3 Days Later

"What do you mean 'you can't find him'!? Someone must have seen or heard something! People don't just 'disappear'!"

When she read the report, Rosalind slammed her hands to her desk in frustration. The subordinate who brought her the news was absolutely mortified by her reaction.

"P-perhaps magic was involved?" they offered a plausible explanation.

The female knight rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration after hearing that suggestion. If only it was that simple... They had checked his cell for magic traces, but unlike the time they first found him in princess Illia's chamber, the mages hadn't found any magic signature that would suggest some kind of spatial magic had taken place. No, the only thing they had managed to find after searching extensively was some weak magic residue on the cell lock. But according to the spellcasters, it was too faint to be from something so recent.

What's more, they had checked if the guy was magically gifted when they first detained him and it was revealed he had next to no mana, so he couldn't be a Spellcaster. He was also almost certainly not proficient in combat either, given how he failed to even brace himself when she punched him few days back. The question on how he managed to sneak into princess Illia's chamber remained a mystery, and if he actually managed to escape it might never be answered.

This whole mess made no sense and it has been making Rosalind feeling uneasy for the past few days. How would she even explain this incident to the princess?

Meanwhile, at a different part of the castle...

Ben was just an average guy, a commoner that just had a knack for catching rats and was lucky enough to become famous for his skills. Normally, a man from humble origins such as he would had never been allowed near the castle, much less get to work for the crown. The young man was very grateful for his fortune and always did his best on his job. So, this time, he was quite perplexed to find that many of his traps had been set off but none of them caught no prey. What's more, the baits had been striped off.

The phenomenon itself was not all that rare. Rats were smart creatures and would occasionally get the better of his traps. However, it was always one or two at a time and so far he had already found sixteen of his traps 'disarmed' today. It was very concerning. Perhaps he should take a more active role in hunting the critters or he could end up without a job and away from his lov...

No, that was just a dream that would never come to pass. Ben shook his head, trying to focus on the problem at hand. It was at that time he noticed that a rat was watching him from the other end of the corridor. It was as if the little rodent was mocking him, taunting him to catch it with his own hands.

Pretending not to have noticed it, he got up and tried to get closer without spooking it away. It worked to some extent, allowing him to close the distance before he started chasing his prey. And yet, no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't corner it. The dammed thing always found a way to give him the slip. But Ben didn't give up and was hot on it's tail. He just really regretted not taking Stripes with him. She had been a bit off this morning so he had let her rest, but he could really use her help right now.

Eventually, Ben managed to lead the rat into a dead end. But before he could catch it, it slipped right through a small gap in the wall. The rat catcher approached the hole, hoping it was shallow. He crouched and had a look inside, but unfortunately his prey seemed to be long gone. Just as he was admitting defeat, he noticed something else stashed away in there. Reaching inside, he fished out a flask with a whitish clear liquid. It seemed to have a label, so Ben examined it. His eyes grew wide Immediately upon reading the two simple words inscribed on it.

'Love Potion'