Kairos groaned.
Not quietly.
He dragged a hand down his face, irritation cracking through his usual icy composure.
"You cannot simply barge into my courtroom after centuries of absence and overturn a trial."
His mother chuckled.
The sound was warm, amused, and dangerously calm.
"Oh, Kairos," she said, stepping forward, her crimson robes whispering against the marble.
"I didn't overturn anything. I merely reminded everyone whose throne this was before you warmed it with your brooding presence."
A ripple of stunned whispers passed through the nobles.
Kairos straightened. "You gave me the throne."
"And I can still take it back," she replied lightly. "But don't worry—I won't. Ruling bores me now.".
She turned away from him and faced Lena.
With a casual flick of her wrist, the chains binding Lena shattered, clattering uselessly to the floor.
Ashikai yelped in surprise and immediately scrambled closer to her.
Lena staggered slightly, then straightened, rubbing her wrists.
The woman approached her, eyes sharp and curious.
She lifted Lena's chin with two fingers, studying her face as one might examine a blade.
"So," she said, "what exactly is your offense, little spark?"
Lena swallowed—then lifted her chin defiantly. "I refused to bow to someone who slapped me and demanded worship."
The courtroom inhaled sharply.
Then the woman laughed..
A real laugh—rich and delighted.
"I like her," she announced.
Kairos scowled.
"Mother—"
She waved him off. "No. Listen."
She turned back to Lena
. "You have spirit. Poor judgment—but spirit nonetheless."
She pivoted toward Kairos. "Free her."
Kairos's eyes hardened. "No. She assaulted a foreign royal."
His mother rolled her eyes dramatically. "Esmeralda is a problem magnet with a crown complex. She attracts chaos and then blames others for stepping in it."
Several nobles shifted uncomfortably.
"She cannot walk free," Kairos insisted.
"Fine," his mother said easily. "Then she'll work."
Lena blinked. "Work?"
"Yes," the woman continued.
"She'll serve as a maid."
Kairos frowned. "In the palace?"
"Hardly." A mischievous glint lit the woman's eyes
. "She will tend the animal shed. And my rose garden—near the Shadow Grove."
Lena's jaw dropped. "The what?"
The woman shot her a sharp glare. "You want something better?"
Lena snapped her mouth shut and shook her head rapidly. "No. No, ma'am. This is—great."
Kairos's frown deepened. "You don't even allow me to enter your rose shed. Why would you permit a peasant?"
His mother turned slowly.
"Shut up," she said sweetly.
The word landed like a commandment.
"It is settled," she continued.
"And if Esmeralda complains, remind her she still has teeth."
With that, she turned and walked out, red robes trailing behind her like a closing curtain.
The courtroom exhaled.
By evening, Lena was being escorted across the palace grounds.
The maid head—a plump, cheerful woman named Madam Ilyra—walked beside her, chatting warmly.
"Don't worry, dear," Ilyra said kindly.
"The animal shed job sounds worse than it is."
Ashikai perched on Lena's shoulder, tail flicking skeptically.
"It sounds terrible," he muttered.
"You'll be feeding them, maintaining hygiene, and scooping droppings,"
Ilyra continued. "Simple work. Honest work."
Lena winced. "Droppings."
They reached the maid quarters—a long, sunlit building buzzing with quiet activity. Inside, Ilyra led Lena to a small shared room.
"You'll be rooming with Velvet," she said brightly.
A girl popped up immediately. "Hi! You must be new!"
She had soft curls, bright eyes, and a voice that never seemed to pause for breath.
"I'm Velvet," she continued. "I talk a lot. People say that's a flaw but I think silence is overrated—oh! Is that a fox?"
Ashikai bared his teeth.
"I am selective about acquaintances."
Velvet laughed. "He's cute."
"I don't like her," Ashikai muttered to Lena privately. "Bad feeling."
"She's sweet," Lena whispered back.
Velvet tried to pet Ashikai. He snapped gently in warning.
"I'll take that as a no,"
Velvet said cheerfully.
After changing into her maid uniform, Lena was escorted to the animal shed.
The smell hit her like a wall.
"Oh no," she whispered.
She barely made it to the bushes before throwing up.
Ashikai laughed so hard he nearly fell over.
"Welcome to your destiny!"
"Shut up," she groaned.
The shed was filthy. She spent hours scooping droppings, scrubbing floors, gagging repeatedly.
By the time she finished feeding the horses, chickens, cows, goats, and assorted creatures, she was exhausted beyond belief.
She collapsed onto the grass outside, staring up at the sky
Ashikai curled beside her.
"I went from red carpet to scooping… this," she muttered.
"You wished for it," Ashikai said smugly.
"I was being sarcastic!"
He laughed anyway.
They lay there, bickering softly, bonding in the quiet
Then footsteps crunched nearby.
Lena sat up.
Esmeralda stood before them, eyes glittering with malice.
"I'm here to get back at you," she said sweetly.
Lena's expression went flat.
Then slowly, she frowned.
And the roses near the Shadow Grove stirred.