"No, I didn't," Henrie said.
Yohana couldn't hide her surprise. "But why? Queen Emma told you to, and as the crown prince of Reichwein, you should—wait, did she reject you?" Yohana's mind raced through several possibilities, but Henrie denied all of them.
She scrutinized Henrie's face, which was etched with guilt, and asked, "Did you not find her at all?"
Henrie hesitated for a moment before replying, "I did. I spoke to her."
***
Following his adjusted plan, Henrie shot at any animals he could find, filling his hunting bag, and then began searching for Lady Celeste. He was convinced that his mother intended for them to meet on his path.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, it became increasingly apparent that Lady Celeste might be the only young lady he would encounter on his journey. And he was proven right.
