Miyara's POV
Ayame had finally grown into having this way of appearing right when I didn't want anyone to see me. Like some overenthusiastic shadow tracking my every move. She leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed, smirk on her face. "You're not going to storm the palace all by yourself, are you?"
I rubbed my temples. "Depends. Are you planning to stop me?"
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Not stop. Maybe even make sure you don't get yourself killed before lunch."
I groaned. "I don't need a babysitter."
"You do if you plan to survive a day around Rikuya."
My stomach twisted. I remembered the name. Rikuya. The prince. He was infamous. Rumor had it he killed one of his servants in cold blood. That memory hit me like a brick. If I step into this palace, will I be the next unlucky servant? Apparently this servant gets killed few days before my death. I was already going through a lot there was not much time for me to remember all of this. But why is she talking about entering the palace though Rikuya? Is this what I'm thinking it is.
Ayame seemed to notice the change in my face. "What?"
"Nothing," I said too quickly, shaking my head. Nothing, except the fact that I might literally be walking into a death trap. But hey, we all take risks for glory, right?
She tilted her head, studying me. "You remember him."
I forced a tight smile. "Of course. I wouldn't forget a man with that kind of reputation. He's… memorable." Understatement of the year. Memorable doesn't even scratch it. Terrifying, murderous, maybe cursed definitely the type of person I should avoid like plague. Wait…
"Plague," Ayame said suddenly, like she read my mind. "That's why you're thinking he's cursed."
I flinched. "I… was considering precautions. That's all."
"Precautions?" She crossed her arms, brow raised. "You mean the fake plague idea."
I froze. She knows. "Yes. The fake plague. It's the only way we can get a pass without standing in a line with a thousand other idiots who want to risk their necks just to be near him."
She laughed. "Hold on, don't tell me he's the reason you want to get into the palace, there's this ceremony to select a few maids for him. His personal maids as I don't get why people will risk their lives for him but since we're doing this together. You and me."
"Yes… finally, I knew you were as smart as you looked" I muttered. "As long as you don't get in the way." And don't make me spill why I really need to be there.
Ayame's grin widened. "I can handle a little chaos. Lead the way."
We moved through the streets, careful to stay out of sight. I could feel the tension coil in me with every step. Palace guards, servants, courtiers… one wrong move and it's over. And worst of all, my body isn't mine. Miyara's body might be softer, smaller, but it's also weaker. I can't afford a slip.
Ayame jabbed me lightly in the ribs. "You're tense. Loosen up, you look like you're about to fight a dragon or confess some terrible secret."
I gave her a look sharp enough to cut glass.
Exactly sis, your fucking looking at one.
"I'm focused don't worry."
"Focused, right." She didn't look convinced. "So tell me again why this is so urgent. You keep avoiding the real reason."
I ignored her, keeping my eyes on the marketplace ahead. But my mind raced. The queen. My body. If I can get close to the prince, maybe I can find out if she's still alive. Maybe I can stop it.
Ayame huffed, stepping closer. "You can't just keep dodging me forever. You want palace work? Fine. But if you freeze up in front of him, I'm laughing."
"I won't freeze," I muttered. I can't afford to freeze. Not now.
She smirked. "Good. Because you're going to need every ounce of courage you've got. Only four servants will be selected. Four out of a thousand. If you want to survive, you better hope he notices something in you that the others don't have."
I swallowed hard. Four out of a thousand. Great. So, basically, I'm fighting fate and odds stacked like bricks. And still, I can't let this chance pass. Not for anything. Not for anyone.
"Four?" I asked, voice tighter than intended. "Only four?"
"Yes. His personal maids. The ones who actually work with him." Ayame's eyes glinted. "Do you have any idea how many people are applying?"
I shook my head. "I don't even want to imagine." Hundreds? Thousands? And I'm just one pawn in this whole game. But if there's a way to find my real self, I have to be the one he picks. I have to.
She gave me a look that was almost fond, almost mocking. "Well, good luck, Miyara. You'll need it."
I bit my lip. "Luck isn't enough."
We moved to the district that issued the passes, weaving through crowded streets. The chaos around us reminded me just how small we were, how easy it would be to be crushed or ignored. My fingers flexed at my sides. No. I can't even afford it, not going to be ignored. Not today.
Ayame nudged me. "You're quiet. Planning your strategy?"
I gave her a look. "Something like that." I can't fail. I can't let this opportunity slip through my fingers. This is my way in. The palace, the prince, the answers… I'm taking it.
We reached the building, crowded with applicants and servants. Everyone was shoving forward, shouting for attention, waving papers, making sure they were noticed. I could hear the panic and greed in their voices, feel it pressing against me like a wall, old me would never go through this, but we gotta live.
Ayame whispered, "Ready?"
I inhaled, nodding. Ready as I'll ever be.
The line moved slowly. And in a few days, one of them will be chosen. Four of them. Not me, unless I make it count.
I peeked at the officials checking papers. My stomach twisted. If the prince killed one of his servants already, this could be a death trap. And if he hadn't, I could still be one, I wished I studied more about this prince. But if I don't do this, I won't know if my real body in the queen is still alive and if I can save her. There's no other way. I have to risk it.
Ayame leaned closer. "You look like you're about to faint."
"Don't," I muttered.
Her grin was sharp. "Good. Because only the ones who look fearless get noticed. Not me, not you. Fearless. That's the ticket, okay?."
I clenched my fists. Then fearless it is. "Didn't think you could be this helpful, by the way will you audition too?"
"Of course, if you don't get in at least let me, one of us finna accomplish your so called plan."
And as we stepped toward the registration desk, a shadow passed at the corner of my vision. I froze but I ignored it. Ayame's voice was beside me. "You okay?"
I forced a nod. "Fine." No, I'm not fine. Not by a long shot. But if I don't play this right, I'll never know. I'll never fix what's broken.
The officials called out names, and the crush of the crowd pressed in. Applicants shouted, elbowing each other, showing off talents, making faces, doing everything to get noticed.
I exhaled slowly. It doesn't matter what anyone else does. I only need one thing attention. One look, one chance, one opening. That's all it takes. And I'm not letting it slip.
And then I and Ayame had made the plan, I pushed her against the table with all the plagues and then a few others hit each other and fights began I was able to slip in two plagues to my pockets and we continued fighting each other, this gs were going well but damn this weak body, I recieved a couple slaps and punches. But there w
as one more problem, I didn't even know what Werewolf class this body or my sister belonged to.