DANIEL AND MAGNOLIA WALKED INTO THE HOUSE, giggling and holding hands. They were both drunk with desire for each other.
It was late so there was no one around, except the butler. Daniel dismissed him right away.
"I think we shall read chapter twelve when we get to the bedroom," Daniel whispered in her ear.
Magnolia bit her bottom lip while her mischievous eyes stared at her husband.
"I am looking forward to it, Your Grace," she said with a playful voice.
Daniel pulled her to him, flattening their bodies against each other. He kissed her with such passion, her knees nearly gave in.
"Daniel, you're killing me," she breathed against his lips.
"Look who's talking, you're the one killing me with these lips of yours." He kissed her again then he picked her up and started to walk toward the stairs.
When Daniel turned toward their room, Magnolia wiggled a bit. "Wait, Daniel," she said. "I want to check on Geoffrey first."
"Your wish is my command, my lady."
She giggled as Daniel carried her to their son's room.
The duke opened the door slowly. He did not want to wake up the boy. He walked to the bed, but Geoffrey was not there. He froze in place, letting Magnolia slide down to her feet.
"Geoffrey?" she uttered.
Her eyes were searching the room. She immediately turned on the lights and checked under the bed and in the bathroom.
"Geoffrey," she called, louder.
She turned to Daniel who had been immobile, as if he was turned into a statue.
"Daniel." He finally reacted to Magnolia's voice.
He could tell there was a struggle in the room. The pulled blankets that were thrown to one side of the bed, the slipper that was upside down, and Geoffrey's plush on the floor.
His eyes traveled to the balcony doors that were ajar. He took a few steps toward them but halted when he saw drops of blood on the rug. His blood froze in his veins.
Magnolia gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, her tears were already racing.
"Daniel." The agony in her voice crashed against the duke like violent waves. He could not respond, there was a lump in his throat.
Daniel took another step and opened the balcony doors. Then he heard a few whimpers. He found Ben lying on his side, wounded.
Something clicked inside Daniel, he was no longer the father who was terrified of what might have happened to Geoffrey, he was the Cold-Hearted Duke of Salicera.
"Guards," he roared. His voice echoed in every corner of the castle.
Only seconds later, Geoffrey's room was swarmed with knights and servants.
"My son is missing," he said. "I want you to gather everyone in the main hall." Everyone rushed out of the room in an instant. "Jasper, Ben is wounded, see that he is taken care of." The duke motioned to the open doors.
"Yes, Your Grace." The butler rushed to the balcony.
Daniel kneeled in front of Magnolia who was very shaken, he took her hands in his. "I promise you, love, we will find him."
She could only nod as fresh tears rushed down her cheeks.
The duke was livid.
'How dare someone snatch my son from the middle of my house?'
But he was also scared that whoever had the guts to do it would not hesitate to harm Geoffrey. He gritted his teeth in anger.
When he reached the main hall, every employee of the castle was already present. He looked down at them as he descended the stairs, he stopped a few steps away and looked around.
"My son," he started. "The sole heir of House Van Konigl, has been abducted from his own bed."
A few gasps were heard from the servants.
"How is that possible?" he roared. The room fell into silence again. "Victor," he called.
"Yes, Your Grace." The commander stepped forward.
"The knights who were in charge of security tonight," he said, not even feeling the need to explain more.
"All here, Your Grace." Victor motioned to the group of knights behind him. Their faces were as pale as a sheet. "None of them have seen or heard anything."
Daniel scoffed. "It seems I have been too soft on you lately." He took the last four steps down to reach them. "How can you call yourselves knights?" he screamed.
He punched the first knight in the gut, splitting him in two, and he kicked another in the chest, sending him to the floor. Then, he slammed the back of his hand against the side of another's head.
The servants watched in silence, flinching every time the duke hit one of the knights until every one of the men was on the floor, motionless.
Since he married Magnolia, the duke had become way nicer and calmer. Everyone in the castle had almost forgotten that he had held the nicknames of Cold-Hearted Duke and Cold Blooded Warrior for years.
This was a reminder of who Daniel Van Konigl truly was. Every single servant in the room was trembling.
"Let me be clear, if anything happens to Geoffrey, everyone will pay for it," Daniel spat. "Everyone."
He was out of breath and his hands were shaking from all the emotions.
"Your Grace." Victor approached him. "Groups have already been formed and were dispatched to search outside the castle. They all have tracking dogs with them."
"Then let the servants search inside the castle, I want every corner, every bush, every stone turned for any clues."
"Right away, Your Grace."
"Where is Laya?" Daniel asked.
"She decided to visit a nearby town to get some supplies. She said since you would be gone all day for the wedding, she will be back tomorrow morning," Victor explained.
"Damn it." Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose.
'A mage would have been very helpful right now.'
"Your Grace," the butler rushed toward him.
"What is it? Is the dog alright?"
"Yes, Ben is being healed as we speak, but Lady Green is nowhere to be found."
Daniel's eyes widened. "Lady Green is also missing?" he repeated to himself.