The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 90. Missing

Chapter 90: 90. Missing

In the elf nation of Vael’Thalas, closed land, the capital’s palace wrapped around the giant Aravel Tree, Nyssavel. Its huge branches formed a living hall.

A scholar elf, his face hard with worry, hurried through the shining halls, his robes flapping. He knocked on Queen Aeryn Vaelaris’s office door and stepped in, his eyes dark with bad news.

Aeryn sat at a desk made from Nyssavel’s living wood. Her blonde hair flowed like gold, but her hazel eyes flashed with anger and fear. "The reports," she said, her voice sharp and urgent.

The scholar bowed and set a stack of papers in front of her, each page full of names. "My Queen," he said, voice tight, "2,340 of our people are gone in the last four months. No clues, no tracks, it’s like they disappeared into nothing."

Aeryn shut her eyes, her breath quick and sharp. The number hit like a punch, a crisis tearing at her kingdom. Her people were scared, whispering about betrayal and danger. She was their strength, but even she felt unsteady. "What’s happening?" she muttered, almost to herself.

The scholar’s hands balled into fists, his voice shaking with anger. "Maybe humans were raiding us, selling our people as slaves."

Aeryn’s eyes snapped to him. "No. We have a pact with humans. Even their secret markets couldn’t take 2,300 elves without a sound. Someone inside is helping. A traitor. But why so many?"

Across the land, in the golden Council room of Zarethune’s royal palace, it was Chaos. Nobles, red-faced and scared, packed the room, their shouts echoing off marble walls. One lord, furious, threw a report across the table, papers scattering like leaves.

"Five thousand people?" he yelled. "Gone without a trace? This is no mistake, it’s a plot!"

The noise grew, accusations flying, until King Malgareth Vhalkor stood, his big frame and thick beard like a storm.

He slammed his fist on the table, the sound stopping everyone cold. "Enough!" he roared, voice rough with worry and anger. The room went quiet, the nobles’ faces pale, their anger turning to fear.

"I sent our best investigators to find answers. They said they were close—then they disappeared. A week, nothing."

Malgareth’s eyes, heavy with sadness, fell on Duke Selan Threx, sitting still as stone, his face hiding deep pain. The king’s voice softened. "Selan’s daughter is one of them. We’ve got no clues, no hope."

Selan’s eyes flicked up, a flash of hurt breaking his silence, but he stayed quiet.

Deep within the fortress of the Pillar of Treachery, a prison carved from black stone, the second floor was a labyrinth of suffering. Dark cells contained prisoners of every age and race: humans, elves, dwarves, they’re crouched on cold floors, their bodies shuddering with fear and exhaustion. The air was heavy with the smell of mold, blood and the distant, loud screams that sounded day and night.

In a small cell, a little girl, at least seven years old, sat on the wall, her body bruised and scarred from forced blood extraction. A slave collar was around her neck, she was Lysa, daughter of Duke Selan, kidnapped from Zarethune. Her dull eyes staring blankly.

Beside her sat Myr, an elf woman. She rested a hand on Lysa’s shoulder, offering what little comfort she could in this hell.

Lysa’s voice was a broken whisper. "I want my father." Her eyes shimmered, but there were no tears; she’d spent them all.

Myr’s smile was faint but warm, hiding her own pain. "We’ll see our homes again, Lysa. I promise."

Lysa turned, her voice trembling. "When? I’m scared."

The elf gently brushed Lysa’s hair. "I know, little one. Want to hear a story to ease your heart?"

Lysa’s eyes flickered with a spark of hope. "The Shining Star? Is it real? Will it save us?"

Myr’s gaze softened. "Maybe it is real. If it shines, I hope it finds us here." She looked at the other prisoners, they’re gaunt, lifeless packed into cells. "I hope it burns this place to ash."

The clank of boots on stone silenced the cellblock, every prisoner stiffend, sweating in fear. Two soldiers in white cloaks, wearing featureless masks, approached. One spoke. "Who’s next?"

The other scanned the cells, prisoners shrank back, but his finger pointed toward Lysa. Her breath caught, eyes wide with terror, a whimper escaping her lips.

Before she could move, Myr stood, placing herself between the girl and the soldiers. "Take me instead," she said, her voice steady, though her hands shook.

The soldiers paused, then nodded. The cell door open, and Myr turned to Lysa making an unwavering smile. "Hold onto hope, Lysa. You’ll see your father again."

The soldiers grabbed her arms, dragging her out, but Myr glanced back, her eyes locking with Lysa’s, offering one last spark of courage.

Lysa sank to her knees, silent tears streaking her face as Myr was pulled outside. The cell door slammed shut.

Lysa closed her eyes, muttering. "Shining star, please burn this place."

Meanwhile, In the grand hallways of the Caulem manor. Vivien peeked around a corner, her crimson eyes fixed on Leo as he walked ahead.

Her maid, who stood a step behind, watching her young charge with amusement. "Lady Vivien, what are you up to?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Vivien spun, pressing a finger to her lips, whispering. "Shh! Brother will hear you!" She turned back, crouching slightly to peek again, only to freeze, he was gone, the hallway empty.

Her eyes widened, and she stepped out, confused. "He was right there," she murmured, her voice filled with disappointment.

The maid leaned forward, equally puzzled, looking the corridor. "Where could the Young Master have gone so fast?"

Vivien’s shoulders slumped, her small face falling. "I wanted to talk to him..." she said, her voice barely audible.

A warm, teasing voice broke the quiet. "Guess he got tired of waiting for his little sister to stop hiding."

Vivien gasped, turning around to find Leo leaning casually against the wall just behind her, his eyes glinting with mischief.

His warm smile softened, and the maid stifled a surprised laugh, caught off guard by his sudden appearance.

Vivien’s cheeks flushed, and she took a shy step back, half-ready to run away. Leo crouched to her level, his voice playful. "Where you running, my little shadow? Been waiting for you to come talk to me, and you’re sneaking around like a spy."

She giggled, her nervousness fading, and turned to face him. "I was... a bit scared, Brother," she admitted, her smile small but honest.

Leo ruffled her hair gently. "Scared of me? Why’s that, huh? I’m just your big brother." His tone was warm, inviting, a different from the cold, distant Leonhardt she’d known.

Vivien staring up at him, her heart swelling for the first time, her brother wasn’t pushing her away or shouting. He was here, his warmth real. With a sudden burst of joy, she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly, her small frame trembling with happiness.

Leo chuckled, returning the hug, his tough exterior melting just for her. "Alright, alright, you got me," he said, his voice soft.