Cinders and Ashes

The Search for the Mystery Prince

Cinders and Ashes

A/N: This chapter is not as long as I wanted it to be, but hey, at least this is something. And it will be another chapter out of the way before we reach the ending of this story! I guess that's a silver lining.

Well, I won't keep you guys waiting. Let's roll it!

Chapter 10

The Search for the Mystery Prince

The next morning, Giovanni had been summoned to the castle. He entered the throne room, where the Queen and her daughter were waiting for him, along with Captain Flint. There was also a scribe waiting there, a blank scroll in one hand, and a feather quill in the other one.

"Is everything alright?" He asked. "Has your so-called Mystery Prince arrived, Your Royal Highness?"

Dawn shook her head. "Sadly, not yet." She replied before maintaining a composed outlook. "But I have a plan on how to find him."

Queen Johanna nodded and then turned over to the scribe. "Please take this down, and then proclaim it across the land once it is finished."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The scribe nodded, and then got his quill ready to write as the queen began to speak authoritatively.

"All subjects of Her Imperial Majesty are hereby notified, by royal proclamation, that in regard to a certain Mystery Prince, it is upon this day decreed that a quest be instituted throughout the length and breadth of our domain. The sole and express purpose of said quest is as follows: that every single young man in our beloved kingdom shall attempt to produce a half of a wooden shield amulet to the Princess; who holds in her possession the other half, from its shape to the inscription on the back of it.

"Should one youth be found with said amulet half and can recite an inscription etched on the back of it from his heart, such youth will be acclaimed the subject of this search and the one and only true love of Her Royal Highness, our most noble Princess. And said Royal Highness will humbly request the hand of said youth in marriage to rule with her over all the land as Royal Prince and future King."

Dawn had noticed that while her mother was stating the proclamation, Lord Van der Wylen looked ready to explode with anger. Something about it seemed odd, but she maintained a look of grace and poise to mask her suspicion.

"Declare this all throughout the kingdom." The queen ordered gently. "We will start the search tomorrow morning."

"Are you quite certain that this search is necessary?" The grand duke asked them, making Dawn face him again, still suspicious about his bitter reaction to the search. "After all, this so-called prince just vanished into thin air that night! We don't know where he is or if he even lives in the kingdom. Instead of doing a fruitless search for some mystery prince, we should be extending invitations for other suitable men to court our fair princess."

Dawn glared at the older man as he continued. "The kingdom needs to know that they will be in good hands, that the monarchy has a future king, and that the land may have an heir. The people would want to face the future with certainty."

"Agreed, then let us be certain about one thing, Grand Duke." Dawn cut him off firmly. "I am your princess, and your future queen. This doesn't just concern my future, but the future of all the kingdom. I say that we seek out the Mystery Prince. Even if he doesn't want to be found, I have to see him again."

"And if he is not found?" Giovanni asked. "What choice must be made, for the good of the kingdom?"

Dawn took a deep breath, not wanting to think about making such a choice. But as much as she hated it, she had to admit that the Grand Duke had a point. What if the Mystery Prince wasn't found? Or if he doesn't want to be found? What will she do? Although she was sure that she will never find a love such as this again, she does have to think about the good of the kingdom, and her people.