Chapter 31 Caelum

• "What did you find about Aria, Asher?" My question comes out with a weight that I can barely hide, concern stiffening every muscle in my body. Her absence has been slowly eating at me, and now, the tension is almost unbearable.
• "Not good news, Majesty." Asher approaches with calculated steps, his serious expression reflecting the gravity of the situation. "I scoured the nearby security cameras. The last image of Aria is from a week ago." His voice carries a sorrow that makes me even more alert. "She was taken by a van. I traced the vehicle owner, and it seems to be her former boss. Maybe the wife is involved."
• The sense of disbelief hits me like a punch.