Alfonsi: Chronicle of the Seven Realms

"Throwing coin and jewels at the problem will get you absolutely nowhere!"

"As if you hadn't tried to bury all your son's problems beneath your massive wealth!"

"You fiend!"

"Harlot!"

"Enough."

The monotone voice cut through the heated argument taking place at the large oval table surrounded by the administrative branch.

Matteus rested a finger against his temple.

He hated these meetings the most.

It was only held once a month to discuss finances, when in reality the nobles took it as a chance to beg for money or discourage the King from allowing more funds into the pockets of their rivals. Trivial, but necessary.

In most cases, since this monthly meeting hardly ever needed serious attention; Matteus would remain silent and stoic. Occasionally allowing the nobles to bicker and let off steam for a while before having to play referee.

Today, the entire meeting was rubbing his skin raw. Each voice grating on his exposed nerves like sandpaper.

If Adaline were here, she would laugh at his misery before taking his head in her lap to sooth the pounding headache. He would fall asleep and wake up to various braids decorating his hair with silk bows tied at the ends.

She was not here, hence Matteus' less than agreeable mood.

What she had assured him would only be a one-day trip, turned to two days, then three. An entire week had gone by one agonizing second at a time, and she had yet to walk out of the teleportation room just the way she left.

On day three, Matteus had enough. He sent a discrete order of mid-ranking knights to search for her whereabouts. They had sent word back of her complete disappearance. There was no trace of Adaline to be found.

Of course, the fact that she went to Dimcliff only hindered the investigation. The town was considered a 'black hole' among the council members. No amount of funding or development plan seemed to work and it was therefore considered a waste of both time and money.

No one would know anything about where she went in Dimcliff, especially since she went in disguise.

If it were anyone else the knights would have managed to find them by now. Adaline was different, despite her familiarity with magic she had no mana signature1. She spoke differently and was often confused by simple things. There was so much about her that simply didn't make sense. She was a mystery to Matteus and falling for her was one of the riskiest thing he had ever done... unintentionally at least.

Matteus felt like pulling his hair, he should have placed a spell on her but he wanted to respect her wish of secrecy. When he found her, he would give her a firm lecture. Not before punishing her with a bruising kiss first for making him wait in agony for so long.

It was not a matter of if Matteus found her, it was when.

He stood from the tall chair at the head of the table and each head turned towards him.

They all bowed and wished him well as he strode to the door. There was still thirty minutes left until the meeting was supposed to end, but who would stop him from going if he really wanted to?

It was clear that the knights in Dimcliff had hit a dead end. They were neither skilled at tracking nor deducing where a missing person could be.

Matteus needed someone of higher rank, well verse in both detective capabilities and fighting skill. He knew just who to ask.

Right now, he was probably submitting a monthly report to the managerial sector on the third floor that was open to all nobles.

Usually, Matteus never went down to the lower floors unless there was a special occasion. If he had more time he would send an official letter of meeting and give him temporary permission to meet up in his private office on the fourteenth floor. Matteus didn't have the patience, that would take days.

He'd rather take the short way and simply appear in front of the man, etiquette be damned. If it were him, he would probably take the surprise without missing a stride.

On the third floor, Adam Kingsley; Grand Cross of the Alfonsi knight division and Duke of the Northern region of the capital, was submitting monthly expenses and equipment check sheets.

His short wavy black hair neatly styled, as it usually was and his matching black eyes seemed bored but focused on completing his business.

He looked intently at the secretary arranging the stack of documents. The woman couldn't help but sweat under his intense stare, and in a rush she nodded and gave him a shaky smile.

"W-well, everything seems to be in order Your Grace. If there are any inconsistencies, the secretary main office will contact you. We'll see you next month."

Adam nodded in content before turning away from the many office tables within the large room and taking off towards the door. Just before he could reach the handle, it was opened.

His eyes widened when he saw King Alfonsi step in, effectively blocking his exit route.

As was customary in his presence, every person stood if they were sitting in order to bow towards him. It was a show of respect and mandatory to all who didn't want to be suspected of treason.

Matteus had no patience for those formalities now and raised his hand towards the secretaries and Adam.

"Please, there is no need. Everyone carry on."

The workers hesitantly sat and continued with their jobs.

Matteus turned to Adam.

"I'd like to have a word with you Kingsley."

With that Matteus left the room, not bothering to say anything else. Adaline's disappearance was not something he wished to discuss out in the open. While most of her personal staff knew of it, there was barely any chaos. Her status as a concubine, while rare, was not high enough to cause panic. The Kingdom of Alfonsi would continue on just fine without her.

The kingdom could function without her, Matteus could not. No one misses oxygen until they realize how utterly hopeless they are without it.

Now in a secure room, Matteus turned to Adam. Dressed in his dark formal wear, he looked nothing short of the powerful man he was.

"I'm not sure if you heard, Lady Adaline is missing."

Adam blinked. "Yes your Majesty, there are small rumors circulating among the nobles."

"I have sent men to look for her but they have come up empty-handed. As the Grand Cross of the Knights, I would like you to recommend someone who could get this job done... quietly."

Matteus almost let a crack in his cool features show. He needed to know if Adaline was hurt and in any sort of trouble. The worst case scenario would be that she is not in trouble at all. She simply left because by her terms the deal was complete. Disappearing into air like vapor just as she came to him.

Either option made Matteus feel sick to his stomach.

"I see... Elric, one of the senior knights would work best. He is my student and can be trusted. He has the capabilities to do this job discreetly."

Matteus nodded. Between Scott and Adam, Adam was much easier to deal with. His blunt personality gave others the impression that he hadn't a care in the world. Though Matteus knew first hand that wasn't true, he was not uncaring... he was simply awkward with situations outside what could be solved with a blade.

"Your son is turning two soon. Congratulations."

Perhaps it was the fact that he now had a child of his own but Matteus found himself feeling a sense of kinship to other fathers.

"Thank you. I believe the people are still quite excited about the birth of His Highness Azra, despite the celebrations having ended a while ago."

"Yes, well a new birth should always be celebrated. No matter the status. I won't keep you any longer."

"I will have Elric report directly to you about his findings."

The impromptu meeting ended quickly and Matteus let out a breath. The stress was beginning to force his muscles to tense.

Well, he had the remedy for that.

Azra's room was still on the fifth floor connected to Adaline's living quarters. Matteus hadn't the heart to move him. The space still smelt of her and he thought it would calm his son. Or perhaps he was simply projecting his emotions onto the child.

Matteus turned to the small army of maids and wet nurses that worked to appease the baby's every whim.

"How is he?"

Agatha stepped forward, after delivering the baby she had been placed in charge of the group of maids.

"Your Majesty. He has just been fed and burped. It is almost time for his nap."

"All of you are dismissed for the next hour."

The women were quick to exit the room, leaving the father to gaze down at his son, who already seemed to be nodding off. His purple eyes hazy and half-mast.

Still, Azra let out a soft little coo and reached one tiny hand for Matteus.

Just like that, Matteus felt his muscles loosen and his eyebrows relax from their set scowl. The headache he had seemed to have melted away in that instant.

He grasped the tiny hand in his much larger grip. Azra smelt of milk and soap, he felt like innocence, representing a love so pure it hurt.

"Mama is still missing somewhere out there, but don't worry. Daddy will find her soon."