The sun hid itself from the sight of Syllina, and the moon took its place. Meetings were held with only the few who would have a semblance of what to do next. The king, Theodore, and several advisors were all called. But Henrietta wanted no part of it. Her mind was cast astray, drifting through a hurricane of deceptions now turned to light. What else was being kept from her? A thousand memories embedded within the turquoise walls of the castle. How many were true?

She went out upon the balcony, that overlooked the town below. The madness of that morning was replaced by the tranquil night. Hundreds slept in their beds, unaware of the plague that had fallen upon their kingdom. In the morning, what would be done? She would have to put on a smile and pretend as though nothing is wrong. As though nobody was in danger.

She leaned against the stone handrail, glancing down at the electric carriage. It had remained unmoved since the incident. She supposed there would be an investigation tomorrow. After all, there was a murder to be solved. Had she not felt so hopeless, she would almost feel excited. Such a grand idea, to solve a mystery. To study what was known and bring to light what was not.

“Henrietta,” an all too familiar voice interrupted. Theodore stood in the doorway, as though expecting some invitation to join her on the balcony.

“Please,” She sighed. “Not now.”

Theodore didn’t say a word. He knew he didn’t have the right to feel hurt, yet the pain was still there. He was sure she felt far worse. They had known each other since they were children, when his father worked as one of the many cooks of the castle. After knowing someone for all that time, there was a certain level of trust to be expected. An unspoken deal to look out for one another. And despite his intentions, he had broken that deal.

“You know,” Henrietta turned around and frustratedly shook her finger in the air. “I am simply...livid. Livid! I have half a mind to throw you from this tower.”

Theodore chuckled a little, although Henrietta was only half joking. It felt nice, however, to smile in such a difficult time. Henrietta smiled a little, as well, but barely noticeably. As much as she wanted to laugh again, like it was yesterday, she refused to forget the sorcerer’s grievance.

“You’d be right to,” Theodore said after a moment of silence.

“I would,” She replied with a firm nod. “Now close that door before you let in a draft. I can’t very well toss you over if you’re not outside.”

Theodore was relieved at her response, stepping outside to join her on the balcony. With a click, the door shut behind him. He stepped forward to the edge and placed his hands on the handrail, standing beside the princess as she looked out to the castle town.

“I was wrong,” He began, meekly. “I don’t believe I like the feeling of it. I much prefer when I’m right. But I was wrong to hide these things from you. I thought I was doing what was best for Syllina. What was best for you, too. I believed that maybe, if you never knew about the Rotten Eye or the Blight, then...maybe you would never need to know. Maybe it would never come.”

“Well...it’s come, now,” She said with a sigh. Henrietta shook her head, and hung it low. The bun of her hair was quickly coming undone. Throughout the day, she never stopped to fix it. “What are we to do? Did my father come to a solution?”

“Not quite a solution. More of a treatment, really. It has been decided to...close off Syllina. Nobody comes in and certainly nobody leaves.”

“They would make Syllina our tomb?” Henrietta’s eyes widened at the news, facing the young man again.

“It’s a temporary measure, just to keep the infection from spreading. Until we can find some means of a cure,” He explained in an attempt to reassure her doubts. “And to keep whatever killed Vandenberg from fleeing.”

“Whatever? Not who?” She furrowed her eyebrows, to wrap her mind around his words.

“It’s...just the leading theory right now. I don’t know what to make of it.” Theodore only shrugged, visibly uncomfortable with the topic.

Henrietta looked at Theodore’s silver eye, that seemed to peer right through her. What was once just a curious enigma had turned into the symbol of the secrets hidden from her.

“The doctors. The ones you sealed in their lab. What will happen to them?” She asked, hesitantly.

Theodore, looked out toward the town. He was unsure that he could even say, if he were looking her in the eye.

“They are attempting to make a cure. But if they cannot in time, they...will die. Taken by the Blight.”

Henrietta nodded, slowly. She also turned back toward the town, looking out into the night sky. The stars silently watched them with eyes of brilliant light. And Henrietta watched them in return, those twinkling guardians of realms unseen. The mysteries they must hold intrigued her as a child. She always felt that they called to her, when everyone else was asleep. They would whisper fantasies of grand adventure to her. They did now.

“I suppose that we’ll have to do something about it, then.”

“Pardon?” Theodore asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, my dear Theodore,” She replied with a grin that could only have been inspired by some outlandish plan. “I believe that, in light of some recent discoveries, you now owe me a favor. That is, if you want to mend my trust.”

Theodore shook his head, taking a step back from the rail in disbelief.

“No! No. I know what you’re doing. I am not throwing both of our lives in harm’s way.”

“And who better to aid my quest to catch a killer and procure a remedy to the Blight than the Court Sorcerer and master potion-smith, Mr. Gallagher?”

“Your father,” He interrupted in a desperate attempt to sway her. “Your father would have my head. I value my head a good deal. I appreciate the hard work it does for the rest of me.”

“Theo.” She said, looking at her friend in the one eye she still recognized. He already felt his guard fall apart at the sound of the childhood nickname. He hadn’t heard that one in years. “I am asking you, as your friend, to help me. Please.”

Theodore didn’t move. His better judgement told him that this was a foolish idea that would likely get the both of them killed. The whole situation just didn’t seem right to him. But he couldn’t find the strength to tell her no. Not after what he had done.

“Fine. Follow me. There’s much to do, and we don't have much--"

"Time?" A voice from behind the door spoke up, with a tone of curiosity and the sound of a scratched record.