"It's almost time."
The Crown Prince stares at the clock, and it shows 830pm.
[She (ivy) hasn't come down.] he looks up towards the second floor, [Maybe she's still chatting with the Princess.]
"Anything wrong, your highness?" Count Malone, one of the ministers of foreign trade, asks the prince.
"No. It's nothing."
"I'm sorry I had to raise this matter during your celebration."
"No. It's okay, Count Malone. I understand your concerns. I will have the soldiers increase patrol for the trade routes, and I will also have the knights despatch to investigate on this matter."
"Oh, thank you, your highness." Count Malone let out a breath of relief. "I'm sure that would help reassure the people. I just prayed that the monster sighting in the woods is just a misunderstanding."
"Has there been any casualties?"
"Well, no, but because of the recent rumours, it has caused many people to feel afraid to travel out of town. Especially after the monster attack in the north."
