"Hazel, I hope you aren't busy." I knocked on the security door. It opened then Hazel assured me in.
"It's alright. I have been looking through the footage of the dates that you have mentioned but I haven't found anything out of the ordinary, except that the same blackout occurred when your mother was taken but it was restored a second later."
"I might have something that could help." I showed the cassettes that I have found. "-I hope that there is something that could help us listen to this."
"I'll look through the storage." I nodded and waited for Hazel to find the proper equipment.
"Uh! Prince, here you are!" Mitchel, one of the maids, smiled brightly as she entered the room with a tray. "-Mark asked me to prepare something for you since you forget to eat when you are nervous." Mitchel was an older woman, married with two married kids of her own. She was my nanny when I was nothing but an infant.
I smiled, "Thank you, Mitchel. How are you and your family doing?" I assured her to set the tray on the isolated table in the corner so the contents of it won't spill on the Tech by accident.
She giggled with a dismissive movement of her hand. "Oh, nothing new, love. My husband is working, my kids with their families. Thank you for asking, my prince."
"It's called basic antic, Mitchel." I chuckled. "-What type of gentleman would I be if I wouldn't greet the most beautiful woman in the palace?"
The older lady laughed then brushed the invisible dust off my shoulder. Her eyes were glossy.
"What's wrong?" I grasped her hand in mine gently with a reassuring squeeze.
"You have grown into such a fine man, my prince. Will I ever get to see you married?" She chuckled.
"Of course you will, Mitchel. Don't be ridiculous. You are still kicking ass." We both laughed at her favorite daily quote.
"Oh, darling. You know that you are like a third son to me right?" I laughed.
"I am glad to know that I am your third favorite, Mitchel."
"Though I wasn't present at the sudden meeting that you have called, I heard what was going on. Do you have any news about your father?" I shook my head.
"But don't worry, I am getting close. I'll get him back, I promise."
"All I want from you, my prince is to take care of yourself. We all trust you here, and most of us have watched over you since you were born-"
"What are you trying to say?"
"All I am saying is, if your life is in grave danger while looking for your father, I'd like you to think twice and turn your back."
"Mitchel... What are you saying... You know I can't do that." My short temper is rising to the surface. I felt my blood boil in anger at her comment.
"I just want you to remember that you are our last hope at the moment. We can't lose you too. Not the palace, and not your people."
Our positions somehow shifted and now she was holding my hands. I released my hands from her very tight hold as gently as I could.
"With all due respect, I understand where you are coming from but I lost one parent before and I am not willing to lose another.. but... I promise you that if my life will be in grave danger, I'll stop."
"Thank you, my prince.. and If you don't mind me saying..." I nodded. "-Don't forget that you have people to govern over. Don't become like the king and neglect your duties." I raised an eyebrow.
"I'll let it slide just because I have known you since birth but, again, you are right. I'll see what I can do." How could I forget that I also have people to lead?
Wasn't I the one that lectured my father and his neglect of the people when I was thirteen? And look at me now, making the same mistake.
"My prince, I have returned with the equipment." Mitchel left after a small bow. I handed the tapes to Hazel then I made my way to my favorites.
Taking a few small bites, my taste buds exploded from the overwhelming blend of flavors. I hadn't realized how hungry I really was until I have finished the tray.
When I turned to watch Hazel, instead of looking through the footage, he was recording something on his phone.
Quietly stepping behind him, "What are you doing?" He jumped, the phone jumping in the air due to his surprise but before he could get to it, I grabbed it.
"I hope you don't mind while I search through that, right?"
"I promise you, my prince, there's nothing you want to see in there." He panicked, sweat rolling down his forehead.
I smiled then turned my back to him, my guard up in case he tries something funny. Tapping onto the Gallery icon...
"You can have it back.." I closed my eyes in disgust.
"I-" I raised my hand to silence him.
"Please refrain from doing that at work... Or at least while I am here."
"Y-yes, sir." He quickly grabbed the phone from my hand before stashing it in one of his pockets.
"Well anyway, you got a girlfriend?" I smirked. That was the first time that I have seen the buff head of Security blush.
**Later that day**
"Hey man, what's up?" Nathan barged into my office.
"My sour mood. What do you want?"
"Someone's cranky." He made himself comfortable in the chair in front of me. The desk separating us.
"Let's say that I have seen things that I shouldn't have seen and I can't get them out of my head." Nathan laughed.
"Do I wanna know what you are talking about?"
"It's best you don't. For the both of us." I groaned. I will never forget this day. Maybe I should mark it on my calendar.
"So what's with all these papers?"
"Uh yes. I forgot that I am the temporary king." Nathan pulled another laugh from his lungs.
"Not jealous of you, man."
"Never asked you to be. Trust me, you don't want all this paperwork on your hands."
"Well anyway, I am obviously here for a reason. Mark and I have found something that might help you find the culprit behind all of this bull."
Setting the pen down.
"I am all ears."