Alaric's POV
The feast was over. I watched Sophie walk away. Her head held high.
Elara had stormed out behind her. The air in the Great Hall finally felt thin enough to breathe.
I turned to my uncle. Magnus was swirling the last of the wine in his cup. He looked satisfied.
"You have a rare creature in that kitchen, Alaric." Magnus said.
"But we have more pressing matters than poultry. Tell me. How far have you gone in the case of your mother's death? Have you found the ones who offended her memory?"
I looked at him. I respected Magnus. He was the only family I had left. The one who did not try to steal my crown. I decided to speak with an open heart.
"I am working on it Uncle." I said.
I leaned forward.
"I have sent Eunuch George to find the truth. He is digging through the old records. He is looking for the names that were erased."
Magnus paused.
His hand stopped moving. He looked at me with a calculating gaze.
"Eunuch George?" Magnus asked.
"He is a quiet man. A safe choice. Your plans are good. It is time the shadows were cleared from this palace."
Magnus stood up suddenly. He adjusted his heavy tunic.
"I have something to take care of immediately. I must leave." Magnus said.
"Now?" I asked.
I was surprised by his haste.
"Can you not take care of it later? We have not finished our discussion."
"No. It is urgent. It cannot wait for the moon to set." Magnus replied.
"Very well." I said.
"I bade you good night Uncle."
I watched him walk out. His footsteps echoed on the stone.
I felt a strange chill. I pushed it away. I returned to my chambers. I went to my quiet room.
This was the only place where I was not a King. I was just a man.
I sat at my desk. I brought out my journal. I picked up my quill. I wanted to capture the meal Sophie prepared today.
I began to draw the poultry dish. I drew the texture of the crust. I wrote down the explanation she gave.
"Soft inside. Crunchy outside." I wrote.
I looked at the pages. I remembered what Cassian told me. He said the book that brought her to this time was the Ledger of Satiety.
My heart skipped a beat. That was the perfect name for my journal. I had been looking for a title.
I took the quill. I wrote the words in bold letters on the cover. The Ledger of Satiety.
Just after I finished writing. A sharp knock interrupted me. I did not like being disturbed in this room.
"Come in!" I barked.
A guard entered. His face was pale. He was trembling.
"Your Majesty. I have terrible news." The guard said.
"Speak." I commanded.
"Eunuch George is missing. He is gone. Someone had kidnapped him. There is no trace of him in the palace or the grounds." The guard said.
I stood up so fast my chair hit the wall. I felt a roar of fury in my chest. I was devastated. I was angry.
"How?" I shouted.
"He was under my protection! Who is behind this? Who does not want me to know the truth?"
"We do not know, Sire. The corridors were silent." The guard whispered.
"Tell the guards to be alert!" I said.
"Search every cellar. Search every stable. Report to me if anything arises. If he is harmed, the person responsible will hang from the highest tower."
The guard bowed. He rushed out. I slammed my fist onto the desk. My mother's truth was slipping through my fingers again.
Someone was playing a game with me. Someone was afraid of what George would find.
Just as the guard was leaving, Cassian walked in. He did not look at the guard. He looked at me. He was holding a small, colorful bag.
"Alaric. Calm your blood for a moment." Cassian said.
"George is gone, Cassian! I cannot be calm!" I yelled.
"I know. But look at this." Cassian said.
He held up the bag. "I found Sophie's bag. It was caught in the thicket near the cliff where she fell. Everything is inside."
I looked at the bag. It was made of a strange material. It had metal teeth that pulled apart.
I felt a sudden shift. I was devastated a minute ago. Now my mood lightened. This bag belonged to her world. It was a piece of her life.
I touched the material. It was cold.
"This is hers." I whispered.
"Yes. It has her tools. Her 'phone' as she calls it. And other strange bottles." Cassian said.
I looked toward the window. I thought of Sophie. She was the only light in this dark palace.
I wanted to see her. I wanted to see her face when I gave her this piece of her home.
"Cassian. Inform the Chief Guard." I said.
"Tell him to find Sophie. Tell her I have a surprise for her. Tell her she should meet me at the royal farm when she is done with her kitchen duties."
"Are you sure?" Cassian asked.
"The palace might be dangerous tonight."
"The farm is mine. It is the only place where the snakes do not hide." I said.
"Go. Now."
I sat in silence. I thought about who might be behind Eunuch George's kidnap.
I couldn't think of anyone who knows my plan. Grand Prince Magnus never showed interest in the throne. He is too weak to think about politics.
I must find out who is behind this.
