Over the following week, Quinn remained absent, neither seen at the castle nor within the bounds of his estates. Hezekiah, growing increasingly impatient, dispatched men in search of him, yet they returned with the same report: "He is nowhere to be found."
By the fifth day, Hezekiah, recognizing Quinn's nature, unreachable even when seemingly near reluctantly abandoned the search.
…
At the dining table, the family gathered, though Aurora's absence was palpable as she was away visiting her cousin. Maddie, despite her attempts to conceal her emotions, betrayed her distress. Aurora had never spent more than a day away from Maddie or the castle, making her absence a foreign and difficult adjustment.
Unable to watch his mother suffer in silence any longer, Hezekiah finally broke the quiet. "Mother," he addressed her, drawing Maddie's attention.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" She replied, her tone formal yet weary.
