The next day, sunlight bathed Leyndell, the golden royal capital.
Queen Marika was listening to Serosh's report when she nodded, then "suddenly" remembered something.
"Oh? Why haven't Messmer and Melina come today? I didn't see them at breakfast either." She deliberately asked the maid beside her.
The maids exchanged looks, all saying they had not seen the two young highnesses.
Feigning confusion, Marika went to check the children's rooms herself. Both were empty.
She then questioned guards and maids throughout the palace, but none of them knew anything.
"How strange. Where have they run off to play?" Marika muttered, though she was not worried at all.
She ordered the guards to search more carefully.
By noon, there was still no news.
Marika began to "panic" a little.
She "suddenly" remembered that Hesa had left yesterday, so she went to inspect the embassy room where he had stayed. Sure enough, she found the brief letter.
"Your Majesty, royal brother: may this letter serve in place of my presence. The matter of the shamans has been settled. For now, I have taken Messmer and his sister to Caria to recuperate, as its surroundings may be better for them. Circumstances compelled me to leave without saying goodbye; I hope you will forgive me. Respectfully, Horace Loux."
Holding the letter, Marika blinked, then blinked again.
"Hesa took Messmer and Melina... away? To Caria?"
She tilted her head and carefully read the letter twice, seemingly digesting the information.
"To Caria... to recuperate?" she repeated softly, an expression of understanding and relief slowly spreading across her face.
"Ah, that's right! Hesa is very clever. His 'Great Runes' can help Messmer, and Caria is quiet too. Melina is so quiet herself; seeing the scenery by the lake would be good for her... how thoughtful of Hesa!"
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