Morning light streamed through the high windows, soft and golden. Riella hadn't truly slept, but she'd closed her eyes long enough to forget her worries — for a little while.
A knock came at the door.
Before she could answer, a maid peeked in. "Miss… the master said to bring you to the west wing. There's someone waiting."
Riella sat up fast, heart leaping. Could it be—?
---
She followed the maid through quiet hallways lined with portraits and soft sunlight, the air warm with the scent of rosewood and herbs. They stopped in front of a tall door.
The maid opened it gently.
And there she was.
Her best friend.
She stood near the window, turned slightly, her blue eyes shining even in the pale light. Her peachy lips parted in a gasp as she saw Riella.
"Riella?"
Riella's breath caught. "Amelia…"
They rushed into each other's arms without thinking, without speaking. Just the warmth of being whole again, of surviving long enough to find each other.
Tears slipped down Riella's cheeks — not the broken kind from before, but tears that tasted of relief. Of something good, finally.
"I thought I lost you," Amelia whispered, her voice trembling.
"I thought the same," Riella said. "I didn't know where you were — or if…"
"I woke up in a strange room days ago. They told me I was safe, but I didn't believe them. Not until now."
They pulled apart slightly, still holding onto each other like they might disappear.
Riella glanced toward the window.
"They said someone named Kael brought me here."
Amelia nodded. "He's been kind… but I don't trust it. Not completely."
Riella agreed with a soft hum. "Neither do I."
But for now, they were together. And that meant everything.
Still, questions stirred in Riella's heart.
About Leonardo. About Dimitri. About Chloe and her silence.
And most of all… who was really pulling the strings?
Once the tears dried and their hands stopped shaking, laughter slowly found its way back into the room.
They changed into fresh gowns the maids had laid out — pale lavender for Riella, a soft mint green for Amelia. The fabrics were fine, the lace delicate, and both girls stood before the mirror in awe.
"You look like a noble," Riella teased.
Amelia twirled. "So do you. If we had earrings, we'd pass for princesses."
The tension of the last few days faded into the background as they sat cross-legged on the wide bed, plates of food between them. Sweet fruits, warm rolls, delicate cookies, honey-dipped tarts. They ate more than they thought possible.
And gossiped.
About the maids who looked too scared to speak. About the golden halls and spiral staircases. About how Kael seemed too charming to be harmless. And how Dimitri hadn't smiled once.
"He looked like he could kill a man with just his stare," Amelia whispered, biting into a flaky tart.
Riella nodded with wide eyes. You've seen him too? "He has a bird in a cage. He feeds it himself. Alone. In the dark."
They both shivered and laughed.
Then, Elya turned serious.
"Rie…"
Riella looked up.
"Your mom. Do you… know what happened?"
The question was soft, but it fell like thunder.
Riella set her cup down, her fingers suddenly cold.
"I don't," she said after a long pause. "But I saw her… in the pool of her blood."
Amelia's eyes welled up again.
"She knew something was coming," Riella added. "She wasn't surprised. I keep wondering who those men were… and why they wore uniforms like the ones here."
She looked away.
"Whoever did it… they'll pay."
Amelia nodded silently. She reached over, took Riella's hand again.
Together, they sat in the quiet, food forgotten. Outside, the sun shone like nothing had happened. But inside, two girls were beginning to remember — and starting to plan.
They stayed in that sunlit room far longer than they intended.
After the question about Riella's mother, the silence stretched. Not heavy — just thoughtful.
They lay on the wide bed like they used to back home, their gowns wrinkling, feet bare now. Amelia played absently with Riella's hair, the way she did when they were younger.
"I saw them," amela said quietly. "The men who destroyed our homes and took us from our family. Their faces. They didn't look like soldiers from the capital. They looked like they enjoyed what they were doing."
Riella nodded slowly. "Kael mentioned someone named Leonardo."
Amelia frowned. "Leonardo…"
"I've heard the name before," Riella added, her voice low. "Chloe mentioned him. Something about being a general's brother."
They both stared up at the ceiling, the marble pattern swirling faintly in the golden light.
"Do you think he's behind what happened to your mom?" Amelia asked softly.
"I don't know." Riella blinked slowly. "But if he is… I'll find out."
Their fingers brushed, and for a moment, they just breathed.