Watching them disappear into the distance, Filipe frowned before turning back toward my room.

As Filipe reached my bedroom door, he overheard Emerald reprimanding the maids inside. "I only told you to lock her in the attic. Who told you to leave her in this miserable state?!" she barked.

None of the maids dared to speak. They kept their heads down, barely even breathing, afraid of drawing Emerald's attention.

Filipe knocked on the door before stepping inside. "Madam, Ms. Lanka just arrived in Meristate. She's probably not used to the climate yet, so her health is still fragile. It's not surprising she caught a cold after being locked in the...