Queen Rose wasted no time.
She began her investigation that same afternoon, summoning maids, guards, stable boys, anyone who might have seen even the strange thing.
She intended to do it on her own or just because she didn't want a wrong judgement, but because she held Jasmine close to her heart.
She saw so close in ways she would never understand.
More than she saw her own Niece Auburn, the crowned princess.
The mage was coming tonight and she felt as thought everything wanted to fall apart.
Her voice was firm, sharp, but beneath it all there was an exhaustion she tried to hide.
She dreaded how overwhelmed she felt.
She questioned the staff one by one in the great hall, sitting with her back straight and her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Auburn stood in the corner of the room, pale and restless.
Cherry watched with that smooth unreadable face.
Coral lingered nearby, twisting her fingers anxiously.
Belle was nowhere to be found.
