Evelyn didn’t know how it had happened, or what kind of sorcery had been involved, but just as the abbot had said, she survived.

They survives. She and Kayla.

Not through strength, nor through some grand confrontation or divine miracle, but through coincidence and other people’s carelessness.

Earlier, the Outer Court Inspection Hall had been vast, solemn, and oppressive in the way only government buildings could be. Thick wooden pillars carved with dragons and cloud motifs rose high into the ceiling, their shadows stretching across the polished stone floor.

The air smelled faintly of ink, old parchment, and incense. A scent that spoke of authority, judgment, and records that could decide a person’s fate.

Evelyn stood at the entrance. Her face was hidden beneath the veil, just as Kayla had instructed.

Despite her calm appearance, her heart beat fast. She remembered the abbot’s words.

Today, you will survive.

She didn’t know what ‘survive’ meant in this context, humiliation, punishment, expulsion, or something worse. But her instincts told her this inspection mattered more than it appeared.

Servants passed by, some whispering, some casting curious glances at the veiled. Finally, a young official motioned her inside.

The inspection chamber was smaller but no less imposing, rows of desks, scroll racks lining the walls, and a raised platform at the front where the head inspector was meant to sit.

But the chair was empty. Instead, a cluster of young disciples hovered near the front, whispering among themselves.

One of them, a boy no older than nineteen, sighed loudly.

“The master had a sudden stomach illness,” he said with irritation.

“Left in a hurry.”                             

Another rolled his eyes.

“Again? I bet he ate too much spicy food last night. I told him not to mix wine with pickled fish.”

A third yawned.

“So what about the servant inspection? Do we have to handle it?”

“Ugh… it’s just one servant, right? The princess’s new one.”

They all turned to look at Evelyn, who wave at them, smiled and bowed respectfully.

None of them bowed back.

“They said, she’s mute,” one said flatly

“Only does sign language.”

Another scoffed.

“Great. That means more work.”

They exchanged glances, clearly uninterested.

“Tell her to sit,” one said.

“We’ll deal with her later.”

Evelyn blinked, and followed the instruction silently, sitting at the edge of the chamber on a small wooden stool, hands folded neatly in her lap.

Minutes passed, then half an hour, until it turn to two hours. The disciples talked among themselves, drank tea, shuffled papers, and argued over who had forgotten to refill the ink stone. Not once did they look her way.

At first, Evelyn remained alert, and cautious, but seeing how those young disciples seemed to ignore her and just doing what they want even after an hour passed. She became confused, and finally… bored.

She sat there quietly, unmoving, veil hiding her face, posture flawless, the picture of obedience. But inside, her thoughts ran in circles.

Are they going to inspect me at all?
Is this a test?
Are they deliberately ignoring me?
Is this some palace trick?

She considered standing up and gesturing, but remembered Kayla’s warning.

Never draw attention unnecessarily.

So she stayed still.

Time dragged, her legs slowly went numb, and her back began to ache, at some point her stomach growled softly. She hadn’t eaten much breakfast this morning due to nerves.

The room grew quieter. Two of the disciples left. One dozed off. Another leaned against the desk, bored out of his mind.

Finally, after what felt like half the morning, one of them glanced in Evelyn’s direction.

“Oh. Right,” he said lazily.

“She’s still here.”

Another young officials sighed.

“Let’s just file the report.”

“But we didn’t inspect her,” someone pointed out.

“So?” the first man shrugged.

“She’s just a servant. And she’s mute. What’s she going to do, complain?”

They all laughed.

One of them grabbed a blank inspection scroll and began writing without so much as looking at Evelyn.

“Servant appears physically healthy,” he muttered as his brush moved quickly.

“Proper attire. Respectful demeanor. No signs of misconduct.”

“Good enough,” another said.

“Submit it.”

Evelyn, listening from behind her veil, couldn’t help but widen her eyes slightly.

That’s it?
They’re just writing it… and dismissing me?

All that tension, for nothing?

She exhaled slowly, relief loosening the tight knot in her chest.

One of the officials stood and waved a hand impatiently.

“You can go.”

Evelyn hesitated only a moment before standing, bowing deeply, and leaving the chamber.

Her steps were steady, but her heart pounded.

Is this real?

Was the abbot truly legit?

How could he be so certain? Does he… see the future?

She shook her head, cutting off the spiral of thoughts. This wasn’t a fantasy written by ink and imagination.

This was real world.

…Wasn’t it?         

Evelyn released a sharp breath and focused forward, forcing her mind to stop wandering as she passed through the heavy wooden doors. Sunlight spilled over her face, warm, and bright. A stark contrast to the suffocating stillness inside.

She inhaled deeply.

And for the first time that day, she felt… light.

She descended the stone steps at an unhurried pace until she spotted a familiar figure beneath the shade of an old oak tree in the courtyard.

Kayla.

Her younger sister sat gracefully at a small table, a porcelain teacup resting in her hand. Her posture was elegant, calm, entirely unlike someone waiting for the results of a palace inspection that could decide her servant’s fate.

Yen Momo stood nearby, speaking quietly with another palace maid.

Evelyn approached and stopped at a respectful distance. She bowed deeply, performing the proper servant’s greeting.

Kayla set down her teacup and looked up.

Their eyes met.

She smiled genuinely, visibly relieved.

She stood, walked over, and placed a hand lightly on Evelyn’s shoulder.

“You did well,” she said softly.

Evelyn blinked.

Her mind replayed the scene in the inspection hall, and she raised her hands to sign.

“I did nothing. They didn’t inspect me at all. Those people inside were just lazy.”

Kayla’s smile shifted, subtle, knowing, and almost mischievous.

Evelyn froze, an understanding dawned at her.

She remembered the sudden illness of the head inspector. The disciples’ carelessness. The effortless approval.

Her gaze sharpened, and signed discreetly,

“You arranged this?”

Kayla’s lips curved upward in a small, proud smile.

She didn’t deny it.

After arriving in this place, Kayla had made it her priority to understand exactly where she had landed. On the second day after awakening in this world, she had begun asking careful questions, about the palace, its systems, the body her soul now inhabited, and the people who truly held power.

That was when she discovered the truth.

The officials who worked in government were either lazy or grossly irresponsible, especially in the Outer Court Inspection Hall. While the head inspector himself was known to be strict and diligent, his disciples were the complete opposite: sly, negligent, and easily tempted.

So before the next inspection day arrived, Kayla improvised.

She discreetly bribed a few palace servants, those who would do anything for enough silver, and asked for a small favor in return.

Nothing dramatic. Just enough to ensure a ‘positive outcome.’

Evelyn stared at her, piecing everything together until her mind recalled what the young officials had mentioned earlier, about their master suffering from an upset stomach.

Her lips twitched, and signed,
“You little rascal… you did something to their food the other day, didn’t you?”

Kayla lifted her chin slightly, unapologetic.

“Survival is also a skill,” she signed back calmly.

Yen Momo, watching their silent exchange, frowned in confusion.

“What is she saying to you, Your Highness?” she asked.

Kayla merely smiled.

“Nothing important.” She said, and Evelyn nodded.

“Let’s go,” Kayla command, her tone shifting as she turned toward the inner palace. The Emperor’s domain. The Inner Court.