It was a miracle that Wren’s screams didn’t startle the horses.
“What do you mean ‘gone’?” Lark approached his twin as she tried to catch her breath.
“What else? I went to her majesty’s room and she wasn’t there!” Wren poked her brother’s bald head at the simple question.
They would have started arguing if they didn’t notice the look on their king’s face.
They shared a knowing glance.
“Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this?” King Stellan arrived just in time to hear the news (not like it was hard to miss Wren’s voice).
“My daughter is missing?” His eyes darted between the siblings and their king.
“Shall we send the Temperance Unit to search?” Wren seemed almost frantic as her hands twisted together.
“I can lead them!”
Paxmouth was famous for their special military division of their most skilled and dangerous warriors.
They were fiercely loyal to their king and followed his orders without question.
They were also highly secretive.
Few who encountered them survived to tell the tale.
“Are you saying that your secret military unit is in Farren?” Queen Celia gasped.
“Do you not trust us after everything?”
If only you knew…
Lark sighed as he put on his best diplomatic voice.
“Your Majesty.” He bowed to the older couple.
“The Temperance Unit follows our king regardless of the situation. Please do not take offence.”
“I think I should!” King Stellan shook his head.
“How do we know that Paxmouth isn’t planning an attack?”
At that, Theo’s hand found the hilt of his sword.
His eyes left no room for argument.
“Now, now, Sire.” Lark had his hands up as he approached the younger man.
“Let’s not. Think about the peace treaty.”
The Prime Minister’s words were ignored as his king began to draw the weapon and stepped closer to the older man.
“Your daughter is missing, and all you care about is yourself?” Theo’s words were quiet, but there was poison in them.
King Stellan looked caught in a trap.
“She is an adult.” Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead as King Stellan eyed the weapon.
He squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to think of a better reply.
“How can we have a conversation like this?” Thank goodness for his wife.
“Take your hand off your weapon and we can talk.”
Lark and Wren nodded in agreement as their hands gently patted their friend’s shoulder to encourage him to follow the request.
A beat passed.
Theo’s eyes darkened as he took in the state of the man.
King Stellan was stout and carried himself with more importance than he deserved.
Judging from the way he reacted to the weapon, he obviously didn’t have a military background.
How could someone like him father someone like Theo’s bride?
I need to find her.
Theo sheathed his sword but refused to back away.
He towered over the elder as he searched for answers.
“Where is she?” His words were steady despite how fast his heart was beating.
The king and queen shared an uncertain look.
“She does this… but she always comes back.” Queen Celia shrugged.
“Is your daughter a cat?” Wren mumbled under her breath.
“She will return eventually. Just wait.” King Stellan nodded with his wife.
“Your Majesty, there are matters in Paxmouth that we need to attend to.” Lark explained.
“Well, I can’t have your hounds searching the castle – it will scare people!”
Theo clenched his jaw instead of replying to the elder’s terrible reasoning.
How can he be so blasé about his missing daughter?
Sighing, Theo stepped back and smoothed his hand over his face to compose himself.
“Where could she be?”
The elders looked at each other.
They remained silent.
“Where does she go when she’s… emotional or upset?”
Silence.
King Stellan shifted uncomfortably.
“How should I know?”
“She’s your daughter!” Theo countered.
His fists inched to strike something.
“How can you know nothing about her?”
He all but shouted in King Stellan’s face.
“Your Majesty.” Lark patted the man’s shoulder to try and calm him.
He could tell the simmering rage was going to boil over.
“Please.”
“If none of you supply any good ideas, then I will send the Temperance Unit into every street, market and alley until my wife is found!”
King Stellan’s face hardened.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Theo smiled.
“Try me.”
“She disappears and wanders around with commoners.” Queen Celia snapped.
King Stellan froze as though his wife revealed a forbidden secret.
Theo’s eyes narrowed.
“Which daughter are you talking about?”
Once she realised her mistake, Queen Celia’s eyes doubled in size before she ran back into the castle.
It was almost admirable how King Stellan stood his ground even after his plan fell apart.
“There’s your answer.” he said through gritted teeth.
The woman who wasn’t even related by blood knew more than her father.
Pathetic.
Theo shook his head as he stepped away from the man.
He glanced up to see Lark and Wren share the same disgusted look.
“In all fairness, the wedding is complete and the treaty is signed.” Theo stopped.
His eyes darkened as he anticipated the elder’s next words.
“She’s your responsibility now.”
Steel flashed.
THUNK!
“Shit!” Wren gasped.
Theo’s sword was deeply embedded in the wooden door next to King Stellan’s head.
“Theo!” Lark stood between his friend and the elder.
“This won’t bring her back!” Despite being the same height, it was still a struggle to get the younger to face him.
Theo murderous glare remained fixed on King Stellan.
On the battlefield, that was often the last thing people saw as they begged for their lives to no avail.
King Stellan was lucky that they weren’t on a battlefield.
❀
Theo hated when Wren was right.
Being the older twin, she always held her age over her brother and Theo – as the youngest of them all, he could only listen.
Now that he was her king, things were different.
Mostly.
She was right that he should have changed his clothes.
Everyone was staring as he made his way towards the main square.
In his rush, he discarded his crown for an chestnut cape.
Despite the coverage, the ruby buttons and golden belt still peeked through.
“Who is that?”
“He’s handsome but I’d be too scared to spend the night with him!”
Women whispered as they passed him.
Old men nodded his way.
Children hugged their parents when he looked at them.
The usual reaction.
Things haven’t changed.
If his memory was correct, the crowded alley opened onto a bustling market square.
There were vendors selling everything from meat and flowers to toys.
The buildings that enclosed the square were bustling with taverns, inns and playhouse.
Theo wasted no time and made his way to the place most likely to know where his bride went.
“Get your flower crown before the play starts!” The florist’s stall was packed with people.
Young maidens were scrambling and gawking for a headpiece before they were sold out.
“Hurry!” The old woman chuckled at the customers.
However, when they noticed Theo’s presence, they all rushed to pay and swiftly left.
Unlike everyone else, the old woman wasn’t intimidated.
“What can I get for ya, young man?” Her smile was bright and friendly.
“Flowers carry meaning, ya know. And you look like ya need some…” She picked up a bunch of dainty, purple flowers.
“Violas to show loyalty and devotion?”
Theo smiled slightly at her suggestion but shook his head.
“Then some…” She put the violas down to pick up something else.
“A rose for love? A single one is more romantic than a whole bunch of them, ya know!”
Theo shook his head again as he approached the table.
“I’m looking for someone.”
“Aren’t we all?” The woman chuckled.
“I’ve been trying to find a wife for my grandson. Let me know if ya see anyone!” Looking over, Theo could see a young man resting on a bench behind the table.
He mumbled something when his grandmother nudged him with her foot.
“I’m looking for Aveline.”
At the name, the woman’s demeanour changed and her smile dropped.
“What do you want with her?” Now, her voice was cold and irate.
“I’m her husband.”
This time, even the grandson sprang up from his slumber.
The pair assessed Theo up and down.
“Huh.” The grandmother raised an unimpressed brow.
“Sorry, we’ve never heard of that name.”
What are they hiding?
Her grandson suddenly tugged her arm as he stood up.
“Grandma, why can’t we tell him that she went to – Oof!” Her hand slapped across his mouth.
“Little rascal!” The grandma all but threw him aside.
“She wants to be alone!”
“Alone?” Theo echoed.
Just how many people know my wife?
The elder took in the state of his furrowed brows and pleading eyes.
“Please, I would never hurt her.”
The florists shared a look before the grandmother sighed.
“Why don’t you ask the baker?” A pale finger pointed to one of the alleyways.
Relief flooded Theo.
“Thank you so much!” His face broke into a smile at being one step closer to finding his wife.
In his excitement, he darted away before returning to the stall.
Theo took in the remaining flower crowns before picking up the most modest one and a bunch of lavender before paying the woman.
“Thank you again!”
And he was gone.
“Interesting young man…” The grandmother chuckled as she examined the payment.
“Rich too!”
❀
When Theo met the baker, it was clear why he was sent to him.
He had used the same tactic in the past.
Send them to the hounds and see if they survive.
The baker looked ex-military, perhaps even a mercenary.
Not many people were taller than Theo, and this man was almost a head taller and nearly twice as broad.
He had an eye patch over his left eye and a scar across his lip.
“Who’s asking?” His voice was gruff as he eyed Theo.
“Her husband.” As a king, Theo was not easily intimidated, but whenever Aveline was involved, his armour weakened.
“I didn’t know she had a husband.” The baker stopped kneading his dough as he leaned back to cross his arms.
“Since when?” Despite the counter separating them, Theo knew that the baker could easily reach him from his place.
Theo gulped.
“Yesterday.”
“Yesterday?” The baker repeated but his voice rose by five octaves as his brows furrowed.
“And she didn’t invite me?”
What just happened?
The hell hound turned into a prissy cat!
“That woman…” The baker shook his head as he huffed a laugh.
The change in demeanour made him seem friendly despite the intimidating appearance.
He eyed the flowers in Theo’s hands.
“Those for her?”
Theo looked down and nodded.
The baker came closer.
“Why those ones?”
What?
Theo tilted his head in confusion.
“Well…” He lifted the flower crown.
It was mainly covered in baby’s breath with hues of blue from the chicory and bright yarrow dotted throughout.
“I…figured Aveline preferred to keep it simple.
And this,” – he waved the lavender in his hands – “To bring peace.”
The baker’s eyes flickered from the man to the flowers in his hands.
He remained silent as he disappeared under the counter and placed a loaf stamped with the shape of a distinct tree.
“Go straight past the city walls.” He pointed to the bread.
“Find this, find Aveline.”
Theo’s shoulders loosened as he felt another burden lift.
Finally!
“But,” The baker stopped him before he could leave.
The air shifted.
“Do you have a brother? Preferably as handsome?”
Theo was speechless.
“Sexier than you is fine as well.” The baker batted his eyelashes.
“I will let him know.” Theo nodded.
Sorry, Lark, I need to find my wife!
❀
As soon as Theo reached the city walls, his legs broke into a sprint.
Greenery flashed past him as his legs instinctively took him deeper towards the water.
He knew that it was near the main path connecting Farren and its neighbouring kingdom.
He almost tripped over some hidden roots and scared a few animals in his haste to make it to –
The Hawthorne tree.
Along the river stood a solitary Hawthorne tree with its pale blossoms like clouds.
Curled up among its root was a familiar figure.
Chestnut hair stirred in the breeze as a hand brushed it down.
Aveline.
Theo’s breath left him.
I found you!
His knees hit the earth.