"What do you mean by the princess isn't in the palace?", King Tymon asked his personal servant.
"Her maid, Aneta, just told me that she didn't come back after visiting the queen last night", Kalan said.
King Tymon thought about this. He remembered what happened between them last night and he almost smiled, but straightened his face and told Kalan, "Call the queen for me"
"Yes, Your Majesty", he bowed very low and left the King's chambers.
* * *
Aneta was discussing with the other maids responsible for washing the royal clothes.
"She left the room with fruits I had packaged for her. I tell you, she went to the queen's room"
"Sshhh... do not insinuate things you are not sure about, before you lose your head, Aneta", Gail said.
"What if she didn't get to the room? What if she was taken before reaching her destination?", Henrietta asked.
Aneta thought for a bit...[There might be some truth to what Henrietta says... but still].
Doubts filled Aneta's mind. Her knees got weak, and she fell to the floor, sobbing.
"Do not worry, Aneta, they will find her", Gail said.
"I saw Kalan enter the King's room after we spoke to him. I think they are talking about the matter now. Something will be done, Aneta. Stop crying", Henrietta assured her.
* * *
"The King requires your presence, my queen", Kalan called from outside her room after he had knocked about three times, without receiving an answer.
"Shhh. She was sleeping. You have woken her up now", Anna said to him, opening the door. She was whispering as if the queen hadn't gotten up from the bed.
"Tell him I will be there soon", Queen Marlena said.
"Is it noon yet?", Marlena asked Anna.
"Yes, my queen. The sun is at its highest. Should I open the curtains?"
"Don't you dare. Get me a dress and come comb my hair"
Queen Marlena knew what she was being summoned for, and her mind reeled with answers she prepared for every possible question that would be thrown at her.
"I can go to the king and tell him you are sick, my queen. Are you up for this?", Anna asked, truly concerned about the queen. She had vomited more than three times, that morning alone. Marlena had only managed to get some minutes of sleep when Kalan came in with the summon.
Anna helped the queen get ready and followed her to the front of the king's door.
"Wait for me in my chambers", Marlena didn't want Anna hearing the conversation that would go on between her and the king.
"Your Majesty", she curtsied gracefully when she entered his bed chambers.
"Come in, Marlena", King Tymon looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Why are you so pale?"
[He noticed. This is my chance to change the tide], Marlena thought. "I am pregnant, my king"
It was as if he hadn't heard her, his eyes glazed over then he came out of his reverie; "What did you say, Marlena?", King Tymon stood up and walked towards her, closing the space between them.
"I am pregnant, and I know it is a boy. I have been sick since the beginning of the day. Right now, I feel so faint-"
"Sit down, come here... come sit, My Marlena", The king could have carried her in his arms if he could. He was so happy... "I do not know what to say. You have made me happy, Marlena". He took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.
"Tymon...", Marlena mused. "I was told you wanted to see me"
"Yes. I do not mean to cause you to worry, but the princess is nowhere to be found. Do you by any chance, know about that? Maybe she told you where she was going...or something like that"
Queen Marlena put upon her face an exaggerated feeling of surprise and confusion, "Oh my! I was supposed to have dinner with her last night because I just wanted to make peace, feeling that as I was about to bring my child into the world, I wouldn't want him to meet with strife in the palace. But, she didn't come for it. I waited and waited. When I got tired, with the feeling of disappointment heavy on my heart, I came to your room to receive comfort", she batted her long lashes, knowing he would remember last night's 'show of passion'.
"I will have to put out the word for scouts to find her right now. I am not happy about that, and I really hope my daughter is okay. On the other hand, I will like to have a celebratory feast, just between you and me... for-", he placed his hand on her stomach.
* * *
Months passed and Queen Marlena gave birth to a healthy boy.
They never found the princess or her body.
The people had forgotten about the search because a wonderful thing had happened for the Pridal Kingdom- an heir had been born. There was no one happier than King Tymon and Queen Marlena.
* * *
A sentient being hovered above, watching the celebration going on. It was filled with sadness and despair. It couldn't go on to the afterlife because it had unfinished business in this world, and it wasn't going to transcend until it had exacted its vengeance on the people responsible for cutting its earthly life short.