"Any luck yet?" Damian’s voice was low and clipped as he paced the length of the palace corridor.
Jasper, leaning lazily against a marble pillar, twirled a silver coin between his fingers. "Well, if by ’luck,’ your Highness, you an blisters on my feet and a newfound hatred for dusty corners, then yes—tons of luck."
Damian shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. "Not funny."
Jasper coughed, sliding the coin back into his pocket with a sheepish grin. "Right. I’ll just... keep my mouth shut then."
The tension between them was obvious, like a bowstring ready to break. Damian’s mind was racing with concern—not only about the missing dragon pearl but also about Evelina’s sudden disappearance.
Yes, she ntioned that she needed ti and space, but he had Jasper look out for her as well, yet there’s been no sign.
Storm’s voice echoed sharply in Damian’s head. "She’s strong. But then, if she finds herself in any danger, it’ll be slightly difficult for us to know since soone hasn’t taken the initiative to mark her yet."
Damian clenched his jaw. "I know, so don’t lecture on that. This pearl is important to her. So let’s find it and score a point with her."
He spun on his heel to face Jasper, his silver eyes narrowing. "Gather the palace maids. Especially those responsible for cleaning the chambers."
Jasper raised a brow. "You’re recruiting maids now? Didn’t realize we were going undercover as house inspectors."
Damian wasn’t in the mood for quips. "Now, Jasper."
With a mock salute and a muttered, "Yes, Your Royal Moodiness," Jasper sauntered off.
"Sotis, I wonder why I still keep you around," Damian murmured.
"I heard you, Your Highness."
"I didn’t an to say that so you wouldn’t hear . Now, get those maids, Jasper, before I take an action we might regret."
Knowing he was walking on a thin thread, Jasper bowed and replied in a low voice, "Yes, Your Highness."
Within minutes, a small group of palace maids assembled in the grand hall, their heads bowed respectfully under Damian’s sharp gaze.
"Listen carefully," Damian began in a commanding yet calm voice. "A blue pearl has gone missing from Lady Evelina’s possessions. And well, the palace is too wide to search alone. So, whoever finds it will be rewarded with fifty silver coins."
The maids exchanged quick, wide-eyed glances. Fifty silver coins was no small sum. Murmurs rippled through the group like a tide.
"You’re dismissed. Report anything you find imdiately."
The maids scattered with newfound purpose, eager to turn over every cushion and corner for the promised reward.
As the hall emptied, Jasper reappeared at Damian’s side, hands stuffed in his pockets, his grin lingering. "So, does that reward extend to as well?"
Damian arched a brow. "Do you know sothing about the pearl’s whereabouts and you’re not saying anything?"
Jasper’s eyes widened dramatically as he threw his hands up in mock surrender. "NOO... of course not, Your Highness!" He pressed a hand to his chest like he’d been mortally offended. "I an, technically, I don’t. But..." He leaned in with a sly smirk. "I know soone who might know."
Damian didn’t have the patience for gas. "Who?"
"Lily," Jasper replied, his grin widening. "Selene’s handmaid. She practically knows everything happening in this palace."
Damian’s jaw tightened at the ntion of Selene and more at Lily’s na, but he nodded.
"Should I summon her for you, Your Highness?"
Damian was initially silent, considering whether to summon her now. He still has her sister, Sofia, in his custody to ensure her compliance with reporting Selene’s plan to him and Evelina.
Though he hasn’t summoned her ever since then.
"I think it’s about ti I speak with Lily," Damian said, turning away. "But first, help find, Evelina."
**********
"I’ll let you go," the blue-eyed said with a hint of finality in his voice.
Eve blinked in surprise. That was easier than she had anticipated.
"But," he continued, tilting his head slightly as if weighing his next words carefully, "on one condition."
Evelina exhaled sharply, her heart racing. "Of course, there’s a condition. Fine... what is it you want?"
He smirked, his confidence radiating in the dim light of the room. "Your na."
Her brows furrowed. "You want my na?"
"That’s right." His blue eyes glead with quiet curiosity. "Give your na, and I’ll let you leave."
Evelina crossed her arms. "Fine. I’ll tell you my na—if you tell yours."
For the first ti, the smirk faded just slightly. A beat of silence stretched between them before he finally said, "Blaze."
Evelina hesitated. He actually answered.
"Blaze what?" she pressed.
His lips twitched again. "That’s two questions."
She huffed. "Evelina."
Blaze nodded slightly as if tucking the na away in his mind. "Well then, Evelina." He turned toward the cave entrance. "Co on."
She followed him cautiously as he led her outside. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows over the dense forest. Blaze walked ahead without hesitation, leading her through winding paths until they reached the edge of the woods.
He stopped at a small clearing. From here, she could see the faint outline of buildings in the distance—the outer edges of the main street.
"This will lead you back," he said, nodding toward the path. "I’m sure you can find your way from here."
Evelina eyed him warily, half-expecting so last-minute trick. But Blaze only stepped back, folding his arms.
Then, with that sa unreadable smirk, he added, "See you soon."
A shiver ran down her spine, though she couldn’t tell if it was from warning or curiosity.
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her thoughts racing.
As soon as Evelina was out of sight, Blaze exhaled and turned away.
A small black owl, perched on a branch nearby, flapped its wings and landed on his outstretched arm. He pulled a small parchnt from his pocket with smooth precision, tying it securely to the bird’s leg.
His ssage was short, but it had a much deeper aning: Dad, I think we have a situation.
With a flick of his wrist, the owl took off, disappearing into the sky.
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