Roman peeked through the narrow gap between the heavy double doors of his parents' bedchamber, but the expansive room was entirely vacant.
Stepping inside, he looked around the quiet space, his brow furrowing. "Where did they go?"
He let out a small yawn, noticing that the duvet still lay tossed across the unmade mattress. His sleep had broken far too early, and he had come with the sole intention of crawling into bed beside his mother for a little while longer.
Pouting his lips in disappointment, he turned on his heel and hurried downstairs to find the palace staff, but the grand corridors remained eerily quiet, as though the entire household were still asleep.
"Young Master, what are you doing wandering about?" a maid asked, having only just risen to begin her morning duties.
"I am looking for my parents. They are not in their chamber," Roman said, his voice trembling. A sudden, frightening dread settled in his chest, and hot tears began to prick at the corners of his eyes.
