I sat alone in the marble garden pavilion, one of the few scattered around the manor’s garden. Its intricately carved designs had long since lost their sharpness… in my eyes, at least. I’m sure if the average Joe looked at them, they wouldn’t notice at all.

Leila stood behind me, as she always did, her immaculate maid dress exuding the faint scent of lavender, a scent more calming than even the beds of flowers surrounding me.

I held a warm porcelain cup of tea that I had barely drunk from. It took everything I had not to let my fingers tremble while lifting it.

I took a sip in hopes it could calm my hearts down.

It didn’t work.

Setting down the cup with not a single clink, I leaned back on my cushioned chair. Not enough to seem un-noble-like, just about enough to let me sigh silently and rest my shoulders.

In the distance, I saw the front gates being opened by our knights, welcoming in a figure. A woman wearing a cloak walked in boldly. That mesmerizing dark blue hair couldn’t fool anybody.

Mother had returned home.

My hands tightened. I steeled myselves for the confrontation about to come.

Mother continued to walk along the paved road leading to the manor’s grand entrance. But amidst her walk, she turned her head my way, stopping in her tracks. Her eyes widened, only to narrow nearly instantly.

Mother made her way over. I pretended not to notice as I took another sip of the tea, still hoping it would calm me down.

I didn’t know what I expected, but obviously, it didn’t work.

Her footsteps became audible as she entered the pavilion.

I set down the cup with practiced silence. Slowly, and reluctantly, I looked up to meet her gaze.

I felt my heart tighten the moment I met her gaze.

What greeted me was her usual icy, cold stare. Yet beneath it, the same blankness that had once made me tremble under my boots remained.

No, it didn’t just remain… It had grown deeper.

“Carine.”

Mother’s voice brought me back to reality. I swallowed hard, hiding my fear behind my cold face. I rose from my seat with what little grace I could muster.

“Afternoon, Mother. Where have you been? Father was looking for you.”

Mother remained silent. She turned her gaze down, as if debating something. She bit her lower lip slightly as her eyes closed.

After a moment of tense silence, her eyes shot up, as if she had finally convinced herself.

“Carine, follow me.”

I paused. “Pardon?”

“Follow me,” she said again, turning heel. “We’re heading out for a walk.”

“But Mother, I thought I wasn’t allowed to—”

“Today’s an exception,” she interrupted curtly. “There’s someone I need you to meet.”

I stood there without saying a word. Leila remained motionless behind me as well, but just from her presence, I felt like I had an anchor I could lean on.

I gathered what little courage I could and finally spoke.

“Forgive me, Mother, but I cannot come with you—not like this.” I gave a slight bow, even though I knew her gaze was turned away.

With a sharp stomp, she turned. Her cloak flared like a flame.

“Carine Sareid… Are you defying my orders?”

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Her voice was low and cold, it was a threat if I’ve ever heard one. But no matter what she said, I must stand my ground.

There’s someone I could rely on if things go awry. I was convinced of that.

In the face of Mother’s cold, threatening wrath, I stood my ground and shook my head. I spoke up, hoping that I could speak my mind clearly and reach her.

“Mother. Lately, you have been acting unusually. Never once have I seen you stutter or lose composure like you did the past few days. I cannot possibly trust your judgment in a time like this.”

Mother took a half step forward, her eyes glaring into me like a pick against ice.

“You dare to talk back?”

My instincts were telling me to take a step back. But I couldn’t afford to show weakness—not now. I held my ground, lifted my chin, and met her glare without flinching.

She stopped just an arm’s length away. The blankness I sensed in her eyes remained as her eyes continued to lock with mine. It took me everything to not let my unease boil over.

She clicked her tongue. “I do not need your approval. You will come with me.”

“What if I don’t?”

“You will.”

Mother reached out for my hand, her speed unimaginable. But even though I could see what she was trying to do, I let it be and continued to stand my ground.

The moment her fingers neared my wrist, a sharp smack echoed through the pavilion.

Time seemed to slow down as Mother’s hand recoiled away, her eyes widened in stunned disbelief.

Leila stood beside me, arm outstretched, her expression as calm and composed as ever.

“Leila?!” Mother said, her voice shocked. “A servant dares defy my will?!”

“I have not broken any agreements, Lady Reyna,” she said, her voice as monotone as ever. “I cannot let any harm fall upon Lady Carine. I believe that is the duty I was given. That duty does not change, even if the threat comes from you.”

“Harm?” Mother exhaled harshly, shoulders lowering as if easing the tension. “What harm? Everything I do is for the sake of this family.”

“As do I,” Leila responded.

Before the tension between the two of them could get any worse. I saw dozens of shadows approaching the pavilion.

Good, just as planned.

Moments later, armored knights emerged, swords half-drawn, surrounding us in a tight formation.

“Lady Reyna!” one of them called. “We must ask you to stand down!”

“What is the meaning of this?!” Mother’s voice cracked, her eyes darting around the circle of knights. “You would draw your blades not just at my daughter, but me as well?!”

“No, Reyna,” came a firm, gruff voice that cut through every noise.

The knights parted, revealing a man stepping into the pavilion’s light.

Clad in half-armor above his immaculate suit was none other than Father.

Mother turned, her voice low. “Kyrat… What are you doing—?”

“I could ask the same of you, Reyna.”

His voice wasn’t angry, nor was it frustrated. It was almost sorrowful.

“You of all people should understand that my actions are for Carine’s sake.”

“No, I don’t understand Reyna. And I believe you don’t as well.”

He stepped forward. The knights made way without a word.

“Feyt overheard you, Reyna,” he said. “You were speaking in your chambers, talking about meeting someone.”

Mother’s breath hitched.

“He came to me immediately, and I didn’t want to believe it at first. But the moment you left the manor, I sent Anton after you. Feyt insisted on going as well.”

His eyes narrowed as he continued to explain.

“Anton returned with Feyt just moments ago… with pressing news.” Kyrat drew his blade and pointed it at the unflinching Reyna. “You were tricked by a rather heinous man. Tricked into bringing our dear Carine to him.”

“Y-You—” Mother’s voice trembled, then steadied as she clenched her fists. “No. You’re wrong. I wasn’t tricked. He knew things, everything. He knew things no one should. About Carine. About… the danger that came and will come her way.”

Father’s brows furrowed. “And so you would take our daughter out of the manor without telling anyone? Without even telling me?”

“I figured you would understand!” she shouted. “These past few attacks! They’re not coincidences! None of them are! They’re all targeted against Carine, and if I don’t take her to somewhere safe—If I don’t act now—!!”

“Enough,” Father said quietly.

Mother flinched, as if struck.

“You’re right about one thing,” he continued, stepping forward slowly. “The attacks were targeted. That much is true.” His hand fell to the hilt at his side, sheathing his sword. “But I’ve already found the one behind them. And I won’t let you be used any longer.”

He turned toward me briefly.

He closed his eyes for a moment before giving me a reassuring nod.

Then, he turned back to Mother.

“Seize her.”

The order echoed like thunder across the pavilion.

It took a moment before the knights fully moved.

Mother didn’t resist. She stood perfectly still as the knights surrounded her, not a word escaping her lips. As the knights took her by the arms, she didn’t thrash or scream. She let them. Her feet moved on their own.

And then, she was gone, vanishing beyond the hedges and into the garden path that led back to the manor.

Only when her figure disappeared from sight did everyone’s breath return.

The wind rustled. The birds chirped again. The bees buzzed once more.

Father’s voice cut through them all, reaching through me.

“Leila, have Carine and Feyt secured in the dance hall in the courtyard. Ensure no one enters or leaves until I return with that man’s head in hand.”

Leila pressed a hand to her chest and bowed. “Of course, Your Grace.”

Father turned and addressed the remaining knights standing before him.

“All of you. Follow me.”

One by one, they turned and moved in unison behind him, boots thudding softly over the stone path.

I could only watch, my hearts heavy. My eyes from the garden, overlooking Father’s back as he marched forward with his knights, and my eyes from the room above, overlooking my own self, nearly shaking in my boots.

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