The evening was alive with music and laughter, the grand hall filled with people celebrating my wedding. My wedding to Antonia. I glanced around, forcing a smile as I exchanged pleasantries with the guests. But my mind was elsewhere, consumed with thoughts of Elena.
Then, suddenly, the music stopped. The laughter died down. A hush fell over the room as a group of guards approached me, their faces pale with fear.
"Your highness," one of them stammered, "we need to speak with you. It's urgent."
I frowned, irritation flashing through me. "What is it? This better be important."
The guard stepped closer, his voice trembling. "Elena... she's missing."
For a moment, everything seemed to stop. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a cold wave of dread wash over me. "What do you mean, missing?" I demanded, my voice rising with anger. "How could she be missing?"
The guard looked terrified. "She escaped. We don't know how, but she's gone."
