Chapter 21. For what purpose dost thou seek to devour me?

Yafaka visited Camille’s residence for the second time. A palace maid accompanied her, though she chose not to inform Rendi of her arrival. She had resolved to change the course of things once the tea and masquerade had come to an end.

When Rendi escorted Yafaka to the gardens, she bore herself with an air of calm indifference. Yet beneath her composed exterior, she harboured a single, unwavering resolve—she would not allow sorrow to darken Rendi’s heart.

"Camille, why did you not heed my counsel?" Yafaka's voice was no louder than a whisper, carried away like mist on a breeze.

A silent battle raged within her as she stilled the trembling of her chest, willing her fragile heart not to falter.

"Leni is preparing to devour you... and so am I." Her words hung in the air, heavy with sorrow and inevitability, like the last toll of a distant bell.

Yafaka wept, for the stratagem she had so carefully devised had not unfolded with the swiftness she had envisioned.