{The Rot That Lingered In The Air}
The next morning arrived shyly.
The sun rose, but clouds veiled it in a thin silver mist, as though even the sky was uncertain of its welcome.
"It's good to finally see the sun again," Miss Sunshine declared brightly, clasping her hands together as she stepped into the courtyard.
"Barely," Mrs. Harper replied dryly, glancing upward at the reluctant light.
"I'm just happy Alissa is alright," Miss Sunshine added.
"That much is true."
The girls were soon gathered with woven baskets in hand, sent to the eastern gardens for berry picking.
Dew still clung to the leaves, soaking the hems of their dresses as they bent and plucked.
Gabriella straightened with a sigh, examining the berries staining her fingertips.
"Is this really a sport," she asked, "or just an elaborate excuse for an afternoon snack?"
"Both," Anastasia replied with a giggle, her laughter light and effortless.
By the time they finished, their baskets were brimming with crimson and violet fruit.
"Now we must return the berries to the kitchen," Miss Sunshine said cheerfully.
"The kitchen?" Luna stopped mid-step.
"Don't tell me we were tricked into picking berries for the cooks."
"That is correct," Miss Sunshine confirmed, her voice dripping like honey.
"The kitchen ran out of berries for the emperor's favorite pudding. In a way, you have all helped them keep their heads."
A few of the girls groaned. Servants hurried forward to relieve them of the heavy baskets.
Anastasia, however, did not move.
She steadied herself against a marble pillar, her vision swimming.
"Guinevere, are you alright?" Gabriella asked, concern softening her voice.
"I'm fine," she replied quickly. "Just… lightheaded."
"Let me take you to your room."
"There's no need. I'll manage."
Gabriella hesitated, then nodded. "If you insist."
Soon, Anastasia stood alone in the courtyard as the others dispersed.
Mrs. Harper's voice carried across the stone.
"We will be having a guest today. She is also a contestant who previously fell ill. The emperor has granted her another chance."
Miss Sunshine clasped her hands excitedly.
"His Majesty will host a welcome banquet tonight. Isn't that wonderful?"
Anastasia barely heard them.
Her hands—They were covered in blood.
She stared at them in horror. Thick, dark red. It dripped between her fingers.
Her breath quickened. She searched her arms, her sleeves, her body for wounds. There were none.
"Guinevere," Mrs. Harper called sharply.
Anastasia looked up in confusion.
Mrs. Harper's head was dangling in midair.
Not resting on her shoulders. Dangling.
Anastasia blinked. The image vanished.
"I'm hallucinating," she whispered to herself.
"Some people would do anything for attention," Luna scoffed from behind her.
"I'm sorry," Anastasia murmured, though she wasn't sure to whom.
"Return to your rooms," Miss Sunshine instructed.
"You must prepare for Princess Lilith's arrival."
Anastasia walked back slowly, each step heavier than the last.
Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. It felt as though something unseen stood just behind her shoulder, breathing.
"All I have to do," she whispered, gripping the edge of her vanity once inside her room, "is survive tonight's party."
Hannah helped her dress in pale silk.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Hannah asked softly while fastening the last clasp.
"Something is wrong with me…"
"Then do not attend. Tell the emperor you feel unwell."
Anastasia shook her head. "They would read too many meanings into it."
She inhaled deeply and stepped into the grand hall.
The scent hit her immediately.
Rot.
It coiled through the perfumed air like something invisible and decaying.
She moved swiftly to the balcony, gulping in the cool night air.
"Much better," she muttered.
"I see you're enjoying the party," Charles said as he approached.
"Did something die in there?" she asked flatly.
"I don't believe so."
"I smell something," she insisted. "It smells… dead. Like a corpse."
Charles frowned. "I'll have someone look into it."
He summoned a maid and whispered instructions. She bowed and disappeared.
The music slowed. A hush fell over the hall.
The doors opened.
A young woman entered, her hair black as coal, her posture graceful, almost rehearsed.
She walked toward Emperor Azriel, every step measured.
As she passed, the stench intensified.
Anastasia pressed her hand to her nose.
"Something reeks," she muttered.
Charles glanced at her, worry flickering across his face. "I'll return shortly."
Anastasia stepped outside again, fighting the nausea.
Inside, she could faintly hear Azriel delivering a speech welcoming the recovered princess back to court.
She didn't listen. When the speech ended, musicians began to play a soft, elegant tune.
She could not endure the smell any longer.
She turned to leave when Miss Sunshine intercepted her.
"Guinevere, could you help me deliver this bottle of wine to Princess Lilith?" she asked, holding out a delicately wrapped bottle.
"Wine?" Anastasia frowned.
"A welcome gift. I made it myself," Miss Sunshine explained quickly. "Mrs. Harper needs me to prepare tomorrow's lesson."
As if summoned by name, Mrs. Harper appeared. "Sunshine. Now."
Miss Sunshine handed the wine to Anastasia and was dragged away before she could protest.
Anastasia stared at the bottle in her hands.
She took a steadying breath and approached Princess Lilith.
The smell worsened with each step.
Lilith turned gracefully, a perfect smile placed upon her face. "Can I help you?"
"I was asked to give this to you," Anastasia said carefully.
She paused.
Behind Lilith, a tall mirror reflected the scene.
But in the mirror— The reflection was wrong.
The bottle slipped from her fingers.
It shattered loudly against the marble floor.
All eyes turned.
Lilith looked confused. "Is something wrong?"
Anastasia couldn't look away.
In the mirror stood not a princess—but a hideous beast.
Its skin was mottled and sagging, its mouth twisted unnaturally, its eyes hollow and wet.
"What are you?" Anastasia whispered in horror.
"Pardon?" Lilith asked, her smile faltering slightly.
Anastasia stepped back, gagging. "You're a monster."
"That is enough!" a booming voice roared.
Joshua, Lilith's father, stormed forward, fury blazing in his eyes.
"No wonder," Anastasia continued, her voice trembling but loud.
"You smell like a corpse. You drowned yourself in perfume to hide it—but it's still there. It's faint but there."
"This is an outrage!" Joshua thundered.
"Don't you smell it?" Anastasia cried desperately.
"Don't you smell that foul odor?"
"Here we go again," Luna muttered. "Seeking attention, Guinevere."
Rose hurried to Anastasia's side.
"That thing over there is a monster!" Anastasia insisted, pointing toward the mirror. "A disgusting monster—"
"That's enough," Rose said firmly, dragging her away.
"I would rather die than live under the same roof as that hideous beast!"
Outside, Anastasia bent over and vomited violently.
"I will not stay here," she gasped. "I would rather die than stay here with that thing."
Rose gripped her shoulders. "What is wrong with you?"
"That is not human," Anastasia said breathlessly. "It's a troll."
"I think you need rest."
"Don't make me feel like I'm crazy," Anastasia pleaded, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"I'm not crazy. You have to believe me."
"I'm trying," Rose said gently. "But she just arrived. She has already suffered much. I don't think she needs this."
Anastasia nodded slowly, broken.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Rose reached out, hesitated, then withdrew her hand. "Get some rest."
"Good night."
Rose left her alone in the corridor.
Anastasia stood there for a long moment, trembling.
Then her expression hardened.
"There's no way," she muttered under her breath, fury and fear intertwining. "There's no way I'm staying here."