An hour earlier~

"Sit," Elowen said indifferently as she walked toward her study table and lowered herself into the chair.

Her eyes fell on Seren immediately. She noticed how stiff the girl was standing and how her fingers twisted together in front of her. She could not help but roll her eyes at the sight.

"I-I can’t sit with you, Princess," Seren answered softly, her gaze fixed on the floor as though it held all the answers she needed.

Elowen leaned back against her chair. Her brows lifted slightly in amusement and a quiet "Oh?" slipped from her lips.

She crossed one leg over the other and tilted her head. "I asked you to sit, not to punish your legs."

Her gaze dropped meaningfully to Seren’s feet. "You have been pressing your toes into the floor since you walked in. I fear your bones might crack if you continue."

Seren stiffened further.

Elowen leaned forward slowly, placing both palms flat against the surface of the table. Her eyes sharpened as they locked onto Seren.

"What are you nervous about?" she asked calmly. "Are you so afraid of something?"

Seren’s eyes widened at once.

’She knows something... The Princess is suspicious of me.’

Her throat felt dry. She gulped before forcing her voice to steady. "There is nothing making me nervous, my Princess. I only feel that it is not proper for a servant to sit beside the royal blood."

Elowen did not respond immediately.

She only stared.

Her gaze was steady and unblinking, so intense that the air inside the chamber seemed to freeze. The room grew silent. Even the rustling curtains had stopped moving.

The only sound left was the loud beating of Seren’s heart, echoing wildly in her ears.

Elowen softened suddenly. A slow smile pressed onto her lips.

"Whether you choose to sit or stand because of your beliefs is up to you," she said lightly as she leaned back again.

She folded her hands neatly. "The reason I brought you here is simple. From now on, you will serve me twice a week."

Seren’s heart skipped violently. "Does the Prince know about this?" she asked before she could stop herself.

She lowered her voice. "I am already serving one master. If I begin serving the Princess as well, the workload will be too much."

Elowen’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Are you disobeying me?"

Seren shook her head quickly. "No, my Princess. I only wish to tell you how heavy this task will be for me."

Her voice trembled. "I cannot serve two masters at the same time."

A sickening laugh slipped from Elowen’s lips.

Without warning, she slammed her palms onto the table.

The sharp sound echoed through the room, startling Seren so badly that she almost stumbled back.

"I was not asking whether the task would be difficult for you," Elowen said coldly. "What I gave you was a direct order."

Her voice dropped lower. "Whether my brother accepts it or not is entirely up to him."

She leaned forward once more, her gaze icy. "It would not surprise me if they discard you altogether. So you would be wise to shut your mouth and obey if you wish to continue living comfortably."

Elowen’s lips curved faintly.

"I can protect you from my brothers," she said softly. "But that will only be possible if I see how desperately you want to live."

Seren felt a chill crawl down her spine.

Then slowly, relief seeped into her chest.

She lowered her gaze to hide it.

’Elowen did not know anything yet.’ A quiet breath escaped her lips as she thought inwardly that the Princess had merely been testing her.

For a moment, she had believed Elowen had caught onto something and was using it against her.

Seren finally lifted her head slowly and looked at Elowen.

She was slightly taken aback by the coldness in the Princess’s eyes. The words that had been sitting at the tip of her tongue died instantly.

Her fingers curled tightly into her palms.

She gathered her courage.

She knew the Princes would not kill her. They had been protecting her from Elowen all this time. She would not say anything that would push the Princess into madness.

"Serving the three Princes has not been easy for me," Seren said carefully. "Discuss this matter with them first, my Princess. I will follow whatever agreement you all come to."

Elowen’s brows lifted slightly.

The anger in her chest slowly faded as a thought crossed her mind.

’Such arrogance. The servant I first met did not have this audacity. She would not even speak a hundred words in my presence because of those stupid chantings to always keep her mouth shut.’

A faint smile appeared on Elowen’s lips. "Very well," she said calmly. "I will discuss it with my brothers."

Seren’s eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected it to be so easy.

"Thank you, my Princess," she said quickly.

At that same moment, Elowen called for a guard outside.

Seren stiffened. A flicker of fear rose inside her. ’Had the Princess changed her mind? Was she about to be punished?’

The guard entered and bowed.

Elowen spoke indifferently. "Take her to her mother."

Seren’s head lifted in shock. "My mother!" She said with widened eyes.

Thank you, my Princess," she said again.

Elowen did not respond. She merely looked at the guard. "What are you waiting for?"

The guard quickly gestured for Seren to follow him.

Seren walked behind him without another word.

As the door closed, a maid stepped forward from the corner of the room and bowed slightly.

"Jane," Elowen called lazily. "I have a small task for you."

The maid lifted her head.

"Befriend that servant who just left," Elowen continued. "Bring me information about her."

"Yes, my Princess," the maid replied. Then hesitated. "But... My name is not Jane. It is Jade."

Elowen slowly turned her head to look at her.

She stared for a moment before rolling her eyes. "From now on, Jane is what you will answer to whenever you are around me."

The maid lowered her head quickly. "Yes, my Princess."

"You may leave."

The maid bowed and exited quietly.

.

.

.

Seren followed the guard in silence. They walked through the winding corridors of the palace, turning through halls that felt like a maze.

Before long, they reached her mother’s brewing room, where she prepared medicines for the late king.

"This is as far as I can go," the guard said.

"Thank you," Seren replied softly before hurrying forward.

She pushed the door open.

The first thing that filled her nose was the strong scent of herbs and boiling medicine.

"Close the door!" her mother’s voice shouted from inside. "You will spoil the tonic—"

But it was too late.

The door was already open. The bubbling tonic on the table began to shift colors violently.

A painful cry escaped her mother’s lips as she grabbed her head in frustration.

"That was the last batch..." she muttered.

She turned sharply to scold the intruder.

Then she froze, slowly standing up.

"Child?" she whispered in disbelief.

"Mother!"

Seren ran forward and threw herself into her embrace.

Her mother stood stunned, her hands frozen in midair. Slowly, they lowered onto Seren’s back.

She rubbed gently.

When she felt the warmth of her daughter, tears welled up in her eyes.

"My child," she cried softly. "Oh, thank the Moon Goddess you are alive. Thank you... Thank you so much."

She pulled Seren closer.

"I thought the worst had happened," she whispered through tears. "I thought I would never hear your voice again."

"I am sorry for making you worried, Mother," Seren whispered, her voice trembling. "I am truly sorry."

Marina shook her head quickly and cupped her daughter’s face. "It is all right, child. It is not your fault." Her voice cracked slightly. "I am only glad you are back safely."

She pulled back just enough to hold Seren by the shoulders. Her searching eyes moved across her daughter’s face, scanning every inch as if looking for hidden wounds.

"Tell me," Marina asked quietly. "Did something happen? Did the Princes do anything to you?"

Seren’s eyes softened. She shook her head. "No, Mother. Nothing happened."

She hesitated before adding, "They only ordered me to serve in their quarters."

Her gaze lowered. Her fingers absentmindedly rubbed her arm. "I... accidentally threw away the medicine you gave me."

Marina’s hand flew to her forehead as dizziness washed over her.

Seren gasped and quickly held her. "Mother!"

Marina steadied herself before looking at her daughter with disbelief. "How could you be so careless?" she asked weakly.

Then her expression hardened. She shook her head firmly. "No. I cannot allow you to continue serving there."

Her grip tightened slightly. "The Princes will never see you again. If they come asking for you, I will go in your place."

Seren’s eyes widened. "No, Mother."

Her voice turned urgent. "You have done more than enough for me. I am perfectly fine. They will not harm me."

Marina lifted her hand and gently held Seren’s cheek. Her thumb brushed away the dampness near her eyes.

"You cannot be so trusting, my child," she said softly but firmly. "I thought you knew better than this."

Her gaze darkened. "You do not know what the Princes are capable of... especially Prince Cassien."

Seren did not look away. She held her mother’s stare.

"I know what they can do, Mother."

Marina blinked, slightly taken aback. "What?"

Seren slowly reached for her mother’s hands and held them between hers.

"I know that they kill," she said quietly.

This time Marina’s shock was evident. Her fingers tightened around Seren’s as fear slowly crept into her eyes.

"You do not know the monsters you are serving," Marina whispered. "I was not speaking about their killings, my child. They..."