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[The Strange Pull]

ZAIDEN

Head down, buried in the papers my father sent over an hour ago, a knock on the door interrupted my train of thought.

“Yes, come in,” I called, drawing away from the desk, perturbed by the distraction.

“Your Highness, please forgive my intrusion,” the guard called, his cheeks red as he kept his gaze low. “Sire, Mr. Gerard is requesting a meeting.”

I didn’t wait for him to say anything further. Securing the documents on my desk from prying eyes, I scurried from the office and followed the guard out the door. He led me into my suite, where I found Gerard sitting in the parlor staring out the large windows.

“Ah, Gerard, just the man I needed to see.” I advanced further into the room and closed the large doors behind me. “What good news do you have for me? Have they found her?”

His back stiffened at my words. “My apologies, Your Highness, we lost the Princess.” His back faced the window, and our eyes met for the first time since I entered the room.

I was