"How is the prince faring? Did my speculation strike close to the mark?" Harry inquired, tilting his head somewhat. "You can't honestly tell me you believe it was an accident. I know you don't."
Leaning in a touch, much to Jia's obvious annoyance, the faintest hint of a smirk played on Harry's lips. "That's precisely why I dragged you up here with me. Thought I might help clear those doubts rattling around in that clever head of yours. So, tell me then, any guesses on who might be responsible for the fall of the second prince? Just imagine if we're able to crack this case by ourselves."
Jia rubbed her temples before glancing toward the dimly lit corridor, ignoring his blabbering. The silence there unsettled her, and this place felt creepy.
"Is it even safe for us to be here?" She asked under her breath.
"Safe?" Harry blinked as though the answer should have been obvious. "Not in the slightest, Miss Jia."
She shot him an incredulous look. "What?"
Harry smiled faintly. "The seventh floor," he began softly, "serves mostly as the guest quarters during special events. Housing visiting relatives, nobles, that sort of powerful company. It's meant for appearances, not habitation. That should explain the eerie quiet. You're still new, so I hardly blame you for not knowing. I also believe that must be the reason why this floor was used to commit the treacherous fall."
And again, Jia hated the fact that she knew what he was implying. She exhaled sharply.
"Well, empty or not, we need to leave before someone decides to throw us off this floor next."
She didn't wait for Harry's reply and spun on her heels, starting briskly down the stairs.
**********
In the evening, Jia returned to Prince Lysander's quarters to change his bandages, and also to check on his condition. The faint scent of healing herbs still clung to the room from her previous visit, blending with the mellow fragrance of sandalwood incense burning low by the window. The soft, golden light of dusk filtered through the lattice window, painting patterns on the floor.
As she reached the threshold, she hesitated, her fingers tightening around the small tray she carried. It was dimly lit and suspiciously quiet on the inside. But then she sighed softly, shaking off her worries and doubts.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake off Lysander's pleading voice from her mind. Even Harry's unnervingly accurate speculation gnawed at her. Because if both of them were thinking the exact same thing, then what are the chances they could be wrong? Who was after the second prince? And why?
What was a Moon's curse?
The more she thought about it, the more unsettling it became. The incident of the prince's fall had been brushed aside far too easily, treating it as nothing but a mere accident. There was no inquiry, no whispers of accountability.
But when it was the Crown Prince who was poisoned, the entire empire trembled.
Was the Imperial Majesty playing favorites?
Jia had heard a lot about the mysterious passing of some children in the royal empire. The courtesan sisters were always informed, as they always entertained the higher ups who never keep their mouths shut once drunk. They usually share most of what was told to her, but she never really paid attention to it.
There had to be more to the incident, something deeper that no one dared to speak of in the open. The circumstances surrounding the prince's fall, and the eerie neglect that followed, didn't sit right with her. It was as if an invisible hand had swept the matter quietly under the rug, silencing anyone who might question what had happened to him.
And then there was that strange man she had seen earlier.
Shivers…
Still, she knew better than to pry. Whatever dangerous secrets the palace held, getting involved would only draw unwanted attention, and the Imperial Palace was already a dangerous place to linger. Surviving these six months wasn't going to be an easy feat, but she was mentally prepared for it.
You can do this Jia.
As she neared the doorway to Lysander's chamber, her steps faltered at the unexpected sight before her.
A small figure stood at the threshold, a little boy, rather, barely tall enough to reach the doorframe, peeking timidly into the room where the second prince was meant to be resting. Beside him stood a young woman, perhaps his attendants, her fingers clasped tightly in front of her as worry clouded her delicate features.
Jia frowned slightly in confusion.
If she wasn't mistaken, visitors were rarely permitted in here at this hour of the day. Who were these people, and what were they doing outside the prince's chamber?
She took another step forward to get a closer look, her curiosity getting the best of her. The little boy turned slightly, and his side profile came into view.
He looked oddly familiar, with the soft roundness of his cheeks, the hair pulled in a neat ponytail, then her gaze shifting to the golden embroidery on his small robes. It took Jia a few more seconds before recognition struck.
"Prince Ren?" she called softly.
The boy turned at once.
Jia pictured the same lively, bright-eyed boy with a cheerful spirit. But now, standing before her, he looked nothing like that cheerful child.
Those big doe eyes were swollen and red, his lashes still damp from tears. Faint trails glistened down his cheeks, and he wiped at them with the back of his hand in a clumsy, futile attempt to hide that he'd been crying. When his gaze lifted once more, recognition flickered in his expression.
"Miss Healer?" he sniffled, his voice soft and shaky as he blinked up at her. "You're here… are you here to see big brother too?"
Jia's expression softened slightly. She set down the tray she carried and lowered herself to his level when he stepped closer.
His curious eyes roamed over her for a moment before they stopped on her hair. He tilted his head slightly, blinking in puzzlement.
"Miss Healer," he asked earnestly, "what happened to your pretty hair? Did you put on a wig today?"
The innocent question caught her off-guard. Her fingers reached to feel her hair, and she had kept it dark ever since she started serving the palace. She found it surprising that he remembered not just her face, but her hair as well.
"Let me guess, you came to see your big brother?"
He nodded. "Big brother is very sick, and I want to see him. He was supposed to come pick me up today."
Before Jia could respond, the young woman at his side stepped forward and bowed her head slightly. Her tone carried a note of apology as she spoke. "Please forgive us for intruding, Miss Healer. We know it's past visiting hours, but Prince Ren insisted. He wouldn't sit still or eat the moment he learned of Prince Lysander's condition. As soon as his lessons ended, he wouldn't listen to anyone. I had no choice but to bring him as he wanted."
"It's alright," Jia said gently. "I'm sure the rules don't apply to family. Prince Ren can visit his brother whenever he wishes."
The attendant looked visibly relieved. "Thank you, truly. You hear that, Prince Ren? You can see your big brother whenever you wish, alright?"
Jia's gaze shifted to Ren, whose tear-streaked face now brightened a little. He looked so small and hopeful, clutching at the hem of his robe as if someone might stop him.
"Come," she said, lifting her tray once more. "Let's go see him together."
Ren's eyes lit up, and with a soft sniffle, he hurried after her as she stepped into the quiet chamber.
His attendant lingered respectfully at the doorway, the door closing behind them.
The moment they were inside, Ren made a beeline for the bed. He clambered up with practiced ease, his small hands gripping the bed as he hoisted himself up.
Then, with the gentleness only a child could muster, he crawled forward until he was near his brother's side. He had been crying because they wouldn't let him see his big brother, and it was all thanks to his Miss Healer that he could be here.
"Big brother," he whispered, his voice trembling with hope. "Are you starting to feel better already? I did really good in my writing today. Teacher said I held the brush just right."
He pouted. "I learned something new too… but you have to wake up so I can show you before big brother Hugo, okay?"
His voice wobbled. "And when did you change guards? Your new guards were so mean to me. They didn't let me in. I wanted to see you today."
He kept talking in that soft tone, recounting his days to big brother. His small hands rested beside Lysander's still ones, and though the older prince didn't stir, the sight was painfully tender.
"I know," Ren murmured, glancing around the room. "I'll make a get-well soon card for big brother."
Jia had already turned to set her tray down on the nearby table when she heard his voice again.
"This one's all crumpled," he said disappointedly, already out of bed and holding up a wrinkled piece of paper he had retrieved from behind the marble pillar. "Can I get new one?"
He handed the crumpled paper to Jia. She smiled faintly and took the note from him.
"I'll get you fresh ones, hold on."
Jia crossed the room to the desk and retrieved a few clean sheets of parchment, handing them to Ren. "You can use these, but if you write on the bed, it might bother your big brother. How about you sit over there first, and then when you're done you can bring it over. Better?"
To her relief, he agreed and scampered off to the chaise lounge.
With Ren now occupied, Jia finally had the privacy she needed to change Lysander's bandages. But before that, where was she supposed to dump this paper?
Her eyes drifted to the crumpled paper Ren had given her. The bin was outside for use, but she wasn't ready to step out just yet.
As always, curiosity got the better of her, and she carefully unfolded it, smoothing out the wrinkles. The faint markings on the paper immediately caught her attention.
"Is… this a letter?" She blinked.