As soon as I sit on the railing to climb down, Malcol runs toward me and clings to one of my feet. His grip is so strong I can feel his rushed breathing; his weight becomes an anchor."Come on, it's okay, nothing happened. Let's go inside," I say, trying to calm him.
I walk toward my bed with Malcol hanging onto me, hugging me, making every step clumsy and slow."All right, little tadpole. I'm going to nap for a bit, so you can go make trouble somewhere else," I joke as I sit down."And the sleepover?" he murmurs against me."Another day. I'm exhausted today," I smile as best as I can."That's fine. I'll stay with you, even if it's just to sleep," he insists, still clinging to me."All right," I sigh, too drained to argue.
He finally lets go, nods with childlike solemnity, and runs to close the balcony doors—lock included. Then he returns to the bed and curls up beside me. I end up hugging him, resting my head over his, both of us lying on the pillow.
After a while, he falls asleep. I don't.If this were truly a story inside a book, a heroine would find a solution. A heroine would have faith, endurance, hope…But I am not a heroine. I never was.So I do what I always do when faced with an unsolvable problem: cry silently while that burning knot in my throat eats me alive.
After breakfast in my room, Malcol leaves for his classes. I begin getting ready, choosing a dress that will impose itself for what I intend to do.I choose a simple silver one, long-sleeved, with a circular skirt down to the floor. Over it, Eleni—my chambermaid assistant—places what she calls a "simple breastplate top": a fitted, rigid leather blouse with pointed shoulders and an opening at the lower front.
Magdia insists on adding jewelry and metal pieces, but I prefer the sobriety. I simply complement it with a half-up braided hairstyle.Seeing myself in the mirror, I feel a spark of satisfaction.Nothing distracts better than vanity.
"My lady, as you asked me to remind you: it's time for your class," Eleni announces in her usual flat tone, knowing she only speaks to me because I ordered her to."Thank you, Eleni," I say, turning to watch her reaction. As always, her gaze tightens just slightly before she bows her head.I like that. She's more expressive than most people here.
"Today I want you both to accompany me and wait by the door. Let's go," I order firmly, as befits an Excelsa.
We walk through the service corridors. These passages help me avoid crossing paths with Regentus Mallory. The servants do not look at me; they fear any gesture could be interpreted as disrespect.
I enter the study room without announcing myself, as always, but this time I don't sit to take my lessons. I walk straight toward Perceptora Inerida. The sound of my steps on the marble makes her straighten, uneasy.
I stop in front of her, close enough to smell her: smoke and heavy perfume, a mix like lilacs drowned in stale musk."Perceptora Inerida, I regret to inform you that you are dismissed," I say firmly, letting hypocrisy sweeten my voice.
"What nonsense are you babbling, foolish girl?" she scoffs, haughty. "Do you think I'll believe it just because you say so? I'll go to your father and have you punished as you deserve."
She tries to intimidate me like the child she thinks I am. It doesn't work."You've made a serious mistake. If I were you, I'd resign before I speak about how you've beaten and left marks on Malcol—the heir of this nation."
Her face hardens. Something flickers behind her eyes."How naïve," she says with a venomous smile. "Go, tell your father. They'll praise me for my discipline."
"That's your mistake: assuming I would speak to him," I whisper.
She blinks. Doubts.I lean in, savoring every second."You know how much my stepmother treasures her son. Can you imagine her reaction when she finds out what you did to her little treasure?"
Fear blooms in her gaze, slowly but inevitably.
"In the best-case scenario, she fires you and destroys your reputation," I continue. "In the worst… you die in a tragic accident no one will ever investigate."
The Perceptora tries to compose herself, to reclaim authority, but it's already too late."Twisted girl… enough. Sit down so we can begin before I truly lose my temper."
"No. Leave right now, take your things, and go," I say without hesitation. "I'm the only one who knows your secret. You'd better listen before I suddenly feel like saying everything."
Her shoulders drop. Her pristine posture collapses.
I'm about to turn around when she smiles…A broken, frantic smile."So only you know? Of course… her chambermaids too, but those subvivientes don't count. They've never said anything and never will. Only you."
Alarm surges through me, but I'm too late.
She lunges at me.
We crash onto the floor, dragging everything from the desk with us. Her hands find my throat and squeeze with brutal force. I can't breathe. I grope blindly through papers and objects. My lungs burn.
My fingers close around a pen. I stab her arm.
She screams and rips the pen out, barely slowed. She goes back to choking me. My vision flickers in black dots. I try to drive my thumbs into her eyes; she screams, but doesn't release me.
The world becomes noise and burning.I hear footsteps.I think I see Magdia.Then nothing.Darkness.
I wake in my bed. My body feels as heavy as if I'd been dropped into the ocean. Swallowing hurts. I choke on my own saliva and cough—a rough, broken sound. I laugh involuntarily. I'm drugged.
"My lady, slowly," Magdia says as she approaches with Eleni. "They gave you relaxants for the pain. Rest."
The memory of the attack hits me.I try to speak, but my voice is a shredded whisper.
"Don't strain yourself. Use this." Magdia gives me a transparent board with a small marker.
With noodle-like hands, I write:"What happened to Perceptora Inerida?"
"She has been arrested and taken to a cell. She awaits trial for attempted murder. You no longer need to worry," Magdia says, anger slipping through her restraint.
She leaves to inform the physician; Eleni stays with me.
I write, messy:"What happened after I lost consciousness?"
Eleni hesitates, but after a deep breath, begins to speak:"We heard the commotion from outside, but didn't know if we were allowed to enter without permission. Magdia was the one who dared to go in. I followed… how could I leave her alone?" her voice trembles slightly. "We saw the Perceptora on top of you. Magdia yelled. I ran for a guard. We feared that… if Magdia touched her, she'd be executed for attacking an Excelsa."
She pauses, embarrassed to break protocol. I tap the board:"Continue."
"The guard ran in. He struck the Perceptora with his baton and she collapsed unconscious. They say… she lost sight in one eye," she murmurs, unrepentant.
I feel no pity.Anyone who harms a child deserves none.
"Magdia tried to wake you. The guard checked her breathing, then carried her to the physician. I was told to fetch more guards and report the incident. Once I made sure they were taking the Perceptora, I waited outside the medical wing until they brought you back."
I show her the board:"Thank you. You saved my life."
Eleni smiles before regaining her proper posture.
I wouldn't have died.But they would have discovered my curse.In a twisted way… they truly did save me.