Star stared at the note in his hand, the paper crinkling under his fingers. "Meet me midnight... gardens. Truth awaits. -M" His heart thumped loud in the quiet room. Mira... the rebel. How did she escape? Or was this a trap? He paced back and forth, the fancy rug muffling his steps. The palace clock ticked away... hours till midnight. Part of him wanted to crumple the note and tell Elandor. But another part... the curious, doubting part... whispered to go. What if she had real proof? What if the king was hiding more?
He flopped onto the bed, mind racing. The etiquette lessons earlier... Elandor's hand on his, that spark... it felt good. Too good. Made him question running. But Varyn's threat last night? That slimeball spying? And now this note. The palace was full of secrets... like a nest of rats.
A soft knock snapped him out of it. "Star? It's Lila... with your evening tea."
"Come in," he called, stuffing the note under a pillow.
Lila entered, tray in hand... steaming cup, biscuits that smelled sweet. She set it down, her curly hair bouncing. "You look tense... bad day?"
Star sighed, grabbing a biscuit. Crumbly... delicious. "Yeah... lessons were a nightmare. And... stuff."
She glanced around, lowering her voice. "Stuff like what? I hear things... servants talk."
Star eyed her. She seemed nice... warned him about Varyn before. Maybe trust her a bit? "Okay... but swear you won't tell. I got a note... from Mira. The rebel."
Lila's eyes went wide. "Mira? She's bad news... but sneaky. Escaped the dungeons this morning... guards are furious. What'd the note say?"
"Meet at midnight... gardens. For truth."
Lila bit her lip. "Dangerous... but if you go, be careful. The halls whisper all sorts of plots these days."
"Whispers?" Star leaned in. "Like what?"
She hesitated, then sat on the edge of the bed... like a friend gossiping. "Rumors everywhere. Why a farmer as consort? Some say the king's gone mad... others think it's a prophecy play. But the bad ones... nobles plotting against you. I overheard Lord Varyn in the east wing today... talking to his cronies."
Star's stomach twisted. "What'd he say?"
Lila mimicked a snooty voice. "That peasant won't last... we'll make sure. Accidents happen in palaces." She shivered. "He's got spies... even among servants. Wants you out so his nephew takes the spot."
Star clenched his fists. "Bastard... I knew he was slimy. Any more?"
"Yeah... something about rebels. Varyn might be linked... feeding them info to stir trouble. Makes the king look weak. And you? You're the weak link in their eyes."
Star stood, anger bubbling. "I need to know more. Can you... help? Show me around? Ears to the walls or something?"
Lila nodded slowly. "Okay... but risky. Follow me... quiet-like. We'll listen in the halls."
They slipped out, Star in his simple tunic... blending a bit. The palace at night was eerie... lanterns flickering, shadows long. Lila led him through servant passages... narrow, dusty. "This way... nobles think we're invisible."
They crept to a grate overlooking a fancy hall. Voices floated up... posh accents.
"...the farmer boy? A joke!" a woman laughed. "King's slumming it... must be desperate."
A man replied... deep voice. "Varyn says wait... he'll handle it. Poisoned chalice maybe... or a 'fall' from the towers."
Star's blood ran cold. Poison? Falls? He glanced at Lila... her face pale.
Another voice... "And the prophecy? If the consort's key... removing him could topple everything."
"Or start the war we want," the first man said. "Rebels are ready... borders boiling."
Lila tugged Star's sleeve. "Enough... let's go."
Back in his room, Star paced again. "They're plotting murder? For real?"
Lila nodded. "Palace secrets... deep and dark. The king's good... but blind to some. His father's death? Not just poison... whispers say Varyn helped."
Star's eyes widened. "Varyn? Proof?"
"No... just talk. But watch your food... your steps. I'll keep ears open... ally with you."
"Thanks," Star said, grateful. "You're the only normal one here."
She smiled shyly. "Us common folk stick together." She left, promising more info tomorrow.
Alone, Star checked the clock... almost midnight. Go or not? The whispers fueled his doubt. Elandor seemed genuine... but what if? He grabbed a cloak from the wardrobe... dark, hooded. Sneaked out, heart pounding.
The gardens were moonlit... flowers silver, paths winding. He hid behind a bush, waiting. Rustle... Mira emerged, cloaked.
"You came," she whispered, eyes sharp. "Brave... or stupid."
"Truth," Star said. "Give it."
She handed a small pouch. "Documents... stolen from Varyn's chambers. Shows he's colluding with border enemies... and the king knows bits, but not all."
Star peeked inside... letters, seals. "Why give me?"
"You're the key," Mira said. "Prophecy says the consort unveils. Join us... or at least expose Varyn."
Before Star could answer, footsteps. Guards? "Go!" Mira hissed, vanishing into shadows.
Star stuffed the pouch in his cloak, bolting back. Halls empty... but whispers seemed louder now. He made it to his room, barring the door.
Panting, he read the papers by candlelight. Deals... bribes... plans to weaken the king. Varyn's signature. Real?
A knock... soft. "Star? It's me." Elandor.
Star hid the pouch quick. Opened the door. The king slipped in, worried. "Heard you were out... guards saw movement."
"Just... fresh air," Star lied, guilt twisting.
Elandor pulled him close... hug warm. "Be careful... I can't lose you."
Star melted a bit... that spark again. But the papers burned in his mind. Ally with Mira? Tell the king? The whispers grew... secrets piling up.
Outside, Varyn lurked in halls. "The boy wanders... time to act."