The Travelers

Akana

"You seem a little distracted. Is there something wrong, Akana?" Asked her second cousin Prince Rafael.

"I'm fine. I'm just tired. I mean look at my gown? This feels like it weighs a ton.''

Her Cinderella inspired gown made of 19 layers of silk is also covered with at least 500 diamonds and swarovski crystals. The diamonds alone already weigh 500 carats. She's also wearing a tiara set in white gold and decorated with 60 carats diamond.

"But you look beautiful in it. I mean look at that waist." he whispered.

"Well thanks to my corset my waist is now barely 23 inches. I can't properly breathe and even eat what I want. But you know fashion over comfort." she said sarcastically.

"You underestimate yourself too much. You're gorgeous." She just smiled at his compliment and play coy.

She ain't naive. She knows that a lot of noblemen from different kingdoms are trying to win her heart and that includes Prince Rafa. It's all out of obligation.

But she's comfortable with Rafa because aside from being childhood friends she knows his secret. He will never be attracted to her cause he's gay. It's only her that knows for now. And what they're doing is just a show.

He trusts her to keep his secret and in return they will be fake dating so that her parents wont set her up with other royal suitors. A win-win situation for both of them.

When they're both sure that other people are far away enough not to hear them, that's when Rafa asks her the real question.

"You need to go?" She just nodded. "Okay i'll cover for you." she mouthed thank you and hurriedly left.

Every year she would go to her fathers former office room to see if the mysterious visitor would return on their birthday. It's a long shot but she's certain of their return only she's just not sure when.

And since she can't keep going there everyday without her father noticing she just put a hidden camera in the room. She got that room monitored everyday. The room doesn't have any hidden chamber.

It's actually the most normal room in the palace if not for the time the mystery guy walked out in the built-in closet. She also inspected the closet numerous times but she found nothing unusual. It's a normal closet. Not even a hidden compartment.

Still her gut tells her she will know the answer if she waits long enough while preparing for the return of that mysterious man.

For years she tried to find out the man's identity. She even asked her father even though their relationship already deteriorated after what happened to her sister. But all he said is she has to wait for the right time.

With her father's non cooperation she knows there's definitely something. And That the right time he's talking about means it's a dead end already for her and her sister.

Since she knows security would be tight and they will keep an eye on her, she planned ahead. A week ago she hired a world class mentalist to perform at tonight's party. She specifically instructed him to draw attention to himself and never include her in the act. So while everyone's attention is on the mentalist she sneaks out of the party.

While she sneaks out she took the mobile phone she hid under the table. The phone is remotely connected to a cctv camera.

When she's sure no one is looking at her she turns on the phone and starts monitoring the room.

It was a bit dark at first but she can also remotely turn on lights using her phone. The CCTV gives her a clear view of the built-in closet. Again it looks normal like in the past 8 years.

She feels disappointed but she won't give up. If she has to monitor that room for the next 8 years again she would. She was about to turn off the phone when the closet door slightly moved! She was sure of that. Then the monitor went blank. Someone is in that room!!

She needs to go there as soon as possible.

She runs toward the palace as fast as she can. She no longer cares if someone from the security staff sees her. Shes been waiting for this in years. She can't miss this opportunity. Every second counts.

As she ran she took off her five inches high heeled shoes. She also took the tiara off her hair and ripped her expensive silk gown so she can run without any restriction.

It's almost 12 midnight and as she runs she can hear the pendulum swings. Her time is running out. So when she approached the door she didn't even pause, she just pushed the door open with all her might.