Quite a while later, back at the castle, Informer Arne Faucheux was reading a letter alone in the library. A look of horror crossed his face as he silently read it through again in disbelief. The huntsmen entered the library with huge grins on their faces.

“You’ll be pleased to know, Chloe White is dead!” one of the huntsmen announced.

Another held his hand out to stop the first, realizing something is wrong.

“Sir, why do you look distressed?” the second huntsman asked.

“...the king is not coming back...” Arne said, quietly holding up the letter.

The huntsmen gasped in horror.

“What happened to his majesty?!” the third huntsman asked.

“According to this letter, pieces of his ship were discovered washed ashore on the neighboring kingdom’s land...” Arne said, “And I, as the informer, must tell the young prince this terrible news...”

The huntsmen fall silent as does Arne Faucheux. At this time, Prince Kennith Sheershider is in his room, entirely unaware of what has happened. He glances into his mirror and grins.

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“I can’t wait to see my father again. I think he’d be pretty proud of me for how well I’m handling the kingdom... And! I think I’ve grown an inch since he left!” Kennith said.

Kennith Sheershider gently grabbed a painting off of his desk of himself with his father.

“Father, I hope you come home soon...” Kennith said, gently stroking the painting.

There is a knock on the door.

“Who’s there?” Kennith inquired curiously.

“The king’s informer, young sir,” Arne replied.

“Oh! Come in!” Kennith called out cheerfully.

Arne Faucheux walked into the room and stopped abruptly upon finding the prince with the painting.

“Have you heard word from my father? He told me he would send a letter before he comes home,” Kennith said, smiling innocently.

Arne Faucheux doesn’t say anything at first.

“Well? Don’t keep me waiting!” Kennith said.

“Uh, no... I actually haven’t heard word from your father yet. Perhaps he decided to extend his stay. You know how royal business goes sometimes,” Arne said.

“Then what is it?” Kennith asked, setting the painting down gently.

“We, uh... We thought you’d like to know... We’re trying to find a cure for your lady so that we can bring her back safely...” Arne lied.

“Wow! That’s fantastic! How much longer do you think it will take?” Kennith asked.

“Well, we don’t have a vampire to test the solution on... so we’re going to need to run lots of tests. It would be a shame if we ended up killing her instead, now wouldn’t it be...?” Arne asked.

“You’re right... I want her to survive...” Kennith said, “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, your majesty!” Arne said with a bow.