After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, I woke up, only to realize I had slept for just a few minutes. The sun still hung high in the sky, casting its bright light through the small window of my room. It was only the beginning of the afternoon, and yet, sleep refused to come back to me. The thoughts that swirled around my mind were too loud, too restless.
I had come to the palace with a mission, a purpose. I wasn't here to serve as a mere maid to the king, no matter how high an honor they tried to make it seem. I had a kingdom to save, secrets to uncover, and darkness to fight. The creeping darkness that had already taken the life of the late King Renfell and now seemed to have its claws deep within his son, King Valen. There were rumors—whispers in the shadows—that spoke of secret meetings between the Queen and the current Watcher, and whatever they were plotting, it was far from innocent.
I needed to know more about the current Watcher and what he was doing with the Queen. Their alliance wasn't just a matter of court politics. No, this had something to do with the darkness that was consuming the kingdom, and it was up to me to find out what.
But first, I needed to clear my head. I needed something familiar. I needed Hei Hei.
She had been kept with the other palace horses since yesterday, and I hadn't had a moment to see her. The thought of her brought a smile to my face, and the tension in my chest loosened just a little. Hei Hei always had a way of making me feel grounded, no matter how chaotic things became around me. I had the whole day to myself, after all. The king had made it clear I wouldn't be needed until tonight when my duties as his personal maid would begin. That gave me time—time to find Hei Hei, and time to think about my next steps.
I pushed myself off the bed, slipped on my shoes, and quietly made my way out of the room. As I stepped outside into the palace grounds, I was greeted by the sight of a grand, sprawling garden. The palace compound was magnificent, a world of its own, isolated from the rest of the kingdom. Tall, proud trees lined the stone paths, their branches swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. Flowers of every color bloomed in neatly arranged beds, their petals open wide to the sunlight. Statues of past kings and legendary heroes stood like silent guardians in the courtyards, casting long shadows over the cobblestone.
The air was filled with the sound of birds chirping, the soft murmur of the palace fountains, and the distant hum of palace life. Everything about this place was designed to impress, to create an aura of power and grandeur. But for me, it was a reminder of just how far I was from the world outside, from the mission that had brought me here.
Finally, I reached the stables where the horses were kept. As soon as I entered, my eyes immediately found Hei Hei. She stood out even among the other majestic horses, her gleaming white coat shining like a beacon in the sunlight. There were other white horses, but none like her. Hei Hei had an elegance, a grace, that set her apart. I hurried over to her, and as soon as I was close enough, I threw my arms around her neck, pulling her into a tight embrace.
I rested my head against hers, and for a moment, everything else faded away. I could feel her warmth, her familiar presence, and the steady rise and fall of her breath. We didn't need words. Our bond was deep, and we both knew how much we had missed each other.
"I've missed you," I whispered, stroking her neck gently.
Hei Hei let out a soft whinny in response, nudging me with her head as if to say she had missed me too. I smiled, my eyes misting with unshed tears. For a few minutes, we just stayed like that—me leaning against her, taking in the comfort of her presence.
But there was no time for peace. I needed to plan my next move.
I pulled back slightly, still resting my hand on Hei Hei's mane. "I don't know what to do next," I murmured, more to myself than to her. "The king expects me to start my duties tonight, but… there's something much bigger happening here, Hei Hei. I can feel it."
Hei Hei flicked her ears, her dark eyes watching me intently, as though she were listening to every word.
"I've heard things," I continued. "About the Queen and the current Watcher. Secret meetings… at night. I need to find out more about him. If he's in league with the Queen, they could both be responsible for the darkness creeping through this kingdom."
I paced back and forth, still talking to Hei Hei, hoping that by voicing my thoughts out loud, I might make sense of it all. "But where do I start? The King's quarters are heavily guarded, and I don't even know where the Watcher's chamber is. I'll have to ask around… discreetly, of course."
Hei Hei let out another soft sound, almost as if she were agreeing with me. I couldn't help but laugh, despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Yeah, you're right. I'll find it. Somehow." I took a deep breath and gave Hei Hei one last pat. "I'll be back later. Wish me luck."
With that, I left the stables and made my way back into the palace. The first thing I needed to do was find out where the Watcher's quarters were. But I had to be careful. The palace was full of eyes and ears, and any misstep could land me in serious trouble.
I wandered through the palace halls, feigning interest in the décor, while subtly keeping my ears open for any useful information. As I passed by a group of servants, I overheard a snippet of conversation that gave me my first clue.
"He's been in his quarters all morning," one servant said quietly. "The Watcher doesn't leave often, does he?"
I paused, pretending to admire a nearby tapestry while listening carefully.
"No, he keeps to himself," the other replied. "Ever since the Queen's last visit…"
That was all I needed to hear. I had a direction now. I continued my walk, blending into the background, occasionally stopping to ask one of the younger servants about the layout of the palace.
"Oh, you're new, aren't you?" one girl said with a smile. "The Watcher's chambers are on the west wing, just past the royal gardens. You can't miss it."
I thanked her and made my way toward the west wing, my heart pounding with anticipation. I had to be quick, quiet, and above all, careful. As I approached the area, I kept to the shadows, making sure not to draw any attention to myself.
Just as I was rounding a corner near the Watcher's quarters, I heard footsteps behind me. I froze. Before I could slip away, I turned to see Marcus, the king's assistant, standing there, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of me.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, suspicion clear in his voice.
I scrambled for an answer, trying to keep my voice steady. "I—uh, I was just exploring. You know, trying to familiarize myself with the palace."
He didn't look convinced. His gaze swept over me, lingering just long enough to make me uncomfortable. "Exploring?" he repeated. "In this part of the palace? The Watcher's quarters are not a place for wandering."
I forced a nervous laugh. "I didn't realize I was so close. I must have taken a wrong turn."
Marcus stared at me for another long moment, and I could tell he didn't believe a word I was saying. But for now, he had no choice but to let it go.
"Be careful," he warned. "The palace is full of secrets. It's best not to get lost in them."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with my heart in my throat. I had to be more careful from now on. Marcus was definitely suspicious of me, and I couldn't afford to make any more mistakes.
Once I was sure he was gone, I made my way to the Watcher's chambers, my steps quieter and more deliberate. When I finally reached the door, I hesitated for a moment, listening for any sounds from within. The room seemed empty, so I carefully pushed the door open and slipped inside.
The chamber was dimly lit, with heavy curtains drawn over the windows. Shelves lined the walls, filled with scrolls, books, and strange objects I couldn't identify. The air smelled of incense and something metallic, almost like blood. My heart raced as I began to search the room, looking for anything that might give me a clue about what the Watcher and the Queen were planning.
But just as I was beginning to get excited, my heart froze in my chest.
The door behind me creaked open.
Footsteps.
The Watcher was coming in.
My heart pounded in my chest as I looked for a place to hide, knowing I only had seconds before I was caught.