LYDIA'S POV

　　Before Evan and Brandon left to lead their respective teams, Evan turned to me, his eyes full of concern. "Stay strong, Lydia. We'll find her."

　　"I know we will," I replied, my voice steady but my heart aching. "Be careful, both of you."

　　As they departed, I remained in the palace, coordinating the efforts and gathering any additional information that came in. Hours turned into a long, agonizing day, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on my shoulders.

　　Despite searching every corner of the palace, my mother, Kate, was nowhere to be found. The frustration and worry gnawed at me, but I couldn't afford to let it paralyze me. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, and the absence of any clues only deepened my anxiety.

　　As I was coordinating another search party, Brandon approached me with a look of urgency on his face. "Lydia, I just received word that might be relevant," he said, his voice low and serious.

　　I turned to him, my heart pounding. "What is it, Brandon?"

　　"Norman Gomez, one of the nobles, has suddenly acquired a mistress," he informed me. "It's not unusual for him, especially given the current situation. It might be worth looking into."

　　I frowned, considering the implications. Norman Gomez was known for his lecherous and greedy lifestyle, and such a sudden move was indeed suspicious. "Where did you hear this?"

　　"One of our informants within the noble circles," Brandon replied. "They mentioned seeing a woman matching your mother's description being taken to his estate."

　　A surge of anger and determination coursed through me. "We need to investigate this immediately. Gather a small team; we can't risk alerting Gomez if he's involved."

　　Brandon nodded and quickly assembled a group of trusted warriors. Evan, who had just returned from the northern border with no new leads, joined us, his expression grim but resolute.

　　As we made our way to Norman Gomez's estate, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in my stomach. If Gomez was involved in my mother's disappearance, it could mean we were dealing with a much larger conspiracy than we had anticipated.

　　We approached the estate under the cover of darkness, moving swiftly and silently. The large, opulent mansion was surrounded by high walls and guarded by Gomez's personal security. We needed to be careful and strategic.

　　"Evan, take the left flank with half the team," I whispered. "Brandon, you and I will take the right. We need to find a way in without raising an alarm."

　　Evan nodded, his eyes reflecting the same determination I felt. "Be careful, Lydia."

　　We split into our groups and began our approach. The guards were alert but not expecting an incursion, which played to our advantage. Brandon and I found a less guarded entrance near the back of the estate and slipped inside.

　　The interior was lavishly decorated, with tapestries and chandeliers that spoke of Gomez's wealth. We moved through the halls cautiously, listening for any signs of my mother. As we neared the private quarters, we heard voices.

　　Someone was laughing and I realised that it was none other than Norman, when I tried to peaked inside I saw Norman giving something to my mother while she already seemed drugged. It was clear that she was not in her right state of mind, and in this fragile situation he gave her drugs.

　　My blood boiled and the pure rage took over me, I have no idea when I jumped on him taking him by surprise and killed him instantly.

　　I didn't even give him time to question the situation, what he did was unacceptable.

　　"Lydia, stop! He is already dead." Evan shouted and when I looked down I realised that I was punching his dead body without being able to stop.

　　"I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry." I repeated and stepped away from his body. I was just scared of what might have happened if I hadn't arrived on time.

　　"It's fine. It is not your fault he deserved it." Brandon said and I nodded. I ran towards my mother and hugged her.

　　She looked weak, her eyes wide and filled with a haunting emptiness that tore at my heart.

　　"Mother," I whispered, rushing to her side. "Mother, it's me, Lydia. You're safe now."

　　She stared at me, uncomprehending. Her once sharp and commanding gaze was now vacant and distant. "Lydia?" she murmured, her voice trembling.

　　"Yes, Mother, it's me," I said, helping her to her feet. But her lack of recognition and her frail state hinted at something far worse than simple captivity.

　　Evan and Brandon watched with concern as we led her out of the cell. "What's wrong with her?" Brandon asked, his voice filled with worry.

　　"I don't know," I replied, my heart aching. "But we need to get her back to the palace and find out. Something deeper is at play here."

　　As we made our way back to the palace, my mother's condition weighed heavily on my mind. Her physical state was alarming, but it was the look in her eyes that truly haunted me. It was as if she was a shadow of her former self, stripped of her strength and spirit.

　　Back at the palace, we immediately called for the healers. They tended to her injuries, but their worried glances told me that they too sensed something amiss. My mother's mutterings and vacant stares hinted at a trauma that went beyond the physical. She was not her usual self and that meant she was drugged with a new kind of substance.

　　Evan and Brandon stayed close, their presence a source of comfort. "We need to find out what happened to her," I said, my voice trembling with determination. "Whatever it takes, we have to bring her back."