Chapter ten.

It's been hours since Madin managed to escape the palace, and the situation is beginning to raise suspicion. The tension among the servants is palpable.

Everyone knows that when Prince Arthur discovers Madin’s absence, it won’t be taken lightly.

Inside his chamber, Prince Arthur is lost in thought. He hasn't summoned her since their encounter earlier in the day because he doesn't want to seem overbearing.

He’s also been preoccupied, replaying the scene in his mind—the moment he kissed her. She didn’t resist. In fact, she leaned into him, closing the gap.

The memory alone makes him smile like a fool. He sits on the edge of his bed, brushing his fingers over his lips, recalling the warmth of hers.

"She must feel something for me too," he murmurs to himself, the words soothing yet puzzling. "But why does she keep refusing to admit it?"

The thought frustrates him, the smile slipping from his face. He clenches his jaw, the question plaguing his mind like a relentless storm. His musings are interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yes?" he calls out, his heart skipping a beat at the thought that it might be her, finally coming to inform him about dinner.

When the door creaks open and a different servant steps in, his smile vanishes.

"Your Highness, the meal..."

"Where is Maya?" he interrupts, his voice sharp. "Shouldn't she be the one informing me?"

The servant falters. "Your Highness, the royal family has been waiting for you at the table, but you didn’t come. They sent me to remind you..."

"Where is Maya?" he demands again in, his tone harsher.

"We... we thought she was with you, Your Highness. We’ve been looking for her to inform you, but she’s not been found."

Arthur stands abruptly, his heart sinking. "What do you mean, 'not found'?"

The servant stammers, "She’s nowhere in the palace."

Arthur doesn't wait for her to finish. He storms out of the room, his mind racing. Where could she have gone?

He steps outside and spots one of the guards. "Find Jeremy for me. Now." he commands, his voice trembling with barely suppressed anger.

The guard bows and rushes off. Arthur begins pacing the courtyard, each passing second fueling his growing unease. He clenches his fists, struggling to keep his composure.

Servants and guards around the palace glance at him nervously, their eyes darting away when they sense his gaze.

Everyone knows Prince Arthur’s temper is as fierce as his reputation on the battlefield, and today, it seems they are witnessing the full force of his fury.

Jeremy arrives, breathless, and bows deeply. "Your Highness..."

"Where is she?" Arthur cuts him off. "I was told she isn’t in the palace. You were supposed to be keeping an eye on her. Where is she?" His voice rises with each word, his control unraveling.

"Your Highness, I... I lost her trail. I’ve been searching for hours, but I haven’t found her..."

Arthur’s world tilts. The words hit him like a blow to the chest. Before Jeremy can finish, Arthur grabs him by the collar, his face inches away.

"What were you doing when she disappeared out of your eyes?" he roars. "You had one job! ONE!"

People nearby freeze, horrified by the scene. The royal family is alerted to the commotion and rushes outside.

The king steps forward, his voice commanding. "Arthur! Let him go at once!"

Arthur releases Jeremy, who collapses to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.

"Have you gone mad?" the king demands. "Control yourself! Do you realize the spectacle you’re making of yourself? You’re the future king! What will people say when they hear of this?"

"Who cares what they say?" Arthur snaps, his eyes wild. "She’s gone, Father! She is gone!"

The king grabs Arthur by the shoulders and shakes him firmly. "Listen to me! Get a hold of yourself! This is not how a prince behaves!"

Arthur’s breathing slows as his father’s words sink in. He glances around, seeing the fear and confusion in the faces of the gathered crowd.

Shame creeps in, but it doesn’t lessen the ache in his chest. He turns abruptly and marches back into the mansion, slamming the door behind him.

Michael, who has been watching the scene from the shadows, steps forward, his face grim.

The king looks at the guards. "What are you all standing around for? Find the girl! Every knight should be out searching for her!" His voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.

The queen sighs heavily. "This is what happens when you let emotions cloud your judgment," she says. "He never should have been allowed to dismiss Princess Ferrior in the first place. And now, he’s lost his mind over a servant girl! How does this reflect on our family?"

Princess Loretta, the youngest of the family, chimes in, her tone light despite the tension. "I never thought I’d see the day when love would reduce Prince Arthur to this. It’s almost amusing."

"Amusing?" Prince Jona, the third-born, scoffs. "This isn’t amusing—it’s disgraceful. That girl must have done something to him, bewitched him somehow. There’s no other explanation for why Arthur would reject Lady Ferrior and act like this over a servant! Come on people, this is Arthur we're talking about!"

"If you’ve never been in love, you should keep quiet," Princess Amelia retorts.

The king silences them with a glare. "Enough! What matters now is finding the girl. It doesn't matter as long as he thinks she's what he wants , and I won’t have any of you interfering. Do I make myself clear?"

The royal siblings exchange uneasy glances but say nothing more as they follow their parents back inside.

Behind the locked door of his chamber, Arthur sinks onto the floor, his head in his hands. For the first time in years, he feels utterly powerless.

His thoughts swirl with memories of Maya—her laughter, her sharp wit, her gentle presence. The way her lips felt against his, the way her touch made his heart race.

"Maya, did it really have to go this far?" he whispers, his voice breaking.

Meanwhile, in the servants’ quarters, the mood is somber. Whispers fill the air as servants speculate about the prince’s outburst and Maya’s sudden disappearance.

Else where,,,

Madin lies on a wooden bed, covered by a thin blanket. Tears stream silently down his face.

"I never should have let it get this far," he tells himself. "I shouldn’t have stayed."

But deep down, he knows the truth—his feelings for Arthur have grown in ways he never expected. And now, those feelings are tearing him apart.

The night stretches on, long and sleepless, for both the prince and the servant who has captured his heart.