After reciting their lines, the welcoming party stood still with bated breath.
When Qhah-el nodded subtly, the boundary between the physical and spiritual world temporarily collapsed between him and every person who performed the greeting.
Within milliseconds, the welcoming party came face to face with an unbearable amount of pressure that shook up their core, made their blood boil, and activated goosebumps all over their body.
Qhah-el's central field was akin to one side of the abyss. Being within its reach made the attendants feel like they were empty shells in an endless span of darkness.
There was silence in there, but no peace.
It was chilling.
As the welcoming party withstood Qhah-el's presence, they couldn't help but want to close their inner force so the experience would end.
Acknowledging Qhah-el on a soul level was unpleasant. If he was not their lord, they would have never done it.
The chamberlain gritted his teeth as he held his post.
The last time he experienced Qhah-el's essence, it was much subtler because the princess was in front of him.
Even though her inner force was close to none, Qhah-el's essence recognizes whom he has come to union with. Thus, it naturally softened up to avoid harming her.
However, now that she's not present, the chamberlain had to withstand its full force so that the ones behind him wouldn't topple.
The chamberlain's eyes narrowed as his vision blurred.
It had only been a few seconds, but his head was already ringing and his heart was beating so fast, he felt like it would burst.
When the chamberlain could no longer handle the pressure, a warmer gold energy penetrated Qhah-el's essence.
Qu-mar, his advisor, had intervened.
When the chamberlain's vision cleared, he saw Qu-mar's horse ahead of Qhah-el's.
"We…" the chamberlain said as he waited for the rest to join him.
"We greet one of the twelve advisors in the empire. May your guidance bring forth a better rule," they all recited in unison, relieved by his tact and presence.
"I am honored. May wisdom and unity guide us to a more prosperous empire."
After Qu-mar responded, it became easier for the welcoming party to breathe.
His essence was firm and strong, like a stronghold that can withstand the test of time.
Although, the welcoming party was still within Qhah-el's central field. Qu-mar's essence shifted the energies around to a more subtle one.
When Constance, the divine witch, moved forward too, but not ahead of Qhah-el, the bodies of the attendants lightened, so they naturally turned to her.
"We greet your highness. May your attunement with the elements bring more blessings to the empire."
Constance acknowledged them with a smile.
As soon as she did, the welcoming party experienced a taste of home… a form of love that doesn't judge.
However, it didn't last long. As soon as they brought their right hands down, their ability to perceive by spirit waned… until they saw no more and they had to rely on their physical sight and senses once more.
The chamberlain released a deep sigh of relief as their first trial ended.
However, when he noticed Qhah-el's hair was brushed back instead of free flowing, he was immediately reminded of their peril.
The prince rarely styled his hair.
Instead of an armor, he was also donned with a luxurious fur-coat.
When the chamberlain's eyes fell on his war horse, he stared at its freshly combed mane. Then he noticed that it was not just his, but everyone else's.
Without the pungent odor of sweat, dirt, and smoke that usually looms around the entourage, it was obvious everyone bathed too, so the chamberlain glanced at Qu-mar.
Who else other than him could make everyone bathe in winter? They might have even camped nearby just to groom the horses.
When the chamberlain felt goosebumps, he turned and looked at Qhah-el.
"Where is she?" Qhah-el asked in a low, but calm, voice.
His chilling gaze remained on the chamberlain, but his question was directed to Qu-mar, who didn't just inform him of the matter, but even made a ballad out of it that he repeated hour after hour.
Qu-mar stiffened as he eyed the chamberlain, who indicated in the letter that the princess will be there for sure, since even after he confirmed it three times, the princess said yes, she would come.
"His highness is asking a question, answer," Qu-mar commanded.
However, only silence reigned.
"Is she in her chamber?" Qhah-el asked as his sharp gaze fell on the eagle flying towards him.
When it landed on his arm, he moved it to his shoulder before scanning the attendants, who didn't dare speak.
Then he tugged on his horse. "Let her be, if she doesn't want to see me."
When Qhah-el was about to enter the gates, the chamberlain spoke.
"T… the princess is missing my lord," he said, so Qhah-el halted.
As he did, the temperature changed. "Since when?"
"Since lunch, my lord. We have searched the palace, the nearby towns, and the noble houses, but she was yet to be found."
Qhah-el's gaze darkened. "And the cause?"
The chamberlain swallowed hard, because even he didn't know. "Her highness's chamber was untouched, my lord. There were no signs of struggle."
"The watchers reported no unnatural activities either."
"With most of the guests already in the palace, security was tripled, but none of the guards nor maids reported seeing her."
The tension in the air doubled as Qhah-el heard more.
"How many men were deployed and where are they now?" Qhah-el asked as he tugged on the reign lightly and guided the horse to turn around.
"Currently, 30 royal guards, several hundred knights and men at arms, dozens of mounted troops, 30 skilled hunters, 3 special units, and 10 support units are currently combing rural areas, nearby forests, routes, establishments, as well as the nearby regions, my lord."
"With that number, what did you find out?" Qhah-el asked as he eyed the chamberlain.
"N…none, my lord."
Qhah-el's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Then his orbs drifted to Stella briefly before landing on Constance.
"Lady…"
Qhah-el paused when he noticed the energy shifting around her. It seems like he doesn't even need to ask.
Constance was already in the in-between. Once she's ready, she will tell him what she sees.