Dorian's first instinct when he saw the blood was to panic. It wasn't an alarming amount that was spilled on the wood floor, more like small poodles and droplets around the door's threshold and leading away from it but it was more than enough to be alarmed.
"Are you alright, my King?" He asked, brandishing his sword just in case. Fabio was sitting on his bed, hands buried in his loose hair. He didn't look hurt, at least not in places Dorian could see. He sniffed the air for other clues but could only smell wilting roses and the coppery scent of blood. Returning his sword back to its belt, he approached cautiously. "I thought I heard shouting–"
Moving even more swiftly than Dorian thought was physically possible, Fabio crossed the room to slip behind a curtain without so much as a word. It was nothing short of odd, the knight mused, thinking of a thousand scenarios that could explain whatever was happening here. Perhaps he fell and hurt himself and was now too ashamed to ask for help or maybe he'd misread the entire situation completely and the red liquid on the floor was wine and not blood. Dorian knew his nose wouldn't lead him astray though and continued to approach cautiously, one hand on his belt and heels barely touching the floor. Fabio looked disheveled and tired but that wasn't what alarmed him. When their eyes met and the knight saw a flash of gold, he knew exactly what had happened.
Just then the door creaked open and a small, "Hello?" broke the quiet of the room.
A warning growl came from behind the curtain.
Dorian turned towards the soft female voice to see none other than the Queen's Lady-in-waiting, Lysara, if he remembered correctly. Frightened brown eyes wandered the room and when their gazes caught, he put a finger to his lips, motioning her to be quiet. His friend was still growling, each one dangerously higher than the last. Fabio was from a long lineage of what many would call a high-bred Wolf. Where most of their kind today had lost their stronger instincts, the Castille alphas hadn't completely lost theirs. He was supposed to take suppressants regularly to prevent things like this from happening yet the blood on the floor said otherwise.
Dorian could only imagine what poor soul crossed paths with him in his wolf-borne haze.
"Erm, Sir Dorian," Lysara whispered harshly, ignoring his shushing motion. He followed where her finger pointed, "There's blood on the floor."
"I can see that! Now quiet–" He whisper-yelled back.
"No you don't understand—the Queen is not in her room! I believe she came here a while ago–"
Dorian registered what she said with chills up his spine. This wasn't the first time Fabio had given in to his wolf and attacked someone. Subconsciously, his hands traced a faded white scar that curled up his wrist and past his elbow, just inches of missing a vital artery. After a few drinks with his best friend on the anniversary of his father's death, the two had ended up in the lower town when a fight broke out at a tavern. Fights were nothing new when drinking but this one ended differently because they had unwittingly gotten involved—Fabio lost control and ravaged the poor man… and Dorian too when he attempted to calm him down. It took nearly five strong alphas and a strong suppressant dose to hold him down. Fabio never missed another day after that.
Until today.
"Go, send for the court physician. Now."
Lysara skirted outside the corridor before he'd even finished speaking. He remained beside Fabio, a few steps away of course. He groaned, pupils blown wide and the whites of his eyes red.
"W-what h-happened–" Dorian instinctively moved back, a move that didn't go unnoticed by Fabio. He stopped as if noticing something for the first time, then sniffed the air. The next second he staggered to his feet, pupils blown wide. "Where is she?"
"Fabio what the hell happened?"
He looked wild with disheveled hair, loose shirt and specks of gold in blue eyes. Sniffing desperately in the air, his movements grew more agitated. Dorian knew that if he suddenly broke out into a run, he wouldn't be able to contain him. That was why he'd sent for the physician, only her suppressants would be able to keep him from wrecking potential havoc that could cause a scandal throughout the kingdom.
"Gods, I—Giselle, she—"
This was the most affected Dorian had ever seen him on a matter concerning Giselle, the other times her name was on his lips was out of hate. The change wasn't unwelcome—Dorian had gotten tired of the King singing words of hate and bemoaning his former bride. It didn't explain why Giselle was missing and streaks of blood stained the floor but it was a start. Now though it was all coming to a head all at once. Fabio's chest rose rapidly, his eyes glistening in the light as he hyperventilated, shaky hands thrashing his hair.
"Deep breaths Fabio, you're alright." He soothed his friend, hands on either shoulder. "Is Giselle hurt?" Fabio nodded, once. "Y-you did so…accidentally?"
Fabio left his friends embrace without an answer, shrugging on an outing jacket.
"A sentry guard told me he saw her leave the palace on a horse. He'd assumed she left on a ride and didn't stop her. I came to ask if she'd been granted permission to leave the grounds, after all you were very clear that she wasn't allowed to leave unless by your approval."
"I don't have time for this, Dorian, Giselle could be anywhere by now. Ready my horse at once." He grabbed his sword and a small satchel, making swiftly for the door.
"What about your suppressants!?"
Fabio moved faster than he'd ever seen, his voice echoing behind him. "Bring it to me at the stables!"
The physician arrived no sooner than the King had left, the tonic in her hand. Lysara came in tow, her brown eyes as curious as ever.
"Where is his Majesty? Is he with my Lady?" She asked. Dorian felt an unusual tug in his chest. A part of him raked at him for even thinking of lying to such a pure face. So he didn't.
"I will take the medicine to the King, thank you for your held, fair maiden. Rest assured he would bring back the Queen safe and sound."
Still dazed from the intensity of her searching eyes, he left the room for the stables, catching up with the King as he trotted out on his trusty horse, a black mare he'd ridden for years. He handed him the tonic and watched as the King took a huge gulp until no more liquid remained in the bottle. His face wrinkled at the taste and Dorian had to remind himself of the severity of the situation to not burst into laughter.
"See that you handle my affairs in my absence. That which you cannot, cancel them." Fabio said.
Thin lines were etched on his face, lines that if the knight wasn't mistaken, could be worry lines. He had seen his friend go through many negative emotions where his Queen was involved but he wasn't used to this particular one. Worry. Nonetheless, he hoped the girl was found. She may not have been the King's choice but from their interactions which, although being few and far between, had proven her to at least be worthy of her title. She struck Dorian as a kindhearted albeit quiet young lady, the poster omega.
He rather liked her and hoped that one day, Fabio's mood toward her would change.
"I will, my King."
***
Giselle has only been to the marketplace a handful of times but never alone. The sun was high in the sky, the peak hour when stalls were open and lasting till late evening. Moments after she had left the palace, she faced a dilemma—ride all the way to her father's duchy in Vonteguarde or take a detour. Giselle didn't want her parents to know the ills she faced in the palace nor to even see her in her wounded condition. So she chose the latter, maneuvering the horse until they reached the open market. It was a good thing that she was a good horsewoman, even more so than her sister as the skill surely came in handy when she needed it.
Now at the open market clustered with common folk, merchants and beggars, Giselle hunched a little on her horse, suddenly aware of how much of an eyesore she was compared to the simple brand of people that went about their daily lives. Her dress was, although simple, clearly expensive and her horse was a rare breed with royal colors of purple and gold decorating the seems of its saddle. The market itself was loud with a mixture of alpha, omega and muted beta scents, a cacophony that made her slightly dizzy experiencing all their scents at once. Usually, people wore scent blockers or perfumes in polite company but it wasn't uncommon to remain natural.
As she rode further, she could feel even more eyes on her, some simple curious and confused. Giselle didn't know if it was very uncommon for nobility to visit the market since she rarely left home and had only visited once, but she knew that an unaccompanied noble woman would draw attention. What she did know was that her marriage to the King was documented by the papers and as such the people may already be familiar with her likeness. That would explain why they stared, she thought.
She stopped by an apothecary's, now even more agitated at the attention she was receiving. None seemed hostile or intimidating but it still got under her skin like a pile of nails.
Her horse whinned and she rubbed at its mane, worriedly looking around for a pole or stable hand to attach it to.
"Do you need help with your horse, miss?" A ruddy boy asked her. He seemed to be no older than sixteen summers. Giselle was instantly wary. She still needed the horse as she wasn't sure of the length of her journey and she didn't know if the king would apprehend her in a matter of hours. There was no logical reasoning behind her fleeing the palace no matter how hard she thought about it. She felt unsafe, so she fled and it was as simple as that to her. Within her, her omega whimpered at the thought of leaving their soulmate, although he had caused them much pain. She still understood why she had to do it, no matter the heartache she felt.
Hurts…not safe anywhere.
Against her instincts, she handed the horse over to the boy, slipping a few gold coins into his hand. Thankfully she always had a pouch of coins on her belt out of habit. "Take care of him, would you. I would only take a moment." he nodded eagerly, pocketing the gold coins before taking her hand to help her alight from the animal.
Giselle limped into the shop. The stall was a small wooden shack that smelt of old herbs, medicine and burning roots. Tonics of all sizes were stacked in boxes on either sides of the wall in rows, some labeled, others not bearing a single mark. Curious, she took one from the shelf, turning the small vial in her hands to read the inscription. Wolfsbane, it said. Probably a healing plant or something, Giselle thought. Dried herbs hung from the rafters and fresh rosemary seemed to have seeped into the wood of the stall. The counter itself was unattended but a thin curtain behind it betrayed a shadow.
"Hello?" She called out, leaning over the counter. A voice mimicked her own words back at her. Gasping more in shock than fright, she looked up to see a cockatoo, or at least a type of parrot with colorful feathers.
The screen pulled back suddenly and an older woman, a beta probably by the lack of defining scent, revealed herself. She was of average height, with salt-and-pepper hair and searching grey eyes that reminded her of Lysara. "Dont be scared of Ambrose. He is a friendly soul." The shopkeeper said with a short laugh. "How can I be of service, my lady?" She asked. Her attire was a simple cotton dress with a plain petticoat and an apron tied over it.
"I need a healing tonic, my leg…" Giselle raised the hem of her dress. The shopkeeper followed her pointer finger curiously, her brows furrowing when she saw her wounded limb.
The shopkeeper leaned down to examine her, "It is an unsightly gash, my lady. I'm afraid it would leave a scar."
Giselle wasn't too sheltered that she had never experienced an injury before. Her sister and her had a makeshift treehouse that they would climb and even a simple swing at their backyard. More often than she would like, she had fallen and scraped her knee in the process; nothing too serious to leave a scar but a wound no less. This was no simple wound though, but the claw of one of the deadliest wolves in the kingdom. Giselle would be more surprised if it didn't scar.
"Do whatever you can, I must continue my journey as soon as possible."
The apothecary ushered her behind the thin black screen, the room behind was small with two chairs one with pillows and one without. She laid out her tools; vials of liquids with different hues, small sharp knives and other oddly shaped tools that look like they promised pain.
"Drink this." She said, pushing a small vial to her lips. It tasted fresh, flowery. Nothing bitter like she thought it would. Within seconds, her body felt numb but strangely safe. "It's a tincture of lavender, it should numb your pain and whatever sensation you may feel as I heal you."
The woman worked quickly and Giselle merely felt a tugging sensation in her leg but no pain, not yet at least.
Outside the screen, the wooden door creaked and an unfamiliar scent entered the stall.
"Paula!" they yelled.
"I'm busy, Ariadne, what do you want this time?" The apothecary yelled back, her hands not faltering once as she worked.
"There's a literal royal stead outside your door!" The voice grew closer until they opened the curtain to reveal a taller, wiry woman. "Ah, a patron. Nasty wound too."
"Mhmm, now if you would please leave I'm too busy for your wild stories today, Ariadne."
The newcomer laughed loud and long like a witch. A strange marking on her collarbone made Giselle wander if she was. Witches were not rare in Montegnera but they were usually secretive about their lives and craft, only dwelling in small covens of three or two according to stories she heard. They were Terran migrants that settled in handfuls usually near the border to Terra just in case they needed fresh wares. Giselle spied a shadow of a similar, circular mark on the shopkeeper that confirmed her theory. If the woman noticed her looking, she didn't say anything.
"Please, I do not tell stories although the news I bring is wild indeed." Only then did Paula look at her friend. As much as Giselle was in a haste, she could deny wanting to hear more. "I was at Volgat's meat shop about an hour earlier when a handsome—oh, very handsome indeed—a young man approached with very regal horse. He'd asked if we saw a fair young woman with auburn hair which of course we haven't, who has red hair these days–"
Giselle inhaled sharply. It was Fabio. It had to be. All the numbness washed away and the pain returned tenfold.
"I must be on my way." She said, biting her lower lip as the pain licked through her calves like fire.
"You need not leave, my lady." The shopkeeper said with knowing eyes. They were meant to be soothing but Giselle still felt anything but. "We will hide you for as long as you like."
"We? Hide who?" Ariadne looked as confused as she sounded.
Giselle shook her head.
"No, i-it would amount to treason if he finds out. I can't put you in danger like that. Thank you for your help." She thrust a random amount of coins into the woman's hand.
Before she left, Paula gave her a small satchel which she said 'contained everything she needed when the time came.'
As Giselle alighted her horse, thanked the boy who looked after it, riding away from the market and into the woods, she had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time she saw the apothecary.