It was a slightly warm afternoon when Sabine and Claire were outside. Sabine was going through her things with the maids, sorting out jewellery and materials she no longer wanted, telling them what to keep and what to throw away, while Claire was seated a little apart, having taken a cool bath that left her skin relaxed but her expression distant.

Sabine shook her head at one necklace and the maid quickly set it aside, then she glanced over at Claire again, noticing she wasn’t her usual self. "You look gloomy today," she said, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Thanks for noticing," Claire replied dryly, not even looking at her properly.

"What are you thinking about?" Sabine asked, leaning back slightly as she studied her. "You know, out of everyone here, I’m the only one who actually cares about you and takes care of you."

It wasn’t entirely a lie because when Claire had first arrived at the palace as the third mistress, Sabine had been the one to pull her in quickly. Thalia had been distant at the time, Verity had not yet joined them, and Sabine had taken Claire under her wing. Over time, the group formed, but Sabine and Claire had always been closer from the beginning, which was why Claire often stayed loyal to her side, mistaking that early attention for kindness, even though it was more calculated than it looked.

"I just miss home," Claire said quietly after a pause, "and I wish I could go back."

"Home?" Sabine let out a short scoff, her lips twisting. "What home are you even talking about, Claire?"

Claire didn’t answer.

Sabine continued anyway, her tone sharper now. "Have you forgotten? When his majesty said you were to remain in the palace under protection, your father didn’t resist. In fact, the duke was ready to give you up because it strengthened his standing and improved his influence."

Claire’s eyebrows drew together as she turned her face slightly away, her voice quieter. "I know."

That was exactly why it stung her deeply. She remained silent as the memories returned...

It all came back to that night after the ball. They had stayed back for one of the gatherings, and Claire had wandered off alone without thinking much of it. She remembered hearing footsteps, stopping when she recognized the king’s voice, and then realising he was not alone.

Alaric had been speaking with his trusted advisor, the man who kept the inner workings of the kingdom stable beneath the surface. But it wasn’t a calm discussion. It was an argument that ended with a decision being made out loud, cold and immediate, that the advisor would be removed at once.

Claire hadn’t understood fully at first, not until the meaning settled properly in her mind, and by then she had already stayed too long. When she tried to leave, she had knocked something and the sound had given her away.

After that, everything had moved quickly. The guards found her and she had been brought before the king. Instead of punishing her, there had only been that unsettling calm on his face. He had told her father that he had taken interest in her, and just like that, the situation had been reframed into something acceptable for the court. Her father had accepted it without protest, and Claire had never been given a real choice again.

The advisor’s death had been explained away as natural, but Claire knew what she had seen, and more importantly, she understood why she could never speak of it. It wasn’t just about one man. It was about trust, control, and how easily the foundation of the court could shift if the truth ever came out.

Sabine’s sigh broke through Claire’s thoughts. "Honestly, everything here should just be replaced. It’s been too long since I’ve done proper shopping."

The maids quickly bowed and began packing away the jewellery, their eyes already lingering on what they would likely keep for themselves once they were out of sight. When they finally left, silence settled around the space.

Then another maid approached, glancing behind her before stepping closer.

Sabine noticed immediately and straightened slightly, interest sharpening in her expression. "Jae," she said. "What is it?"

The maid bowed quickly before lifting her head. "I’ve brought news about the lady," she said, referring to Rosalind.

Sabine’s eyes narrowed at once. "Good news or bad news?"

"It depends on how you take it, my lady."

"Speak."

Jae hesitated only briefly before continuing. "I’ve been observing her as you instructed, and I’ve come to the conclusion that she might be having an affair."

"An affair?" Sabine’s eyebrows lifted in clear surprise.

Sabine hadn’t expected that at all. Rosalind could be reckless, outspoken too, but this was entirely different and Sabine thought it was too far.

"With who?" she asked sharply.

"The footman," Jae answered.

"The footman?" Sabine repeated, her eyes widening as she straightened slightly in her seat.That genuinely caught her off guard.

She then leaned back, studying Jae properly now, her tone turning more cautious. "You do realize if this is something you’ve simply assumed, and it isn’t true, it will cause you serious trouble. So tell me, how are you so sure?"

Jae didn’t flinch. "They’ve been spending an unusual amount of time together. I’ve seen them getting too familiar when they think no one is watching. Holding hands, standing too close, things like that." She paused, then added more firmly, "And I saw a mark on her neck. A lovebite. This isn’t coincidence, my lady. It is real."

Sabine went quiet for a moment, then slowly turned her head toward Claire.

Claire had been listening without much expression, her face unreadable as usual.

"Are you hearing this?" Sabine asked, a satisfied smile forming on her lips. "This might actually be Rosalind’s end."

Jae dipped her head again. "My lady, you are free to observe them yourself anytime. You will see I am not mistaken."

"You did well," Sabine said, reaching for a small pouch and handing her money.

Jae accepted it quickly, bowing again before stepping back with quiet satisfaction.

Sabine’s smile lingered as she leaned into her seat. There was something almost amusing about it.

Rosalind and a footman.

First it was Thalia with a guard, now this. It was almost laughable how quickly they all seemed to lose control of themselves inside the palace.

How shameful...

Disgraceful...

But useful... Very useful.

Because this wasn’t just gossip. It was a leverage.

Sabine’s mind was already moving ahead, thinking of what this would mean when Alaric returned. If he believed Rosalind had already crossed that line with a servant, it would change everything about how she was seen, how she was handled, and how easily she could be discarded. Her smile widened slightly at the thought.

Then another sharp thought crossed her mind. If she reported this, the king would not only question the affair, he would confirm whether Rosalind was still untouched.

Because as far as she knew, Rosalind had not yet been taken to bed by the king, making her the longest-standing mistress he had kept without fully claiming.

It was almost ironic, for a man like him to show restraint, especially for someone he had decided to keep.

Sabine’s lips curved slightly at that. That detail mattered a lot because If Rosalind had already given herself to a footman, it would be worse than a simple scandal. It would destroy her position completely in Alaric’s eyes.

And if she hadn’t yet, then it could still be arranged. Quietly and Carefully. In a way that would ensure there was no way back for her afterward.

Either way, Rosalind would not step out of this unscathed.

Sabine leaned slightly forward, her voice lower now as she motioned Jae closer. The maid stepped in, and Sabine gave her instructions in a hushed tone only she could hear.

Jae nodded immediately and left without hesitation.

Sabine exhaled softly.

...For so long, she had remained quiet. Who would’ve thought that this golden opportunity was going to come her way?