AUTHOR'S POV

Alaric's mansion,
09:43 p.m.

Alaric glided through the crystal-clear water of his mansion's pool, the coldness biting at his skin as he swam laps in the dim light of the evening.

The luxurious surroundings felt hollow to him, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling in his heart. Each stroke was a desperate attempt to escape the consistent thoughts of her-the girl who had vanished without a trace.

Despite the opulence of his life, the power he wielded, and the aura that commanded respect, he felt utterly powerless in this situation.

He had searched every corner of his vast estate, enlisted the best private investigators, and even called in favors from influential contacts. Yet, the more he sought, the more elusive she became.

The weight of her absence surprisingly pressed heavily on his chest, as he pushed through the water.

He paused at the edge of the pool, water cascading off his body as he leaned against the cool tiles. The moonlight shimmered on the surface, reflecting his internal struggle.

He closed his eyes and an angelic face was all he could see.

He has blood of king's in his veins and he knows that power could bring anything and everything he desires, it's just a matter of time but he felt desperate at the same time because he has never missed someone before, never had waited for anything in his life.

As he lingered at the edge of the pool lost in his thoughts, his mother approached, her expression a mix of concern and love. She offered him a bathrobe, her voice gentle yet probing. "You look off, Alaric. What's going on?"

As he opened his eyes and found his mother standing on the edge he sighed getting out of the pool wearing a white slippers.

"Is this about italians again?" She asked again making him sigh.

The words feeling heavy on his tongue as he looked at her face. " There's a girl..." He began watching his mother arching her eyebrows at the mention of a girl in serious tone. She crossed her arms over her chest teasingly. "She has disappeared," he continued. "....and I can't shake the feeling that I need to find her. I've tried everything, but it's like she just vanished."

She smiled helping him wearing the bathrobe before standing in front of him knotting the robe on his waist. "My love, you have a power within you that can move mountains. If anyone can find her, it's you." Her unwavering support ignited a spark of determination within him, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

"Thanks, Mum." He hugged her loosely.

"Find her quickly because now I'm curious to know who has got my son's eyes." She patted his back adoringly.

He pulled away kissing her cheek with a soft smile. "Good night." With that, he turned and made his way toward his bedroom, the air around him heavy with a sense of authority.

A man followed closely behind him. "The waitress from Strippers Den has sent a message."

"Any updates?" Alaric inquired, his voice smooth yet firm, demanding attention.

"She wants to meet you in person tonight to disclose what she knows," the man replied, maintaining a respectful distance, aware of the gravity of the situation.

"Arrange for her to come here," Alaric commanded, rubbing his hair dry, his demeanor unwavering.

"She is hesitant. She claims it poses a risk," the man explained, choosing his words carefully.

"Breathing in Moscow is a risk in itself," Alaric stated flatly, his eyes narrowing as he weighed the implications. The atmosphere grew tense, the weight of his words lingering in the air.

The man remained silent, awaiting Alaric's final decision."We will go," Alaric concluded, his tone leaving no room for dissent.

"Pardon?" the man replied, momentarily taken aback.

"Have my car ready. I will be out in twenty minutes."With that, Alaric ascended the stairs, leaving a gaping guard behind, who had never witnessed a king approaching someone, it's always the other party come to their feets.

Within an hour, Alaric arrived at the designated address in his sleek, black silk car, its polished exterior reflecting his dark aesthetics. He surveyed the scene, his sharp gaze honing in on her as she moved gracefully among the patrons.

She subtly gestured for him to follow, and he complied, striding toward the VIP section with an air of dominance. On the other side of the glass, a group of young revelers indulged in their carefree fun, oblivious to the tension brewing nearby.

The waitress approached him, her demeanor professional as she handed him a glass of liquor. "Liana Gusev. The girl you seek is seated right there," she indicated, pointing to a tall woman in a backless black silk dress, her back turned toward him.

Alaric's gaze lingered on her side profile, assessing her with keen interest "You know what to do." Alaric said without looking at her.

The waitress nodded and made her way towards the VIP booth. Lia was sitting with a group of people.

Balancing a tray of drinks the waitress approached her. With a subtle smile, she leaned in closer and slid a folded chit onto the table. "Here's a little something for you," the waitress said, placing a folded chit on the table before slipping away.

Lia's curiosity piqued, she excused herself from the group of people she was with and unfolded the note, her heart dropped. The words "I know what you did that night" stared back at her, stark and accusatory. A cold sweat broke across her brow, and she felt her pulse quicken as dread washed over her. She turned the chit over to find "707" written on it.

Instinctively, she glanced around the bar, her eyes darting from one face to another, searching for the source of the message. The laughter of her friends faded into the background as panic welled up inside her. Just when she thought she might suffocate under the weight of her anxiety, her gaze landed on a figure leaning casually against the far wall in a corridor of VIP rooms.

It was Alaric, his silhouette partially shrouded in shadows, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. The sight of him sent a jolt of fear and recognition through her. He was the one who knew. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, and she felt her limbs go numb for a moment.

With a shaky breath, she steeled herself and made her way through the crowd, each step heavy with uncertainty.

Just before she could approach him, he pushed off the wall, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, as if he could see right through her facade. Before turning to twist the VIP rooms' door labelled with 707.

"I don't know you. You must have mistaken me for someone else." She spoke, her tone denying to follow him inside.

"Oh, but I know you correctly," The anger he had been holding back seeped into his voice, making it clear that this was more than just a casual conversation. He pushed the door open."You don't want me to drag you in, do you?" He threatened.

Lia lowered her gaze silently stepping inside the room. He closed the door behind and settled on a big black couch across a glass table gesturing for her to take a seat.

As she hesitantly sat he spoke. "I'm searching for a girl named Sybil Dair-"

"I-"

Alaric glared making her realise she shouldn't interrupt.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled.

He leaned in, resting his elbows on his thighs before continuing. "Your flatmate whome you made switch places with you for pole dancing has gone missing, and you disappeared without even filing a police report. Aren't you a very good friend?" He asked in a mocking tone.

Lia stared at him thinking if Sybil isn't in Kings custody then where is she?

"I haven't visited Dream Aura in a long time, but I tried contacting her. She might have gone back to her village. I can provide you with her parents' house address if-"

"That would be greatly appreciated." He handed her his phone to type in the address in the map.

He noticed the tremor in her fingers, but it was not unfamiliar to him; he had seen people react this way when confronting him before.

After receiving his phone back, he read the address she had entered. "If I don't find her there, I will find you again. Better don't make me come looking for you." His voice was low as he spoke, his piercing eyes meeting her stormy gray ones one last time before he stood up to leave the room club.

He dialed a number and held his phone to his ear. "Prepare my jet; we are departing for Bereznik immediately," he commanded, settling into the backseat of his matte car.

He felt a mix of relaxation and curiosity as he prepared to meet Sybil. The thought of her danced in his mind, igniting a sense of anticipation that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Ballerina," he murmured softly to himself, the word almost a whisper as he began his journey across the country to find her.

Chapter Published On: 29 December 2024.

• She was poetry but he had forgotten how to read.

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