now the servants worshipped the ground that their young mistress trod on . she was always kind and considerate to them . when they saw how frightened she was , and heard her piteous words , they crowded round her , as if to shield her from any harm that threatened her . " do not be afraid , your highness , " they cried ; " we will defend thee with our very lives if need be . but in case thy lady step - mother should have the power to throw any evil spell over thee , we will lock you in the great mullioned chamber . then she can not get nigh thee at all . " now the mullioned chamber was a strong - room , which was in a part of the castle all by itself . its door was so thick that no one could possibly break through it . the princess knew that if she were once inside the room , with its stout oaken door between her and her step - mother , she would be perfectly safe from any mischief that that wicked woman could devise . when she heard the fall , a smile of satisfaction crept over queen silver - tree 's face . " now i can say that i am the handsomest woman in the world , " she whispered . she went back to the lackey who stood waiting at the end of the passage . she told him that she had said all that she had to say to her daughter , and that now she must return home . so the man attended her to the boat with all due ceremony , and she set sail for her own country . no one in the castle knew that any harm had befallen their dear mistress . the prince came home from his hunting with the key of the mullioned chamber , which he had taken from his sheep - dog 's neck , in his hand . he laughed when he heard the story of queen silver - tree 's visit , and told the servants that they had done well . then he ran upstairs to open the door and release his wife . 
the princess was locked in the great mullioned chamber .
why didn't anyone know that any harm had befallen their dear princess ?
why didn't anyone know that any harm had befallen their dear princess ?