Nathaira smirked from behind her silk veil as she watched Nora retreat to her chambers the night before. Everything was in place. The snake, delicate yet deadly, slithered silently beneath the silken sheets of Nora's bed, hidden from sight but ready to strike the moment she settled in.
"She won't see morning," Nathaira whispered to herself.
But Nora had already seen it coming.
From the moment she noticed Nathaira's smug glances and overly sweet tone at dinner, she knew something was off. And then, when she entered her room and spotted the snake coiled subtly at the edge of her bed, she only tilted her head slightly and said with a flat expression, "Hm… okay. Let's play."
Without flinching, Nora calmly reached for a pair of silk gloves, captured the snake, and placed it neatly into Nathaira's jewel-encrusted purse left on a nearby chair. A wicked smile touched her lips as she whispered, "Your turn."
The next morning, the grand dining hall was buzzing with energy. Servants moved quickly, nobles chatted lazily, and the royal family gathered at the long table. But all eyes turned in shock when Nora appeared, calm, composed, and… serving tea.
Nathaira nearly dropped her cup.
Her face froze.
That was not supposed to happen.
Nora met her gaze and offered a small, courteous bow before moving on as if nothing had ever occurred.
Nathaira's heart pounded. No. She had gone to sleep in that bed. The snake should've—!
With a forced smile, she stood up, excusing herself from the table. Her heels clicked hastily across the marble floor as she approached her seat and reached for her purse. She opened it—
"Huh? What th—?"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Her scream pierced through the hall like a dagger.
Chairs screeched as everyone stood in alarm. All except Zayan.
He remained seated, calm and unmoving, sipping from his cup. His eyes, however, were locked on Nora—who was walking away with a soft, amused giggle laced with quiet satisfaction.
Zayan raised a single eyebrow and muttered under his breath, "Did… she?"