I have stayed up all night to read through the files that I was given and found.
"David, you should rest. You can't make clear judgments with a hazy mind." Mark entered my chambers.
"I know.." I rubbed my eyes. "-I just can't let myself do that when my parents are going through who knows what." Mark laid his hand on my shoulder with a gentle squeeze.
He gripped the papers in my hands then took them away. "Let me have those." He said before putting them away. Mark grabbed my arm then led me to my bed.
"You'll kill yourself before your parents. Now come on, rest for a bit. I'll ask the guards to not let anyone in." I nodded then I drifted off to sleep quicker than I thought.
***
"David! Come here, my love!" A beautiful woman with long blonde hair spread her arms. A beautiful, bright smile on her lips.
I stood on my small feet with the help of my chubby arms and ran up to the lady with a laugh. She caught me then twirled me around while we both laughed and giggled in joy and happiness.
"My love! It's time to head out!" A deep voice called out.
The woman pouted then set me down.
Kneeling to my level, she rubbed my cheeks gently.
"Your father and I are going out and we will be back late today. My most trusted maid will take care of you and if anything bad happens, you know what to do right?"
"Yes, mommy!" The woman kissed my forehead and then left.
Everything then turned dark, I was asleep. I assumed it was much later than the events from earlier.
"David, David! Son! Please wake up!" A deep face urged me to wake up.
I yawned then rubbed my eyes.
"What's wrong, daddy?"
"Oh, thank the Lord." He scooped me into his arms and hugged me tightly to his chest. "-Do you mind if I sleep with you today?"
I giggled, I knew that it was an unusual request from my father but I liked it nonetheless. I nodded and made space for the buff man.
He brought me closer to his chest, hugging me tightly.
"Is something wrong, daddy?" He clenched me tighter as father hid his face in my neck. His shoulders shaking, a small sob broke away.
"Nothing, love. Nothing. Sleep, now. I'll tell you everything later." That night I couldn't sleep well due to my father's sobbing but eventually, when morning came, I found myself waking up to an empty bed.
***
Waking up with a gasp, I slide to the edge of the bed with a pounding headache.
"Was that woman my mother?" I couldn't remember her face, the only thing I remember about her is the blonde hair and the beautiful smile she always had.
I haven't found out until a few years later, when I turned 13, that my mother was in fact taken and never seen again. I was angry at my father for lying to me and not telling me sooner but now I know that he only wanted to protect me.
Since my mother's disappearance, he had paid attention to me more than usual. Taking care of me, even sleeping with me a few nights. He started to neglect his duties as a king until I have decided that enough is enough and voice my opinion on the matter.
'Father, you are the king and I am not a child anymore! I can take care of myself, so please go take care of your people!' That was what I said. I will never forget his expression and the tears he shed. The pain of losing a loved one, that's how I found out.
He told me everything on that day before bed.
I couldn't sleep a few nights in a row and even blamed myself for believing his lies and not realizing sooner. Since then, I picked up martial arts, weaponry and even started reading about wars, strategies, and their history. I turned out to be someone different than the soft cute boy that everyone wanted me to be.
The funny thing is, that no one seemed to have a problem with it. They kept encouraging me and my father never forced me to do anything. However, I did wish that he'd be a bit more strict about my studies and the political affairs but all that is in the past.
I am grateful for everything that he had taught me and now, it's time to put all that to a good use.
I am not sure if my mother is still alive but I have to at least find my father and I have to do it quick.
I picked up my phone and called Nathan.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"Gather everyone in the living room."
His tone changed immediately, realizing that it's an order that must be obeyed.
"Yes, sir." The line disconnected.
It's time I take things into my own hands if I want to save the people that I love.
**Thirty minutes later**
I got a call from Nathan a few minutes earlier than everyone is a place.
Wearing my favorite suit with our emblem on the pocket, I made my way to the living room that could hold up to almost three hundred people at once.
Everyone greeted me with a bright smile but due to the recent events, I couldn't even lift the corner of my lips. Realizing my sour mood, they started whispering amongst each other.
Making my way to the center where everyone could hear and see me, I cleared my throat then everyone's attention turned to me in silence.
"I am glad to see that you are all well and thank you for coming all the way here even due to your busy schedules but I have some news that you all must know. Yesterday, my father was taken right out of this palace underneath our noses." They all gasped. "-Whoever done this is aware of our upgraded security systems and secret passageways. It is indeed weird that no one has seen or heard a thing so I have concluded that there might be a mole amongst us." The people started whispering.
"And whoever this spy is reporting to is someone dangerous. This person took my mother and now also my father. They left no trace behind and all cameras and footages were erased. I ask of you to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious and don't let any outsiders know of this. We don't want problems outside these walls as well." They all agreed with me and swore for silence.
"Even if it's the smallest thing, please report everything directly to me. I don't care if it's early in the morning or late at night. From tomorrow onward, I'll tighten the security around the palace and might even ask for the assistance of our government for extra hands and technology but I also want that you all stay safe. Don't wonder around late. I want you to return to your families in one piece. Am I clear?"
"YES, SIR!" The entire palace's walls shook.
"Good. You may return to work." Then everyone scattered about.
Nathan, Mark and Hazel stayed behind.
"What do want us to do?" Nathan stepped forward.
"I want you to look into something."