After killing the young woman, the mysterious maidservant fetched an emerald bracelet from her pocket and pced it next to the victim's body. She removed her gloves, tucked them into her sleeves, and climbed to her feet. The killer gnced around to ensure no prying eyes before slipping back into the shrubs and disappearing from view.

  "Sir Ascania, bring me that individual," Eine ordered.

  Cecil nodded and darted toward the bloodied scene. He vanished into the bushes and reappeared minutes ter, escorting the culprit. His hand gripped the woman's shoulder, propelling her steadily forward. The blond-haired young man forced the maidservant to kneel when they reached their destination.

  Eine directed Mariam to remove the killer's veil, revealing a woman in her mid-forties with ordinary, forgettable features. Her countenance could merge seamlessly with the crowd and avoid detection as the perpetrator. The woman seemed to recognize Eine but exhibited no reaction, only kneeling in silence like an inanimate object. She kept her dull eyes glued to the ground, neither resisting nor begging for clemency. Eine studied the maidservant, who appeared indifferent to her fate and was teetering on taking drastic action. She had encountered simir expressions before in some of the Duke's mistresses. "Should you prepare to sacrifice yourself, do not be under the illusion that your master shall be exempt from the consequences," she warned. "Even if you become a corpse, I assure you I am still capable of uncovering your identity."

  The woman gnced up and, for the first time, dispyed emotions in her eyes—a stirring unknown to Eine. "I committed the action alone," she said.

  "I commend your loyalty, but it is too te for such imprudent bravery. Do you expect me to believe a mere servant would have the audacity to kill a royal concubine with no guidance?" A mocking smile tugged at Eine's lips. She ordered her maid to search the older woman's body. After a short moment, Mariam discovered the bloodied gloves and presented them to Eine. "You have two options. Either I convey your conduct to His Majesty, who will initiate a formal inquiry, or you shall bring me to your mistress." She paused briefly before adding, "Choose wisely. I trust you will make the correct choice."

  "Why…why should I believe you?" The maidservant clutched the folds of her dress, her knuckles bnched under the strain.

  Eine leaned forward until her face was only inches from the older woman, and an insidious smile crept across her lips. "What gives you the impression that you retain the liberty to negotiate terms with me on this matter?"

  "I—"The older maidservant flinched, her eyes evading Eine's. Her pallid visage again fixated on the ground to conceal the raging internal conflict. The silence stretched momentarily before the older woman finally relented and slumped her shoulders. "Please forgive my earlier impudence, midy. I, I will take you to my mistress." She bent her upper body and executed a deep bow.

  Eine nodded, satisfied with the maidservant's transformed attitude. "I am gd we have reached a mutual accord. However, I must caution you against absconding or deception unless you wish for your mistress to endure the repercussions."

  "I—I would not dare." The older woman slowly rose, carefully hunching to avoid meeting Eine's oppressive gaze. "Please follow me, midy." Despite her reluctance, she guided Eine's group through a desoted route camoufged by the dense thickets of trees and vegetation. This secretive path would permit the woman to sneak in and out of the area unnoticed.

  Several minutes ter, they finally reached the other side. Before them y an assembge of interconnected domed edifices encircled by courtyards and pavilions of considerable elegance. These structures boasted intricately adorned walls of vibrant tiles and beautifully painted murals. A medley of feminine voices and mirthful ughter resounded throughout the vicinity, infusing the serene night with vivacious energy and enlivening the surroundings. They had arrived at the royal harem.

  "We should hurry before the guards make their routine rounds." The maidservant ventured into an obscured corner of the structures, shrouded in overgrown vegetation and mosses. She cleared some tree branches and bushes off to reveal a hidden pathway. The older woman entered, her fingers tracing the stone wall with each cautious step as she navigated the dimly lit, cavernous passage. Eine and her servants trailed after her as she led them further into the darkness.

  At the end of the tunnel-like hallway was a brick wall. The maidservant pressed her ear against the surface and listened intently for any sounds on the other side. Once certain of the silence, she pressed a brick and pushed the wall open, peeking through the opening. "Please wait here, midy. I will first inform my mistress," the older woman turned around and said.

  Eine raised a brow but did not object. The maidservant interpreted her silence as consent and sighed with relief. She exited the secret path and emerged from behind a great oil painting. Her form quietly slipped into a chamber of opulence. A diaphanous, silver embroidered drape hung from the carved ceiling in the middle of the chamber, dividing it in half. Beyond the translucent veil, a woman's silhouette reclined nguidly. The flickering candlelight bathed her captivating figure in a mesmerizing glow, casting a subtle allure upon her shadow. The older woman approached the shimmering drapes and sank to her knees, bending forward until her forehead nearly brushed the tapestried rug. "I have completed the task," she reported.

  The female figure gracefully rose from her seat and glided toward the old maidservant. "Nanny, how many more times must I remind you?" she chided. Her voice, affectionate and melodic, belied the reproached words. "Such formalities are unnecessary when we are alone."