Rob and Lucien

Sammy had been given a mission of his own: patrol the castle while Sybill dealt with the new crown prince. Disguised as a servant, he intended to blend in with the staff seamlessly.

He copied their bows, repeated their familiar phrases, and even studied the smallest details of their manners. Sybill and Silvi's obsession with Silhvester Holmes had infected Sammy far too deeply.

As Silhvester himself had once said:
*Pay close attention to your surroundings, and dine naturally with your suspects. A relaxed stomach often loosens a guarded tongue.*

Sammy befriended two servant boys. Lucien was a kind and obedient boy with brown hair and upturned blue eyes.

He smiled often, worked hard, and rarely complained about the tasks assigned to him. Rob was tall and lanky, with black hair and matching eyes.

Despite his lean frame, he was considerably more muscular than Lucien. The two were almost always together—moving furniture, lifting boxes, and carrying baskets stuffed with groceries and other necessities into the kitchen.

Sammy joined them whenever he could. To his surprise, he felt happy in their company.

As they worked, he listened to their struggles and gradually learned what they truly thought about the senior members of the castle staff. He had never paid much attention to people like them before.

They had been no different from the trees, flower beds, or pieces of furniture that filled the background of his life. His regret only deepened when Lucien and Rob so readily welcomed him into their fold.

The wing where the king resided was inaccessible to someone who had only recently joined the palace staff. Only trusted servants with enough influence were permitted to enter.

Sammy would have to establish the right connections before he could get anywhere near it. But that would take time—and he needed to see his father immediately.

"So, Lucien, have either of you ever worked inside the king's wing? 

What's he like?" Sammy asked.

Lucien smiled.

"Brother, he is one handsome fellow. Blond hair, broad shoulders—and good with a sword, I tell you."

*Blond, broad-shouldered, and handsome. Father certainly checks all the boxes,* Sammy thought.

"And he has a very charming personality," Rob chimed in. "He actually smiles. None of the advisors, dukes, or even our superiors ever smile. He is a kind man, for sure."

"For sure," Lucien agreed.

"Why are you asking, though? Do you want to see him too? If so, you will have to wait. He's been vacationing at the summer house for the past month."

"He actually goes there a lot after the incident, you know," Rob added, swinging a huge basket over one shoulder while carrying another in his opposite hand.

"What incident?" Sammy asked.

Already paying close attention, he moved closer.

"The prince going missing two years ago. His vision has not been the same since. He can still see things, but everything is blurry."

"We heard that all the crying and grief over his missing son damaged his eyesight."

"That is what we heard, anyway," Lucien said.

Sammy's heart skipped a beat. The box slipped from his hands and struck the floor.

He stared blankly at them.

"You all right, mate?" Rob asked. "Maybe you haven't eaten."

"When did you last eat, brother?" Lucien added. "Go to the kitchen. Chef Mario will fix you a snack, and his apprentice is a jolly fellow."

Rob took Sammy by the arm and gently nudged him toward the kitchen. Sammy pretended to follow their advice. He walked quickly down the corridor until he was certain he was alone.

 Then his strength deserted him.

He collapsed against the cold stone wall and cried his heart out. Only ten or twelve days had passed for Sammy, but his father had endured two full years of grief in his absence.

Something small and cold pressed against Sammy's cheek, and he immediately recognised Silvi. A moment later, familiar hands cupped his face, and his tears intensified.

Sybill held his face between her palms while Silvi rested against his cheek. Without warning, Sammy pulled them into a tight embrace, alarming both of them.

He held them for several minutes before finally loosening his grip and letting them go.