The corridor was silent.
After leaving Elarys' room, Karaen slowed his steps. The stone floor thudded dully under his heavy boots. The unease inside him had not lessened—it had only grown deeper.
Lilith.
The princess of the human lands.
The daughter of a dead mother.
And the greatest obstacle in the eyes of a stepmother who knew how to survive.
Just as he rounded the corner, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Your Majesty."
Rafael.
Karaen stopped. Rafael's expression was serious. This was no ordinary report.
"Speak," Karaen commanded.
Rafael stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Word has come from the dungeons. Lilith… is alive."
Karaen's face remained calm. Only his gaze hardened.
This should not be possible.
Her pulse was weak. Her breathing barely noticeable. Yet she was alive.
Karaen closed his eyes. The feeling swelling inside him was anger, followed swiftly by a familiar hatred.
"If she had died," he said slowly, "everything would have been simpler."
Rafael bowed his head.
"News from the human lands as well, Your Majesty."
Karaen opened his eyes.
"Continue."
"If Lilith dies, her stepmother will intervene. She has considerable influence over the king. She wishes to send one of her own children to the Dragon Palace—for the sake of continuing the marriage alliance."
Karaen's jaw clenched.
Another princess.
Another face.
The same intrigue, wearing a different mask.
"No," he said firmly. "I will not allow it."
Rafael tensed.
"Your orders?"
"Lilith will live," Karaen said. "But she will have nothing left."
He stepped forward. His voice was ice.
"Her right to queenship will be stripped. Her title erased. She will hold no power in the palace. She will not attend meetings. She will give no orders. No one will be obliged to show her respect."
He paused.
"But she will not leave the palace. She will remain before my eyes."
Rafael lifted his head slightly.
"And her servants?"
"All will be taken away," Karaen said. "Only one will remain."
"Daren."
Rafael bowed.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
When the heavy doors of the dungeon opened, the damp air spilled out.
Lilith lay on the cold stone floor. Her skin pale. Hair stuck to her face. Lips slightly parted.
Silence.
Then…
Very faint.
Almost imperceptible.
A breath.
Rafael turned his head. Karaen remained at a distance.
"She's alive," Rafael said.
"I know," Karaen replied coldly. "She will live."
He did not approach. He did not touch her.
Not killing her was not mercy.
Letting her live was no forgiveness.
It was a heavier burden.
The night passed slowly.
And the next morning…
Another breath.
But this breath did not belong to Lilith.
"—Your Majesty!"
A voice.
Clear, piercing through the remnants of sleep. Too clear.
Daren frowned. The hour had long passed. No matter how lazy her lady might be, she would never sleep until now.
"—Lady, please wake up. It's two o'clock."
Mira blinked at the voice calling her.
The ceiling… unfamiliar.
Stone. Cold. High.
The air felt heavy in her lungs, as if someone were sitting on her chest. Her heart raced. When she turned her head, she saw dim light and stone walls.
Then the words struck, one by one, into her mind.
"Your Majesty."
"Lady."
Her heart raced even faster.
What? Lady? What's happening?
A thought ran like ice through her mind.
Could it be…?
She tried to move abruptly to confirm, but her body did not obey. Her arms were weak. Her pulse thudded in her ears.
Daren immediately came to her side.
"—Lady, please remain calm. Do not try to stand yet."
Mira's gaze fixed on Daren's face. A stranger's face… but through this body that was not hers, a familiar fear rose.
"I…," she said, her voice hoarse. "Where… am I?"
Daren hesitated, then took a deep breath.
"You are in the Dragon Palace, Lady."
Mira's mind went blank.
"No… this is impossible…"
Daren's voice lowered.
"Your room was moved under King Karaen's orders. To the west wing."
Mira looked around. The room was spacious, yet far from magnificent. No golden embroidery, no lavish curtains. Simple. Quiet. Cold.
"Your rights…," Daren said carefully, "your queenship privileges have been revoked. You no longer hold an official position in the palace."
Mira's throat went dry.
"Your servants have been withdrawn. Only I will remain with you, Lady."
Mira froze on the bed. She heard the words but could not comprehend them.
"You will not attend meetings. You will not give orders. No one is required to address you as 'Your Majesty.'"
A moment of silence followed.
"But you are allowed to stay in the palace," Daren added. "King Karaen… has deemed it appropriate."
Karaen.
The name echoed in Mira's mind.
Her heart raced again.
Her eyes fell to her hands.
These hands…
They were not hers.
She stepped from the bed, trembling. Her feet shivered as they touched the stone floor. She moved toward the mirror in the corner.
And the face she saw in the reflection…
Stole her breath.
Hair long, reddish-brown with hints of gold in the light. Messy, yet strangely noble. Features soft, untouched by harshness.
The eyes…
Amethyst, deep and dark, seeming to peer into the soul. Clear, almost innocent—too clear for a woman called "evil."
A fine nose, pale but full lips, a delicate chin. A slender neck. Posture naturally upright. Body balanced—strong, yet fragile. Every line in perfect harmony. Not the strength of hardness, but fragile beauty made flesh.
This face…
This body…
Belonged to Lilith.
Mira's throat tightened as she stared.
That a face so innocent could be called "evil" by all sent shivers down her spine.
She tried to take another step.
But her knees trembled.
Her legs could no longer hold her.
A sudden dizziness made her stagger backward. Breathing uneven. Feeling her strength drained, she forced herself no further.
Quietly, she returned to the bed.
Sat at the edge. Hands on her knees, head bowed slightly. Her heart still raced, but panic had faded into astonishment.
She had woken in Lilith's body.
And this body… was far more fragile than she had imagined.