it can't be!

Back to the present

Lady Daniella: The lady with you was Vanessa, wasn't she?

Sir Ricardo: Yes, you guessed right! It was her.

Lady Daniella: Why did you do it? Haven't you thought about the consequences?

Sir Ricardo: I did, but the only thing that mattered to me at the moment was her happiness. I hope she's doing okay wherever she is.

Somewhere far away

Princess Vanessa: Haven't I passed down this road already? What do you think Vanessa (the horse)? Let us take another road.

We passed down this road already, didn't we? I think we're lost, Vanessa! We're lost!

The next chapter is expected to be released on August 23, 2020!!!