As if by magic, the servants began to take out our luggage, which was not with us at all. Still, this amazing thing is magic. Sometimes even envy took me from the desire to possess at least a tiny bit of magic.

We were carefully placed in separate, but close to each other rooms, after which a late dinner was served, to which, of course, we were obliged to appear. Although I would prefer to stay in my room and rest after such a long journey. And I didn’t like to eat too much at night, it is often fraught with indigestion.

The butler sent for us escorted us to the dining room, announcing our arrival.

At the long rectangular table where we usually ate with the whole family, everyone was already waiting. Especially Madeleine. God, she’s so predictable. She took off abruptly and ran halfway to Raphael, forgetting all decency, grabbing his hand. It’s funny that no one even bothered to make a remark to her. If I were in her place, the queen would have already turned on me with all her anger.

- Milord, please take a seat here. – she pulled him to the place where she was sitting. - It’s a great place to have a better view.

- Thank you, Lady Madeleine, with pleasure. - He smiled sweetly at her and took his place, on the left side of King Horel, opposite Lillian and next to Madeleine. The latter was wildly delighted and blushed more than a tomato, pleased with her trick.

I behaved modestly, as was due, and took an empty seat next to Xana, opposite Terrence.

It was unusual to feel like I was with my family, but in a different role, knowing full well that no one could suspect me. This caused a mocking schadenfreude and a mischievous mood inside me.

While Raphael was talking to the royal couple, I was actively absorbing everything that was on my plate. I was insanely hungry, ready to swallow an elephant without chewing. And this stewed lamb was simply delicious, the meat melted in the mouth, breaking up into fibers. Complete bliss. I would have continued to sing the praises of the cook’s art in my head if it hadn’t been for Xana, who distracted me with her conversation.

- Milord Burton, you eat with such an appetite that I myself have a feeling of hunger. - She flapped her eyelashes and laughed, covering her mouth with her palm. – Our chef cooks a wonderful stewed lamb, this is just the top of his culinary art.

I didn’t expect any attention to be shown to me, so I quickly pushed through the food and had to keep the conversation going. And that’s why, of all of them, it should be Xana? I’d rather talk to Terry. My wild imagination has already slapped me on the forehead.

- I agree, Your Grace. It’s amazing. – that’s all I could say to her. I didn’t know how else to keep the conversation going. And whether it is necessary to support it.

Raphael’s gaze darted sideways in my direction and just as quickly returned to the royal couple, leaving this gesture unnoticed by everyone except me. He’s probably worried that I’ll give myself away. Controls.

- The road must have been very tiring. Tomorrow you should definitely arrange a day of rest! And I will be happy to arrange for you a tour of the castle and its territory. - Xana persisted.

- Oh, that’s a wonderful idea, dear. And you, Madeleine, please keep His Majesty King Raphael company. - Lillian interjected, casting approving glances at her excited daughter.

- I’d love to, Mom. Milord you don’t mind my company, do you? - She unceremoniously placed her hand on top of Raphael’s and leaned slightly, blocking his view so that only her face was in his view.

Raphael kept a low profile, not showing dislike with such familiar behavior and it even seemed that he was not against it? Or so it seemed to me? However, my chest itched, I didn’t like at all that he silently accepted her touch. A womanizer. "Oh, Thea, you could already understand that, judging by the way he communicates with you and Giselle." I wouldn’t be surprised if he gathers a harem of cute girls.

I didn’t get hung up after he approved her plan for tomorrow and again intended to eat something, but my gaze crossed with Terrence and he looked very tense. His eyebrows were furrowed, and there was not a drop of fun or benevolence on his face. I would even say that he looks hostile. There was a lump in my throat right away, I didn’t even want to eat. Awkwardly running my eyes from side to side, I was looking for something to cling to, but his next words knocked all the air out of my lungs.

- I assume you, like the rest of the guests at Marro Castle, have come to have fun. But if you are aware of the latest rumors, we have a princess missing here under strange circumstances. - his voice was laced with sarcasm, and his eyes were boring into me intently.

And why did I suddenly become his object? Isn’t it worth having such conversations with Raphael? I froze, all my bones seemed to cramp, I could not move a single part of my body and only blinked often.

- Terrence! - Lillian raised her voice warningly.

It was extremely surprising, because it was her beloved child, dear son, to whom she could never put a word across, and here she so openly besieged him in front of everyone.

- I can’t stand the hypocrisy here, Mother! You don’t even know which of them is involved in her disappearance and so kindly accept everyone, you are going to show them the palace. Maybe we should also take them to the treasury? – he did not restrain his anger and gesticulated aggressively.

His gaze was like a hawk’s, predatory and dangerous.

- Do you have any proof, Prince Terrence? It is not necessary to rush such loud words, so as not to aggravate the situation. - Raphael said with a slight smile on his face. - My little advice to you.

Oh, my God, he’s openly teasing him. I just wanted to run away and hide at this moment. Why add fuel to the fire? Stupid, stupid Raphael.

- Shove your advice into your...

- Terrence, stop it right now! – the king’s voice sounded loudly throughout the dining room.

But the prince had already finished his performance and rudely threw his napkin on the table, left everyone in tense tension and awkward silence. I was confused and didn’t understand what to do now – to leave too or to continue sitting?

Rafael, on the other hand, seemed to be glad of what had happened and with pleasure in his eyes, sprawled comfortably on a chair and began to eat meat with gusto. Well, what kind of person is this, does not feel the general mood at all.

- We are very sorry for the Prince’s inappropriate behavior. – King Horel began. – In fact, such a situation has arisen, and he simply cannot adequately cope with it. I apologize for him.

Well, wow, my father even omitted the undisguised threat from Raphael’s mouth. Somehow everything looks muddy.

- Don’t worry, I understand him perfectly. He is heartbroken over the loss of his beloved sister, the boy needs time to recover. - the King of Riliya nodded approvingly and then the plot returned to a friendly channel again. I was the only one sitting on pins and needles, in anticipation of something bad. My appetite disappeared completely.

Although Raphael advised me to stay close to him, but it turned out to be more difficult to do than to say in words. Madeleine, like a leech, clung to him and after dinner took him away to escort him to his chambers. Xana intended to do the same, but she was not as persistent as her sister, so I managed to refuse this initiative of hers.

I walked along such familiar corridors, taking my time, nostalgic and enjoying every brick on the wall, every familiar curtain on the windows, every image on the stained glass windows. The walls of my home kept all my memories, which I indulged in while walking.

Almost reaching my room, I heard strange noises, loud enough for this time of day. As if I didn’t have enough entertainment at dinner, I followed the sound and found myself in front of the half-open door to the guest living room.

I timidly looked in, trying not to betray my presence, but the door opened abruptly and I was pulled inside by a powerful wave of magic, pressing me against the wall. I felt a stranglehold on my neck, there was no way to take a full breath, and I, writhing and struggling, tried to loosen this grip. My eyes were clouded, and I couldn’t figure out who attacked me until I heard this painfully familiar voice.

- I see you are so emboldened, wandering around someone else’s castle? Sniffing around? – Terrence squeezed my neck even harder that my face started to turn red from lack of air. – Too careless of you and stupid. Even if I kill you here now, no one will ever know about it.

I fought him off with my hands, pushed him in the chest, kicked with my feet, but all in vain. Even though I was in male form, my strength did not increase.

- I... I... - I couldn’t even say a word, it just wouldn’t come out. Tears welled up in my eyes.

Why did I have to come here at all? Why didn’t I go straight to my room and go to bed? An adventurer on myself fifth point. I felt my mind getting clouded, but I still continued to hear and understand what my brother was talking about.

- Despite the fact that I am considered paranoid, I just feel that Abion is involved in her disappearance. And your strange behavior is another confirmation of that. - his voice sounded very close to my ear. – Tell me where is my sister? Where’s Thea? - he growled.

And I lost consciousness.