“No, no,” Federico said, shaking his head. “That should be Prince Magnus Leifsen, the Crown Prince of A Nation. From what I know, the king has limited mobility, so most public appearances and diplomatic events are handled by the prince.”


    Caitlin nodded in understanding. She wasn’t particrly interested in royal gossip. “Mr. Ashfall, let’s go around and keep moving.”


    The group left St. Sanctum’s central square, turned down a side street, and continued their search.


    As they followed Ashfall’s lead, their car slowly left the city’s bustling center behind and entered the suburbs.


    When the road became too narrow, they got out and continued on foot.


    Though the streets looked familiar, much of the area had been redeveloped. <i>Some </i>sections were still under construction, and it seemed like many of the old buildings had been demolished.


    After all, the ce where Ashfall had painted *Despair* was originally a very old structure.


    Ashfall eventually recognized a river and a stone bridge nearby. “This is it!.I remember this river–and that bridge! The building must’ve been right around here!”


    Hearing that they were close, Caitlin’s heart pounded with anticipation, Everyone began searching the area.


    “Ashfall, which building exactly did you paint back then?” Caitlin asked.


    “Follow me!”


    Ashfall led them through a maze of alleys, twisting and turning until they reached the exact spot from his memory.


    But instead of the structure he remembered, they were faced with a pile of rubble.


    “It was right here… The building is gone!”


    Ashfall stood frozen, staring at the ruins. Caitlin and the others approached, taking in the scene–shattered granite walls, twisted rusted metal sticking out, and patches of overgrown weeds. It looked like the site had been abandoned for quite some time.


    “If the building is gone… then what about my mother?” Caitlin’s voice trembled.


    Her hope shattered in an instant, and her eyes began to redden with tears.


    James, though also ovee by a deep sadness, did his best tofort her, “Maybe she was moved somewhere else. Just because the building’s gone doesn’t mean she’s gone. There’s still a chance she’s alive.”


    Federico gently patted Caitlin’s shoulder. “Don’t lose hope, Trinity. Let’s ask around–maybe the site was relocated.”


    Caitlin nodded. “Okay. Let’s see if we can find someone who knows who owned the property.”


    They started asking nearby residents. Eventually, they learned that the old building had been called the Flowerstone Tower- named for its construction using a mixture of granite and talc.


    It had been demolished earlier in the year in a controlled explosion. A developmentpany had purchased the surroundingnd for arge–scale project called “Outer City”


    Thepany’s name was ScandBuild.


    18:44 Mon, 25 Aug


    Back in the car, they discussed their next move.


    “Let’s go ask the developer directly,” Federico suggested. “See if they remember anything.”


    “That’s what I was thinking too,” Caitlin said.


    “I’ll drop you off at the hotel first,” James added. “Then Tyler and I will go to ScandBuild and investigate.”


    “Alright. Let’s head back.”


    ??? 49%


    +28


    They returned to the hotel and had a quick meal. James and Tyler then left to find ScandBuild, while King stayed behind to protect


    Caitlin.


    Meanwhile, Caitlin apanied Federico to the orchestra’s hotel. The pce had already sent word that they would be admitted


    at 6 p.m.


    It was already past three–just under three hours to prepare.


    But less than thirty minutes before departure, an unexpected ident struck the orchestra. The violinist<i>, </i>Richard, slipped in the bathroom after his shower and hit his head on the toilet, bleeding heavily.


    His roommate called emergency services. The conductor rushed to the scene with several members, and Caitlin and Federico followed.


    They watched as paramedics carried Richard away, blood still staining his clothes.


    “What do we do now?” one of the musicians asked, panic setting in. “We’re supposed to be in the pce in twenty minutes!”


    “Yeah, without a violinist, how are we supposed to perform? We don’t have time to find a recement.”


    The conductor was visibly stressed. He told an assistant to apany Richard to the hospital but still had to figure out a solution for the performance.


    “Everyone, stay calm,” the conductor said. “I’m going to contact the St. Sanctum Symphony Orchestra. Maybe we can borrow a violinist for tonight. It’s not ideal, but it’s our best option right now.”


    Just as he was about to make the call, Federico stopped him.


    “Wait, Maestro–I have an idea.”


    “What is it, Federico?”


    “Why not let my assistant Esme try? She can take Richard’s ce.”


    The conductor turned to Caitlin. “Esme ys the violin?”


    Everyone turned to look at Caitlin. Most of them didn’t know she was Trinity; they believed she was just Federico’s assistant.


    “She does,” Federico said with a smile. “She’s multitalented–ys both violin and piano quite well.”


    He winked at Caitlin. “Why don’t you give it a <b>shot</b>, Esme?<i>” </i>


    Caitlin had indeed studied multiple instruments since childhood, with her mother teaching her violin. Her mother had always yed beautifully.


    49%


    Though she was fully capable of performing, she hade to A Nation for another reason–to search for her mother. The less attention she drew to herself, the better.


    But under these circumstances, there wasn’t much choice. She couldn’t just stand by and watch the orchestra’s show fall apart.


    After a moment of thought, she nodded. “Alright. I’ll give it a try–but I have one condition.”


    “Name it. I’ll double your performance fee if you want,” the conductor offered quickly.


    “No, no fee,” Caitlin said. “I just don’t want to reveal my identity.”


    The conductor paused to think, then nodded. “Would wearing a mask work?”


    “That’s fine.”


    “Great. Come with me, Esme. Let’s try the violin.”


    Caitlin and Federico exchanged a nce, and Federico gave her a reassuring nod.


    She followed the conductor to rehearse. Time was tight, but after just a few minutes of ying, the conductor looked relieved.


    “Incredible, Esme! It’s a shame you’re not a full–time violinist.”


    He was so impressed that he ran through the entire concert program with her on the spot.


    As departure time approached, Caitlin told King to stay behind at the hotel to wait for James and Tyler, while she and Federico headed for the pce.


    Around 6 p.m., their car pulled up at the gates of the royal pce in St. Sanctum. Everyone was required to undergo a security check before entering.


    Each person passed without issue–until they reached Caitlin.


    The guard checking her ID frowned.


    “This youngdy doesn’t quite match the ID photo. Please remove your makeup.”


    It was standard protocol. The pce took no chances with impersonators.


    28)


    Caitlin had used Federico’s assistant’s ID and replicated her appearance with makeup. But no disguise was perfect–removing her makeup would expose everything.


    The conductor, aware of the truth, stepped in to intervene. “Is there any chance you could make an exception? We’re short on time. if she removes her makeup and has to redo it, we’ll bete for the performance.”


    “Apologies,” the guard said firmly. “This is the royal <b>pce</b>. We’re just doing our job.”


    “Miss, please remove your makeup immediately.”


    49%