The Palace was her home away from home. The grandeur physique, the elegant decor - she adored every bit of it. Something about such exquisiteness set her heart jumping for joy. It was hard not to wrap herself up in the idea that one day this might all be hers.

One day, Lettie Hatter might be Queen.

Princess was a much closer title, what with Justin only being the Prince. Even still, it was disheartening not to dream just a little. Prince Justin and Princess Lettie, living happily ever after in Kingsbury.

Lettie walked through the grand entrance as she had done dozens of times prior. She probably spent more time there than her actual apartment, but then again there wasn't much to go home to, anyway. After Gwenda moved out and started working at the Royal Palace, it had become a simple, empty space.

Lettie smiled as she strolled through the long, decorated halls. She was happy for Gwenda, no question about it. The Palace was in need of more employees, and Lettie could see that the bakery was not fulfilling enough to her dear friend. She always seemed like she was in search of something, or someone for all Lettie knew. Whatever it was Gwenda looked for, she couldn't find at the bakery. As saddened as she was to see her go, Lettie was all the more joyful to see Gwenda moving forward with her life.

Her new job became better for both of them. Not too long after Lettie began visiting did she and Prince Justin start dating. There was something about him that was so alluring, and it wasn't his bright attire. She remembered him when they were younger at the first ball she'd ever attended, and things jump started from there. Justin had the most upbeat and sensitive personality - nothing could break his spirit or optimism.

A Prince - how her mother gleamed with jewels in her eyes thinking of the future they had together. After one daughter's failed attempt at an arranged marriage, she was probably glad that this was a natural relationship that was headed somewhere.

Lettie stopped by a large window, opening her view all the way to the Wastes. Market Chipping was closer and clearer to see, though her sister's flower shop was a blur inside the bustling market town. She didn't visit her sister enough; with all the time she had been spending at the Palace, she barely made it to work on time. A part of her felt guilty, remembering all the times Sophie would visit after she started working at the bakery. Lettie also remembered when all of those visits suddenly stopped.

She seethed at the sight of Howl's castle, walking proudly across the Wastes. He was a wretched man, worse than Sophie's former betrothed, Owen. Owen was simply too full of himself; Howl was a monster, preying on the hearts of young women like Sophie. She would never forgive him for taking her away.

While Sophie was safe now in their old family home running her own business, she seemed untouched by her brief captivity. She didn't talk about it much - when Lettie had the time to see her and actually converse with her - almost like it had never happened. Almost immediately she started dating someone, even took in his kid, Markl. While Lettie loved being an aunt to him, she couldn't help but wonder why Sophie continually evaded introducing her to Markl's father. She didn't even know his name.

Lettie laughed. How ironic would it have been if Sophie's new love was that wizard Howl. The thought had crossed her mind before, but it was so far-fetched that she immediately disregarded the idea.

Soft, clicking heels walked along the red carpeted hallway, Lettie darting her eyes to the culprit. As much as her blood boiled in rage from Madame Suliman's presence, she couldn't control the shaking fear and terror that spread throughout her entire body knowing that such a powerful sorceress was nearing her.

"Good morning, Lettie." Madame Suliman said, a poised smile on her face. Every time she visited Justin, Madame Suliman was always wearing something different. Her wardrobe was an endless pit of expensive and exquisite attire - her personality was the bane of her existence. "I'm surprised to see you here this early."

Lettie held her stance strong, but she couldn't remove the trembling feeling inside that screamed for her to get away. "I figured I'd surprise Justin."

"How kind of you." Madame Suliman inched herself a bit closer, causing Lettie to take a forceful step back. It was no secret to Madame Suliman their differences - she just liked the game too much.

Lettie cleared her dry throat. "Well, if there's nothing else you would like to say-"

"Actually, there is." Lettie blinked. She wanted to avoid any confrontation with her at all costs. Whenever Madame Suliman was around her, she made sure to have Justin or Gwenda by her side. She couldn't stand up to her on her own.

Madame Suliman straightened her back. "The Royal Family is hosting a ball in two weeks."

Lettie nodded. "I'm well aware. Justin told me about it a while back."

Madame Suliman turned her head, avoiding eye contact. "Yes, but I would appreciate it if you would give an invitation to someone I believe you are quite familiar with." She pulled an envelope from her coat pocket and lightly placed it in Lettie's hands.

She turned the letter over to read the name on the back: To Miss Sophie Hatter

Lettie dropped the letter and it floated down to the pristine carpet below. Her fears returned, and stronger than ever. This was a plot; it had to be. Anything involving Suliman was a devious trick, and Lettie refused to be a player in her twisted games.

Madame Suliman bent down to retrieve the letter, in which Lettie crossed her arms to avoid taking it. Suliman appeared surprised. "Is there a problem? Aren't you just dying to reveal your relationship with Prince Justin to your sister? Maybe you'll even see whom she's been hiding from you."

"I am not hiding Justin from anyone." Lettie said. Her voice was calm, firm. It was different from how she usually reacted in the Royal Sorceress' presence. She felt empowered; she would do anything to keep Sophie safe from her. "But I won't bring my sister into your games, Suliman. Now I may love Justin, but I have no sympathy for you. Sophie has moved on from Owen, and you should, too."

Lettie exhaled a deep breath. She finally felt free.

Madame Suliman licked her lips, shockingly, a smile still present on her face. She leaned in closer to Lettie, her fears returning once more. "I'm glad we spoke." 

A cup of hot tea was a natural relief. A relaxed mind relinquished all worries and refreshed the weary sisters. With the anxiety built up inside of Sophie, Martha made sure to place an extra spell to enhance the tea's solace. It was also a helpful touch for her own anxieties.

Sophie released a calm sigh. "Thank you, Martha, for taking care of me."

Martha raised her eyebrows and stopped refilling her cup. Sophie's tea was doing wonders for her. She already appeared to have a euphoric aura about herself. Martha, however, could not say the same.

She resumed her refill. "Of course, Sophie. I'd do anything to keep you safe."

Sophie ran a hand over her stomach. "Because of this baby. Because he or she will hopefully stop Suliman."

Martha placed the teakettle on the stove. "Because you're my sister." Sophie looked up, Martha's eyes firm on hers. "And I'm not making the same mistake of losing you, too."

Sophie sipped her tea with precaution to the searing heat. They had become rather comfortable in Mrs. Fairfax's home. Sophie couldn't pinpoint where in the Wastes they were, which may have meant they were safe from Suliman's ever-present eyes. However, Suliman was familiar with this environment, and Sophie was not letting her guard down.

The kitchen was quaint, but very cozy. The house was long as opposed to wide, with one bedroom at both ends of the layout. The afternoon light shone directly through the kitchen windows, making the room seem more open than it was. With such little space, Sophie wondered how Martha was able to train with Mrs. Fairfax save for the open wilderness of the Wastes. And for a new apprentice, that was not always the safest method.

Heen wheezed from the ground, begging both Sophie and Martha to let him rest on their laps. Martha bent forward and reached for his hefty body, letting him curl over her legs. She ran her fingers up and down his back as he nuzzled close to her, wagging his tail with excitement.

Sophie tapped her fingers against the wooden table. "So, Howl's headed for the Palace."

Martha shot her eyes up to her. "I know what you're thinking. We're not going."

"But he's out there all alone."

"No, the Witch of the Wastes is with him."

Sophie raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

Martha nodded. "She suggested that they go."

Sophie rolled her eyes with a groan. So much information was thrown at Sophie, she couldn't pinpoint which was the most important to focus on - Howl and the Witch on their suicidal journey; Gwenda alone or imprisoned or being tortured yet again; and their disbanded family scattered and desperate for something good to come their way.

Sophie turned to her sister, though her eyes focused on the floor. "How much of your visions can you tell me?"

Martha dropped her hand from Heen's back. The curiosity would never cease; she was well aware of that. Any magician she encountered on her journeys attempted to weed out the secrets she had seen, hoping that they would reap riches or exploit the misfortunes of others. She knew her sister was a far better person than that - but that didn't stop her from asking questions.

"Please." Martha spoke, though barely audible. "I can't."

Sophie creased her eyebrows. "Can't do what?"

Martha swallowed hard, biting her lip to still her chattering teeth. "I cannot reveal too much. As a Seer, revealing to those who cannot see can and will alter what I know."

Sophie leaned in closer. "You can change the future by what you say?"

Martha raised her gaze to Sophie, the need for answers exposed in her presence. "Very mildly, yes. By revealing future events, it allows you to stop them from happening. Thus, altering the future." Martha adjusted her seating and curled her hair around her ears. "There are also the same or even worse consequences if I ever change what I see."

"What do you mean?"

Martha licked her lips, her hands holding the ends of a few strands of her hair. "Well, I can tell you what I see and you can attempt to change that based on what you know. But me... I've seen these events in their fullest, truest form. I know exactly how they start, how they will play out, and how they end. My power over the situation is infinite."

Sophie closed her eyes, shielding her pain. "Which is why you didn't save Lettie."

The light from Martha's eyes darkened as the vision of Lettie returned to haunt her once more. It was so long ago that she received this vision, but the memory was forever implanted into her mind. Some nights she awoke with lost breaths from the nightmares as Lettie's voice whispered terrifying lullabies in her mind. Not now, nearly a year since her death, could Martha forget the painful images she received.

In moments like those, her gift was a curse.

It wasn't my choice, Martha continually reminded herself. She closed her eyes and breathed in until her lungs could not fill anymore. "I'm so sorry, Sophie."

Her warm hand covered her mouth as droplets of tears fell down on Heen's head. He jostled around to see Martha's sorrowful face soaked and reddened, wheezing to relieve her of pain.

Sophie reached her hand around Martha's back, letting her release the tears she had held in for much too long. Martha told herself she'd never let the visions get to her - although she never imagined experiencing a vision so personal, so intimately related to her own life. And not being able to stop it only made her curse this power even more.

Martha's voice was shaky and broken. "I hate being a Seer."

"Don't say that," Sophie said as if commanding her. She squeezed her shoulder with all the force she could muster. "This gift is a part of you. It's what makes you an amazing witch."

Martha sniffled and rubbed her fingers over her running nose. "It's also broken our family. You can't imagine the guilt of seeing Lettie's death and knowing that if I did anything to protect her, something worse might have happened. Maybe I would have lost both of you."

Sophie shut her eyes and held them closed for a while. "I understand how you feel. I felt that same guilt when I found out Suliman had been posing as Lettie for months, and I was too blinded by everything else going on to notice that my sister wasn't really my sister."

Heen jumped off of Martha's lap as she moved toward Sophie, both standing for an embrace. Sophie ran her fingers through Martha's hair and they both cried in each other's arms, thankful to be in the presence of one another. Blame could have been thrown between both of them, but nothing could alter the past. The middle of the Hatter sisters was gone - the memory of her spirit all that remained.

When Martha had composed herself enough, she returned to her seat. She lifted her teacup only to find no steam exhausting from the drink. With a wave of her hand, she warmed hers as well as Sophie's. Heen returned to his comfort atop Martha, begging for her to scratch and pet his plump body.

Sophie tapped the table once more, another pressing thought still edged deep in her mind. "I want to know."

Martha took a sip. "Know what?"

"How it happened." Martha nearly spit her tea back in the cup. Sophie's visage was stoic and absolute. "I want to know how Lettie died."