I let out a sharp sigh. Before I could reach for the flute, something seemed to push me under the knees. I fell, realizing I couldn't lift my arms. It was as if I were wrapped in an invisible web. It felt like I was being submerged underwater — everything was blurry and strange, making me dizzy, not because of the supernatural events, but because I was insanely scared. Glancing at Papagalino, I realized he was in the same predicament. We had been caught.

Along the long path paved with stones resembling green serpentine, walked a tall woman in a dark purple dress shimmering like butterfly wings or the mother-of-pearl of an ammonite. Her black wavy hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, adorned with real violets. A sparkling diadem was proudly nestling on her head.

"Your Highness! We've captured this impostor. Lady Fari claims she's not the chosen concubine, Rosso from..."

"Rosso or whatever she's called is not here, so she's not exactly the chosen one, but this girl in trousers is already kneeling before me."

Everyone bowed their heads at the sight of the Queen, except the guards who stood around the perimeter. I didn't too. I just stared at her, mesmerized. Normally, I would have looked away, as I often did when meeting strangers. To make it less obvious, I had learned to pretend — I would act like I was looking into someone's eyes, but I was really looking slightly to the side.

It was silly to think the Dark Concubine was the Queen. I mean, she was stunning, but not as magnificent as the Queen herself. I don't know if she thought I was being disrespectful for being the only one who didn't bow my head, but she didn't look angry or annoyed.

It felt strange to still be kneeling — it was wrong and humiliating. I stood up. Nothing was stopping me, but my hands were still bound by some invisible force, making me feel unsteady.

She lifted my chin, peering into my frightened eyes. I tried to pull away, but with my hands tied, I just jerked to the side and nearly fell.

"How dare you behave like this in the presence of the Queen," the guard rudely shoved me from behind, and I painfully fell to my knees before her.

She seemed uninterested. Her eyes wearily slid downward, and she noticed what got me into all this trouble. I tucked it right into the loop of my jeans. The young woman looked into my eyes again. Her beautifully outlined mouth opened slightly in what seemed like surprise, just for a second. Then she put on the mask of cold indifference again.

"This one will do," the Queen said indifferently. "Bring her to me on the terrace first." With her elegant hand clad in a long black glove, she reverently retrieves the flute.

"Where should we take them, Your Majesty?" asked the same guard.

"To her quarters, of course."

"The quarters of Lady Rosso from the Red Lakes?"

"Since she is my concubine, she should live in the concubine's quarters. Unless one of the ladies wishes to offer her own quarters?"

The Dark and White Concubines bowed their heads even lower. "As you wish, our Lady."

"See? This little babe already has so many options."

"She could be our enemy," the guard warned.

"Everyone has the chance to become my concubine and loyal servant, even my enemies."

"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer," I blurted out.

"I like her more and more," the Queen smiled.

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