BASIN POV

The guards had gone through every room at the brothel, they found seven working girls and two male customers. Three more girls arrived while the search was happening. The men they brought with them were cowards who fled when they spotted the guards. They're not important, finding Lorelei is. But somehow she had managed to escape once again. The rain had ceased, but the ground was still covered in puddles. Making so that the guards left muddy footprints throughout the brothel.

Princess Malika is standing between two guards. A guard's cape is draped across around her shoulders. I do not know who offered theirs to her, just about half of the guards brought theirs. She needs to be questioned for her reason to be here. But I'm torn between what to say. On one hand, she is my princess, her authority is higher than mine, so I shall respect her. But, on the other hand, I am certain King Alfonso would not approve of her being here.

"Your Royal Highness. Captain Basin of the royal guards-" I halt to bow as required. "Would you mind explaining to me, what in God's name you are doing here?" I had presented myself appropriately, but my tone was harsh. The princess is gazing down and avoiding my eyes. Her body shakes, and the skirt she's wearing appears wet and soiled from the rain. "I couldn't let him go alone-" Him? She must be referring to Prince Valor. Honestly, I'm not shocked he's the reason she's here. "Valor remembered the girl saying she was going to be here tonight. He couldn't be convinced not to leave, I had to accompany him." She blurts out.

What is it with these royal children that makes them want to sneak out and put themselves at risk? Is it boredom, a false sense of security, or are they simply unaware of how dangerous this city can be? Do they believe they can say their title and no harm will come to them? "With all due respect your highness. Your decision to follow him was recklessly dumb, you put both your brother and yourself at risk. The responsible thing you should have done was going to your father. As Zora did-" I turn to one of the guards, "Make sure she stays here and keep her safe." "Yes, Captain." They both reply. I leave them, to ask the guards who are searching the streets if they have found any signs of Lorelei or the Prince.

"Captain, every room, every street and multiple houses have been searched, but neither the prince nor Lorelei is to be found." A guard informed me. Them both being gone leads me to believe they are together somewhere. The twins are locked in the prison wagon, they may have valuable information, but I doubt they'll want to share it. Perhaps the proprietor of this establishment knows something. The working girls are grouped together, encircled by a few guards. "Who is the owner of this establishment?" The one who answers is a blonde woman. "The owner is not here, he just comes for money once a week. If he even comes himself. But I am the one who takes care of the people in this place."

"Very well then, you might be able to answer some questions for me ."

"What kind of questions?"

"We could start with your name?"

"My name can be whatever you want it to be?" Her voice is flirtatious. An old ploy, there has never worked on me. But I do not like to repeat my questions. "Very well Goldie-" her smiling face changes to a furious look over the name I called her. "We apprehended two individuals who were accompanying a third person. Where is she?"

"Hell if I know."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Do you know what they were doing here?"

"Listen here sir, I rented a room out to a man who wanted a spot to meet someone. I and no one else here, know what this covert meeting was for. " A third person was here? This man must be the reason they came here, but why? "Where is the man they were meeting?" I inquire: "If he is not inside, I do not know where he is."

This woman is frustrating and wasting our time. I order two guards for her to be brought in for further questions. "What! you can not arrest me," she argues. "You are not being arrested, but brought in for questioning," I respond. The Two guards going to make sure she comes with them. Meanwhile, I think it's about time I bring the princess home to her father.

*****

Despite the late hour. When we returned to the castle, I was informed that King Alfonso was waiting in the throne room. The royal throne room has barely changed over the years, the white marble still shines, the King and Queen's throne still stands at the end of the room. The dark red canopy has been replaced with one in a lighter red with a different embroidery. On the king's chair, he is seated. King Alfonso exudes nobility and poise in the way he sits. But when he realises who I've brought with me, he rises up and asks "What is she doing here? Basin what is the meaning of this?" Despite being at the opposite end of the room I could see his rage.

He listened silently as I related everything that had happened throughout the evening's incident. I am honest in my explanation, yet even though I know their disappearance is not my error, I must accept responsibility for the failure. But King Alfonso does not appear to be interested in what I say, instead turning to his daughter. "Why did you not do the sensible thing and come to me? as Zora did." Malika's posture drooped, and her voice was quiet. "I am sorry."

That apology just seemed to make The King angrier. "You are sorry? Malika, you are too old for apologies, you should be getting into situations that demand apologies. I expect better of you-" King Alfonso takes a deep breath. "It is too late for this. Malika, go to bed we will discuss this further tomorrow."

"Yes, Father." Malika hesitates to leave. "Is there something you would like to say, your highness?" I inquire. "Yes, there was a woman at the place, who protected me from a man, who had mistaken me for one of the ladies who worked there." At this a jolt went through my body, she hadn't informed me about being in danger. Was she hurt? She did not appear to be hurt But yaking another look at her. I noticed the way her dress has become dirty is strange, the hem has picked up mud, but the rest of her dress is dirty in a way as if though it had been submerged in water. On her face, she has a cut. I had not seen the cut in the dark. It's a carved x

I am not the only one to notice it. "Did he give you that cut on your face?" King Alfonso ask. "No, he did not touch me. "She takes her hand up to her cheek. "Then who did, you dont get a perfect X carved onto your check by accident." King Alfonso's voice is harsh, but has a slight hint of concern. "A man, I did not see his face." The king mourns. "This woman, who serves at the brothel, is she still there?" King Alfonso asks.

"No, the guards took her with them before I had a chance to thank her," Malika explains. "Captain, who is this woman you arrested?" Only one woman was brought in, the one who runs the place. "We did not arrest other than the twins but we did bring in a woman with golden blond hair." Malika confirmed she was the one. "That woman is the madam who runs the place, she has been brought in for further questioning."

"I see, that is a predicament. Basin do you think she works with my son's kidnapper?"

"No, I think she just rented a room to someone for some quick money, I doubt she knows for what." Or cared, I add in my mind.

"In that case, when you are done questioning her, bring her here, I would like to reward her for protecting my daughter."

"As you wish your majesty."

After Malika had left, King Alfonso asked me. "Does she have the same golden hair you used to have?" I'm not shocked that the King would ask. After all, he has a likeness for that blond hair. I will never forget the first time King Alfonso complimented my hair. He was still a prince at the time. "Very much the same." At my reply, the king smiles. But when I yawn, the king's smile fades. "Get some sleep, Captain. You are dismissed."