Markus had no idea where in the palace his sister would be, and when he asked a man who was cleaning the windows, he didn’t know either. He decided to search the east wing first, looking for Isabelle or a servant who might know where he could find her. However, he had only checked two rooms (both of which were empty) before he found himself face to face with the Crown Prince. They stood there in mutual surprise, then Markus hastily bowed.

“What’s a gardener doing wandering the hallways?” the Crown Prince asked curiously.

“Looking for my sister, your highness,” Markus replied politely. “She dusts the paintings in the palace. I have just finished my apprenticeship as a topiarist, and the head topiarist gave me permission to find my sister to tell her this, but I don’t know where she is.”

“Is that so!” The prince smiled warmly. “I have nothing to do at the moment, so I’m rather bored, and if you’re with me no one else will question you. So, shall we find your sister?”

“Thank you, your highness.”

And so, the pair of them searched the palace, room by room. They found many servants, none of whom knew where Isabelle was, and surprised the occasional palace official. They even came across the Second Prince, who was practising reading poetry.

“Alexis!” the Crown Prince called out. “What a lovely reading voice you have!”

“Hello, Thomas. This is quite the dullest thing I’ve ever read. Not that I mind being interrupted, but did you want something?”

“Do I need an excuse to visit my beloved little brother?”

Alexis finally noticed Markus standing just outside the doorway.

“Markus? What are you doing here?”

“Ah, you know him! This young man was wandering around like a little lost sheep, looking for his sister. We haven’t found her yet, though, so we should be off to keep looking.”

“Wait a moment, I’ll come with you. Anything’s better than this detestable poetry.”

When they did find Isabelle, she was entirely taken by surprise. She congratulated Markus, then simply shook her head in bewilderment.

“You have quite a way with princes. How ever did you manage to enlist both of them to help you?”

“Actually, we were the ones who insisted on coming,” the Crown Prince told her.

“How are you, Isabelle?” Alexis asked. “It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to you. It can’t be long until your wedding.”

“I am very well, thank you, Prince Alexis. My wedding is in a week’s time.”

“Am I invited?” the Second Prince asked jokingly.

“Ooh, a wedding!” the Crown Prince chipped in. “I’d love to go, but only if there’s cake!”

“I’m afraid it might be a little simple for your tastes, your highnesses, but you’d certainly be welcome. Markus can tell you when and where it is, if you really want to know.”

“I’ve said what I wanted to say, and you have your work to do, so I’ll be leaving now,” Markus said and, after bowing to the princes, left the room.