The Search Begins (1)

A new day dawned, tinged with hope and determination. Athena rose early, ensuring both herself and Nicholai were dressed and ready for the day ahead. With a gentle kiss on his forehead, she sent her younger brother off to school, slipping a few coins into his palm for treats.

Nicholai beamed up at his sister, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he clutched the coins tightly. "Thanks, Athena!" he exclaimed, planting a quick kiss on her cheek before darting off to join his friends at school.

As the town bustled with the energy of a new week beginning, Athena wrapped herself in a shawl and made her way towards the Security Council headquarters. Her father had been missing since Friday, and despite her best efforts to locate him, he had yet to return home.

With a heavy heart and a knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach, Athena prepared to make a report to the council, seeking their assistance in finding her father. At just 19 years old, the responsibility of caring for her younger brother weighed heavily on her shoulders, especially in the absence of their father.

Entering the council building, Athena took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She approached a woman at the front desk, her voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in her chest. "I need to make a report about a missing person," she said, her tone firm and resolute.

The woman nodded sympathetically, ushering Athena into a waiting area while she informed the appropriate authorities. As Athena sat, her mind raced with thoughts of her father and the uncertainty of his whereabouts. She couldn't help but worry about what might have happened to him, and the impact it would have on her and Nicholai if he didn't return.

Finally, she was called in to speak with a security council member, her hands trembling slightly as she recounted the details of her father's disappearance. The council member listened intently, nodding in understanding as Athena spoke.

"We'll do everything we can to help locate your father, Miss," the security council member assured her, his voice gentle yet determined. "We'll start by mobilizing a search party and reaching out to neighboring towns for any information."

Athena felt a glimmer of hope flicker to life within her chest as she thanked the council member for their assistance. With renewed resolve, she left the council building, her steps lighter than they had been moments before.

As Athena made her way home, the weight of fear and uncertainty hung heavy in her mind. The Security Council member's assurance that a search party would be dispatched to find her father brought some relief, but it wasn't enough to ease her troubled thoughts completely. True comfort would only come when her father was safely back home with her and Nicholai.

Meanwhile, at the Security Council office, the member who had interviewed Athena found himself captivated by the young woman's plight. He set to work searching through documents of reports made since last Friday, determined to uncover any information that might shed light on her father's disappearance.

After what felt like an eternity of searching, a document caught his eye. It detailed the arrest of a man with a name closely resembling the one Athena had provided. The document originated from the Royal Palace, indicating that Athena's father had been taken into custody by the royal guards.

The revelation sent a chill down the council member's spine. Being apprehended by the royal guards suggested that Athena's father had committed a serious offense. Yet, the information provided by Athena painted a different picture entirely. Her father was a humble farmer, known for his beautiful and healthy vegetables, which he often supplied to the palace for their meals.

The council member couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than met the eye. He made a note of the information he had uncovered, preparing to share it with Athena when she returned later in the afternoon, as they had agreed.

Back at her home, Athena anxiously awaited news from the Security Council. With each passing moment, her worry deepened, her mind consumed by thoughts of her father's safety and well-being. She knew she had to remain strong for Nicholai's sake, but the uncertainty gnawed at her insides, threatening to overwhelm her.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the town, Athena's heart was heavy with anticipation. She could only hope that the information the council had uncovered would bring her one step closer to finding her father and bringing him back home where he belonged.

Some hours later,Athena stepped out of her home, draping a cloak around her shoulders as she prepared to face the daunting task ahead. Her plan was simple: gather information from the Security Council Headquarters about her missing father, then return promptly to collect her younger brother from school.

As she made her way towards the Security Headquarters, her nerves began to get the better of her, causing her steps to feel heavier than usual. The sight of the imposing building only intensified her anxiety, and her hands trembled with uncertainty.

Lost in her thoughts, Athena was startled back to reality by the sudden sound of hooves pounding against the ground. A horse, its breath heavy and labored, nearly collided with her. The rider squinted at her accusingly, while the horse seemed to question her with its eyes.

Apologizing quickly, Athena steadied herself and continued towards the Security Headquarters. Once there, she was swiftly recognized by the woman at the front desk, who wasted no time in alerting the council member handling her father's case.

The council member greeted Athena with a solemn expression, leading her into his office where he shared the latest development: it appeared that her father had been taken in by the royal guards of the palace.

Athena's heart skipped a beat as she absorbed the news, her complexion draining of color. "What could he have done?" she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse whisper.

The council member sighed sympathetically, handing her the documents detailing her father's arrest. "We're still piecing together the details, but it seems your father might have done something, " he explained gently.

Fear and confusion swirled within Athena as she grappled with the implications of her father's arrest. She couldn't fathom what could have led the royal guards to take such drastic action against him. All she knew was that she needed to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

"I need to see him," she said, her voice tinged with determination. "I need to know what's going on. What he did."

The council member nodded solemnly, offering his support. "We'll do everything we can to help you see him, madam. But know that it is not easy to see a prisoner held in the palace dungeons. It might not even be possible. " Athena's head hung low after hearing this.

"But a letter had been submitted to the commander, seeking for his audience to ask for permission for your old father. Due to his age. We might be allowed to see him," the man assured.

With sadness, Athena left the Security Headquarters, her mind racing with questions. But at least she was relieved that her father was not dead, but very much alive, just not in a good place and a good situation