The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 22 The Inquiry in the Village

"So what are you gonna do, Leticia?" ask the invisible Dale. He still wears his magic hood.

"I'll start by talking to the woman who saved me" Leticia replied. He looked forward as if Dale was in front of him.

"What if I'm also looking for information? It's okay if I leave you, isn't it? The protective magic is still active. If anyone hurts you, I'll be here soon.

"Good idea, Dale. I'm okay alone. Thank you for helping me."

"By pleasure, Empress."

Dale out through the door. Although invisible, his body was unable to pierce through the bebda. From Leticia's point of view the door was open and closed on its own. If anyone saw it, they would think there was a ghost. Had anyone seen him outside, Dale would have erased that person's memory.

The brunette came back with a glass. Then gave the glass filled with water to Leticia. He drank it because he was thirsty. Running from the horse carriage here made Leticia's throat dry. 

"Have you calmed down, Madam?" The woman sat down beside Leticia.

"I've calmed down a little, thank you," Leticia replied a little lethargic.

"It's okay, Madam. Earlier sorry if you are uncomfortable because this store is dirty." The woman spread her eyes in her tavern, embarrassed to have not cleaned up.

"It's okay." Leticia shook her head slowly. "Why is this store closed? I saw a board that said cover outside" he continued.

"I'm still looking for my son who went missing almost two weeks ago, ma'am. I know that this is in vain, it is very likely that he is gone. However, at least if I find his body I can give him a proper burial." The woman's eyes were glazed.

It turned out that the woman who cared for Leticia was the mother of a missing boy. Leticia did not expect to be able to obtain the source of the information this quickly.

"I'm sorry to hear this."

"It's okay, my heart is a little relieved to have shared the story with you, Madam. It was only the first time I met such a friendly noble like you." The woman tried to smile even though she still had sadness in her eyes. 

"If you may know, how can your child be lost?" asked Leticia hesitatingly.

"He was a bad boy, often coming home at night. That day I thought it was like the night before, but he didn't come back. I've been looking for it everywhere, but the results have been in vain." Tears began to bathe the eyes of the woman who was on Leticia's side. Unknowingly wet his cheeks.

Leticia was silent for a moment. He didn't want to remind me of the sad thing. However, he had to continue to pry information from the woman.

"Have you asked the temple for help?" ask Leticia.

"Already, Mistress. The temple's been searching, but we still haven't found my son." The woman wiped away the tears that fell on her cheeks. 

Leticia gave a handkerchief to the woman. She was glad that the woman accepted it. He tried to calm himself down by taking a breath and taking it out slowly.

After feeling calm Leticia continued her question, "Has there ever been this kind of incident before?"

"Actually it's not just my son who's missing, some other kids are missing too."

"When did the children go missing?"

"About a year ago. Every month at least one child is missing. They never met until now."

A terrible event. Security in the weakened village made the kidnapper act freely.

"Have the temple helped search for the missing children before?"

"Already, Madam they were initially looking with passion, but the more here their search was not very helpful."

Either because the kidnapper was too skilled or the temple did not conduct the search in earnest. The worst possibility is that the temple has something to do with the missing children.

"Maybe it's a punishment for naughty children."

"What do you mean?" ask Leticia confused.

"There was a sermon in the temple that the bad boys would receive punishment. The missing kids are all naughty. I didn't think my son was one of them. I should have educated him properly." 

The crying of the woman broke. Guilt gnawed at his heart. The smiling shadow of his son was still clearly visible in his head. If he educates his son well, surely his beloved son is still with him here 

Leticia tried to calm the woman down. The feeling of a mother losing her child, she does not want to feel the same. He did not want to lose Judith. He will protect her.

A noise was heard outside. They both came out of the store to see the situation.

Leticia's bodyguards have already arrived at the village. Now he must play again with fear mixed with relief. 

The green-haired bodyguard saw Leticia. He immediately ran towards where the First Empress stood.

"I'm sorry, I'm the Queen. You don't have to worry that things are safe" the bodyguard said, looking down.

"Have the robbers been defeated?" leticia's voice trembled slightly.

"They've escaped, Empress. You can continue your journey to the palace."

"Has anyone been hurt?"

"There are no serious injuries, Empress."

"Thank God." Leticia breathed a sigh of relief.

Leticia was shocked by the sight before her. The woman who was trying to comfort Leticia earlier, kowtowed before the Imperial Empress.

"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you, Empress." 

The woman was really surprised the noble she spoke to daritadi was the Empress. He had already acted disrespectfully to the Imperial Empress.

"It's okay." Leticia touched the woman's shoulder.

He took out a bag filled with money. Then give it to the woman. "You've helped me. In return I give you a gift to repair your house."

"Thank you, Empress." The woman took it with both hands. Her tears kept flowing as she felt overwhelmed.

Leticia turned away from him. Should Leticia investigate the village further? Excessive action will make Braun and Charlotte suspicious. However, the information he got was not enough.

"You can go back to Leticia, let me investigate this village. I'll let you know through the magic stone later" whispered Dale into Leticia's ear. Only Leticia heard it.

"Let's go back to the palace. I'm already tired. Quickly get the horse-drawn carriage here."

"Okay, Empress." The green-haired bodyguard immediately 

It was Leticia's reply she could tell Dale. He could not reply with a nod. It will make people suspicious.

The protection magic that Dale gave him slowly disappeared. Now he waited for the horse-drawn carriage to come. All eyes were on him. All his actions will be seen. He should not act recklessly by investigating the village further.

Not long after, the horse carriage came. Leticia entered assisted by one of her bodyguards. He saw the village. Slowly the view of the village grew further away.