The courtyard was still wrapped in mist when Ananya slipped quietly through the side passage of the Duke's mansion.
Dew glittered on the stone path, the world half-asleep, with not even the faintest whisper of morning wind.
She moved fast, her steps soundless. Every second before sunrise mattered.
If anyone saw her outside her quarters now, all her careful planning would collapse.
The faint glow of a candle leaked from under her chamber door.
Good — just as she'd told Mei.
When Ananya entered, she saw her maid sitting rigidly on the bed, wrapped in one of the Empress's pale silk robes.
The blanket pulled to her chin, her face half-hidden in the shadow of the bed-curtain.
At the sound of the door, Mei jumped.
"Y-Your Majesty!" she gasped, relief flooding her voice. "You're back! Heaven be praised— I thought you might have been caught!"
Ananya closed the door behind her and let out a slow breath. "You did well, Mei."
