Lola Is Missing

Sean Hayes and Mrs. Penny's wedding was held in a lively yet simple manner.

Since both of them had left the Hayes Family Shadow Guard and were now under Lily Evans’s command, Lily arranged a small courtyard for them to live in at the Prince’s Manor. The estate was spacious and sparsely populated, so there was plenty of room.

Everyone was genuinely happy for Sean Hayes and Mrs. Penny, the lovers who finally became a couple. Especially Alexander Hayes, who, though he didn’t say much, was clearly pleased that his two trusted former subordinates had found happiness. He even privately rewarded them with generous gifts.

Even though they were no longer part of the Hayes Family Shadow Guard, it still felt like keeping things in the family. To Alexander Hayes, their transfer to Lily Evans’s team was no big deal.

The next morning, Lily Evans still needed to go to the academy. After breakfast and disguising herself, she noticed that Lola hadn’t shown up.

“Huh? It’s already this late. Why isn’t Lola ready yet?” Lily wondered aloud, puzzled.

Lola might be young and quiet, but she’s reliable. She usually follows Lily Evans everywhere and has never been late. Today, they were almost ready to leave, but Lola was nowhere to be seen.

Belle helped Lily Evans tidy her clothes and said, “Princess, I’ll go look for Lola.”

“Alright, go ahead,” Lily replied.

Belle left the room and went to Lola’s quarters first, only to find it empty. Judging by the bedding, it looked like Lola hadn’t slept there since last night.

Now Belle was truly puzzled. As Lily Evans’s personal bodyguard, Lola was supposed to always be on duty, keeping her safe. How could she just disappear?

Before Mrs. Penny got married, she lived in the room next to Lola’s. If Lola was missing, Belle could just ask Mrs. Penny for help. But now that Mrs. Penny no longer lived next door, Belle had to search on her own.

Belle searched the Prince’s Manor for a while but still couldn’t find Lola. Growing anxious, she waved over one of the Hayes Family Shadow Guards.

“What can I do for you, Belle?” the shadow guard asked with a cheerful grin.

“Lola’s gone missing. You all need to help me look for her,” Belle said.

“You got it, Belle!” The shadow guard accepted the order, leapt onto the wall, and quickly spread the word among the guards and sentinels in the estate to look for Lola.

Belle figured that with all the estate’s guards and shadow guards helping, she wouldn’t have to search so slowly herself, so she went back to find Lily Evans.

Lily Evans saw Belle return alone and asked in surprise, “Where’s Lola?”

Belle shook her head. “She’s not in her room. I’ve got everyone in the estate looking for her now.”

“Alright.” Lily Evans nodded, feeling a vague sense of worry.

Yesterday, during the wedding banquet, Lola had started out by Lily’s side. But later, when Lily and everyone else were eating and drinking and having fun, Lola had disappeared at some point. Lily hadn’t noticed at the time; only now did she realize—could it be that Lola had gone missing since yesterday?

Lola’s martial arts skills were strong; there was no way she’d be kidnapped inside the Prince’s Manor. Most likely, she’d wandered off on her own.

“Where could that girl have gone?” Lily Evans sighed. Lola had been with her for so long, yet Lily had never talked much with the child or known what was on her mind. Now that she’d vanished, Lily didn’t even know where to start looking.

Time was ticking, and they were about to be late for the academy. The Hayes Family Shadow Guards had searched every corner of the estate, but there was still no sign of Lola.

“Princess Consort, Lola is highly skilled—she’ll be fine. Why don’t you head to the academy first and not delay your business? I’ll stay here and keep an eye out, and have the shadow guards continue searching,” Belle suggested.