The servant quarters always smelled the same at night of soap water, old stone, and damp cloth left too long in closed rooms.

Michelle moved through the lower corridor with a folded linen basket held against her waist. Her steps were measured, familiar, and practiced.

No one stopped her.

No one ever really looked twice at servants who knew how to look invisible.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the basket handle as she passed the bend near the storage rooms.

She knocked there three times, paused, then knocked one more time. The wall beside the supply shelves shifted faintly.

It was a hidden panel.

Michelle didn’t hesitate. She stepped inside.

The passage was narrow, and unlit. She followed it until the air changed into something slightly warmer, and slightly perfumed.

She took another turn, and stepped into the stepped into the room.

Hannah was already there, waiting when she got there.

Right in the room, Hannah was seated like she owned the space even though nothing about her appearance suggested she belonged anywhere near a castle like this.

Her posture was calm, and her expression colder than the stone beneath them. Beta Kole stood near the back wall, witj his arms folded. His eyes were sharp but patient.

Michelle lowered her basket slightly. She gave them both her deepest bow, befire she straightened up again.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Hannah’s gaze moved over her slowly. "Did you hide yourself well?" she asked at last, her voice shaking irritation.

Michelle exhaled softly. "I wasn’t followed."

Beta Kole’s eyes flicked briefly toward her.

"That’s what they all say before they are."

Michelle didn’t react. She simply placed the basket down.

"I delivered what you asked," she said.

Hannah leaned forward slightly. "And?"

Michelle hesitated for just for a second, then she spoke. "They’re watching her now." She reported.

That earned a faint shift in Hannah’s expression.

Beta Kole finally pushed himself off the wall slightly.

"Watching is not enough," he said calmly. "I need her punished severly for attacking me in my house."

Michelle’s fingers tightened faintly. She bowed in reskect. "I know," she replied. "Everything would go smoothly."

Hannah spoke, her voice softer but didn’t lose its edge. "The moment they fear her properly, she loses protection. When everything ends, I would return your mother to you myself."

Michelle frowned slightly. "I’ve done all you asked."

Hannah tilted her head. "Is she dead?" she asked mockingly.

No one answered immediately.

Beta Kole’s voice followed quietly. "You were sent there for a reason. My daughter and I are people of honour. You’ll be reunited with your mother, soon."

Michelle’s gaze flickered briefly. She nodded in acknowledgement. "I know why I was sent," she said.

Hannah’s eyes narrowed faintly. "Then no more questions about your mother."

Michelle’s jaw tightened slightly.

For a moment, she didn’t speak. "What am I supposed to do now?" She asked, having no idea of what to do again.

Her mother is supposed to be returned to her now. She was the one who had spread the rumor between the common wolves and a few servants.

Her actions would be enough to kill Aire.

Hannah stood slowly. Her movements were unhurried and deliberate. She walked a few steps closer to Michelle, studying her face.

She smiled slowly. "Make the monster reveal herself." She said certainly. "My father was kind enough to ask her for a seat at the council. Since she’s bold enough to say no, then she should die."

Michelle did not respond immediately.

She held Hannah’s gaze, and she nodded softly. "I can do that," she said readily.

Beta Kole’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if assessing her reaction.

Hannah’s smile deepened just a fraction. "Beautiful," she clapped with a high pitched voice, now excited.

Behind them, the hidden room remained silent again.

Michelle turned to leave without hesitation. She couldn’t get caught. She picked up her basket again and moved toward the exit.

Hannah’s voice followed her lightly. "One more thing." She stopped her.

Michelle stopped at the threshold but did not turn fully.

Hannah’s tone remained calm. "When she does reveal it..." A pause. "Do not hesitate."

Michelle stood still for a beat. "I..." She began, then paused. "I can’t kill a Luna." She said softly.

Hannah frowned. She rushed towards her, ready to slap her for refusing an order, but Beta Kole gripped her arm softly but firmly, stopping her.

"Just do as we asked. Make her reveal herself." Beta Kole ordered, taking three steps forward to stand beside Hannah. "I’m sure King Elijah is a wise king."

Mitchell still had her back facing them. She nodded, and keft immediately. The panel closed behind her.

Michelle adjusted her grip on the basket slightly as she walked as she walked entirely away from them.

Her expression remained neutral.

Michelle nearly collided with someone the moment she stepped out of the lower kitchen corridor.

She stopped instantly.

The basket almost slipped from her hands when she saw King Elijah standing several feet away near the arch leading toward the servant stairwell. Madam stood beside him silently.

Neither of them were speaking anymore and neither of them were looking at her. Their eyes were fixed behind her, toward the exact corridor she had just walked out from.

Michelle’s heartbeat stumbled once.

The kitchen behind her remained quiet.

The old corridor lamps flickered softly against the stone walls while rain tapped faintly somewhere far above the castle ceilings.

Madam’s gaze slowly shifted toward Michelle at last. Her gaze turned sharp and observant.

Michelle got more unsettled.

King Elijah remained still where he stood. His expression gave nothing away, but Michelle suddenly understood why people feared him despite his calmness.

He noticed everything.

Michelle lowered her head immediately into a respectful bow. "My King."

King Elijah and Madam stayed silent. The pause stretched just long enough to make her stomach tighten.

King Elijah finally spoke. "What are you doing awake this late?"

Michelle forced herself not to grip the basket harder. "The kitchens requested fresh linens, Your Majesty."

Elijah’s eyes lowered briefly toward the basket in her hands.

Michelle suddenly became aware of how empty it was. Her answer was a dangerous mistake.

Madam noticed the basket.

Michelle saw the exact second Madam’s eyes narrowed faintly.

"King Elijah," Madam said softly beside him, breaking the silence carefully. "The kitchens dismissed most servants nearly an hour ago."

Michelle’s pulse quickened.

She kept her head lowered respectfully. "One of the cooks spilled broth near the storage room," she lied smoothly. "I was helping clean it."

Michelle could feel Elijah studying her now.

Behind her, the hidden corridor remained sealed perfectly into the wall. Still, Michelle suddenly felt exposed standing there.

King Elijah’s gaze lifted slowly toward the dark corridor behind her once more.

For one terrible second, Michelle thought he might walk past her and inspect it himself.

Instead, he simply asked quietly, "Did you hear anything unusual tonight?"

Michelle swallowed carefully.

"No, Your Majesty."

Madam watched her face without blinking.

Michelle forced herself to remain still beneath the scrutiny.

The older woman had always unsettled her. Madam noticed things servants preferred hidden.

Finally, Elijah stepped aside from the corridor.

"You may go."

Relief nearly hit Michelle hard enough to weaken her knees. She bowed immediately. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

She could feel their eyes on her back the entire way down the corridor. Only after turning the far corner did Michelle finally allow herself to breathe properly.