The grass rustled beneath the claws of peacocks and peahens as they moved gracefully across the open garden.
One peacock stood by the fountain, lowering its head to drink.
Another lingered beneath the falling stream, letting the water cascade over its feathers before stepping out onto the lush green grass.
It spread its vibrant plumage wide, shaking its wings, sending droplets scattering into the air.
"Beautiful…" Zarah murmured, her eyes filled with wonder.
A few droplets landed on her skin, cool against her warmth, drawing a soft laugh from her lips.
Ines watched her.
The way she laughed—
the way the water caught in her hair—
"…Beautiful indeed," she said quietly.
Zarah didn't notice.
Her gaze remained fixed on the peacock as it approached a peahen, spreading its feathers proudly and letting out a loud, piercing call.
She tilted her head slightly.
"That's a mating call," Ines said from beside her.
Zarah nodded slowly, still watching.
"I know… but it sounds rather…" she trailed off, searching for the right word.
"Coarse?" Ines offered, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
"Beautiful things often have… ugly sides."
Her gaze, however, was no longer on the peacock.
It rested on Zarah.
Her hand reached out, taking Zarah's, her thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.
Zarah finally turned toward her.
"Just because it sounds unpleasant doesn't mean it's ugly," she said softly. "Maybe… in their language, it's something beautiful."
Ines let out a quiet huff of amusement.
"That's quite the theory."
"Maybe it is," Zarah replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "Or maybe it's the truth. We wouldn't know… we aren't part of their world."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
And yet—
they felt like they meant something more.
Ines's fingers tightened slightly around hers.
"You're right," she said, her gaze unwavering. "Only those involved can truly decide what is beautiful… and what is not."
Zarah felt a shiver run through her.
But she didn't look away.
Instead, her fingers curled more firmly around Ines's hand.
"I don't think Your Majesty is speaking about peacocks anymore," she said, hesitant but certain.
Ines hummed, tilting her head as she leaned closer.
"You think so?" she asked, her voice low.
Zarah's breath caught.
Her gaze locked onto Ines's eyes, deep blue, like the sea,
and she felt herself sinking.
Her thoughts scattered.
Her words failed her.
Ines said nothing.
Her free hand lifted, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind Zarah's ear, her eyes never leaving hers.
Just as Ines was about to lean in and close the distance, a sharp, piercing cry broke the air.
Zarah turned her head, and to her amusement, another peacock had strutted up to the peahen, its colorful, lustrous feathers fanned wide.
Ines froze mid-motion.
Irritation flickered through her as Zarah's attention shifted at the very moment she had leaned in.
Her gaze darkened as it settled on the offending bird.
'These damn creatures…'
How dare they get in her way?
Unbelievable.
"Your Majesty!" Zarah called, newfound excitement lighting her voice as she pointed at the intruding peacock, now standing far too close to the peahen.
Ines exhaled slowly, raising a brow.
At least one of them still had energy.
"Yes, Zarah?" she replied, her tone curious as she followed her gaze.
"He's trying to steal Ron's spouse!" Zarah said, with the enthusiasm of a child seeing snow for the first time.
Ines blinked.
"Pardon?" A faint crease formed between her brows. "Who is… Ron? And why is his spouse being stolen?"
Zarah shook her head slightly, pointing at the first peacock. "That's Ron."
Ines looked even more baffled.
In twelve years of being Empress, no one had ever managed to unsettle her quite like this.
A breathless chuckle escaped her.
"Oh? He's Ron?" A smile spread across her face. "And pray tell, why is he named Ron?"
"Because that's the first name that came to mind," Zarah replied confidently.
Ines shook her head.
"You're ridiculous," she said, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
Her eyes then drifted toward the peahen and the other peacock.
"But I believe Ron's spouse isn't being stolen," she remarked.
Zarah followed her gaze. "Well, he is giving her a mating call," she pointed out.
"And she's not accepting," Ines replied, lifting a finger to indicate the peahen. "Look, she's going over to Ron."
Zarah watched as the peahen turned her back on the other peacock and strutted toward the one she had named Ron.
The peacock—Ron—stepped forward suddenly.
Zarah's eyes widened in amusement as he pecked sharply at the other peacock's head.
She gasped.
"What?" Ines asked from beside her, entirely unbothered. "He was bothering his spouse. Ron did the right thing, chasing him away," she said, a note of pride in her voice.
Zarah stared at her for a moment, then laughed.
"Well, Your Majesty is right. He did deserve that," she agreed.
Ines raised a brow. "Are you suggesting I'm ever wrong?" she teased.
Zarah waved her hand quickly. "No, no, Your Majesty is always right. My phrasing was poor," she said with a smile.
The Empress wasn't that bad.
In fact… she wasn't bad at all.
Zarah's smile softened as her hand tightened slightly around Ines's.
Ines hummed, thoughtful. "Good choice," she said.
Then her gaze lifted to the setting sun, as the peacocks and peahens began calling into the evening air.
"We should start heading back," Ines said quietly.
Zarah followed her gaze, looking up at the fading light. "Yes, Your Majesty."
They began walking back together.
After a moment Ines slowed slightly, just for a moment.
She glanced over her shoulder, "Zarah, you need not come to my chambers tonight. Take some rest, come tomorrow night, understood?" Her voice was almost gentle.
Then she turned her back and started walking again.
Zarah nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
Her eyes lingered on Ines's back as they walked.
Ines was telling her to rest… and summoning her tomorrow night.
'So… she did care.'
And for some reason, that thought made Zarah's lips curl into a quiet smile.
Glass shattered across the floor as Melody swiped her hand across the dressing table, sending everything crashing down.
"Unbelievable," she hissed.
She paced the room, fury radiating off her in waves. A maid—Susan—stood to the side, head bowed, trembling.
"Presence detection?" Melody snapped, turning sharply. "What kind of nonsense is that? Why was I not informed of such magic?" She jabbed a finger into Susan's chest.
Susan flinched. "My lady… I—we… maids don't—"
The slap came fast.
A sharp crack echoed through the room.
Susan staggered, a cry escaping her lips as tears welled instantly in her eyes.
"Then what do you know?" Melody demanded, her voice low and dangerous.
"I—I'm sorry…" Susan whimpered, clutching her cheek as her shoulders shook.
Melody raised her hand again—
—but it stilled midair.
A pair of hands settled on her shoulders, firm and grounding, slowly massaging the tension away.
Melody froze.
"Come now," a deep voice murmured behind her, calm and composed, "don't be so angry, Melody. Mistakes happen… especially from such lowborn maids."
A voice she would recognize even in her sleep.
She turned her head—
—and met piercing blue eyes.
Grand Duke Alexander.
A smile spread across her lips, her fury dissolving almost instantly as she turned to face him fully.
"Your Grace?" Melody's voice softened in surprise. "You're here?" Her head tilted slightly, her anger all but gone.
Alexander rested a hand on her head, patting lightly, almost fondly.
"The first two plans failed," he said, a faint smile on his lips, one that never reached his eyes. "So I came myself to ensure the third succeeds."
Melody frowned. "I thought you were banned from entering the palace—"
His expression darkened.
Without warning, his hand twisted into her hair, yanking sharply.
Melody gasped, her body jolting.
"It's my brother's death anniversary in two weeks," he said coldly. "During this time, I am permitted to visit."
"Your Grace…" she winced.
Alexander's grip tightened for a moment before he shoved her away.
"You're a noble, Melody," he said, his voice low and cutting. "Do not ask questions like a gossiping maid."
Melody stumbled back, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress as she struggled to steady her breathing.
She could endure this.
She had to.
This was her place.
"I've brought the poison," Alexander continued, as if nothing had happened.
Melody forced herself to look up.
"Do not disappoint me again," he said. "At Augustus's death anniversary banquet, Lady Marceline Peirce must be dead. Understood?"
Her fingers clenched.
"Yes… Your Grace."
"As long as Marceline stands, the noble houses will not bend," he went on. "Remove her, and the rest will follow."
He turned toward the door.
"I'll take my leave. Being seen with you would raise unnecessary suspicion."
He paused only briefly, glancing back at her.
"To think she's truly from Zepher…" he muttered. "No foresight. The Goddess's blessing wasted… and still unable to gain Ines's attention."
A faint scoff.
"Useless."
Then he was gone.
Silence filled the room.
Melody's fingers dug into her skirt, trembling.
Susan stepped forward hesitantly. "Are you alright, my la—"
The slap rang out again.
"I don't need your sympathy," Melody snapped.
She turned away.
"Clean this."
"…Yes, my lady," Susan whispered.