"Excuse me," Alfred spoke, getting the teen's attention as the latter looked up at him. He tugged at his cloak to hide a good portion of his face, and continued.
"Have you err... seen a guy around here... About this height?" He gestured a level of height using a hand, and looked to the teen for answers.
"Sir, there's a lot of people with that height." The teen replied, sitting up. "If you could be a little more specific, it would greatly help me in helping you."
"Oh, right. He's got a head of dirty blonde hair like yours, green eyes, around 20+, and might or might not look a lot like the queen of this kingdom." His voice trailed off at the last sentence, almost hoping that the teen didn't catch it.
Unfortunately, the teen did, and for a good moment, simply started at Alfred as if he's got a screw or two loose in his head. Alfred avoided eye contact and simply hoped for things to be done and over with. This was the 10th shop he had approached now, and the amount of useful information gotten was zero.
If there was anything comforting, it would be that the people were at least friendly, some even offered him a cup of hot drink in the cold season. Nothing makes a king more happy than knowing that his people are full of warmth. That, and maybe having a queen who wouldn't suddenly disappear.
"I've not seen anyone like what you've described." Came the teen's reply after the awkward moment, and Alfred felt his motivation meet rock bottom. "But, the guys who walked by a while ago were talking about how badly they lost to a man at card games. Their description of the man fitted yours quite well."
"Really?" Alfred's face lit up, and asked. "Do you know where they last met the man?"
"They are regulars of the inn down the street. You might be luckier with your search there, sir." The teen replied, pulled out a piece of paper, and scribbled a simple map of the place, then pushed it across the counter to Alfred.
The latter picked it up and placed a silver coin in its spot. "Thanks for the help kid, hot chocolate's on me." He smiled, and turned to leave the warm comforts of the restaurant, following the map down the street.
Holding the first lead of the day in his hand, Alfred sincerely hoped that the rest of the search would be smoother.