Solara followed the sound of the beating heart. When they made it to the front of the castle, she paused. “It… It is not in there…”

Cosmo came up beside her, confused by her words. “What do you mean it is not in there? Where is it then?”

She closed her eyes and listened, hearing it come from the other side of the castle. “That cannot be right… That is where the maids and servants live.” Could he have hidden it in case she had searched for it? She continued to walk in that direction, the sound getting louder as they got closer. It was there. She was sure of it.

The male followed her inside the building and walked down the hall. It was just one long hallway with rooms lined on each side and a kitchen in the back. The bathroom was an outhouse outside. She stopped in front of a room and placed her hand against it. “It is in here. Can you open the door? I do not feel right going into the room of another person but if you go first, I will feel better about it.”

Cosmo nodded his head. “Of course…” The door was locked but he easily opened it using a bit of magic. He walked in first with Solara behind him. She looked around, searching for where it could be. She saw a drawer next to the bed and walked over to it, slowly pulling it open. At this point, her own heart was beating louder than the sound of her mother’s. Inside the drawer was a small box.

“That… That is it, Cosmo. That is the box. Grab it.” She stepped back. Anting to distract herself, she took a look around the room. Her eyes widened. There were flowers decorating the room and gardening tools placed here and there. “Oh my… This is Richard’s room.”

Cosmo had grabbed the box and was tucking it inside of his coat. “Richard? Who might that be?”

“He is our gardener… He… He would not have hidden this from me. I have to talk to him.” She went to walk out of the door but was stopped by the male’s hand.

“You cannot just talk to him about this! It will ruin our plan!”

Solara glared at him, pulling her arm from his clutches for the second time. “I told you not to touch me. You have gotten what you were after. You can leave whenever you please. If anyone will face penalties it will be me. This does not concern you.” She walked out the door and out of the building before the man could say any more. She felt a fire burning inside. The king will pay for what he has done. Killing her was bad enough but for how long has her mother been suffering without her heart? She would put an end to this.

Solara made her way back into the ballroom. She had decided she would find Richard and ask him why he was hiding her mother’s heart. She hated to believe that he would betray her in such a way but it was there. Before she could find him, she was called over by Michael and Marie.

“Solara! I was wondering what was taking you so long. What did he have to talk to you about?”Michael had the woman on his arm. She was smiling.

“It was nothing of importance. Do not worry about it.” She gave him a smile. “Have you happened to see Richard? I have something I would like to discuss with him.”

Michael thought for a moment. “Last I saw him, he was sitting in the corner. I will leave you be to find him.”

Solara bowed. “Thank you, Michael. Princess Marie.” She smiled before heading off to look for the old gardener.