The Second Prince was missing.
Gone.
No note. No portal signature. Not even a trace in the magic threads of the world.
And when Rhysand—the King of Heaven himself—closed his eyes to search every inch of the living realm and said quietly, "I can't feel him…" the entire throne room went still.
It was the first time in centuries that silence felt like a threat.
The council chamber was tense.
The royal family had gathered—Artizea seated at her father's right, Rhysand beside her, Arthur with his arms folded tight, jaw clenched.
Arturia stood behind Gilgamesh, her presence steady as a mountain.
Elaine stood in front of them all, spine straight, eyes determined.
"I can find him," she said clearly. "I know the forests better than anyone. I can track him if you give me the chance."
Gil's fist clenched around the arm of his throne.
"No."
"But Father—"
"No!" Gil stood, his voice cracking through the hall like a blade. "Must I lose another child?!"
The room fell into stunned silence.
Arturia gently placed a hand on his arm. "Gil—"
But Elaine didn't back down.
"Artizea is the crown princess. She was born to lead," she said, voice trembling only slightly. "Arthur was born to anchor . Eugene… was born to protect us."
She hesitated, her hands curled at her sides.
"And I—I don't know what I was born for. But I know this—I can do this. If you would just let me show you—"
"You will stay in these walls " Gil snapped, cutting her off. "And that is final.Do you understand me."
Elaine threw her hands up ."Yes, your majesty ."
and stormed out of the council chamber, the heavy doors slamming behind her.
Later, in the courtyard, under moonlight—
Artizea found her sister sitting alone, legs swinging off the balcony, eyes glassy.
"You came to tell me father's right ?" Elaine mumbled.
"No," Artizea said softly, sitting beside her. "I came because I know what it's like. To wonder where you belong."
Elaine didn't answer, so Artizea continued. "You think I always knew I'd be the crown princess? I spent years trying to be perfect because I thought that's what they wanted. What farther wanted."
" But the trails we overcame together gave me strength , day I realized I could lead… was the day I stopped asking for permission."
Elaine blinked at her, lips parting.
Artizea stood, voice almost playful with faint authority.
"By the power bestowed in me as Crown Princess of the realm, I hereby command you, Second Princess Elaine of the human realm, to find our brother and bring him home."
Elaine gaped, stunned—then threw herself into her sister's arms.
Artizea smiled, though a flicker of worry lingered in her eyes." Ill by you time."
Elaine felt a small glimmer of hope."but father—"
Rhysand shimmered into view behind them, a small, knowing smile on his face.
"I'll cast a concealment ward," he said, eyes warm.
The faint glow of magical energy danced across his fingertips as he muttered an incantation.
"This will shield you for the first leg of your journey," he said, his voice low. "It won't make you invisible, but it'll dull your presence enough to evade pursuit."
Elaine took his hand, feeling the warmth of the spell seep into her skin.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Your Father will sense your trail eventually. Be quick, and be smart."
Elaine hugged him tightly. Then looked at her sister.
"He's going to be so mad."
"I am the heir remember ,I do whats best for the kingdom, and right now your our best shot"
She chuckled softly. "It's the least I could do… after all the times you helped me sneak out."
Elaine laughed through her tears. "You owe me at least five midnight escapes."
And with that—she vanished.
Rhysand lifted an eyebrow "Five?.." He whispered.
Artizea rolled her eyes.
The next morning—
Gilgamesh stood at Elaine's chamber door, his knuckles poised to knock.
His breath caught. He wasn't even sure what he would say.
He sighed heavily, his voice uncharacteristically soft as he called out, "Elaine?"
There was no answer.
He frowned, his hand tightening into a fist. "Elaine, open this door—" he commanded, his tone sharper now.
No. Gental parenting.
Try again, Gil he thought
"I've no wish to argue. I only…" He hesitated, the admission bitter on his tongue. "I only wanted to say I'm sorry. You were right. I have been unfair to you. If you would allow mw explain—"
The silence pressed against him like a weight. His chest tightened as unease crept in.
"Elaine?"
When there was still no response, he pushed the door open, his gaze sweeping across the empty room.
For a moment, he stood frozen, disbelief paralyzing him. Silent treatment now?
Gentle parenting. Remember he thought.
He knocked again. No answer.
Fuck it .
He pushed the door open slowly—And found the bed untouched. Curtains fluttering from the night breeze.
And no daughter.
His heart stilled. "Guards," he barked, voice rising. "WHERE IS THE PRINCESS?!"
A guard stammered, pale. "Your Majesty, I—I wasn't informed—she left the palace"
"WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?"
Then a voice—quiet, unwavering.
"I let her go."
Gil turned sharply.
Artizea stood just inside the hallway, arms folded, gaze firm.
"You… did what?" Gil said, his voice shaking.
"She's stronger than you think," Artizea replied. "And braver—"
He stepped closer, his towering presence bearing down on her. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
"She would have gone regardless, Farther " Artizea said firmly. "At least this way I made sure she had protection—, she has a chance."
"Protection?" his voice cracked. "Do you know what lies beyond these walls? She doesn't stand a chance against Morgonna Nor Mordred, look what happened to Jullain—"
"She knows the risks," Artizea said, her voice rising to match his.
Gilgamesh's hand slammed against the table, the wood cracking under the force. " If I give an order, My children are expect to obey!"
"Is that truly what would you have her do?"
Both Gilgamesh and Artizea turned to see Queen Arturia stepping into the room, her presence commanding yet calm. Her silver-blue eyes, so similar to Elaine's, shone with quiet determination.
"Would you have her stay here and watch you plan another civil war ?" She continued, her voice cutting through the tension. "She is your daughter, yes, but she is also my daughter. And I see the same fire in her that I once saw in you." "You agree with this?" he asked, his voice heavy with disbelief.
Arturia stepped closer, her gaze softening. "I agree that she must make her own choices. She inherited your stubbornness, my love, and your courage. You cannot shield her from the world forever."
"She's not ready," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "She's too young"
"She's a pendragon."
He turned to her, his rage barely contained. "She's a child, Arturia! She has no idea what she's walking into!"
"And yet, she may surprise us," she said gently. "Just as you once surprised your own father."
Gil's voice cracked. "You don't understand .."
Arturia stepped forward then, calm but resolute.
"Then help me to understand ..she's faced worse before …"
Gil didn't respond.
He just walked into the room and sat heavily on her bed, gripping the sheets in his hands, his knuckles white.
His head bowed, voice breaking.
"I just wanted her to be safe…"
"She doesn't need safety,"she said quietly. "She needs to be believed in ."
,"Its my fault." his expression a mixture of anguish and anger.
Arturia placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. "Gil.."
Silence .
Artizea stepped closer, her expression softening. "She'll come back, Father .with Eugene."
Gilgamesh didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the empty window.
Somewhere out there, his daughter was walking into the unknown, and for the first time in his life, he felt powerless to protect her.
the fight draining from him as his shoulders slumped. For a long moment, he said nothing, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his emotions.
Finally, he turned away, his voice hoarse. "Find her," he said to no one in particular. "Make sure she's okay."
"Yes, Your magestity." says Fin outside the door.
Artizea and Arturia exchanged a glance, neither speaking. They both knew Elaine was beyond their reach now, her path winding far from the halls of Babylon.