A large transport carriage rode noisily on its rickety wheels. The carriageway was unusually quiet but it was to be expected of the village so close to the Eastern Gate. A village as such should have been a premise for entrepreneurship and great development. Well, it was, but great havoc has now befallen them. Tension, apprehension, nervousness, and scruple were rolled into balls and shoved brutally into the mouths of the citizens. Everyone now looked out for debatable people to push the burden of fear onto them and have them locked up for life. Not to say that the crown was idle; they did their best but mere soldiers seemed to be incapable of finding the unscrupulous perpetrators. The carriage crossed a road check which was manned by two guards. The guard stared at the carriage driver with a silent question on his face. His cold eyes swept through the carriage and stared at the young man at the back seat warily. The young man got down; he was dressed in a noble outfit with a haughty expression on his attractive countenance. "Do you pigs not see a noble when you see one?" The young man's shrill voice echoed in the silent atmosphere. The guard frowned his brows and took a closer look at the noble. His expression took a turn to a reserved annoyance. "The transport was not one befitting of a noble," the guard replied with a cold voice. Tension and fear were palpable in the air, but all that the Magistrate's son cared for was his fictitious reputation. Louis had an embarrassed look on his face when the guard touched on the transport he brought. His carriage broke down, so he had to make up for it with a public one. What a night! He glared and scoffed before passing through the checks. "Won't you send someone to escort me home?" He questioned, fear peeking out of his voice a bit. The captain turned to him and smirked. "I did not think that the high Louis is scared." He taunted. The guards all stifled a laughter when they saw Louis' cramped-up expression. He couldn't do anything to them. They were not under his father, so nothing good would come out of it if he complained to his father. Sucking up his teeth, Louis went on his way. His house was not that of a distance from the check, but the night held its own share of nightmares, and not one could he endure. His heart beat louder than a drum when a leaf rustled, a squirrel screeched, or a chicken clucked. His funny walk, which was a mixture of running and walking elegantly, made him look quite odd. However, he was constantly looking back and sideways like he was being chased. Well, he was been chased technically. With a swift turn of his head, he was drugged and carried away. He was carried without a fight. That night was a turbulent one for the people in Lasthtown. The magistrate gathered his people, and they bravely ventured into the dark to search for the missing prince of Lasthtown. Every nook and cranny was searched, and every Tom and Dick were questioned. The news of the magistrate's son's disappearance ignited the seed of dread in the hearts of the people. A dread that spelled certain doom for them if no action was taken. Several miles away, in the magnificent vicinity of the castle, the maids were going about with their usual work, the guards soberly protecting the gates, and the royals preparing for the day. A maid held up a grey coat, and Philip slipped into it. He checked himself once again and with a light nod, he headed out. The life of a prince was a complex one but also simple in some sense, however, he never experienced it. Why? Because he claimed that he was interested in exploring the lands rather than ruling, and his sister made it possible for him. A subtle hint of a smile found its way onto his lips. He paused behind a double door. He seemed to be contemplating something, he shut his eyes for a moment, and opened it and with a confident face, he entered the courtroom. The Ministers and peers all stared at him with a variety of expressions. Shock, delight, absolute reverence, and a myriad of others. His smile widened, and he gave them a slight nod before moving up the platform to take his seat. Ely was seated at his far right with a large throne separating them. Ely smiled brightly in his direction. The love, care, and trust were evident in her smile, and that made him falter a bit. He returned with a smile of his own, neither warm nor cold. The ministers looked on calmly; their years of experience were enough to warn them about the water that has started boiling. The King entered, he looked even more haggard than ever, and his eyes were sunken. His steps were shaky, but eventually, he got to his throne. Without casting a single glance at his two children, he waved and ordered them to begin. "This gathering has been called in regards to the mass murders and disappearance rampaging in our kingdom!"