The sudden, violent CRASH! echoed through the quiet palace corridors, shattering the serene atmosphere. Servants, guards, and courtiers alike froze, their eyes widening in alarm. A collective gasp rippled through the nearby rooms.

"What was that?" a high-pitched voice squeaked, breaking the stunned silence.

"It sounded like it came from the 4th Princess's chambers!" another voice exclaimed, fear lacing their words.

Immediately, a flurry of activity erupted. Servants scurried down the hallways, their footsteps echoing on the polished stone floors. Guards, their hands instinctively moving to their swords, rushed towards Antoinette's room.

At the same time, the King, who had been in his study reviewing some documents, heard the commotion. He frowned, a deep line appearing between his brows. "What is the meaning of this disturbance?" he demanded, his voice booming.

A nervous aide rushed into the study. "Your Majesty, there has been a… a disturbance in Princess Antoinette's chambers," the aide stammered.

The King's eyes narrowed. "A disturbance? What kind of disturbance?"

"We… we believe there may have been an intruder, Your Majesty," the aide replied, his voice trembling slightly.

The King rose from his chair, his expression turning grim. "An intruder? In my palace? This is unacceptable!" He strode out of his study, his entourage scrambling to keep up.

Meanwhile, in Antoinette's room, the scene was one of utter chaos. The door, still unlocked from Marie, the 4th Princess's personal maid, earlier demonstration, was flung open. Servants and guards poured into the room, their eyes darting around in search of the supposed intruder.

"The window!" someone shouted, pointing to the shattered glass.

Everyone turned to look. The sight of the broken window, with shards of glass scattered across the floor, sent a fresh wave of panic through the room.

"She's gone!" a guard yelled, peering out the window. "The Princess is gone!"

Marie, who had followed the commotion, gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, no! What has happened?"

The head of the guard, a stern-faced man named Captain Renault, barked orders. "Search the room! Look for any signs of struggle! And someone find the Princess!"

Servants frantically searched the room, their eyes scanning every corner. Guards rushed out onto the balcony, looking down at the garden below.

The King arrived, his face a mask of concern and anger. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice echoing through the room.

Captain Renault bowed. "Your Majesty, we believe there has been an intrusion. Princess Antoinette is missing."

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The King's eyes widened. "Missing? How could this happen?"

"We are still investigating, Your Majesty," Captain Renault replied. "It appears she may have… left through the window."

The King stared at the shattered window, his expression a mix of disbelief and worry. "Find her!" he commanded. "Find my daughter! And find whoever is responsible for this!"

A wave of urgency swept through the palace. Guards fanned out, searching the gardens and surrounding areas. Servants whispered amongst themselves, their faces etched with fear. The palace, once a place of serene elegance, was now a scene of frantic activity.

The Queen, a woman who had risen from a favored mistress to a position of power after the late Queen's passing years ago, arrived at the room, her face pale. "What has happened? Where is Antoinette?" she asked, her voice laced with worry, but also with a subtle edge of political calculation.

The King turned to her, his expression grim. "She is gone. They believe she left through the window. We must find her."

The Queen's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, my poor child! What could have happened?"

The King placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We will find her, my dear. We will find her."

But even as he spoke, a sense of unease settled over the palace. The question hung in the air: where was Antoinette, and why had she fled? And who had broken into her room?

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Meanwhile, in a more secluded part of the garden, Ethan, now sporting a significantly shorter, ripped blue gown, was engrossed in the beauty of the surrounding flora. He had tucked the torn fabric into a nearby bush and was now exploring a hidden corner of the garden, his eyes drawn to the vibrant flowers.

"Not bad," he murmured, his fingers lightly tracing the delicate petals of a rose. "Not bad at all."

As he wandered deeper into the garden, he heard the faint sound of voices. Curious, he followed the sound, moving quietly through the foliage. He came to a clearing where a tea party was in full swing.

A group of elegantly dressed people were seated around a table, sipping tea and chatting. Ethan recognized the style of their clothing – it was the same as the people he had seen in the palace hallways.

He decided to observe from a distance, hiding behind a thick hedge. He needed to gather information, to understand who these people were and what was going on. Besides, his ripped dress was hardly appropriate for a formal tea party.

He listened carefully to their conversation, trying to piece together the puzzle of this strange new world. He learned about the royal family, a complex web of relationships and power struggles. He heard about the King, a stern but fair ruler, and the Queen, a woman of ambition and influence. He learned about the other princesses, their personalities, and their roles in the court. He heard whispers of alliances and rivalries, of secret plots and hidden agendas. He understood that this court was not just a place of beauty and elegance, but also a battleground for power, where every word and every action could have hidden meanings. He recognized the subtle cues, the veiled threats, and the carefully crafted smiles. He knew that in this world, trust was a rare commodity, and survival depended on understanding the intricate dance of courtly politics.

He saw the King's other children. He quickly identified them. The eldest, Princess Thea, was regal and composed, her posture radiating an air of authority. Princess Grace, the second eldest, was lively and charming, her laughter echoing through the garden. And then there was Princess Catherine, the third eldest, who was hosting the tea party. She was a picture of refined elegance, her every gesture graceful and poised. He also saw some of the important people in the court, their faces etched with the weight of political maneuvering. He listened to them talk about the Queen and the King. He also heard them discuss the other princesses, their strengths and weaknesses, their alliances and rivalries.

He also noticed that the people at the tea party were very concerned about something. He heard words like "intruder" and "escape." He wondered if they were talking about him.

He knew he couldn't stay hidden forever. But for now, he would observe, listen, and learn. He needed to understand the rules of this game before he could play it.