Chapter 164: Headmaster's orders
It has been over two days since the disappearance of Laila. It was Serena who first noticed and informed the higher-ups of the school management about the girl.
The warden of the dorm also affirmed that Laila hadn't returned to her room the day before in the morning after she had that engagement-related conversation with Serena.
Serena initially thought that Laila would be depressed and must be roaming around the place even at night but her anxiety grew once she realized that someone like Laila who gets easily tired couldn't remain outdoors for this long.
Serena was drowned in the guilt of sharing something so heartbreaking with her senior and now her disappearance was something Serena was taking the blame for.
However, when the Headmaster and Laila's father heard Serena's statement regarding the matter, neither of them blamed the blond girl. In the first place, it would have been announced sooner or later that Seth was engaged to the princess and Serena so there was nothing to be repented by the latter.
It was confirmed by the main entrance guards that Serena hadn't left the premises and the school barriers around the campus also signified that Laila's presence hadn't left the academy.
However, even after searching for her physically and magically, there were no traces of hers at all.
Rommen Alfred, Laila's father was undoubtedly extremely stressed about his daughter's whereabouts. Laila was not like Ciel or Anabelle who could freely leave the Academy or venture alone into the market without stressing over the security or such.
Laila has always been a nurtured and domestic kind of girl who barely left the house and even in the academy, she rarely left the premises. And all those times when she had to visit the market nearby, she always had some friends with her.
"Where my precious daughter could be... " Rommen sighed in stress and worry as the headmaster tried to console the man.
It was then when suddenly a soldier who had arrived with the Viscount rushed toward the people, "We have found something, my lord!"
Rommen's eyes widened slightly before he nodded toward the guard and told him to lead the way.
Serena along with some of her friends in which Ciel and Anabelle were also included rushed toward the site.
In the back side of the dorm building, in between the lushes of the tall trees and beautiful flower beds, a group of four soldiers stood with a small hole dug in the centers.
As Rommen along with the headmaster arrived at the site, the soldiers scattered to give the two men space to examine the situation.
"What is that..." Rommen frowned upon seeing a green-black translucent orb the size of a canon ball levitating above the hole. If we faint yet the Headmaster was able to feel Laila's soul signature from it.
Upon close inspection, they saw a folded paper inside of it and a dried rose levitating peacefully inside the vault.
"It's an Entity-Specified soul lock. It could only be unlocked by the person for whom it is meant to be." It didn't take much time before Anabelle announced the nature of the small vault.
Seeing the headmaster nodding in approval, everyone around became sure that Laila was trying to deliver this message to someone specific. Someone special to her.
Headmaster Rowell knelt on the ground with the tips of his fingers illuminated with a faint violet glow before he began moving his Soul energy around the orb to appraise it.
On the other side, Anabelle already had a frown on her brows since she knew without the inspection, for whom this vault was meant to be.
Regardless, after three minutes, the headmaster got back on his feet before a parchment appeared in his hand. Everyone looked at the old man in curiosity as the said person wrote something patiently over the paper before folding it.
"Sir Rommen, if you don't mind, can you tell your soldiers to deliver this letter to Student Seth Albeck?" 𝐟re𝚎𝘄𝚎𝐛𝚗o𝚟el.c𝐨𝚖
Rommen's eyes were slightly stretched but his neck moved up to down subconsciously before he handed the letter to one of his soldiers.
Only Seth could unravel the secret behind Laila's disappearance.
****
Back in the mansion, Seth was having a peaceful chat with Haruka after a long time without holding back himself at all.
He openly flirted with her and enjoyed her shy expressions from time to time.
Lara, who had come to serve some tea and snacks for the two, was also elated by the development and patted herself inwardly for making this relationship a success.
"...so you indeed were shocked to hear about my engagement..." Seth grinned upon learning that, that day when he announced his engagement, Haruka was emotionally devasted all night long.
"Mou~ Don't tease me now... "Clenching her fist which rested over the table, Haruka complained but her heated blush gave away the grumpy facade.
Seth chuckled at that before he said, "Well, I wasn't intentionally trying to hurt you but in the end, everything worked out fine." As his words rolled down his tongue, his hand slowly made toward hers, caressing her softly, as their skin interacted.
Haruka's gaze lingered on his slow-moving thumb over the back of her hand before her eyes refocused on him.
Their proximity wasn't too far since the round table was small. Since Seth was already leaning slightly, their face was merely inches apart.
Haruka saw the desire in his eyes which she herself was experiencing. Her throat seemed dry and her lips lonely. She had never kissed someone yet the prospectus at the moment didn't sound bad....rather she wanted to be kissed by her beloved.
Seth noticed her eyes shutting slowly, which provided him assurance before he used his free hand to take off his glasses and leaned down a little more to have a taste of his first crush.
However...
"Young master! A soldier has arrived with Headmaster's direct order."
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A/N: -Drop a comment if you liked the chapter~