Crystal's POV:

"What did you say? How? Why would Beryl suddenly disappear?"

My knees buckled underneath me, and Laura had to reach out and catch me before I slumped to the ground. A rush of anger shot through me. "I thought Rufus was supposed to bring Beryl to school! How can she be missing?"

My anxiety seemed to fuel Laura's, and her words just flew out of her mouth. "Yes, yes, Rufus was indeed supposed to do that, but something urgent came up this morning. He had to leave, so he asked a mai to take Beryl to the kindergarten. I just happened to drop by Rufus' place a while ago and found out that said maid hasn't returned. I had a hunch that something was wrong, so I asked the servants to look for the maid. They found her lying unconscious on a dirt path. So I immediately rushed here to make sure that Beryl is okay."

I could only stare at Laura, my eyes widening with every word she said. They registered in my brain, but it was as if my brain refused to process their implication. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Laura's expression turned glum. "But judging from your reaction, I'm guessing that Beryl isn't here, either."

I didn't waste another minute. I headed to the principal's office and asked for a leave of absence, and then proceeded to search the entire palace with Laura. "Beryl!"

I called out her name until my throat burned, and

I didn't stop. I couldn't relax for even one second. I

always running about and hiding in the most unlikely places. And so, I did not hesitate to search every corner of the palace, scouring every nook and cranny as often

by, and I could no

voice called out from behind

saw Rufus. It looked like the news of Beryl's disappearance had already reached him, given that a large group of patrolmen was already scouring the area in

sleeves as though they were

"Not yet, but I have instructed my men to

in frustration, my tears spilling from my eyes. The imperial palace was not that huge. Where else could Beryl be? Was it possible

his head to look at my face. "Crystal? Crystal, hey.

Still,

pretended to be strong, and I could have pulled it off, too. But with Rufus around, I feel like I had the

patted me tentatively on the shoulder. "Stop crying. We will find Beryl,

I pressed my hand against my mouth, but the tears just

myself, and I just don't show it. If I were in your shoes, I would have

closed my eyes

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