5:00 AM, 1 April 1234
Princess Carmeana Cancels More Appearances
BOWTUDGEL CITY (BA)―Lady Tealcap, the lady-in-waiting for Princess Carmeana, announced early today that the princess has cancelled her appearances for another two days as she rests after her state visit to Melerjusa. The popular princess has not appeared publicly for three days.
"Her Royal Highness Princess Carmeana is recently returned from Melerjusa," her spokeswoman Lady Tealcap said in a prepared statement. "It was a very stressful trip due to the tense political situation in the area, and she has contracted a mild fever. On the advice of her healing mage, the princess is currently declining to make any public appearances, or to have any audiences, for at least two more days. We thank the public for its understanding and well-wishes during this difficult time."
King Telcar, as usual, referred all questions about his daughter to the Princess's own office, but he did issue a short written statement, saying, "I have no doubt that the Princess will sooner or later return to her old self, but she, and all the rest of us, need some time to rest. Preferrably a lot of time. So I urge patience on the matter."
But while the Royals downplay concerns, the secrecy surrounding the situation is making some observers suspicious. No one in the princess's entourage was made available to the press for comment, and no specifics have yet been given about her condition. This has led some speculate that the Princess's condition is actually very serious. Some even suspect that reports of her illness might be a cover for something else.
Among this group is Dr. Walter Sprayconic, Professor of Nobility Studies at the University of Chingaim. "This has all the signs of a disappearance," says Dr. Sprayconic. "In addition to the tight-lippedness of the Royal Family, there is another indication that the Princess's whereabouts are unknown. The King recently issued a decree to the army for a special commission. Typically that's used to assemble a team of experts for a matter of utmost national security, such as a missing Crown Princess. It's a rare thing, so when it happens it's notable. The likely explanation for this is that the King needs to locate a daughter who's absconded."
According to Dr. Sprayconic, one thing we can definitely rule out is kidnapping. "In the case of a high profile kidnapping", he says, "the abductor is certain to make some demand from the King to ensure her safety. You can be completely sure that the King would take some noticeable, large-scale action in response, whether it be to accede to the demands, which are surely considerable, or to plan a counter-response. But that hasn't happened: a special commission is not the action a sane King would take to rescue his daughter from a kidnapper."
But, regardless of any coverups, one thing almost everyone hopes for is to see a healthy princess again. "We just love her, and we're praying she gets better soon," said Jennifer Napeats as she carried milk in the River Market.