She gestured to a girl standing placidly by the pool: Elara's friend, Pip. But Pip's eyes were no longer his own. They were mirrors.
Not toward the children. Toward the mercury pool. Lily Service -Full Version- -Tyviania-
"You've destroyed years of work," she said softly. "Do you know what they'll do to me? The Harvesters have long memories." She gestured to a girl standing placidly by
And on the first anniversary of the Lily Service's fall, a package arrived at the school. No return address. Inside: a single pressed lily, black as tar, and a note in elegant, copper-inked script. Not toward the children
The plague known as the Grey Rot had come seven years ago, leaving behind a harvest of orphans. They called them the "Ashpetals"—children with hollow cheeks and ancient eyes, named for the way they scattered at the first sign of city guards.
That night, Elara watched from a rooftop as a carriage of black lacquer, emblazoned with a silver lily, rolled through the district. Two Sisters in gray habits stepped out, their faces hidden behind porcelain masks painted with serene, closed eyes. They moved with silent purpose, handing out warm bread and small vials of golden liquid—"Tears of Veriditas," they called it. A cure for the creeping cough that plagued the under-tier.
"Little mouse," came a voice from everywhere and nowhere. Elara looked up. A projection of Lady Vane's face filled the shaft, her jade eyes burning. "Did you think the greenhouse was unguarded by accident? I let you find the ledger. I let you bring the Inquisitor. Because a failed rebellion draws more eyes than a quiet operation. Thank you for the free publicity."