ra’s POV

    “The patient is stable now,” the doctor’s words barely registered in my mind. They were too detached, too clinical for the storm of emotions Swirling inside me. I wanted to breathe easier, but something told me this wasn’t over.

    “But he hasn’t woken up yet?” My voice felt small, betraying the knot in my stomach.

    “No,” the doctor replied, his expression tight. “Lady Amara’s cure only halted the copse of his heart and liver. But he still needs the proper antidote to the poison.”

    A cold weight settled in my chest. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. My hands balled into fists, my nails digging into my palms, though i barely feft it. “How much time does Elder Randy have?”

    “Hard to say,” the doctor muttered, scratching his chin. “Weeks, maybe. But it could be sooner, the way things are going”

    “So we still need the cure,” Elder Briar’s voice was sharp, his eyes cold as he red at me. “Lady ra, stop ying games. Give us the cure. Someone’s

    life is at risk.”

    I snapped, my own anger bubbling up. “I told you-” my voice came out in a growl, “I have nothing to do with this.”

    Dorian raised a hand, cutting through the tension with one simple movement. “Enough,” hemanded, his tone final. “This arguing solves nothing.”

    Elder Briar’s grin was ugly, his words too smooth to trust. “My King, if you permit me to interrogate this woman, I’m sure I can get her to confess before the sun rises tomorrow.”

    Wells shot to his feet, anger ring in his eyes. “No!” His voice cracked with urgency. “You can’t let him! You know what he’ll do to her!”

    “Quiet,” Dorian’s voice rang out, firm and unwavering as he pointed a finger at Wells. “We’ll discuss your failure to attend the ballter. Now, stay silent.”

    Wells froze, but the fire in his eyes didn’t go out.

    “And you,” Dorian’s gaze shifted to Elder Briar, darkening like a storm on the horizon, “No one touches my Queen.”

    “But my King-”

    “Have I made myself clear?” Dorian’s gaze cut into him like a de.

    Elder Briar swallowed, then nodded stiffly, his lips pressing into a tight line. “Perfectly clear.”

    “Good.” Dorian’s eyes turned to Finn, his gaze softer but still intense. “Finn, think carefully. Was it her?” He pointed directly at me.

    I held my breath, watching Finn’s eyes flicker nervously over my face before she dropped her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. “No.”

    “Anyone else in this room?” Dorian’s voice held no trace of doubt.

    Finn shook her head again, quietly.

    “Then describe her to me.” Dorian’s voice was gentle now, coaxing.

    Finn bit her lip, thinking hard. “It was dark. I couldn’t see her face clearly… But she was average height, slim… and… porcin skin…”

    There were murmurs around the room. I could feel everyone’s eyes on her as the tension rose. My heart thudded in my chestb, /bknowing that description could apply to any number of the maids.

    I nced over at Elder Briar–something about him made my blood run cold. He was far too interested in this search. There bwas /bbsomething /bbhe /bbwasn’t /bsaying.

    b1/4 /b

    10:44 bnu/bb, /bb28 /bbAug /b

    “What about you, ra?” Dorian’s voice broke through my thoughts.

    I focused on his words, trying to recall the maid I had seen. She kept her head down when we met, hiding her face. But there was one thing I remembe

    -her hair.

    The moment the thought clicked, I spoke up, my voice clearer than I expected. “The maid I met had chestnut hair.”

    Finn’s eyes widened. “Chestnut hair?” she repeated, her hands pping together. “Yes! That’s it! I remember now! The wornan I saw had chestnut hair tool”

    There was a murmur of surprise. One of the elders raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over his face. “Are you making this up just to align with Lady ra?”

    Finn stiffened, her face flushing. But before she could respond, Wells was already at her side, his voice full of conviction. “Finn saw what she saw! Don’t doubt her!”

    The elder rolled his eyes but didn’t challenge Wells further.

    “Average height, slim figure, porcin skin, and chestnut hair…” Wells paused, rubbing his chin as a thought hit him. “Wait… isn’t that Mirai?/ii” /i

    There was a sharp intake of breath from several of the elders. “Prince Wells,” one of them hissed, “Mira is ady. We’re talking about a maid here.”

    “Prince Wells,” Elder Briar’s voice was low and threatening, “You’re going too far with this. The House of Shadows is not to be smeared by wild usations.”

    Wells simply shrugged, a smirk crossing his face. “I’m just saying, it fits her description.”

    I had been silent, watching as the room turned into chaos. Mira. The name sounded familiar, but I knew the woman wasn’t Mira. She wasn’t the one I had seen. But the whole situation–everything about it–stank.

    I looked up at Dorian, meeting his gaze. His eyes were narrowed, calcting. He wasn’t fooled either.

    “I will have the soldiers search the castle,” Dorian finally said, his voice firm with authority. “We’ll find her, whoever she is. Dismissed.”

    The group started to bow, then filed out of the room in silence.

    I didn’t wait for the others to leave. As soon as they were gone, I turned to walk out, my heart still pounding in my chest.

    “ra…”

    Dorian’s voice called out to me. I didn’t stop. Instead, I picked up the pace, determined to get away from the suffocating atmosphere. I caught up with Finn and Wells, my thoughts spinning.

    “Hey, Finn!” I called out, forcing a smile. “Thanks for standing up for me earlier. I appreciate it.”

    Finn’s face flushed, and she shook her head, almost embarrassed. “I… It wasn’t just me. It was Prince Wells who encouraged me…”

    I turned to Wells, catching his eye. “Thank you,” I said, meaning it.

    Wells grinned, his usual charm in full force. “No problem! Honestly, we’re all sick of Amara. Anyone who can stand up to her gets my voteb!/bb” /b

    bI /bcouldn’t help but smile at his infectious energy. Wells was like a breath of fresh airpared to the others here. “Why do you hate her so much?“b! /baskedb, /bgenuinely curious.

    He groaned dramatically. “Ohb, /bwhere do I even start? The fake tears, her insufferable manners, and the way she thinks she’s all that. She’s so fake bit’s /bpainful to watch. You know what I mean, Finnb?/b”

    Finn barely nodded, mumbling, “Yeah… I’m not supposed to talk about the masters.”