[Miraculum - 3002]
The establishment of the new government had been completed and the revolt had been successful. The only problem for King Leon and Queen Mother Helene was the fact that Princess Sofia and Queen Dowager Gisela were both missing. The General's son Killian was also missing.
This was problematic because no one knew where these people had gone. The most problematic one out of them was the Queen Dowager. If she found the Princess and married her off, another revolt could easily take place.
The Queen Dowager, however, was residing in a small hut in the cursed town around the Mountains of Death. It was the sight where the Princess was last seen. The Queen Dowager was desperate as she sat down by the foot of the mountains. She was dressed in common clothes and dirt was rubbed all over her face to protect her appearance. No one was to figure out that she was the former Queen… Yet someone did.
"Running from them will only torment you, Your Majesty." An old lady with a basket of herbs said while coming down the mountain.
The Queen Dowager was surprised to have someone recognize her but not cause a fuss.
Scared by the sudden social interaction, Queen Dowager uttered, "Who are you? Have you gone to the mountains?"
"I am just a mere chemist, Your Majesty." The old woman kept her voice low to keep Queen Dowager's identity hidden.
Queen Dowager gulped, "If you know who I am, you must also know where my daughter is-"
"My lady!" The Ex-Royal Secretary found her.
Seeing the old woman, he quickly unsheathed his sword to end her before word could get out. The Queen Dowager quickly stood up and shielded the woman.
"Let me ask her first," She pleaded.
"It is dangerous, my lady."
The old woman stood up behind the two and said softly, "Princess Sofia and Killian disappeared into the Mountains of Death. The man from the Mountains knows where they are. Only he does."
They both looked back to see the woman amidst their argument but she had disappeared after a few words. The Queen Dowager frowned in confusion.
"My lady, she will spread the word. We must leave here!"
"We cannot. I cannot."
Before the argument could heat up, another few footsteps walked down the mountain. Both the Queen Dowager and the Ex-Royal Secretary carefully looked at whoever came down.
Heinrich walked down and immediately noticed the man and the woman staring at him.
"Are you the man of the mountains?!" The Queen Dowager desperately asked.
Heinrich looked at her from head to toe… She was the Queen, wasn't she? What was wrong with her appearance? Heinrich was confused but he nodded.
"Then you must know where Sofia is!" The Queen Dowager proceeded to ask.
Heinrich pressed his lips together. A desperate commoner mother looking for a daughter born into royalty?
"Pardon me," Heinrich said softly, "I am a mere poet. I do not know who Sofia is."
"Your clothes are peculiar for a poet." The Ex-Royal Secretary murmured.
Heinrich had forgotten to change into the clothes of a commoner. Instead, he was wearing his 17th-century waistcoat and overcoat. Thankfully, there were a bunch of herbs in his hands that he had collected before walking downhill. He used these herbs to make medicine for his wife, Teresia. It brought some character to him.
"I know. Pretty fancy, right? I paid a huge balsam for this." Heinrich said playfully.
"Balsam?" The Queen Dowager asked, questioning his peculiar choice of words.
Heinrich shook his head. He had to get in character. 17th-century Heinrich didn't exist in this timeline.
"Fortune." Heinrich clarified, "I paid a fortune to get this."
"My lady," The Ex-Royal Secretary called her, "He does not know who Sofia is, we should leave here."
"I do have a big social circle." Heinrich said, "Who is this Sofia and why are you finding her? I might be able to find and bring her here." He tried putting them under his riddles.
The Queen Dowager walked closer to Heinrich, "If you see Sofia, tell her to run away and never come back. Ever."
The Ex-Royal Secretary sighed, "Lady Sofia has hazel eyes and light brown hair. She is a noblewoman. If you see her, tell her to leave Miraculum."
Heinrich nodded, "Is there any reason for this that I can explain to her?"
"She will die."
[Munich (Capital of Bavaria) - 1617]
After a never-ending conversation with Kaspar, Killian finally found an opportunity to go to the basement at last. Kaspar was occupied with other servants. Killian took his chance and headed toward the basement.
He opened the door of the basement and quickly went inside before anyone could see him. It was darker than he had imagined. With the little light from the few lanterns, he was able to maneuver his way around.
Suddenly, a bright light emerged before him resembling the one he had seen in the mountains before ending up here. Heinrich walked out of the big spiral of light nonchalantly. He immediately noticed Killian who was busy rubbing his eyes from the bright light.
"Did Sofia, perchance, wake up?" Heinrich asked him nonchalantly.
"Did you, perchance, travel through time?" Killian threw a question at him instead, not at all pleased by what he was seeing.
Heinrich exhaled, "I am not answerable to you. Also, you are not allowed to be here. Do not show around here ever again."
With that, Heinrich tried walking past Killian when he grabbed his arm with all his strength.
Heinrich looked at Killian from the corner of his eyes, irked and beyond annoyed. "Someone is forgetting their place."
"You are forgetting the promises you made to her Royal Highness."
"Who asked her to trust me? Everyone can sugarcoat words."
Heinrich pulled his arm away from Killian's grip sternly and walked past him. Killian frowned at his foolishness for ever trusting the man. He had always known that this man would turn out to be as unfaithful as he had perceived. It was true; everyone could sugarcoat words.