was alive w

eneath doors. Servants moved quickly, carrying trays of silverware and baskets of linens, heads

he prince's chambers?" one whispered a

. as if she owned the place," came

he prince's eyes," a third added, lowering

wing heavier with each retelling. Each whisper tw

screen near the main

m. Anyone passing by would see only a loyal noblewoman watching ov

o her palm. A nameless kitchen girl, daring to step into

nto a smile-slow,

iracies by chance. Her magic was not loud or violent.

s completely, shielding th

ppearance-face, voice, bo

e into the palace's shadows, unsee

ade for ma

ecided. And the prince must be

low, Elenma scrubb

with something unseen. When other servants passed her, their smiles did not reach their e

ers tightening a

wer st

e closed her eyes and focused, emotions whispered to her like win

wished h

a name surfaced in her

me

n her. And yet, the darkness she sensed car

quiet voice wa

to steady. She did not know how to confront d

halls, the prince fo

was simply concern over palace order. That the rum

ched for her with

ervants passed, something tightened in his chest. There was strength in h

t her presence

hispers a

he thought grimly, I

rstand why that tho

ht, Rame

ickered along stone walls, shadows stretching and breathing

ipped int

Elenma stood where Ramela had been-same face, same frame, same sim

rf

ndle was nudged, spilling wax onto the floor. A letter displaced from its

rder to spa

stain a

ed, alerted by the di

en

he bel

eart

is?" he demanded, his voic

d slowly, eyes w

" she said in Elenma's voice, trembl

ease, confusion-but the ev

en she

ards arrived, the

brough

ispered. "She's shameless," another said. "Dangerous." "

rumors like cuts

her so-clear, unwavering. And yet the palace believe

ed her quietly t

ed to t

crept in l

mming beneath her calm exterior. The se

light washing over her hands. Her fingers clench

only the

shadows, Ra

orm ha

something irreversible, a future splitting into paths she did not yet understand. The prince lay awake, troubled by doubt he could not