The palace buzzed with controlled chaos.
Knights ran through torch-lit corridors.
Messengers mounted horses.
City gates began sealing one by one.
And yet—
Queen Lura raised her hand.
"There is no need to rush," she said calmly.
Every head turned toward her.
Duke Leon Kingscrown stared at her, disbelief flashing across his face.
"It is night," the queen continued, forcing composure. "No kidnapper would dare cross the borders in darkness. We should proceed carefully tomorrow."
Her words echoed through the hall.
They made no sense.
Leon's jaw tightened.
"With respect, Your Majesty," he said evenly, "night is exactly when criminals flee."
The queen's eyes flickered.
Leon stepped forward, voice firm.
"The sooner we move, the higher the chance of interception. Every minute matters."
Arlienne stood rigid, hands trembling.
"My children are out there *right now*," she whispered. "Please…"
Queen Lura opened her mouth again, but—
King Aldren raised his hand.
"That is enough."
The queen froze.
Aldren turned to Leon.
"Duke Kingscrown… you have full authority. Do whatever is necessary."
The queen clenched her fists.
Leon bowed deeply.
"I will not fail."
***
Within minutes, the Kingscrown estate erupted into action.
Unlike normal noble houses, the Kingscrowns possessed something rare—
**Pegasuses.**
Magnificent winged beasts trained for speed, endurance, and night flight.
Knights mounted the creatures without hesitation, armor gleaming under moonlight.
Leon stood at the center of the courtyard, issuing commands with precision.
"Split into five divisions."
"Cover all major roads."
"Search forest paths and river crossings."
"Check hidden trade routes."
"And seal the sky."
A young knight saluted sharply.
"Yes, Duke!"
Lea Kingscrown tugged on her father's cloak.
"Father—let me come."
Leon knelt, gripping her shoulders.
"Lea… this is dangerous."
Her eyes burned with determination.
"They're my friends," she said fiercely. "And I won't forgive myself if I stay behind."
Leon hesitated only a moment.
"…Stay behind the front line. Do not engage alone."
Lea nodded. "I promise."
***
High above the capital, pegasus wings cut through the night sky.
Moonlight reflected off white feathers as patrols spread outward like a net.
Below them—
Roads emptied.
Carriages were stopped and inspected.
Ships preparing to leave were boarded.
Forests echoed with the thunder of hooves.
The hunt had begun.
Leon rode at the front, eyes sharp, senses fully focused.
*They haven't crossed yet,* he thought.
*They can't have.*
Every border gate was now guarded.
Every checkpoint alerted.
And yet—
Leon felt something wrong.
Too quiet.
Too clean.
No signs of struggle.
No broken tracks.
No abandoned carriages.
That worried him more than anything.
***
Far from the capital, a covered transport carriage moved along a narrow forest road.
Inside—
Two small figures lay unconscious.
Aster's brow twitched slightly.
Astra shifted, murmuring softly in her sleep.
The sleeping gas had worn off… but they were still weak.
The man sitting across from them smiled thinly.
"Hurry," he whispered to the driver. "We can't be caught now."
The carriage veered off the main road—
Toward a forgotten trade path.
***
Back in the sky—
One of the pegasus riders suddenly pulled hard on the reins.
"Duke! I see something!"
Leon turned sharply.
"What is it?"
"Tracks—fresh ones—leading off the eastern road!"
Leon's eyes sharpened.
"Mark the location."
He raised his sword.
"All units—converge east!"
Pegasus wings beat violently as riders changed course.
The night air trembled.
Below them—
The kidnappers' carriage jolted as the road narrowed.
The driver cursed under his breath.
"We're being hunted."
The noble inside smiled coldly.
"Good," he said.
***
Queen Lura stood alone at a palace window, staring into the darkness.
Her nails dug into the stone.
*Find them later,* she thought desperately.
*Just not tonight…*
But the sound of distant horns echoed through the city.
Search horns.
Her heart skipped.
"They're moving too fast…" she whispered.
For the first time—
Fear crept into the queen's eyes.
Because if the twins were found—
Everything would collapse.
And far above the forest—
Pegasus shadows crossed the moon.
The net was closing.