"How did you even find me?" I whispered. We were sneaking through the long halls and corridors like two bandits in a museum. It felt like we didn't belong here at all.

"They came for me a couple of hours after they took you," Papagalino replied. "I thought it was the end — I was sure they were taking me to my execution. But instead, they brought me to the columns and told me to wait for the new Royal Concubine, Tibia of Santa Barbara. Where even is Santa Barbara?" Papagalino ruffled his feathers.

"I'll explain it in detail later. Let's just get out of here."

"Great idea!" Papagalino took a few steps back.

"Why are you trailing behind?" I asked, surprised.

He made a significant face and nodded toward one of the large alcoves, which turned out to be an archway. Out of the archway emerged — no, I would rather say glided — the White Concubine like a swan. Behind her followed her aviato, keeping the same respectful distance as my Papagalino. Her face was calm and slightly haughty, but when she saw me, it twisted into a grimace of rage and disgust.

"What are you doing here, wretch? How dare they let a potential murderer of Rosso wander freely around the castle?" she hissed, pointing at me. "What did you do to her? How did you end up in her carriage? Answer me, impostor, in those hideous clothes, when a woman of noble blood addresses you."

Terrified, I almost backed into the opposite wall, fearing she might strike me. My hand instinctively tightened around the flute the Queen had given me.

"Lady Fari," her blue-feathered servant whispered in her ear, "let the castle guards handle this matter. It's unbecoming to show such emotions in public, especially when you've just arrived at the castle. Let's call for the guards."

"The guards are never around when you need them. At my family estate, the place would be swarming with guards if I even raised my voice! My father would never let a commoner roam the halls; she'd be thrown in the dungeon!" She was purposely talking about me in the third person, as if to humiliate me even more. Why are some women so nasty? Men are certainly worse, but it's always more hurtful when women tear each other down instead of supporting one another. It plays right into men's hands: divide and conquer — the classic strategy. Only here, instead of generals and rulers, it's women, who already live under a more or less visible male dominance without even realizing it. This happens even in such a magical land.

I wanted to close my ears and eyes just to shut her out. It was happening all over again— one bully trying to humiliate me while her timid, more reasonable lackey attempted to talk her down.

Papagalino quickly stepped between me and the White Concubine, his feathers bristling defensively. Shame washed over me — I was such an easy target for bullies, always needing someone to protect me. When I looked closely, I realized her aviata was actually a girl in a man's livery, staring at Papagalino in shock and disbelief that he dared confront Lady Fari.

The White Concubine's eyes darkened with fury, her fists clenched, but Papagalino's face was no less intimidating. It felt like a fight was about to break out over me, even though it was technically him who had tossed poor Rosso's body from the carriage.

"Lady Fari, please, let's just call the guards and let them figure out why this impostor is freely wandering the castle," her servant pleaded, gently placing a hand on her mistress's delicate shoulder. The White Concubine only shrugged her off as if trying to shake off an annoying fly.

"Step aside, servant, before I order you punished!" Lady Fari hissed venomously.

"Don't touch him!" I snapped, pushing Papagalino aside. The flute vibrated in my hand, emitting a threatening hum.

"Lady Fari, why do I hear accusations against the royal guard echoing through the castle?" boomed a stern voice. The owner of the voice was a tall woman with a chic French bob. A thin white scar crossed her right eye and cheek, adding to her intimidating presence.

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