Shrek 2: Happily 'N' Ever After [Book 2]

Chapter 13: Finding Answers!

Chapter 13: Finding Answers!

*Willow's/Anastasia's POV*

I walked down a corridor and found one of the knights walking towards me. I asked him if the castle had a library somewhere, and if so, where is it?

He told me the directions and politely asked if I would like him to escort me there. I shook my head and told him I'll be fine on my own. I asked for his name, which he told me it was Taran. He looked about my age and was pretty friendly. I have a feeling I'll see him around again.

Once I found the library, I pushed the doors open and walked in. I didn't bother to see if there was anyone in here, so I walked straight to the history section. I skimmed my fingers over the books, trying to find one that may contain any information about the kingdom of Swan Lake.

"Come on, there has to be one somewhere..." I whispered to myself.

"Pardon me, but is this the book you're looking for?"

I turned around and jumped in surprise. "Y-your majesty."

Queen Lillian chuckled softly. "There is no need to use formalities with me, Anastasia, nor with Harold, either. We would absolutely love it if you and Felicity were to call us aunt and uncle instead. Our families have been friends before the both of you were even born. That is, if you don't mind?"

I blinked a couple of times before giving her a small smile. "If that's what you'd like for me to call you, then of course I don't mind."

Queen Lillian, or should I say aunt Lillian, smiled warmly. "Oh, not at all, dear."

She guided me to a soft two seater ruby red sofa and sat down with a book in her hand I've only just noticed she was holding. She patted the seat next to her, gesturing for me to sit next to her. "I'm sure you would like some answers about your kingdom. Please, do sit down. I will answer any questions you may wish to ask that concerns the past as best as I can."

I took the seat next to her and turned round to face her. "I have quite a lot of questions, but given that there is a ball taking place tonight, I'll only narrow them down to just a few."

Aunt Lillian smiled encouragingly. "That's absolutely fine, dear. Please, ask away."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in and out before facing her. "Do you know who it is that froze my parents and everyone in the kingdom?"

Aunt Lillian shook her head and frowned. "I'm terribly sorry, but I'm afraid I don't. To be quite honest, nobody in all the kingdoms we know, have any knowledge at all as to whom it may be that committed such a heinous crime to your parents and kingdom. All we know is that whoever did, was most certainly out for revenge. Why this person has anything against Swan Lake, remains to be seen."

I stared down at my dress in thought. Surely there must be someone who knows something?

Unless...

I looked up at aunt Lillian. "I don't mean to offend you or anyone else at all, but have you ever considered the possibility of looking closer to home, maybe? What if someone you may have come across before could be a possible suspect?"

Aunt Lillian hummed in thought. "It would be quite difficult to narrow down the possibility of this criminal taking residency in Far, Far, Away or The Veil of the Fairies, given that not only has it been 16 years since the dreadful event took place, but there are no leads or evidence to suggest that it could very well be someone in either kingdoms. Even so, neither Harold and I, nor Thumbelina and Cornelius, would allow them to carry on living their lives freely as they please, when our friends and their people have been put under a spell with absolutely nothing within our knowledge that would undo it."