The palace had many eyes.
Some were loyal.
Most were not.
And some—
Were never meant to be seen at all.
The corridor outside Elira's chamber remained silent long after Commander Cassian left. Guards stood firm at their posts, unmoving, their presence a clear warning to anyone who dared approach.
But even the strongest walls had cracks.
And even the tightest security had shadows.
Behind a distant column, half-hidden in darkness, a figure finally moved.
A maid.
Her breathing was shallow, uneven, as if she had been holding it in for far too long.
She shouldn't have been there.
She knew that.
But curiosity—
And fear—
Had kept her rooted in place.
Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her chest, trying to steady herself.
"…I saw it," she whispered.
Her voice barely existed.
But the memory—
It was too clear.
The flickering candles.
The shifting shadows.
The way the air itself had bent toward the cradle.
Toward the Third Prince.
Her body shook.
"That wasn't normal…"
It wasn't magic she recognized.
It wasn't something taught.
It was something—
Wrong.
Her eyes darted toward the closed doors of the princess's chamber.
The guards hadn't noticed her.
They couldn't.
She had been careful.
But staying any longer—
Would be a mistake.
Swallowing hard, she turned and hurried down the corridor, her footsteps light but rushed, her figure disappearing into the deeper parts of the palace.
She only stopped when she reached a familiar door.
Large.
Elegant.
Decorated with intricate carvings of blooming roses.
Her breath caught.
Then—
She knocked.
Once.
Twice.
A pause.
"Enter."
The voice from within was soft.
Calm.
Beautiful.
And cold.
The maid pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately dropping to her knees.
"My Lady."
The room was dimly lit, the scent of roses heavy in the air. Curtains of deep crimson silk framed the tall windows, and candles cast a warm glow that did nothing to soften the atmosphere.
At the center—
Lady Seraphine sat gracefully, a cup of tea resting between her fingers.
She didn't look up.
"Speak."
The maid hesitated.
Her body trembled.
"…I saw something."
Seraphine's hand paused.
Just slightly.
Then continued, as if uninterested.
"Many things are seen in this palace," she said lightly. "Few are worth mentioning."
The maid swallowed.
"This… is."
Silence.
Finally—
Seraphine lifted her gaze.
Sharp.
Focused.
"Then you had better choose your next words carefully."
The maid lowered her head further.
"Yes, my Lady."
Her fingers clenched against the floor.
"The Third Prince…"
A pause.
Her voice dropped.
"…has power."
The room stilled.
Completely.
Even the faint crackle of candle flames seemed to fade.
Seraphine didn't move.
Didn't speak.
For a long moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
"…Explain."
The single word carried weight.
The maid rushed to obey.
"I-I was passing by the corridor when I felt it—something strange. The air… it changed. The candles dimmed, and the shadows…"
Her voice shook.
"They moved."
Silence followed her words.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Seraphine's gaze lowered slowly to her untouched tea.
"…Shadows," she repeated softly.
Not disbelief.
But contemplation.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, my Lady!" the maid insisted quickly. "I saw it myself. It came from the cradle. From him."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Seraphine's fingers tapped lightly against the porcelain cup.
Once.
Twice.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Then—
A soft smile curved her lips.
"…How fascinating."
The maid stiffened.
Fascinating?
That was all?
"But—my Lady," she said hesitantly, "should we not report this? If the Emperor learns—"
"No."
The word was immediate.
Sharp.
Final.
The maid froze.
Seraphine finally set her cup down.
Slowly.
Carefully.
"Do you know what happens," she asked softly, "when something unusual appears in the palace?"
The maid swallowed.
"…It is investigated?"
Seraphine smiled faintly.
"It is eliminated."
The maid's breath caught.
"Eliminated…?"
Seraphine's gaze lifted again.
Cold.
Precise.
"If the Emperor learns that the Third Prince possesses… unstable power," she continued, "he will not hesitate."
A pause.
"And that would be… unfortunate."
The maid's confusion showed.
"Unfortunate, my Lady?"
Seraphine leaned back slightly, her expression thoughtful.
"A child with such potential," she murmured. "Destroyed before it can bloom?"
Her smile deepened.
"That would be such a waste."
The maid didn't understand.
Not fully.
But she didn't dare question it.
"…What should we do?" she asked instead.
Seraphine's eyes darkened slightly.
"We watch."
Simple.
Cold.
"We wait."
Calculated.
"And when the time is right…"
A pause.
Her fingers lightly brushed the edge of the cup.
"We decide whether he becomes a weapon…"
Her gaze shifted toward the window.
Toward the direction of Elira's chambers.
"…or a threat."
Silence filled the room.
The maid lowered her head further.
"Yes, my Lady."
Seraphine smiled.
Satisfied.
"Good."
Then—
As if remembering something trivial—
"Dispose of the bird."
The maid blinked.
"The… bird?"
"The one used to confirm the poison," Seraphine said calmly. "It should not exist anymore."
The maid's heart skipped.
"Yes… my Lady."
She quickly rose, bowing deeply before retreating from the room.
The door closed behind her.
And once again—
Silence.
Seraphine remained seated, her gaze distant.
Thoughtful.
Amused.
"…A shadow," she murmured softly.
Her lips curved slightly.
"Just like the old legends."
For the first time—
Genuine interest flickered in her eyes.
"Perhaps this will be more entertaining than I expected."
Back in Elira's chamber—
She sat beside the cradle, her hand still holding Kael's.
Unaware.
For now.
That the secret she tried to protect—
Was already slipping into the hands of her enemy.