I returned to my room alone, just as Jared had told me. We couldn't be seen together—not now, not ever. As I walked away, I felt his eyes silently follow me down the corridor, heavy with things unsaid.
When I entered my room, I was surprised to see someone placing food on the table. It was Fiora.
My childhood friend.
Her eyes were puffy, rimmed red from crying, and the dark shadows beneath them told me she hadn't slept well at all.
I wanted to speak to her—how desperately I wanted to run into her arms and confide everything. But I couldn't. Not yet. My plan was still incomplete. And I wouldn't risk dragging her into this mess. Not when the palace walls had ears and eyes, and secrets were currency.
I quietly locked the door behind her departure, undressed, and washed away the fatigue of the day. With no sleepwear in my suitcase—yet another thing they conveniently forgot—I slipped beneath the sheets unclothed.
Despite my exhaustion, sleep didn't come easy.
I woke up earlier than expected, the weight of restless dreams clinging to me. My mind wandered to Cion Island, to the mother and child I had left behind. Were they searching for me? Worrying? No… they must believe I abandoned them. But if I had the chance, I'd go back. I owed them that much.
I opened the wardrobe in search of something decent to wear. Back home, I used to rise early for chores, my hands roughened by morning duties. Here, I awoke only to prepare myself—to be seen, to be judged, to be ready for whoever might knock on my door at any moment.
Every dress inside was far too revealing. Was this really appropriate palace attire? Surely, they wouldn't expel me for this?
According to a book I once read, there were specific dress codes depending on the occasion. Modesty was expected during mass or weddings. Scandalous dresses like these would surely cause a stir. I didn't have a schedule of upcoming events, but perhaps I could buy a calendar from the market—or maybe I'd find one in the palace library.
But the library… that place brought back bitter memories. It was there Sebastian framed me. Just thinking of it made my stomach turn.
With no better option, I chose a strapless black dress that draped to my ankles, paired it with black boots, and wrapped a red shawl around my arms. It wasn't ideal, but it would do.
I left my room and headed to the market.
As I descended the staircase, I glimpsed the palace library—the very place where Sebastian had orchestrated my disgrace. Of course, he wasn't there now. He probably never cared for books. That had all been a performance.
Outside the palace gates, I spotted the gardens—the same gardens where I had once seen Xyra. She wasn't there today, but a group of palace women had gathered, murmuring excitedly around someone at the center.
Curious, I drew closer.
They stood in a tight circle around a woman who looked vaguely familiar. Where had I seen her before?
"The Festival of the Red Roses is approaching," she announced, her voice sharp and commanding. "We will be performing a dance for the royal guests. Anyone who cannot keep up with the routine is free to leave the palace—and should never return."
She paused when her eyes met mine. With a flick of her hand, she brushed aside the women surrounding her and strode toward me.
Now I remembered.
She was the woman Xyra and I had seen in the dining hall.
"Would you like to join us?" she asked.
I nodded.
"I'm Rebecca, leader of the palace women. I organize royal events. Are you new here?"
"Yes. I'm Diana," I replied simply.
Rebecca… The name was familiar. Wasn't she Jared's cousin? Was she also a participant in the competition?
"Back to practice, all of you," she barked at the women behind her, who quickly scrambled into formation and resumed their dance.
Then she turned back to me, her smile fixed and unnatural.
I recalled how furious she had been the last time we crossed paths, claiming I had disrespected her. Now, she was smiling at me like a tamed dog.
"I'm Rebecca, cousin of Jared and niece to King Harriet. And you are…"
"Diana," I repeated, withholding my true identity.
Her disappointment was clear. She had been fishing for the truth and caught only lies.
"I understand. You need to be cautious," she whispered, stepping closer. "Many eyes watch within these walls. But I'm here to help. You must join the festivities. You'll be the centerpiece of the performance. It's your mission, after all—to captivate the king. If you ever need anything, meet me in the garden at dawn. That'll be our secret meeting place."
I gave her a polite nod. "Alright."
Before she could say more, her attention was drawn to the dancers again, visibly irritated at their clumsy movements. She scolded them harshly, and I took the opportunity to excuse myself, promising to return in the afternoon to practice.
I had never danced in my life. I could already hear her future criticisms echoing in my ears.
At the palace gates, I requested permission to go to the market, but the guards refused. I wasn't allowed to leave alone.
Two soldiers were assigned to escort me.
We walked silently through the marketplace. I kept my head down. My face was still plastered on posters across the city. They called me a criminal. There was a one-million-coin bounty on my capture.
I entered a small shop and purchased a calendar, a set of modest sleepwear, and then asked the shopkeeper about my old friend, Billy.
"I heard he moved to the city of Garboza," the man said. "Business is better there. His establishment thrives."
Garboza… That was Prince Lucio's domain, wasn't it? Enemy territory.
"Thank you for the information," I said.
"Not a problem, milady. Although… I do have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why are you interested in a house of pleasure?"
"I overheard a palace maid mention one. I was simply curious and didn't know it had relocated."
"Would you like to know why the tavern was turned into a factory?"
"What happened?"
He gestured for a bribe, but I shook my head.
"Information comes at a price," he said with a shrug.
"I'm not interested. I'll find the truth myself."
Annoyed, he let me leave.
Back at the palace, Jared was already waiting near the gate, his gaze sharp as a blade. He didn't need to speak. His eyes screamed: Why did you leave?
But he hadn't told me I couldn't go out. That wasn't my fault.
I held up my purchases sheepishly, but he remained scowling. I had only gone shopping. It wasn't a crime.
I intended to eat lunch, but before I could, Fiora arrived at my room carrying a tray of food.
"The head mistress ordered that you dine in your quarters. She says you're unwell and need rest."
Unwell?
That was a lie. What excuse was this now—to stop me from dining in the palace restaurant?
Under the plate, I discovered a folded note. I took the tray from Fiora, who looked startled by my insistence, and gently closed the door behind her.
Alone, I read the message:
"There's no use going to the palace restaurant. The king does not dine there. You're only putting yourself in danger, especially with Sebastian around. From now on, I'll make sure food is delivered to your room daily."
A second note followed:
"You must not leave the palace again. Noblewomen don't run errands. It's against the law—only servants are permitted to shop. If you continue this behavior, it could cost you dearly. Find a handmaid to serve you. Immediately."
Handmaid?
The only person I'd trust was Fiora. But even thinking of her as a servant made me uncomfortable. I was a servant too, not so long ago. How easily this palace twisted identities.
I ate the miso soup in silence and sipped the strawberry juice.
What kind of trouble could I possibly be bringing upon myself?
Later, I needed to visit the library and search for information about the competition. But would they even have records on such a secretive event?
And what if Sebastian was there?
No. I would make do with what I already knew, no matter how little. Besides, I had dance practice this afternoon.
Why did I have to dance? And worse—why did I have to be in the center of it all?
It was maddening.
Still… seeing Rebecca again might not be such a bad thing. Perhaps, just perhaps, she held the answers to the questions that had haunted me since I first stepped into this palace.