Gelstat Hearts

Finding Dante

"Where is he celine?."

I knew something had happened,I wanted to hear it,the silence in the room was hurting,tugging at my heart.

"He didn't come Marisol" she said looking at me with pitiful eyes.What do you mean he didn't come?,he was meant to be here by noon,I couldn't hold my tears anymore..i clutched my chest tightly,it was starting to hurt.

"I don't know my lady,He just disappeared,no trace of him anywhere.The guards are all in search of his carriage and his men,I would let you know if I hear anything else.

"Where's my father ?."I said while wiping the tears off my face, I needed to know his plans to help.

"I'm right here my darling."He responded while walking into my chambers.

"Father,what's happening?."

"I don't know my dear,if the duke was attacked there would have been traces of violence,but everything looks normal apart from the fact that we can't find his men and his carriage,if it was an attack,it was done smoothly almost too good to assume that it wasn't planned."He responded.

All of these was too much,my head started spinning,my vision became blurry and all of a sudden everything went dark.

"Dante?."

"My lady."He said looking at me smiling softly.

"I don't understand,where have you been?."I asked wiping off the tears stained on my face.

"You know what, it doesn't really matter, we have been waiting and I got scared thinking something bad might have happened,I'm glad you are fine."I said pulling him towards the door.

"But I'm not here marisol."He said pulling me back and taking my hands off his.

"What do you mean,you are not here?,I can see you."

"I know but I'm not real."he replied.

"You need to let me go Marisol."He said while he placed his palm on my cheeks.

"Let you go where?,I don't understand...Uhhm you really need to make me understand what you mean please,I'm loosing my mind,what's happening."

"Marisol,wake up!."

"Mother?."

How is my mum here?,I turned trying to look for her but I could only hear her.

All of a sudden felt like my lungs started closing up and I was gasping for air,my chest became tight and then I knew.

I forced my eyes open and she was right there.

"Thank the heavens,I was so scared."she said while hugging me.

"It wasn't real."I whispered.

"What wasn't real?."she asked looking curious.

"I saw him."

"Marisol."she said looking at me worried.

"It's been 2 days since you passed out,I understand all of these is a bit too much,but I value your sanity my dear,you have to take it easy on yourself and I'm sure the duke will be found."

"2 days?." I said while trying to sit up.

"You need to eat my lady."celine butted in.

"Water."

My throat felt like I swallowed a dune,

Every word felt like all my saliva dried up while I was unconscious.

"Here you go my lady."she said while passing a cup of water to me.

I had to drink slowly because every gulp both relieved my thirst and added to the pain in my throat.

"Where is Father?, I want to talk to him." I said while trying to get off my bed.

"You just woke up you should clean up abit."My mother responded.

"I will do that after speaking to him,please."i tried to sound reasonable.

"Fine."she responded with a sigh.

I picked up a shawl,wrapping it around my shoulders.

I tried keeping my balance while walking towards father's reading room,I felt lightheaded and weak but I really needed to know what's going on.

I pushed open the big door slowly,while trying to search for my father who was frantically moving around with papers and maps scattered around him.

"Marisol."He stared at me with relief in his eye,before he reached out to help me to a chair

"Thank goodness you are okay,I was worried."

"I know father."I responded trying to get more comfortable with my sitting position.

"Are there any updates?,do we know where he is now?"

"Not a single clue my dear ."he answered.

I picked up the map on the table,while staring at it.

"There is only one way from the dutchy to the county,if they were kidnapped it's only logical for us to check the other routes that leads everywhere except the county,I think we should make a list of those routes and their destinations."

"That would work except that's what the kidnappers wants us to think while they are right under our nose,I will suggest we spread out our men and keep some to inspect the routes that leads to the county properly and not neglect it,we can't leave any stone uncovered."he responded.

"What's the duke family saying?."

"They have searched every home,every route,The royal family intervened too and every village has been instructed to all stay at home for questioning,A money price has also been placed on him."He replied.

"I can't even believe this is happening,it feels surreal,how did I end up here father?."

I couldn't help the tears,it hurts a lot I can't tell where the pain is coming from,more like everywhere was hurting and it was becoming intense.

"your strength is being tested,you can't let this break you,crying won't find your soon to be husband my dear."He tried looking tough,but I could tell this was breaking him too.

We were interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

"Come in."my father yelled.

It was Vincent one of the men assigned to guard the route the duke and his men passed.

"We found the duke's carriage,My lord."He said sternly.

"What?,where?."I asked immediately.

"It was strangely not on the road to the county,it was close to a small village called Edam outside the dutchy."

"I want you to search the village and the neighboring villages."Father responded.

gushes of hope rushed into my body,I hope this is a good start and an opening to good news,my heart was racing.

"I'm coming along."I blurted out,rushing out of the room,I didn't want to wait to get a response from my father,I didn't want him to say no,I wanted to be involved in every process of finding Dante.

I ran back into my chambers,celine already prepared my bathing water,Bless her hearts she is being really helpful and I appreciate it,I know it's her job but constantly caring for isn't but she does it so well without complaints too.

"I appreciate you celine".I said calmly while walking slowly towards her.

"For what,my lady?,i'm just doing my job."

"I know I know,being my friend isn't your job and I'm thanking you for being here".I said while reaching out for a hug.

"Well,Dante's carriage has been found,his men no where to be seen,but we are going to search the village now."

"Really?,that's really great news my lady,I hope he is found soon".she replied excitedly.

Third person's pov

"They found the carriage?,how did this happen".I can't let this happen,it's being two days and all plans are about to be ruined.

"I need to write a letter to inform him,he needs to know,before all things gets ruined."

"I don't know what I'm feeling rn,one minute I'm panicking because I'm scared of being caught and the other I'm thinking about me for once in my life,I needed to do this to own something for once,I can't always give away things I want because someone I care for also wants it,I pick me this time,the plans needs to continue,he has to know,

I picked up an ink and wrote the letter with my left hand to avoid it being traceable,I wrote in codes too Incase it got to the wrong person,I hurriedly wrote down the message,wrapped it and hid it underneath my gown,I had to wait for a good opportunity to send it out."

"The sudden wave of sadness came again,I tried pushing it back,I don't deserve to feel sad,it makes me feel like a good person,I know I'm not,the faster I accept it the easier this gets."

Marisol's pov

"The carriage was ready, my heart was beating too fast,my palm was sweaty,the bumpy road wasn't helpful too,I made silent prayers,my mum would always remind me whenever i had Japanese lessons with my dad,

"*があるとき、**がある."

It simply means "when there is life there is hope."

"I believe Dante is Alive somewhere,I just needed to look for him at the right places,I don't know too much about his affairs so I can't really tell if he had enemies and I do not think

I have made enough acquaintances to even have an enemy but I can never be too sure,I can't trust anyone well except my parents and celine of course."

"We got to the village,I don't know what I was expecting but my heart was dismayed,I have been living comfortably that I forgot some people somewhere are suffering."

"My lady,I strongly suggest you stay in the carriage,this sight isn't beneficial for you."

Vincent suggested.

"Beneficial?,look at these people."I responded.

"I know my lady,this village and many others are one of the poorest villages around."He replied.

"There are more??,what is happening?,I'm almost sure Dante isn't aware of this because this is outside the dutchy but I'm aware he is a very close friend of the crowned prince,I will inform him about these once he is found."I said to myself.

"I will help you back to the carriage."He interrupted my thoughts.

I didn't argue,the sight wasn't something I wanted to see for long,my eye caught on to the old beggars along the road and the women working at the market,I had an idea to help them atleast and to help myself too.

"I need an audience with them."I said.

"What?,you can't reveal yourself,they are not too friendly with noble borns."He responded almost like he was begging me to stop my madness.

"I'm sure they were able to tell with my dressing but they have not taken any action to harm me,I need an audience with them now."I ordered.

"Yes,my lady."He replied.

"The people of Edam,I hope I am welcomed,I'm sorry for interrupting your trading."

This was enough to grasp their attentions,so I continued.

"I am Marisol,I am a noble born,I'm sure you could tell,the future countess of Essos,only daughter of Harris benett,The current Earl of Essos,it is hurtful that I never really got to see outside the county and I had to meet you beautiful people under this sad circumstances,my soon to be husband is currently missing and his last ride was found close to your village,I'm pleading as a normal human being born out of a woman,I'm begging for your help,with your full cooperation you increase the rate at which my fiancée can be found,in return I would be giving a fair amount of gold to everyone in this village,enough for feeding and for you to live fairly,Every woman at their prime would be offered a place to stay at the county,that would be if they want of course,My men will be back for you response."

"Make way for The crowned prince Alexander third of his name, heir to throne,soon to be sovereign of the North." The herald announced.

"The prince is here?."I froze.