A lot of people had gathered at the seashore, searching the water and shoreline for the missing parts of the body.
Voices overlapped as people pointed toward the sea and exchanged worried theories. The place was in complete chaos. Guards tried to keep people back while others continued searching.
Not far away, Lana and Rwaine walked toward Grandma, who sat on a wooden bench. Her hands rested tightly in her lap, and the shock on her face had not faded.
"Have you been able to identify the owner of the leg?" Lana asked as she sat beside her.
Grandma slowly shook her head. "They can't come up with an identity now. It is possible for someone to share the same birthmark but it's rare. And considering the fact that we haven't seen Tory for some days now, I'm really scared."
Her voice trembled slightly. She desperately hoped it wasn't what she was thinking.
"Has this ever happened before?" Rwaine asked.
Grandma immediately shook her head.
"Rwaine, I won't be able to send some fish pieces to Moaz. Please accept my apology," she said softly.
Rwaine forced a smile despite everything happening around them.
"It's fine, Grandma."
Grandma's eyes widened slightly.
"He called me Grandma."
A happy smile instantly appeared on her face.
"Son-in-law," she replied.
Lana sighed.
"Grandma, Uncle Tory is still missing."
"We just have to hope. The palace knights will soon be here to investigate. We will get a response," Grandma replied, though she sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than anyone else.
Not long after, Rwaine noticed a group of palace knights approaching from afar. Leading them were Percival and Stefan.
The moment he saw them, his heart skipped.
Every memory came rushing back. Everything Percival had done.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe comfortably.
"I will have to take my leave," Rwaine said quickly.
"So soon?" Grandma replied.
"Yes. I have to eat breakfast with the old man."
He smiled politely.
"Good son."
Rwaine nodded before quickly turning away.
Lana opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but he was already disappearing into the crowd.
Soon Stefan reached Lana and her grandmother. He bowed respectfully and both women returned the greeting.
"I need to know what happened," Stefan said.
"My daughter was the one who saw the foot. She was fishing and her hook caught it," Grandma replied.
"Was she with anyone? Like a witness?" Stefan asked.
"Yes. My son-in-law."
Stefan raised an eyebrow.
"Where is he?"
"He went back home."
Stefan nodded thoughtfully.
"Be rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this."
Grandma smiled weakly.
For a brief moment, Stefan looked at Lana before turning away.
Meanwhile, Rwaine walked quickly through the fish market. He blended into the crowd, keeping his head down. His bracelet suddenly glowed faintly.
He continued walking until he was far enough from everyone.
Then he heard Latisha's voice.
"Rwaine, I need you at the House of Mirrors."
Rwaine groaned.
"Old woman, I'll miss breakfast."
"It's urgent."
He rubbed his forehead.
"Alright."
******
Back at the palace, Fanaza carried a basket filled with fruits and food. She walked through the corridors toward her room. She wanted to bring Sally food before applying ointment to her wounds.
As she approached the room, she suddenly stopped, ahead of her stood Sally and Kael.
Kael gently held Sally's face in his palm. Sally looked up at him yhen he pulled her into a tight embrace.
A moment later, he kissed her forehead.
Fanaza's eyes widened and her stomach tightened instantly. She knew how dangerous this was.
If anyone discovered them, Sally could suffer for it.
Kael looked worried and sad.
After a few seconds, he released Sally and walked away.
Sally quickly limped back toward her room, still recovering from her injuries.
Few minutes later, Fanaza entered the room. The anger on her face was impossible to miss.
"My lady, you're back. Did someone offend you? Did the Crown Prince do something again?"
Sally tried acting normal. Fanaza didn't answer, her jaw tightened.
"What is going on between you and Prince Kael?"
Sally immediately became nervous.
"Don't dare lie to me. How long has it been?"
"Two months," Sally replied quietly.
Fanaza stared at her.
"Two months, and you kept this away from me? I thought we were sisters. We never hid anything from one another."
"Yes, we are, my lady. I was scared. I didn't mean for this to happen. It just happened."
Tears slowly gathered in Sally's eyes.
"Sally, this is dangerous. You can't be seen with him."
"Is it because I am a slave? I don't deserve to love or have a chance to taste anything good? Or good things are only meant for nobles like you?"
Fanaza looked hurt.
"No, that's not fair. Sally, I care about you so much. If anyone finds out, you could get hurt. You know how hard it is for us. Things are changing."
"I know. I really love him so much."
Fanaza stared at her in disbelief.
"In the period of two months? Sally, what are you thinking?" Her voice rose.
"End things with him."
Sally shook her head.
"I am sorry, my lady. I can't do that. You are allowed to fall in love and so can I."
"Sally, where was he when you were beaten up and caged? Who saved you?" Fanaza raised her voice. "I had to beg. I had to drop my pride just for you to get out. Where was he? Sally, your mind is clouded right now."
Sally clenched her fists.
"I am not a kid. I know what I want and who I want. Unlike you, who doesn't love anyone and can't choose."
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. The room became silent and Fanaza's expression changed.
It was as if Sally had struck her. For a second she couldn't even find words to respond.
The anger was still there, but now there was hurt too.
"Fine. Do what you want."
She turned away.
"My lady, I am sorry. I didn't mean to say that."
Sally tried moving closer.
"Don't come near me."
Fanaza's voice was cold.
Without another word, she stormed out and slammed the door behind her.
Fanaza was still furious as she stormed through the palace corridors. Her grip tightened around the empty basket she carried. Sally's words echoed repeatedly in her mind, making her chest feel heavier with every step.
Unlike you, who doesn't love anyone and can't choose.
The words stung more than she wanted to admit. She left the palace building and headed toward the courtyard. Her thoughts were so occupied that she barely paid attention to where she was going.
At that moment, Percival had just returned.
Sitting atop his horse, he noticed her immediately. Fanaza walked past him while muttering under her breath.
"She is so ungrateful after everything I have done."
Percival watched her disappear toward the gardens. C nourious, he dismounted from his horse and followed after her.
Fanaza marched deeper into the garden without realizing she was being followed. Her mind was still filled with frustration.
Suddenly she stopped.
The next second, she turned around and walked straight into someone's chest.
"Oww" she stumbled backward.
Only then did she realize it was Percival.
"Why are you following so closely?" she groaned
.
Percival crossed his arms and studied her face.
"Who offended you? You looked scary a few minutes ago."
Fanaza let out a frustrated sigh, her eyes wandered toward a nearby tree.
"Can you help me climb that tree?"
Percival blinked. Of all the things he expected her to say, that was not one of them.
Without questioning her, he walked over.
Fanaza stepped closer to the tree.
Percival placed his hands together.
She stepped into them and grabbed the lower branch. With a small push from him, she pulled herself upward.
A few leaves fell around her as she climbed.
Soon she settled on a thick branch.
For the first time since leaving Sally's room, she looked slightly calmer.
Percival shook his head before effortlessly grabbing a branch and pulling himself up.
A few moments later, he was sitting beside her.
The afternoon breeze brushed through the leaves and for a while neither of them spoke.
Percival finally broke the silence.
"What happened?" He leaned against the tree trunk.
"My maid is in love."
"With Kael?"
Fanaza's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
A small smile appeared on Percival's face.
"Kael never keeps anything from me."
Fanaza groaned.
"And you couldn't caution him? If anyone finds out, do you know how horrible it will be for Sally?"
Percival remained calm.
"I can't interfere in my brother's love life. He is free to love whoever he wants. Kael doesn't have time for women, but seeing him fall in love, your maid is commendable."
Fanaza stared at him then she threw her hands into the air.
"You all are insane."
Percival couldn't help laughing, the sound only annoyed her further. He turned toward her.
For a brief moment, he simply stared and made Faanaza notice.
"What?"
Percival's gaze remained fixed on her face.
His smile softened.
"You're so beautiful when you're pissed."
Fanaza rolled her eyes. Normally she would have argued back, but she was too angry and exhausted.
She simply looked away and Percival chuckled quietly. The silence between them became comfortable.
For the first time that day, Fanaza felt herself calming down.
*******.
Meanwhile, Rwaine finally arrived at the House of Mirrors. Rows of mirrors surrounded him from every direction, the usual.
"Latisha?" He called.
There was no response and he walked farther inside.
"Old woman?" He called again.
There was no response. His footsteps echoed through the place. As he passed one of the mirrors, something caught his attention.
He stopped, slowly, he looked back and saw his reflection staring at him. His heart ached instantly. His smooth skin was gone, the handsome expensive face wa gone and all he could see was the old version of himself.
The defined skin, the skin he had spent years hiding beneath a cloak.
His throat tightened. For a moment he couldn't look away. Even after everything, part of him still feared seeing himself like that.
He swallowed hard and called out to Latisha one more time.
"Old woman."
"Rwaine." The familiar voice finally answered.
Rwaine quickly turned, Latisha stood nearby.
The moment he saw her properly, his expression changed.
She looked weak, much weaker than before.
Her skin looked pale. There were dark circles beneath her eyes.
Even standing seemed difficult for her.
Rwaine immediately walked toward her.
"Old woman, I missed breakfast. This should be important." Then he paused, concern replaced the teasing in his voice.
"What happened?"
He moved closer to her.
"Are you sick?"
Latisha smiled faintly. "So you care?"
Rwaine frowned. "What is going on, old woman?"
Instead of answering, she slowly turned and began walking. Rwaine followed beside her.
"Did the sea water touch you?" she asked.
"No."
He answered immediatelyand Latisha felt relaxed.
"Good."
Rwaine became even more confused.
She led him deeper into the House of Mirrors.
"I want to show you something. I have searched all over, but there was no one who was deemed fit for this task. I was lucky to find you. I feel you will be its new master."
Rwaine frowned. Its master?
The words made no sense, he looked around and there was nothing here except mirrors so what was she talking about?
"It's master? What is that?" he asked, confused.