She put all three books away and decided she would think about them- and the conversation she'd overheard- later. Right now she needed to get out of the library but leave the door locked.

She went back to the window by the cabinet. Even with her candle, it was difficult to see what was below. It would be a dangerous drop since she was on the second floor, but what choice did she have?

She tucked the folder more snuggly into the hem of her underskirt, and then unlatched the window and opened it. Hopefully no one would notice that. The breeze filtered in as she carefully unpinned the net and then opened the second layer of glass.

She sat on the sill for a moment, staring at the ground below, and then took a deep breath, readying herself to jump. But even the thought of jumping made her feel so dizzy that she pulled herself back in. That wouldn't work.

The door opened and she jumped. Hide? Jump out the window? Make a run for it?

"Are you in here!?" came a whispered yell.

Claud.

"Here!" she whispered in response. She hurried to the door and let him in. He was standing out in the hall, shielding the candle he held so no one would see it.

He stepped into the room and Farryn locked the door. "I thought I might find you h-" "Did he tell you about the letter?" she asked. He took a step back. "Yes, but-" "What did it say!" "Stop interrupting!" he snapped, and Farryn fell quiet. It was just the stupid kitchen boy, but she couldn't help the chill that ran up her arms when he said that. Stop interrupting! Stop looking at me, you stupid girl!

"I couldn't get a thing out of him," Claud admitted. "He was too drunk by the time I got there. Susie broke off the engagement again." Farryn rubbed her temples. "I found her file. Her name was Liviana. Why did you tell me it was an M name?" "Because he would call her an M name," Claud said.

"He? The heir?" he fell silent, and Farryn stared at him. "You seem to know a lot about-" "Do you need my help, or can I leave?" He was red in the face, obviously looking for a way to escape her questions. "What did you know about the heir, Claud?" "Nothing. And I don't have to tell you anything.... I don't even know your name!" "Felicia," she said. She stepped closer, closing the space between them. "What do you know about the heir, Claud? What do you know about Nevan?"

Claud's only response was a blank stare. "I know nothing." "Did you know that she was in a relationship with him?" "I don't know what you're talking about." he flailed for the doorknob, but Farryn stuck her foot in front of the door, so he couldn't open it without shoving her. "Answer the question."

She didn't know what he was hiding, but if it would help her find Liviana she was going to find out.

"Lord Trison was my friend." Claud finally said. "He talked about her once." "Your friend?" Someone like Nevan Trison, heir to the Trison estate and all of their land and serfs, would not be friends with a kitchen boy. "I don't believe you."

"Well, you should. Because it's the truth." he stared at the floor, and Farryn moved her foot, releasing him from the corner. "We can't go out through the door," she told him. "Lady Trison locked it, so it will be suspicious if it's open in the morning." "Then we can just head out the window," he said. Farryn resisted the urge to ask if he didn't think she'd thought of that.

He hopped out easily, pushing himself off the sill and plummeting into the dark below. Farryn waited for him to yell out, but he didn't. "Claud?" she called, worried he was dead. "Jump!" he said.

Farryn put out her candle and then put Claud's to the side. She sat on the sill again. Tried not to look down. It didn't work.

"Are you scared?" he called up to her. "Hurry! The guards will come this way soon." "Give me a-" a wave of nausea stopped her. "minute..."

She sucked in a deep breath. "Felicia! You have to jump!" "I can't! Give me-" "Jump! I'll catch you!" Catch her!? She could hardly even see him, and she definitely didn't trust him.

She slipped herself off the sill as she exhaled. In a moment she was plummeting through the dark, wind whipping at her face. She was going too fast to scream, so her mouth was half open when she hit the ground.

Her bottom hurt, but apart from that she seemed to be fine.

"Ugh!"

Farryn scrambled away from Claud. "I said I'd catch you, not that you could knock me over!" he complained. Farryn didn't respond. She was embarrassed it had taken her so long. "Come on. The guards will be here any moment." Claud said. He gestured for her to follow him through the dark.

The door to the kitchen was thankfully open, and Farryn hurried to her room. Iris hadn't left her a candle, but she still tried to read Liviana's file. It was much too dark though, so she tucked it underneath her mattress and tried to get some sleep.

The next morning Farryn felt a tap on her face and suddenly she was paralyzed with fear. Oh no. I'm late. Serval hated it when she was late. Serval would-

But it was just Iris, stooped over her, staring down. Her hand rested on Farryn's forehead. "You're sick." she declared. Farryn groaned, tried to speak, but she found Iris was right. Her throat felt like sandpaper and her head was spinning. Her travels were finally catching up to her.

"I'll have a bowl of soup sent to you," Iris said, frowning. "I needed the help today..." she muttered. "I'll... get dressed," Farryn mumbled, but Iris shook her head. "I'm not having you get the triplets sick. Or me."

So she disappeared, leaving the door open. Farryn pulled her blanket under her chin. She stared at the ceiling. She was allowed to be sick here. Being sick at Serval's...

The wave of guilt came as Iris entered the room, and she looked alarmed to see the tears streaming down Farryn's face. "Oh dear." she set down the bowl of soup and reached for Farryn, but Farryn backed away. "Don't touch me." She choked out through the tears. "Don't touch me!"

Iris stared at her a moment, then nodded. "I'll shut the door." Farryn could hardly hear her, she was shaking so hard. She could hear her own heart. Saints, was it beating too fast? Too slow? How long had it been? Was she dead yet?

Everyone is going to die. Everyone will die and it's all your fault.

Rin was sitting in front of her. Staring at her. Rin with her beautiful dark hair and her mother's smile. "Get out!" she screamed at her, but Rin didn't move. She stared at her. "I'm sorry!" she sobbed.

Her mother, standing behind Rin. Smiling. "I'm sorry!" she cried louder. How many 'sorry's had she said? To Serval. I'm sorry for killing your daughter. To her mother. I'm sorry for killing you.

To her sister. I'm sorry for leaving you behind.