The guard marched inside the archway of the palace in search of the strongest servant. Some logs were too heavy for him to carry and other butlers were too busy with their petty tasks. Jehaule had roamed the courtyard, walked on battlements and had looked in the keep, but Saer was not anywhere. A construction work outside was pending because nobody in the palace could locate Saer.

Sunlight gleamed through gaps of archways while he kept on walking in his clacly armor. He already was feeling the heat, he knew he had two more days to spend in the armor.

Once again—sleepless.

He went to the stairs, where he met a regular servant. He was coming to meet the guard. After seeing Jehaule he ran in his direction, gesturing him to wait. The squire glanced around to check if nobles were around or not.

"The chalice is missing." The squire whispered.

Still, he felt someone else was eavesdropping them.

"Which one?" the guard asked.

"Chalice of late commander's statue."

"Must be these rookie servants. They can't stop salivating for gold." Jehaule tightened his fist, "When the wedding ends tomorrow, I will order everyone searched. Including the regulars."

"I doubt a regular stole it."

"What?"

The guard walked down the stairs with the servant.

"Darius is not in his room. His drawers are empty too."

Jehaule's eyes meandered. "He was in his room when I delivered him his mother's letter."

"Was he behaving unusual? I have seen him getting restless ever since new servants came in."

"I threatened to flog him after the wedding."

"It would have been thrice a month for him."

"Yes. It would have."

Their footsteps echoed in the archway to the chemise. Jehaule sent the servant back after seeing the statue with an empty grip. He had no clue the chalice was loose. Jehaule remembered different kind of wine was poured in there every year to honor him. Perhaps the statue was also getting a sip for the wedding day.

Darius stealing the chalice was an agreeable thought. He was the person who had poured wine in there. Jehaule put himself in Saer's boots after stepping out of Dairus'. He could only think of one place. Jehaule walked through the chemise to the cellar and opened the door.

In the darkest region of the chamber, he saw someone's feet peeping out of a sack.

"Up, you son of a whore." Jehaule yanked Saer out of his sleep, "I'll arrange a bed for your lazy ass."

"I – I wasn’t sleeping." Saer rubbed his eyes, "I tripped and got unconscious. Overwork."

"Passed out inside a sack. I see."

"I can expl-"

Saer stopped after hearing a man wearing hat clearing his throat near the door. Jehaule also squinted at him, not leaving Saer's collar.

"Here you are, strong man." The chef said.

Jehaule was confused for a second about who he was talking about. The way chef spoke made it hard to tell.

"Bring the sack of wheat to courtyard and help the butchers." Chef said.

Darius removed his hands from Saer's cloth, leaving wrinkles on it. He turned around and left the cellar. The person entitled to those tasks was not him.

Chef took a step back, leaving room for the giant guard to pass. Chef believed he had given enough room because the armor didn’t graze his body at all. The chef also hurried for the boiling cauldron afterwards.

Saer hid the vessel wrapped in cloth, chose powdered wheat sack and hoisted it. He was feeling refilled with strength after the unintended sleep. He did not lament dozing off, even though it had made him a center of attention for Jehaule.