I wake up to excited voices coming from the main hall of the castle, get dressed quickly and go downstairs to see what is going on, I meet Oliver on the stairs, he is also coming down to see what is going on at this time in the morning.
- What could it be that is happening? - I ask him.
- Something very serious, I heard Virginia's voice, so you can imagine?
- Arg! This woman is a plague, by the gods!
We enter the great hall and find ourselves in a heated discussion:
- What are you thinking of doing about it? I hope they will take some effective action this time. - Virginia's shrill voice filled the entire room.
- By what right do you come to our house and demand something from us? - my mother retorted.
- What's going on? - I asked. But looking at the expressions of my parents and the venomous Virginia, there can only be one thing...
- Two merchants have disappeared, more villagers, now it's not just one, but two. - replied my father bitterly.
- Thanks to your lousy government. - accuses Virginia.
- Don't insult my parents inside our house. - I point my finger at her.
- Impudent girl. - Virginia's face turns red, and she clenches her hands into fists.
- Olivia, please. - my mother asks.
- Do something about this, before the whole village disappears. - Virgina says before storming out the door.
My mother sits down on the large sofa, sighing heavily. All this pressure and pressure is wearing her down.
- How did it happen this time? - Oliver asks.
- They found the house empty, the objects and furniture were out of place, indicating that there was resistance on their part. - replied my father. He had a worried expression on his face, but tried to remain calm about the situation.
- How can they do this without anyone seeing them? How can they cross the boundary that separates the two kingdoms, if the soldiers are on sentry duty every night? - I cannot understand.
- We have an informant from the Royal Kingdom in our lands, that's what it has to be. We have a traitor living among us, he is making it easier for the enemies to enter our kingdom. - says Oliver clenching his fists.
-But who? Who could it be? - my mother throws her hands up in desperation.
- We'll find out, dear, I promise you. - consoles my father.
If there really is a traitor in our midst, we must find out before the situation becomes untenable and all the blame falls on the king and queen, turning everyone against us.
...
The village was busy, all the villagers were talking about the disappearance of the merchants, although everyone knew that the couple had been kidnapped by henchmen from the neighboring kingdom at the behest of the monstrous Erus. Damn him! People were afraid and they were right to be, any one of them could be caught on any given night without precedent.
- Everyone is terrified. - commented Oliver next to me.
- I fear that this will cause the war against Regia to break out again, only much sooner than we imagine. - I say.
- We must be prepared, because it could be today, or tomorrow, or 20 years from now, we don't know. - My brother is worried, but I don't blame him. We have taken a very important person out of Erus' life, now he wants to take someone out of ours as well. This thought makes me shiver all over my body.
...
- That's it Olivia, well done. Your defense has improved a lot, my congratulations. - To receive a compliment from rowing is rare, so it should be appreciated.
- Thank you very much, instructor.
Remo is a very handsome man, he is almost the same age as Hero, his hair is also black like his.
- I heard that the queen received an unwelcome visitor today. - he commented.
- Virginia is a jealous viper, she wants to see the defeat of my family, she wants to take my mother's place.
- It's very complicated to have people who are contrary to the rulers in the kingdom, a betrayal can come from within.
Of course! Remo is right.
- We suspect that someone here in our kingdom might be facilitating the kidnapping of the villagers. - I count.
- And suspect number one is Virginia? - he says laughing.
- She is the perfect candidate, there is no denying it.
- I agree, better keep your eyes open. Take care, little princess.
Remo walks away, and only then do I notice Victoria's gaze on me.