Jane slowly opened her eyes.
The sunlight was already peeking through the window, soft and warm on her face. Her body still felt heavy, like her bones hadn't caught up with the morning yet. The carpet beneath her was a little itchy, and her back ached a bit from sleeping in such a weird position.
She blinked a few times. The spot beside her was empty.
John was gone.
Jane sat up, her black hair falling around her face in messy waves. The warmth from last night had faded, and the silence around her felt a little too quiet.
"John?" she called softly, but no one answered.
She looked around the room—everything seemed normal, except for the strange emptiness in her chest. He had slept beside her last night. Held her. Touched her. And now…
Gone.
She reached out toward the sofa where he'd been, her fingers brushing the fabric. Still warm. Maybe he had just stepped out for a bit.
Or maybe he didn't want to face her after what happened.
Jane let out a breath and hugged her knees to her chest. "Great," she muttered. "Now what?"
The air felt a little colder without him.
———
Downstairs, Lady Maerina sat alone in the kitchen.
The porcelain teacup in front of her was still full. Untouched. The tea had gone cold.
She stared at it in silence, her fingers lightly tapping the table.
That tea… it was supposed to work. The poison inside it was made to be slow, quiet. No color, no smell, no taste. It would've taken days—maybe a week—but Jane wouldn't have even known until it was too late.
And yet… the cup came back, still full.
She didn't drink it.
Lady Maerina's jaw tightened. Her eyes stayed locked on the tea, like it had betrayed her somehow.
Why didn't she drink it?
Had she suspected something? Had her sense more clearer now?
Or was it just luck?
Her thoughts ran wild. This wasn't the first plan. And if it didn't work, there would have to be another.
Lady Maerina stood up slowly, her face calm again. Too calm.
She turned toward the tray behind her.
A soft, sweet little cake sat neatly on a white plate—something Jane used to love as a child.
Maybe it was time to try a more personal touch.
A few minutes later, Lady Maerina walked down the hallway, holding a small silver tray.
On it sat the cake—perfectly round, soft pink frosting, and a little flower on top. It looked innocent. Harmless. Almost too perfect. Like always.
Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she made her way to Jane's room, her steps slow and steady. Not a single drop of guilt showed on her face.
When she arrived, she knocked once, then let herself in.
Jane was sitting by the window, back straight, her eyes focused on something outside. She didn't look surprised to see her mother.
"Good morning, dear," Lady Maerina said with a gentle smile. "You weren't at breakfast, so I brought you something."
She walked over and placed the tray on the table near the bed.
Jane turned her head slowly. "Thanks," she said, voice flat.
Lady Maerina sat down across from her, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "It's your favorite. Strawberry cream with vanilla sponge. You used to ask for it all the time when you were little."
Jane gave a small nod, her face unreadable.
Lady Maerina didn't say anything else. She just sat there, waiting.
Jane stared at the cake for a long time.
Her mother was still sitting there, acting all calm and sweet, but Jane could feel the tension in the air. She wasn't stupid. She knew exactly what this was.
Poison. Again.
She looked toward her nightstand. The small glass vial was still there—hidden under a folded handkerchief. The antidote she made with John. The one she saved, just in case.
And this was definitely that "just in case" moment.
She gave Lady Maerina a side glance. The woman was watching her too closely. Smiling, but not with her eyes.
Jane reached for the cake and broke off a small piece with her fingers. She didn't eat it yet. She just held it, pretending to think.
In her head, she was already planning.
Alright, let's play this game!
———
"So," she said, brushing invisible dust off her dress, "have you been sleeping well lately?"
Jane forced a small smile. "Not really. Weird dreams."
"Ah," her mother said softly, folding her hands. "Maybe the cake will help. It has calming herbs."
Right. Calming herbs, sure.
Jane pretended to be relaxed, even leaning back against the headboard, nibbling at the cake bit by bit.
Lady Maerina just sat there, watching her like a hawk—but with a gentle smile, like this was some cozy mother-daughter moment.
"So," Lady Maerina said again, "you're not angry anymore, are you?"
Jane blinked at her. "About what?"
Her mother chuckled lightly. "Oh, you know. The… misunderstanding. We just want what's best for you, Jane. Truly."
Jane smiled, tight-lipped. "Of course, Mother."
All the while, her eyes were darting toward the nightstand. The antidote was still there. She'd already swallowed most of the cake by now. But she had to wait.
Lady Maerina was clearly waiting too—watching for any signs that the poison was working.
This was a sick game of chicken. And Jane was going to win.
Jane slowly blinked. She let her fingers go limp around the plate and dropped the last crumb of cake.
She tilted her head a little, pretending to be dizzy. "Hmm… I feel… strange."
Lady Maerina leaned forward, her smile still polite, but her eyes sharp. "Strange? Like how, dear?"
Jane rubbed her temples, faking a weak laugh. "I don't know. Just… lightheaded? Like the floor's floating or something."
"Oh no," Lady Maerina said softly, voice full of fake concern. "That doesn't sound good at all."
Jane let her eyes flutter shut for a moment, breathing slowly through her nose. She was stalling for time. She knew the poison wouldn't hit that fast. But her mother clearly didn't know that.
So Jane gave her a show.
She swayed slightly and clutched her stomach. "Ugh. It's getting worse…"
Lady Maerina stood up quickly. "Servants!" she shouted, turning toward the door. "Help! I need help in here!"
Nothing. Silence.
Of course.
Jane almost wanted to laugh then, but she kept her act going. Her limbs felt heavy—only because she made them. Her head dropped to one side as if she was fading out.
And Maerina kept calling, her voice louder and more desperate, even though they both knew no one was coming.
No one was allowed to.