101

Mehera.

I trailed behind Agnes, my steps are hesitant and I constantly have to look back. Bertha pushes me to go further. We have descended into the lowest servant wing. It is a dimly lit and musty part of the castle where the servants responsible for cleaning the pipes and other menial tasks resided. The air is thick with the scent of damp stone and the unpleasant odor of the castle's inner workings.

The corridors are narrow and the walls are lined with worn, wooden doors, each leading to small, cramped rooms where the lowest-ranking servants slept.

“This is where that whore deserves to be.” Agnes whispers and I look at Bertha who smiles.

“What about her servants?” I ask.

“Those fools…I have departed them from her. I have sent them to another division.” Agnes says and a part of me feels sorry for Yeri. But what can I do? This is not about her. It is about me being the queen that I deserve. Maybe when this is over, I will recover her from here and place her somewhere slightly better.