Leena sat cross‑legged on the narrow bed, the Arabic medical book her father had gifted her resting open in her lap. Her fingers traced the faded ink of its diagrams, but her mind refused to focus.

Beside her, Maya stirred awake with a groggy moan.
Leena glanced down at her maid—pale, hair still damp from the river incident.

"You're awake?" Leena whispered.

Maya yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Mm… Where are we? Oh… the palace…" Her voice trembled. "Leena… are we really staying here?"

Leena hesitated.
"Do you think we'll ever… go home?" she murmured, almost to herself.

Maya pushed herself up weakly, clutching her blanket.
"I don't know… But that prince…" She hesitated. "He's strange. He's polite, yes… but he watches you like he's… studying you."

Leena's lips tightened.
"I feel it too. He's… hiding something. Or maybe he suspects something about us."

The silence stretched between them, heavy and uncertain.
Finally, Leena rose, brushing her veil back over her hair.

"I need air. I won't go far—just to the garden."

"Leena…" Maya reached for her sleeve, worry clouding her tired eyes.

"I'll be fine," she said gently, forcing a smile. "Rest. I'll be back soon."

Lotus ponds reflected the lantern light, and the night‑blooming flowers perfumed the air. Crickets chirped softly from the bamboo grove.

Leena inhaled deeply, letting the calm settle into her chest.
So beautiful… and yet it feels like someone is always watching me.

A faint whisper of footsteps broke the night.
Leena froze.
Slow, careful… like someone tailing her.

Her heart skipped.
Is it him? The prince? Or… someone else?

A young servant girl appeared, balancing a basket of laundry.
She walked along the stone edge of the lotus pond—too close, too casual—until she reached Leena.

"Oh! P‑pardon, miss!" the girl squeaked as she stumbled forward—
Her hand shoved Leena's shoulder, not a gentle bump but a sharp, deliberate push.

Leena gasped, windmilling her arms to keep balance on the slick stone.

For a split second, she caught sight of a figure in the shadows—
The elder court physician, arms folded, his white beard glowing in the moonlight.
His cold, unblinking eyes met hers.

Leena's heart lurched.
He wants me gone.

Splash!

The pond swallowed her whole.
Her veil and silk robes billowed underwater, dragging her down.
She flailed, bubbles escaping her lips, lungs screaming for air.
The perfumed water turned icy against her skin.