Varenka was irritated and left, leaving Byanka speechless at her daughter's unexpected behavior. Byanka could tell that something was troubling Varenka, so she secretly sent several trusted spies to watch over the princess and report anything suspicious.
When Varenka heard about the spies, she misunderstood their purpose and assumed that her mother no longer trusted her. Still, she kept her composure and decided to play along.
When Cierra returned from her seclusion, she noticed the spies and immediately became cautious. Unexpectedly, she spotted Varenka's secondary handmaid and observed her carefully. Before long, Cierra discovered a treacherous threat that endangered not only the Icelands, but potentially the Firelands as well.
She continued eavesdropping until the conversation ended, then immediately made her way to Varenka's bedchamber.
Varenka was gazing out at the night sky, admiring the stars, when she noticed Cierra's presence. She welcomed her warmly, but Cierra wanted to be straightforward and told her everything she had discovered.
Varenka fell silent for a moment before saying, "As expected, there is a traitor among our people. I find myself at fault. I have changed a lot, and even Mother has noticed. Mistress, what is happening?"
Cierra remained cautious with her words because of the spies Byanka had sent. She understood the true reason behind Byanka's actions and helped Varenka realize what her mother's movements truly meant.
However, Varenka's thoughts were already consumed by the traitor lurking among her people. She did not want to become too fixated on discovering who the traitor's master was, especially because she already had one suspicion in mind: the Ancient Empire and its Mysterious Emperor.