Cid put in a lot of effort so that he would not be found out.

  He traveled a day away from his humble, small home to meet traders and made sure not to use traders from the area he lived at or traders that were going in that direction. Cid also tried to stay as mysterious as possible for two reasons, not just because of wanting to somewhat ‘scare’ the traders, so that they wouldn’t take advantage of him, but also because he didn’t want to be found out just because of what he wore or what he acted like.

  He acted like someone that wasn’t the boss but was domineering, someone that was getting paid by a manager, someone that was below someone that was possibly rich and powerful…Honestly, growing up with Steven helped a great deal at this point, because he just acted how Steven had all those times and it seemed to be taken in as though he meant it!

  It was also something that helped him get over his sad loneliness, as it was quite a fun thing for him to do…He just hope all this different type of ‘acting’ worked…

  Upon returning back home though…Cid on purposely lost himself to working by himself in his small home. Even though there were a few ideas that he had kept to himself all these years, upon what he could do in jewellery making, it didn’t fill that empty hole…

  That empty hole that he felt inside also didn’t help him with sleep, as it was starting to become normal for him to get no more than four hours sleep a night.

  It was so different to the person that he became to talk to the traders, to someone now that was always frowning and working.

  He didn’t want to think of the Princess and the seat that was absent beside him. He didn’t want to think that he’d be found out and forced back to that pce and be used as a sve. He didn’t want to think about how he lost his father’s bcksmithing shop and how he had taken so long, and had to go to such lengths, to become his own person…His own master.

  He just needed…Some time…

  Time going by seemed to help him grow more courage again. Time helped him see that even though he might have very little at that current moment, he would still work hard to obtain more and become someone that he was proud of!

  Time…Had gone by and he gotten more and more courage to even think that he could attend this so-called ball, that was being held as an engagement for his older stepbrother.

  He wanted to see if the Princess was happy, he wanted to see her smile, even if it was the st time…

  Because…He was thinking of moving even further away…Perhaps even to another country altogether!

  ***

  When David and his family returned from their travels, they were fbbergasted at what they found out!

  Not only was the King’s daughter getting engaged to someone else other than Cid, but Cid had indeed gone missing!

  Leonard came to see them not long after they had returned but they could only state that they knew nothing…As it was the truth!

  There was only one good thing that came to them, because of Leonard’s appearance, and that was that Cid had gone by himself and had not disappeared because of this man…They hoped that it wasn’t a kidnapping or worse…That it was Cid who left on his own accord…

  Leonard didn’t want to believe the truth though and he started to curse them, stating that everything was their fault, but Benjamin could not tolerate it anymore and manhandled the cursing man to get out of their home!

  Once this was over, it wasn’t long before a certain other person came, and as much as they respected this person, they were just too worried and had wished it was Cid that had come instead.

  “Your Highness. You’ve returned!”

  “Greetings.” Prince Elton stated. “David, a word.”

  Benjamin and Pauletta watched as David followed the Prince to another room that was adjoining the one that they were just in.

  “Don’t be strict upon David while the his highness is here.” Was all Benjamin stated to Pauletta, before walking out the front door. He had to find out what was going on with Cid!

  How could he speak to Cid’s father again in the afterlife if he won’t be able to find him and make sure that he was safe and sound!?

  “I’ve gotten all your messages. Was there any evidence?”

  David looked straight at the Prince and then sat down, “The children aren’t obviously enough then?”

  “No.”

  Prince Elton sat down next to David and looked down, “I’m not to do this half-heartedly. I need more if I am to get the people to understand why I am going to take the King’s throne.”

  David sighed, “The business is crude, but they don’t have evidence against the King himself. It is either that the people are too loyal or that the King really has no part in it.”

  Prince Elton stood then, “Very well. It seems that I will have to wait to give that man what he deserves.”

  “Wait, Prince. You do remember Cid, right?”

  Prince Elton turned to David and narrowed his eyes, “Yes, of course, he had certain eyes for my little sister.”

  “Oh, well…Why I’m asking is because…He’s gone missing.”

  Prince Elton thought for a moment and then looked at David, “Give me reports on that family of his.”

  David frowned, “Don’t you remember, Cid’s mother remarried into the family, and they treated him poorly? You saw how they treated him once before you left for your journey…”

  Prince Elton frowned back at him, “…I see…Give me reports on that family, nonetheless. My sister is getting married to the eldest son, I have only recovered normal records with the people beside me.”

  “Ah, so this is the real reason for His Highness to come and see me then?” David smirked.

  “Indeed.”

  David let out a small ugh and stood up to be beside Prince Elton, “Very well, I’ll go and dig up some stuff and give it to you soon!”

  Prince Elton watched David walk away and then frowned.

  His kingdom was falling…All for his father’s greed!

  And now, worst of all, his father was using his daughter to get more!

  It was good to finally have David return to his side, so that he could get more information from a dark territory!

  The bck market, thieves and assassins…Prince Elton had brought many assassins to his side with a lot of effort but yet still has to be the master of the thieves and the bck market!

  With the help of David…He will only get there in a matter of time!

  ***

  Since David was known as a ‘trader’, he had a talent of talking to people and he already knew of a few certain people, within Leonard’s residence, that would give him information.

  It wasn’t the only option either, as David was someone within the bck-market circle, but he was not the boss of it…Of course, it would be much better if he didn’t have to rely upon the bck market to obtain information, so he will start with Leonard’s residence first!

  It was easy to obtain information upon the family with his ‘spy’, who didn’t even know they were ‘spying’, and so the most recent information was then taken to the Prince within the castle, not long before the ball was to be held.

  David did not walk into the main entrance, as many couldn’t do that, but he was known as a friend of the prince’s from one of the side entrances and was let in straight away.

  He saw servants running around and doing work but did not see the actual pce that the ball was being held.

  “David, you have come!” Prince Elton stated, walking to David.

  They met up and then walked to a secluded area. David then gave the Prince what he had found.

  Skimming over the information, the Prince looked at David and frowned. “This won’t help me with your friend.”

  David frowned in return but nodded, knowing of this answer. He had contacted the bck market already, but they had not sent word yet…Who knows when it would come, especially if he does not go himself…The bck market is on their own terms, which can be an awesome asset but a huge downfall at the same time!

  Otherwise, he could not pin down enough problems with Cid’s step family to either put them into jail or get them interrogated.

  Even the fact that Cid was seen from a witness, being punished by the stepfather, was not something that they could get into, as Cid himself was not around and the reasons for punishment may even stop them from trying to take that as a reason to help him out.

  “My sister is still trapped.” The Prince stated, putting his hand down that was holding the papers.

  David stood there silent, while the Prince went into deep thought.

  He was always like this…If it wasn’t about obtaining the throne and advancing his country, if he didn’t hold an interest it was hard to get him into anything…Luckily though, finding Cid had something to do with his sister!

  Even though they were all friends, sometimes it was like the word ‘friend’ meant something else to this royal man!