The wheels of the carriage crossed the threshold of the Imperial Palace gates, rolling swiftly into the vast courtyard beyond.
As it advanced, the full grandeur of the palace revealed itself.
Zarah stared in awe at the structure ahead, its ivory walls and gilded towers gleaming beneath the golden light of the autumn afternoon.
"Like a fairytale," she whispered.
Beside her, Iris nodded, equally spellbound. "I… I don't even have the words to describe it," she admitted softly.
For once, even Celine had fallen silent. She simply watched through the window as the carriage moved forward, her usual sharpness replaced by quiet astonishment.
Melody, too, stared at the approaching palace.
And for the first time, she felt a thread of nervousness creep up her spine.
Her fingers tightened in the fabric of her skirt.
Focus.
She had a goal — and she would secure it.
There was no reason to feel intimidated… even if the palace was far grander than she had ever imagined.
As the wheels slowed and finally came to a stop before the palace steps, a uniformed attendant stepped forward. He opened the carriage door and extended his hand to assist the girls down.
Celine rose first, intending to step out—
—but Melody moved quicker.
With practiced grace, she placed her hand in the attendant's and descended from the carriage.
Celine followed after her, visibly displeased, though she swiftly reined in her expression.
Iris stepped down next, careful and composed.
At last, Zarah emerged.
Her eyes drank in the grandeur of the palace. They had not even stepped inside yet, but from the exterior alone she could already imagine the extravagance that awaited within.
A woman in an immaculate uniform approached them, her posture straight and expression composed. Two flower maidens from previous years followed a respectful step behind her.
She gave the four girls a curt nod.
"Greetings, flower maidens," she said evenly. "I am Linda, Head Maid of the Imperial Palace. I have been assigned to oversee your welcome."
A faint, professional smile curved her lips.
The four girls returned the nod respectfully.
Linda continued, her tone measured and composed, "Tonight, you will rest. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, Her Majesty the Empress will hold court. Before the assembled nobles, she will choose the flower maiden who will be honored… by sharing her bed."
Linda gestured gracefully with her hand, and the two older flower maidens stepped forward.
"Lady Zoya and Lady Alana will assist you with any questions you may have," she said. "The palace maids will escort you to your chambers and see that your luggage is properly settled."
Zarah immediately recognized them.
Zoya had been part of the first batch sent to Empress Ines.
Alana had followed in the previous year's selection.
Linda inclined her head once more. "Welcome to the Imperial Palace, ladies. From this day onward, I will be overseeing your service."
For reasons she could not quite name, Zarah felt a subtle shift in the air — as though the moment marked a line she could never step back across.
The girls nodded in acknowledgment.
With a final curt smile, Linda turned and departed.
As soon as Linda departed, Alana stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Girls," she greeted warmly, "how wonderful to see you all again."
Iris immediately rushed forward and hugged her. Alana laughed and patted Iris's head affectionately.
"Zarah, come on — get your head out of the clouds and give me a hug," she teased.
Zarah grinned and stepped into her embrace, nearly knocking Alana back a step as she chuckled.
Alana then glanced toward Celine and offered her a faint nod.
Celine, however, turned her face away.
"And Celine remains the same," Alana muttered under her breath.
Zarah and Iris exchanged a quiet look of exasperation.
Alana moved next to Melody and wrapped her in a polite hug, which Melody returned gracefully — though inwardly she groaned as the fabric of her dress wrinkled beneath the pressure.
Zarah raised her brows at Iris, who merely shook her head.
They had not even entered the palace yet. A little display of temperament could still be excused.
From the sidelines, Zoya watched in silence.
"All of you have grown so much…" she said softly at last. "It feels like only yesterday you were six years old. And now look at you — flower maidens. I can hardly recognize you."
Iris chuckled. "Well, maybe it's because when you were sent to the palace, we were only six. Of course you can hardly recognize us — it's been so long."
Zoya gave a faint nod. "Perhaps." Her gaze settled on Iris thoughtfully. "Though I could still tell you were Iris."
Iris blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"
Even Zarah found herself curious.
Melody listened quietly, pretending to share their interest.
Celine merely stepped a little closer, her eyes still wandering toward the far side of the palace grounds.
Alana shook her head, a knowing look crossing her face.
"Well," Zoya admitted at last, "I didn't. I made an educated guess. Alana called out to Zarah, so I knew who she was. And when Celine refused to hug her, Alana said her name." A faint smile tugged at her lips. "That left you… and the girl over there. She looked nothing like I remembered you, so I chose the most probable option."
"Knew it," Alana said dryly. "Senior Zoya has developed quite the talent for deduction."
Iris sighed dramatically. "I thought Senior Zoya had turned into a mind reader."
"Why?" Alana teased. "Whose mind are you hoping to read?"
"Probably yours. I need to learn all your skills," Iris shot back.
The girls shared a light laugh.
Celine glanced at them — then at Zoya.
It had been so long since she had last seen her. She wanted to speak to her.
Talking to one of the first flower maidens chosen by the Empress carried weight. And besides… Zoya wasn't her competition. She was older. Established. Experienced.
But just as Celine took a step forward, Melody's fingers wrapped around her arm.
"Celine," she said sweetly, "perhaps we should head to our rooms. It was such a long journey. You must be exhausted."
Celine looked at her.
As much as she wanted to stay, Melody wasn't wrong. The carriage ride had drained her.
"Yes… let's go," she agreed.
"You two are retiring already?" Alana asked, having overheard.
Melody offered her a gentle smile. "Yes. You know how… limited some people's social stamina can be." Her grip on Celine's arm tightened ever so slightly.
Celine turned to her, startled. "What do you mean?"
There had been something in that tone.
Was Melody mocking her?
No… that couldn't be right.
"Nothing, Celine," Melody said softly, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze. "I simply care about you."
Celine exhaled slowly.
Right.
Melody would never do something like that to her.
At Alana's signal, two maids stepped forward and collected Celine and Melody's luggage. Another pair of servants arrived, and Alana led them toward their assigned chambers.
Zoya watched them walk away.
"Is that the girl who was bought by the Madam?" she asked quietly. "The second one, I mean. You helped the first escape… along with several others from the brothel."
Zarah looked at her, surprised. "You've heard about that?"
Zoya gave a faint smile. "When new batches arrive, we make it a point to learn what became of the brothel. Whatever we hear… stays among us flower maidens."
Iris glanced at her carefully. "So you know about the escape?"
"And the punishments that followed," Zoya replied, her expression darkening slightly.
Iris's grip tightened around the fabric of her skirt as she drew in a steady breath.
Beside her, Zarah's fingers curled into fists.
"Yes," Zarah said evenly. "Her name is Melody."
Zoya hummed softly, thoughtful.
"I do not think Celine should place that much trust in her," she said at last. "Her words were not careless. They were aimed."
"And yet Celine is blind to it," Iris said, irritation slipping into her voice. "If only she would open her eyes."
Zoya raised a brow. "I heard Celine was the one who reported the escape. So your concern for her clarity is rather… unexpected."
"Rather what?" Iris asked, tilting her head innocently.
Zarah gave her a pointed look.
"Dragonfly-ish," she said lightly.
Iris huffed. "That was merely a compliment — nothing more. And besides, you're the one who said it first."
"I was attempting to compliment and insult at the same time," Zarah shot back smoothly.
Zoya blinked. "A dragonfly?" she interjected, curiosity threading her tone. "Did something happen involving dragonflies?"
Zarah and Iris exchanged a look before breaking into laughter.
"It's nothing," Iris said quickly.
"Nothing at all," Zarah added.
Zoya shook her head lightly, fondness softening her expression. "It seems you two haven't changed a bit in twelve years."
She gestured toward the palace halls.
"Come now. Get settled in your rooms. Tomorrow, Her Majesty the Empress will choose the flower maiden she wishes to bed."
At her signal, several maids and servants stepped forward, ready to escort them. Zoya then turned and led the two girls toward their assigned chambers.