Chapter 21: Maxwell Is Missing
"Before we get in too deep with this conversation your Majesty, we must warn you that the man who was investigating this incident has gone missing. From what we could tell, we was stolen in his sleep. His room was in absolute shambles when we went to check on him." Garret said as he walked over to the numerous amounts of bookshelves leaning against the banister. There was no way that Maxwell Doneswell was a traitor. Who would just report the document and then just vanish like that? There was definitely something going on. It was becoming more annoying that we couldn't stay ahead of these attacks.
"Roughly when did he disappear if you don't mind my asking. Also, why was this not reported sooner?" Winslow placed a stressed hand on his forehead and closed his eyes. Stress was becoming slowly apparent on his face as he recalled from memory, about his missing student.
"Maxwell Doneswell, much like his brother Michael, don't reveal their whereabouts very often. So, when he stopped showing up for school last week, we started to grow concerned. We never reported it because why would anyone care about the Science Division. No one has in the past." Winslow muttered bitterly. It was true that father had treated them like they where nothing more than a number, than humans. But I wasn't like that.
"I can not help the way you where treated in the past, there is no way to turn back time. But I am not like my father. In fact, I will pick up the case of your missing student on the conclusion of this meeting. Is his brother still around by chance? I know he was handling the paperwork that was sent to my office." Winslow looked up from his hand and gave a small smile. He wasn't ready to trust me just yet, and that was fine. I would gain trust like I knew how, through promised words and time. I would show him that I was reliable and stood by my words.
"Michael is currently taking time off while the search for his brother ensues. Until then we have instructed him to stay on campus." Michael could be a person of interest and could be next on the targets list as well. If I could trust the people in the Palace, I would have him transferred to the barracks for safe keeping, but after Mr. Siege's murder, there wasn't really a safe place to keep him. I couldn't let our last bit of hope out of sight. I looked towards the General and could tell he and I where more or less on the same page as he was mulling over his own thoughts.
"How tight is your security here on the Campus, Master Winslow?" I turned to face him, his smile warm and gentle.
"Please just got my Winslow your Majesty. Our Security here is not what it once was, but I can assure you that it is safe here on the campus premises. Aside from Maxwell's disappearance, we have very seldom had any intruders." I think we could spare a few soldiers while we continued our investigations. The more security over here, the better off Michael would be.
"I'll send in more soldiers to guard the premises. With Maxwell's research, have you discovered anything new with the substance they found in the crates?" I asked redirecting the conversation back to the substance. I needed to know if this were something we could trace, any little detail would be enough.
"I am afraid any research conducted was stolen along with his being. But please feel free to search his room if my answer is in adequate. I want Maxwell found safe and sound. I don't have a clue on what's going on, but something seems very fishy about all of this." Winslow muttered under his breath before casting his gaze over to Garret. He was quiet, and fishing through his bookcase like he was in deep thought.
"I wouldn't say in adequate, but it would make me feel at ease if we could have a pass through. Unfortunately, Maxwell's disappearance ties into our current investigations and any information at this point would be helpful." A book thumped from behind me, and all the attention was directed towards Garrett. He was staring at us with a far away look, like he was trying to recall something. Then he quietly placed the book back on the book shelf, and silently left down the stairs.
"How peculiar." Nicklos mumbled, still looking in the direction Garrett left. Winslow chuckled to himself as he watched his colleague leave the room.
"Don't mind him, he does that often. I wish I could be more help to you your Majesty. But please feel free to come check out Maxwell's room if you would like. It would be a pleasure to see your face again." His smile seemed to touch his eyes as he spoke. I smiled in earnest, knowing that I would be back to take him up on that offer. They may just regret what they wish for.
"I would like to extend the warm hand as well. If you need anything at all, please feel free to let me know. I know my family has no respect for science, but I would like to say that I appreciate all the work you have done here. I'll be keeping in touch." I rose from my seat as Winslow slid of the side of the desk. He bowed his head, almost leaning in a little to close for comfort.
"We will be seeing each other again, your Majesty. Please have a wonderful day." With a last smile, he walked away from us, and down the stairs. They where a little odd, but I don't think in an evil way. More of a holed up in isolation for way too long kind of way. They didn't really seem to know how to interact properly with other beings besides themselves. It was almost cute to be honest. But I was impressed how they didn't get flustered over little things.
"Shall we head back then. I am eager to see if Marquise has found anything. I can't turn up empty handed to my father's study without proof or any ideas on how to stop the situation. For now, I want extra men on Campus at night. If Michael leaves his room, then he is to be escorted anywhere he goes. I will send for him tomorrow and thoroughly start investigating him as well. He was involved just as much as Maxwell, so his presence is…alarming to say the least." I said as took the stairs one casual step at a time.
"They where rather odd weren't they? Especially that Garrett fellow. Not much of a chatter box unlike Winslow." General Bregus spoke as I waved to Tia before heading through the corridor and out the doors. She beamed and waved back, her whole face just lighting up as he called out for us to have a good day.
"I don't know if it's as suspicious as you make it out to be. After all, they don't ever go out. They are devoted to their work, just like we are devoted to keeping the Kingdom safe. I just think they lack the verbal skills. It's kind of charming if you think about it." I said elbowing the General in his arm. I watched as his eyes rolled to the back of his head and landed right back on to me. But that still earned a grin from him, and I was glad I was able to at least make him smile before we returned back to the Palace.
"So, you think socially awkward men are cute? I had you pegged for the strong and silent type." He said pointing to Nicklos. He went to object to his retort, but I waved him off. It wasn't something General Bregus didn't already know, so their wasn't any reason to hide it from him.
"Are you telling me he already knows?" Nicklos asked quietly. He more than new, he found us that night you arrived and forced a kiss on me you brute.
"Let's leave it at that yeah?" The General said before clearing his throat uncomfortably. I couldn't help snigger at his response because I was sure it was uncomfortable for him to have watched us basically make out in the hallway for everyone to see. Nicklos's was eyeing me skeptically as we continued to walk in silence back to the Palace.
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