The Duke slipped into the room with confident strides, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he spoke: "I suppose the mice are looking for cheese, but since they couldn't find it in the kitchen, they dared to venture into my lair here."
Holinia was hiding under the desk, trembling with terror. Beside her sat "The Snake" (the Guild Master), who was also shaking after being dragged there by force. Holinia hissed in a panic, "Do something!" The Snake snapped back in a sharp whisper, "And what exactly am I supposed to do? Do I look like a wizard who can vanish and reappear in the blink of an eye? Shut up and let me think!"
The Duke's hand landed on the desk, cutting off their whispers. He tilted his head slightly, trying to pierce the darkness beneath, then said with a chilling smile: "It seems there are some noisy cats who are quite fond of gossiping."
At that moment, a guard burst into the room, breathless: "My Lord Duke! There is something strange happening in the garden!" The Duke turned coldly and said, "Show me what it is."
As soon as the Duke left the office, Holinia breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though her soul had returned after a miraculous escape. She kicked the Snake with her foot, saying, "Give me some space!" They then crept out on their tiptoes. Once they reached the hallway, the Snake said boastfully, "Did you see that? My luck is second to none." Holinia replied apprehensively, "Really? My luck is always rotten. If your good luck meets my misfortune, I wonder what will happen?"
Before he could even open his mouth to respond, a voice came from behind—a heavy, spine-chilling throat-clear: "Ahem... ahem... It seems my little cat has finally decided to come out of her hiding place."
They turned slowly, sweat pouring down their faces, only to find the Duke standing directly behind them. His massive frame seemed majestic yet terrifying in that moment. Without a second's delay, Holinia bolted at full speed, leaving the Snake alone to face his fate! "You traitor! You're leaving me behind?" the Snake screamed before chasing after her in a panic.
The Duke pursued them, a flaming torch in his hand, which he skillfully hurled toward the Snake, singeing the edge of his coat. The Duke laughed boisterously, "Where are you running, little cats? Come and play with me!" Holinia shouted while panting, "He's insane! A total lunatic! Look at the fireballs he's throwing!" The Snake retorted, "Just run and be quiet! Your screaming is giving me a headache!"
As she passed a side corridor, she spotted one of their followers. She quickly grabbed him by the collar and shoved him toward the Duke, shouting, "I'll leave the rest to you, goodbye!" Then, gathering all her strength, she leapt from the window, screaming: "My life comes first... then everyone else!"
In the City Streets
Holinia was dancing with joy, the desired paper in her hand, while the masked man (the Snake) couldn't believe they had survived. However, they didn't notice the eyes watching them from the rooftops; the Duke looked down at her, laughing deeply: "That little fox has started doing truly crazy things... Hahaha."
Holinia returned home at dawn, sneaking through the window like a thief. She showered and collapsed onto her bed, falling into a deep sleep. Not three hours had passed before a violent knock came at her door: "Knock... Knock!"
Holinia groaned in annoyance, "Come in!" The maid entered and said, "The Duke and the Imperial families are waiting for you to dine." Holinia shouted from under her covers, "Let them all eat poison! I want to sleep!"
Silence fell for a moment, then she felt movement in the room. She sprang from her bed and threw a pillow at the intruder's face without looking: "Who is this rogue entering without permission?!"
She froze when she saw Emperor "Ather", her uncle with black hair and creamy eyes, smiling calmly: "Good morning, Holinia." Beside him stood her grandfather, "Harriet", with his usual dignity, his black hair streaked with white and his cold blue eyes. The grandfather said, "Come, join us for a meal."
Holinia replied defiantly, "First: Who gave you permission to enter? Second: I swore never to eat with you, even in hell! Third: Get out of my sight!" She then curled back into her blanket, declaring her rebellion.
Ather's smile widened, while Grandfather Harriet stepped forward firmly, saying, "You are coming with me... because I do not like waiting." Holinia didn't answer. Suddenly, the grandfather rolled up his sleeves and, in one swift motion, hoisted her—blanket and all—over his shoulder!