Zarah walked through the Imperial garden, the soft breeze swaying her hair behind her.
Her gaze wandered, taking in the rows of trees and blooming flowers lining the path.
As she passed, her fingers brushed lightly over a cluster of white roses.
The petals were soft beneath her touch.
A faint scent of cinnamon and ginger lingered in the air.
She lifted her gaze and continued forward.
Soon, she spotted Ines seated at a garden table, a ledger open before her as she signed documents.
Zarah approached quietly before lowering into a respectful curtsy.
"Greetings to the brilliant light of the Caelthra Empire, Her Majesty the Empress."
Ines's gaze shifted to her. She flicked her wrist lightly, signaling Zarah to rise.
"Come. Sit."
She gestured to the seat opposite her.
Zarah nodded and stepped forward, taking the offered seat.
Ines turned slightly, handing the ledger and quill to a servant, who bowed and withdrew.
Only then did she return her full attention to Zarah.
"I assume you've already heard the results?" Ines asked.
Ah.
So that was why she had been summoned.
Zarah nodded.
"I have, Your Majesty," she replied, before adding with slight hesitation, "I wished to thank you… for listening to my request."
Her voice carried genuine gratitude.
Ines waved a hand dismissively.
"You were the victim, Zarah. If you doubted the results, it was only proper that the matter be investigated again."
A maid stepped forward, placing a tea set between them and pouring their cups before quietly leaving.
"Still," Zarah insisted softly, "Your Majesty is kind to heed the words of someone like me… a mere Flower Maiden."
She smiled as she looked up at Ines.
That smile—
did not sit right.
Ines was not particularly skilled at reading emotions,
but something about the girl before her felt…
off.
As if she were making herself smaller than she truly was.
"You praise me excessively," Ines said, lifting her teacup and taking a measured sip.
"You should save such words for when the true culprit is found. Lady Celine was merely a cover for whoever orchestrated this."
Her eyes darkened slightly.
She already had her suspicions.
For someone to act so cleanly—leaving no trace behind…
it was unlikely to be an amateur.
Zarah blinked, a hint of surprise crossing her face.
"You have someone in mind, Your Majesty?" she asked.
Ines exhaled softly.
"Fortunately for them—and unfortunately for us—I do not," she replied.
Zarah tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"And when the culprit is found… will they be sent back to the brothel?" she asked.
She already knew the answer.
She knew it was Melody.
But she couldn't say that—not without raising suspicion.
Ines's brow lifted.
"Oh?" Her tone turned amused. "Do you suspect someone, Zarah? You sound rather certain that the culprit is a Flower Maiden."
She rested her chin lightly against her hand, studying her.
Zarah's fingers curled tightly against her skirt.
Shit. Too direct.
"No, Your Majesty," she said quickly, shaking her head. "Lady Peirce was sharing her theories earlier… I must have gotten carried away and spoken without thinking."
Ines let out a soft, amused huff.
The girl's expression was convincing.
Almost too convincing.
There was something more beneath the surface—
but Ines chose not to press.
Whatever it was, she was certain of one thing:
Zarah meant no harm.
She reached forward and lightly tapped Zarah's nose.
As expected, the girl froze—her cheeks flushing pink as her gaze dropped.
A faint, fleeting thought crossed her mind.
'Adorable.'
"The tea was not served for you to admire," Ines said lightly. "It is meant to be drunk."
"Yes… my apologies, Your Majesty," Zarah replied, visibly flustered.
Heat crept up her neck, spreading across her face.
She lifted the cup to her lips, the scent of cinnamon curling through her senses as she took a small sip.
The Empress had a way of unsettling her—
far too easily.
"Do you like it?" Ines asked, her fingers idly twirling a strand of Zarah's hair.
Zarah's breath hitched.
"Like… it?" she echoed faintly, her gaze unconsciously following the movement of Ines's fingers.
Ines hummed, watching her.
Her knuckles brushed lightly against Zarah's cheek.
"The tea," she clarified. "Is it to your liking?"
The tea was the last thing on Zarah's mind.
Heat rushed to her face.
Her grip tightened around the teacup—so much so she was certain it might crack if she held any harder.
She shut her eyes briefly, forcing herself to steady her breathing.
"Good… it's good," she managed at last.
Ines's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.
She tucked the strand of hair behind Zarah's ear with deliberate care.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
And she found—
that she didn't mind it.
Not when the reaction was so… transparent.
Ines's fingers trailed lightly from Zarah's ear to her jaw, tilting it upward.
"Look at me when I speak to you," she said, her voice low.
Zarah's eyes snapped open.
The moment she met Ines's gaze, her breath caught—like the air had been stolen straight from her lungs.
Silence settled between them.
Not empty.
Not uncomfortable.
But heavy—charged with something neither of them named.
Zarah couldn't think straight anymore.
One part of her—
wanted to be pulled closer.
Wanted Ines to close the distance and kiss her like she had the previous nights.
And the other part—
couldn't understand why.
It wasn't as though she had fallen for her.
They had met, what?
Four times?
And the other three…
Her fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
Those had not been anything beyond physical.
So why—
why did her chest feel like this?
Why did her thoughts blur every time Ines touched her?
It wasn't possible.
She barely knew her.
Maybe…
maybe it was just her body.
Responding.
Remembering.
Reacting to everything Ines had already done to her...
Ines slowly withdrew her hand, her gaze never leaving Zarah.
Zarah watched her, a faint tightness forming in her throat.
Then Ines rose to her feet, smoothing the skirt of her dress.
"Walk with me," she said, extending her hand toward Zarah.
Zarah froze.
Her eyes dropped to the offered hand—
then lifted back to Ines.
Then back again.
Flower Maidens were not allowed to touch the Empress.
Only the Empress could initiate contact.
So this—
this was not something that should be happening.
Her hand lifted slightly…
then stilled mid-air.
Was this even allowed?
Or was she simply overthinking something that meant nothing?
Zarah's lips pressed together.
What was she to Ines, really?
Nothing more than a passing interest.
A momentary infatuation.
And when that passed…
what then?
She hesitated.
Ines watched her closely—and frowned.
She understood.
Of course she did.
Zarah had stopped herself because of the rules.
Rules Ines herself had enforced.
But what were rules—
when the one who made them wished otherwise?
"If you do not wish to walk with me," Ines said, her voice quieter now, "then say so."
She exhaled softly.
"Being the Empress does not mean I will disregard your choice."
Zarah looked at Ines and, after taking a steady breath, finally spoke.
"You misunderstand me, Your Majesty," she said softly. "Walking with you is an honour… and even putting that aside, I wish to walk with you as well, but..."
Her gaze dropped to Ines's outstretched hand.
Ines followed her line of sight and let out a soft, breathy chuckle.
Zarah stilled.
It was the first time she had heard her laugh.
And Aelthrya help her—
it was… beautiful.
"You're ridiculous, do you know that?" Ines said, looking back at her.
"I am offering. Who would dare question you for holding my hand if I wish it?" Her tone turned lightly teasing. "And if they do… don't you have a voice to say I ordered it?"
Zarah's eyes widened slightly.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Ines… wanted her to hold her hand.
Slowly, hesitantly at first, Zarah reached out fully this time.
And took it.
Ines's fingers closed around hers, warm and firm, as she gently pulled her to her feet.
Her gaze softened as she looked at the girl.
"Good girl," she murmured.
A shiver ran down Zarah's spine.
She quickly lowered her gaze, heat rising to her face.
They began to walk, Ines making no move to let go.
Her fingers remained curled securely around Zarah's hand.
"Would you like to see a peacock properly this time?" Ines asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Instead of peeking from a distance?"
Zarah flushed again.
"Your Majesty… that was an accident," she muttered.
"I know," Ines replied with a faint smirk. "But I believe that accident robbed you of the chance to see one up close. So, shall we correct that?"
Zarah smiled.
A quiet warmth spread through her chest.
Maybe she didn't need to understand what she was feeling.
Maybe… it was enough to simply feel it.
"Okay, Your Majesty," she said softly.
Ines watched her for a moment.
That smile—
It stirred something unfamiliar in her chest.
Something… dangerous.
Because she realized,
she liked being the reason it appeared.