In the Hands of King Albert.

Albert kept his fingers firmly on my chin, his smile fading into something darker. His eyes gleamed like those of a predator already anticipating its prey's suffering.

— Since we are being so sincere with each other, my dear Anika … — Albert said in a voice too calm

—I think you deserve to know what Margarida's fate will be.— Albert continued.

My heart raced. I gritted my teeth, trying to prepare myself for what was to come.

Albert released my face and turned away, walking to the bedroom window. The curtains moved slightly in the night breeze. He didn't look at me as he spoke, just let the words fall like blades.

"She's currently under arrest. Tomorrow afternoon, she'll be executed in a public square… in the city center," said Albert.

My stomach tightened; I couldn't believe a father would have the courage to execute his own daughter. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. The chains had already been removed, but I felt more trapped than ever.

— Executed… — I repeated in a low voice, almost without realizing it.

Albert then turned, arms crossed behind his back, and regarded me coldly.

"You shouldn't be surprised, Anika . She tried to betray me. And as king… I need everyone to see the price of betrayal," Albert said .

I closed my eyes for a moment. Images of Margarida flashed through my mind: her mocking smile, her angry look when I betrayed her, and that night we shared, even if it was for convenience. She could be manipulative, cruel, but still… it was a bond.

Albert tilted his head, analyzing my silence.

"What's wrong? Are you disappointed? Or… are you thinking of saving her?" Albert asked sarcastically.

My body shivered. I knew he was testing my loyalty.

I kept calm, swallowed hard.

"I'm just processing the information, Your Majesty," I replied in a neutral voice.

His smile returned, satisfied.

"Good girl. That's what I expect from you," Albert said mockingly.

But inside… my blood was boiling.

Still stunned by the revelations about Margarida, I took a deep breath.

"What will be your next order, Your Majesty?" I asked, as if I were a puppy waiting to be told what to do next.

Albert shifted in his chair, as if enjoying the submission he was extracting from me.

— Anika , I'm going back to my room... and I want you to bring my breakfast there, — replied King Albert.

I frowned, confused.

—But… why haven't you had breakfast yet? — I asked.

To my surprise, he didn't get angry. Instead, he gave a dry laugh that echoed around the room.

— Hahaha ! Because I want my dear Anika to serve me coffee , of course. So stop wasting time… and go get me breakfast right away. — Albert replied .

A chill ran through me. The threat was hidden beneath the surface, and I knew I couldn't risk it. I clenched my fists, suppressed my pride, and nodded.

— Understood. — I said.

I took a few steps to the door, but Albert's voice reached me again:

" Anika ... when you leave, you can leave the door open. I'll close it myself when I go to my room. But listen carefully, bring me my whole breakfast, and quickly," Albert said firmly.

His expression changed, becoming darker, and his voice came down like a cruel blow:

"If you take too long... or make a mistake... I'll be forced to have fun with your body," Albert said in a frightening tone.

My heart raced. The terror I thought I'd overcome choked me again. I swallowed hard and, without looking back, ran down the hallway.

The torches lit my way to the dining hall, but to me they seemed like shadows mocking my haste. Every footstep echoed in the stone corridors, as if the entire fortress knew of my humiliation.

I only had one thought: I need to be quick… I need to get it right.

My feet pounded against the stone floor until I finally reached the palace dining hall. It was bustling, servants bustling about with trays, steaming pots, and baskets of fresh bread.

As soon as I crossed the threshold, eyes turned to me.

A brief silence fell over the space. Murmurs began to circulate.

"Isn't this... Princess Margaret's room?" whispered one maid to another.

— No… look closely. It's someone different… — another murmured, her eyes wide.

— Who is this girl? I've never seen her around here…

I felt my face burn. They didn't know they were looking at Araya , the Copy Hero. To them, I looked like just a strange woman, with fresh wounds and disheveled clothes.

I took a deep breath and walked to the main counter, trying to ignore the stares.

"I need a full tray for King Albert. A whole breakfast. Now," I said.

The servants looked at each other uncertainly. One of them, bolder, approached.

—Excuse me, madam… but who are you? We've never seen you serving the king before.

The question echoed like a punch. My teeth ground together. I remembered Albert's order and the implied threat. There was no room for error.

— I'm Anika . — I answered firmly, although inside each word tore me apart.

"And the king ordered me to serve him coffee today," I continued.

The servant recoiled in terror, and soon the entire staff mobilized. Within minutes, fresh fruit, bread, butter, cheese, and a jug of light wine were arranged on a silver tray.

I held the tray myself, ignoring the weight.

As I walked towards the exit, I noticed that the servants were still watching me, whispering amongst themselves.

— Anika …? Who is this woman to the king?

— Strange… he never lets anyone outside the court serve directly.

I quickened my pace, crossing the hallway with the tray firmly in my hands.

Every second that passed felt like a test. I had to deliver without fail, without giving Albert time to come up with another way to crush me.

The weight of the tray seemed to triple with each step down the hallway. The smell of warm bread and fresh fruit wafted through the air, but for me there was only the bitter taste of humiliation.

Silence reigned. Only the sound of my boots echoed off the stone walls. I felt as if every step were being watched, as if the palace itself had eyes.

Finally, I reached the half-open bedroom door. My heart raced. I took a deep breath, adjusted the tray in my arms, and slowly pushed the door open.

Albert was there, lying relaxed on his bed in his room, a world-shattering smile on his face. His eyes lit up when he saw me enter.

"Well, well… my dear Anika is back." Albert's voice was honeyed, but it carried venom.

—And I brought exactly what I asked for. — Albert continued with irony.

I walked over to him, every muscle in my body locked, and placed the tray on the low table beside the chair. The metallic sound of the tray hitting the tabletop echoed loudly, as if it had betrayed my anxiety.

“Full breakfast, as ordered.” My voice was controlled, but my chest burned.

Albert picked up a wine glass, swirling the red liquid inside the crystal.

— Hm… very good. I see you obey quickly and efficiently, — said Albert.

He took a sip, then calmly set the glass down. His eyes fixed on me.

—Now tell me, Anika … how does it feel to serve the king directly? — Albert asked .

I swallowed hard. I could taste the bitterness of the answer before I even said it.

— … Honored, Your Majesty. — I replied.

He smiled, satisfied with the submission he was extracting from me.

— Good girl. Keep it up, and this room can be all yours.

My hands balled into fists behind my back. Inside, anger consumed me. But outwardly… I simply bowed my head in respect.

I knew that any wrong word could cost me dearly.

Albert finished the last sip of wine and wiped his mouth with his linen napkin. He looked at me as if examining a newly acquired item.

" Anika , now go take a shower. I don't want you wandering around the palace in this state," Albert ordered .

I bowed my head, swallowing my anger.

— Yes, your majesty. — I replied in a low voice.

I left the room with firm steps, the tray still weighing heavily on my memory, and walked down the torchlit corridor. The silence of the castle was almost suffocating, broken only by the echo of my own footsteps.

It was then that a presence appeared in front of them. A tall figure, with an erect posture and a cold gaze.

Ayano .

My heart raced. Mira's heroine stood in the middle of the hallway, arms crossed, watching me with an unreadable expression.

“…Who are you?” Ayano ’s voice cut through the air, firm and suspicious.

My whole body tensed. I knew that to Ayano , I was nothing more than a strange woman walking freely within the king's palace.

My thoughts raced in circles. Should I make up an excuse? Pass myself off as a maid? Or assume the role of " Anika ," Albert's "new favorite"?

Ayano took a step forward, her eyes narrowed.

"I've never seen you around here. And no one enters the king's chambers without someone they trust," he said . Ayano .

Ayano 's eyes were fixed on me, sharp as blades. There was no way I could sustain a lie in front of that gaze. I took a deep breath and decided to come clean.

— It's me, Ayano … — my voice came out low, but firm.

— I'm Araya . — I continued.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise.

— … What? — he said Ayano surprised.

"King Albert forced me to use the DNA Flower," I said, clenching my fists.

"This body isn't mine. You're looking at me... transformed into a woman." I continued explaining.

For a moment, Ayano said nothing. Her mouth hung open, her eyes wide, as if the information was impossible to digest.

"So... that girl I see now... is that really you, Araya ?" Ayano muttered in disbelief.

I nodded.

— Yes. Me. The hero of Copy. — I said.

The silence that followed was heavy . Then, Ayano took a deep breath.

"If that's true, then I need to act quickly. I have a plan to save you and… take down King Albert," Ayano said seriously.

My heart raced. This was unexpected.

— A plan? What kind of plan? — I asked happily.

She stared at me.

— I only agree to help on one condition. — he said Ayano .

My forehead wrinkled.

— What condition? — I asked.

Her eyes shone differently.

— When the DNA Flower wears off and you become a man again… you’ll have to sleep with me. — he replied Ayano

The words hit me like a shock. My eyes widened.

"Seriously?! Is that all you think about? Has it never crossed your mind... to value yourself at least once in your life?" I said to her.

Ayano 's expression changed. For the first time since I'd met her, she fell silent, surprised, as if I'd hit a nerve.

Her silence made me uneasy. Did it mean refusal? Or just hesitation?

I couldn't risk it. I needed her.

I took a deep breath and replied:

—Okay… I accept your condition. — I told her.

Ayano looked up at me again, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

—Then we have a deal. — he said. Ayano .

"What's the plan, then?" I asked, staring hard at Ayano as the palace corridors reverberated with distant footsteps.

She looked away for a moment, as if she didn't want to reveal a trick too soon.

“You don’t need to know everything,” Ayano replied shortly.

—But it will work out. I'll be able to save you. — he continued. Ayano .

I shook my head suspiciously.

—Acting 'normal' is difficult in this body and obeying Albert. — I said in a low voice.

"His every order is a humiliation. Every step is a trap ," I continued.

She looked at me and the seriousness on her face hardened:

"You spent three months as a slave, Araya ," Ayano said.

"One more day won't kill you. Get over it." Ayano continued.

Irritation rose within me like poison. I took a deep breath, trying not to respond in the same bitter tone. I let out a long sigh.

— I'll try. — I said.

Ayano shook her head, correcting me with the coldness of someone who doesn't tolerate half-measures.

"Don't try. Get it." Ayano stated.

"Now I'm going to train. Stay alert. Don't do anything that draws more attention than necessary," he said. Ayano .

She gave a brief wave and walked away with the straight posture of a warrior. Perhaps there is a shred of kindness in Ayano .

I stood there for another second, feeling the weight of the covenant I'd made. Her promise felt like a fragile lifeline, perhaps, but it was the only one I had.

I went to the women's bathing room, where there was a large stone tub heated by embers. I was asked to clean myself, and the maids didn't bother me beyond what was necessary. As I stepped into the water, the warmth cut through the chill that had plagued me since the prison. The foam rose to my shoulders, and for a moment, I was nothing but sensation: the hot water, the scent of herbs, the muffled sound of steam.

But my thoughts wouldn't let me rest. I replayed the entire morning: the massacre, the red brooch, Yukiko torn apart, Margarida imprisoned, and Albert with his iron smile, now master of my body and chauffeur of my humiliation. I saw Ryn and Kalea 's eyes filled with doubt, heard the silent growls of the prisoners, felt the cold blade of my own resolve ripped away like bark from a tree.

Ayano 's words also came like thrusts and promises: "Don't try. Succeed." There was a demand for courage in this, but also a tremendous burden of hope. If she planned to save me, then I couldn't be the weak point that would break everything.

I dipped my face in the water for a moment, letting the bubbles rise and burst . When I lifted my head, I saw my reflection trembling on the surface, traces of the old Araya and new scars that nothing could erase. Anger bubbled along with the heat of the bath. It was a flame that demanded action, not just waiting.

I stood up slowly, the water running down my body, which still felt strange. I dried myself calmly, as if preparing my body for a ritual. I clenched my fists a few times, feeling the knots in my muscles convince themselves to obey.

There was a nebulous plan, drawn from fragments Ayano had told me, and there was an execution to be carried out. I placed my hand on my chest, over the place where I had felt the brooch, and let the words simmer like an oath.

Albert believed he had bought me with fear and humiliation. He thought I would be just another servile piece on his board.

Tomorrow, when the square fills and the voices echo, he will see that he was wrong to challenge me.

"Albert, tomorrow will be your end, " I whispered to myself, my throat dry and my fist clenching.