Chapter 128

Chapter 128

“Shit. I never expected our plan to fall apart like this.” Rosentine slammed her fist against the wooden table, the sharp crack echoing through the room. Dust trembled from the beams above as the others exchanged uneasy glances.

After receiving Winter’s orders, Freya had returned straight to her mansion to report everything to the twins. Even now, the shock still lingered in her bones. None of them had anticipated this outcome—least of all Freya herself.

Valtor hadn’t even argued. He had sat there in silence while Winter issued commands to Freya as though she were nothing more than a personal attendant. And when Freya had dared to voice her displeasure—only a mild complaint—Winter had merely smiled.

She reminded Freya, in that soft, lethal voice of hers, that Freya herself had once surrendered to serve the Queen, which meant that following this order should not be a problem at all.

Freya had almost protested again.

Almost.

But then she felt the subtle, terrifying shift in the air. The King’s wolf is stirring beneath the surface.

No sane being in all of Nytheris deliberately provoked Valtor’s beast.

And Freya, for all her pride, still wished to remain alive.

“I want to know what kind of magic Winter has put on our King,” Cressida said sharply, “For him to obey her every whim like this, it makes no sense.” Her gaze slid toward the witch. “Lilith. Do you know anything?”

Lilith shook her head slowly, her expression grave. “If there is magic involved, it’s not something obvious. The only way to know for sure is to stay very close to them. Observe her closely.”

“And that’s exactly the problem,” Rosentine muttered, rubbing her temple. “How are we supposed to do that?”

Silence fell again, heavier this time.

Winter had tasked Freya with finding suitable children for adoption, an order that would keep her away from the castle entirely. And Winter had made it very clear that the twins were no longer welcome there either.

As Freya paced the room, a flicker of movement near the staircase caught her attention.

A slow smirk curved Freya’s lips.

She strode toward the stairs and seized Crystal by the arm, dragging her into the room without ceremony. 

“I think,” Freya said sweetly, “we’ve just found the perfect solution.”

“Were you eavesdropping?” Rosentine snapped at Crystal.

Crystal gasped as she was hauled forward, her skin burning where Freya’s grip tightened. She had only come to fetch some water, but when she heard Winter’s name, curiosity had rooted her in place. She knew better than to ask questions, they never included her unless it benefited them.

Crystal began to protest. “What? I didn’t do anything! I don’t even know what you’re talking about-"

“Shh.” Freya cut her off. “You’re here to help us. Remember that. And now it’s time for you to prove your usefulness.”

Crystal stared at her, confusion and dread twisting together in her chest.

“What if we disguise her as one of the castle maids?” Freya continued, turning to the others. “We can alter her appearance slightly just enough that no one recognizes her.”

Crystal’s eyes widened in horror.

“W-what-?"

“I agree,” Rosentine said, appraising her from head to toe. “That way we’ll finally learn what’s happening inside those walls when we’re not there.”

Freya turned back to Crystal, her smile razor-thin. “You’ll spy on Winter day and night. Every word she speaks, every interaction she has with Valtor, you report it all to us. Nothing is too small.”

Her voice dropped. “If you fail us, you’ll learn what my punishment feels like.”

“And trust me,” Rosentine added with a smirk, “you won’t enjoy it.”

Crystal clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms.

A maid. Winter’s maid.

Had she clawed her way up from nothing, stolen Winter’s place, only to be dragged back into the same pit she’d once escaped? Forced to serve her all over again?

This was no idle threat. Because after that, Freya summoned her guard immediately. 

Within five minutes, he returned carrying a large sack. 

Freya tore it open and shoved the contents into Crystal’s arms.

“A maid’s uniform,” she said coldly. “Put it on. Your assignment begins tonight. It easier to slip someone inside unnoticed at night.”

When Crystal was just silent, Rosentine dragged her toward the dressing room.

She had no choice but to put it on.

The uniform was a simple dress, sewn from rough, unforgiving fabric in a dull, lifeless color. It scraped against her skin with every movement, and Crystal clenched her jaw as she adjusted it, humiliation burning hot in her chest. She couldn’t believe this was happening after finally knowing what it felt like to be draped in silk and velvet.

Moments later, Crystal stepped out of the room, the coarse fabric hanging from her frame

“And now,” Rosentine said lightly, twirling a pair of scissors between her fingers, “for the final touch.”

Crystal’s gaze locked onto the blades. “What… what are you going to do to me?”

Rosentine’s amber eyes gleamed with open malice. “Just improving your disguise,” she replied sweetly. “A maid shouldn’t be too pretty after all.”