Page 5

I leaned against the newly polished wooden doorframe of my newly opened funeral shop, watching with a mixture of pride and trepidation as customers trickled in and out.

The scent of fresh pine and varnish lingered in the air, mingling with the subtle floral notes of the arrangements on display.

It was a far cry from the opulent perfumes that once graced my presence in the palace but oddly comforting in its simplicity.

“Lya,” Laurel’s hesitant whisper broke through my reverie. “Do you truly believe this will succeed?”

I quirked an eyebrow at her, my lips curving into a wry smile. “Why, Laurel, you wound me with your lack of faith. Of course, it will work. We just need to exercise that virtue called patience – something I’m told I sorely lack.” Once upon a time, but not anymore.

Laurel ducked her head, still looking unconvinced. “I meant no offense, my lady.” Her faith in me is laughably low, but I can’t fault her. My plan is crazy.

“None taken,” I assured her, then lowered my voice conspiratorially. “Now, about that apartment I asked you to find…?”

“Oh yes!” Laurel perked up. “I found one near the marketplace. It’s quite convenient for accessing the shop.”

I nodded approvingly. “Excellent work. We’ll move in two days’ time. Start packing our belongings today.”

“But… don’t you want to see it first?” Laurel asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

I waved a dismissive hand. “I trust your judgment, Laurel. Our priority is moving out of the palace before someone points out that it’s been almost a month since my divorce and I’m still living there.

Can you imagine the embarrassment?” I made a disgusted face.

“Besides, we can always find a new place if this one doesn’t suit. ”

A small, pleased smile graced Laurel’s features at my words of trust. Before she could respond, however, the sound of pounding feet and labored breathing caught our attention.

Tommy skidded to a halt before us, his thin chest heaving as he gasped for air. Despite my best efforts to feed him, his frame still hadn’t filled out. “M’lady! I’ve done what you asked!”

I felt an unexpected swell of affection for the scrawny urchin. Somehow this kid had wormed his way into my heart, not that I’d ever admit it.

I took him to my office, away from prying ears. Laurel followed close behind. “And how goes our little rumor mill, Tommy?”

His face split into a gap-toothed grin. “It’s workin’ like a charm! I’ve been tellin’ everyone how this whole street’s cursed now, what with the funeral shop an’ all. Even got Pip, Ash, and Bree from the orphanage to help spread the word!”

I couldn’t help the proud smile that tugged at my lips as I ruffled his unruly hair. “Well done, Tommy. Here’s a little extra for your friends’ efforts.”

* * *

The night air was warm and balmy as Laurel and I crept through the palace gardens, our footsteps muffled by the grass.

Moonlight dappled the foliage, casting eerie shadows that danced around us like restless spirits.

It’s like the universe is encouraging me with my crazy ideas.

I led the way, my heart thrumming with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

“Are you certain about this, Ilyana?” Laurel’s voice was barely audible, her breath warm against my ear.

I rolled my eyes, though she couldn’t see it in the darkness. “For the hundredth time, Laurel, yes. And can you not whisper in my ear like a ghost?”

We reached the far corner of the garden, where an inconspicuous stone jutted out from the palace wall. I ran my fingers along its rough surface until I found the hidden latch. With a soft click, a portion of the wall swung inward, revealing a narrow, musty passage.

“After you,” I gestured to Laurel, who hesitated before stepping into the gloom.

As we navigated the dank tunnel, the scent of mold and dust filled my nostrils. This passage hadn’t been used in a long time. I had accidentally stumbled on this one in my last life when I was trying to flee the palace. It didn’t really do much good to me since I was caught anyway.

“Do you have everything we need?” I whispered to Laurel as we neared the exit.

“Yes,” she said. “But I must say, this plan of yours seems… rather risky.”

I snorted softly. “Riskier than being homeless and staying on the streets, begging? I think not. Now, hand me that white gown and veil.”

“You’re being dramatic again,” Laurel said but passed me the bundle of fabric anyway, and I began to change in the cramped space of the tunnel. As I struggled with the buttons, I heard Laurel mutter under her breath, “This might be the worst idea I have ever heard.”

“What was that?” I whisper-yelled, my fingers fumbling with the last button.

“Nothing!” Laurel whisper-yelled back, a touch too quickly.

I smirked, putting a black cloak over the pristine white gown. “That’s what I thought. Now, let’s go cause some chaos, shall we?”

We emerged from the tunnel into a narrow alley near the marketplace. The cobblestones were slick with the evening’s earlier rain.

I stepped out of the tunnel, the cool night air raising goosebumps on my skin. The white gown peeked underneath the cloak, eerily luminous in the moonlight. Laurel followed close behind, her eyes darting nervously.

“Are you ready for some chaos, Laurel?” I grinned, my heart racing with anticipation.

This is going to be so much fun. I always wanted to scare people.

She fidgeted with her sleeve. “I’m still not certain this is wise.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come now, where’s your sense of adventure? Besides, a little haunting never hurt anyone. Just go hide somewhere.”

We crept through the shadowy streets, the cobblestones slick beneath our feet. As we neared our shop, I spotted a lone figure hurrying along. Perfect.

I glided forward, arms outstretched, with my hair all wild, and let out a low, ghostly moan. The man didn’t even glance my way, his footsteps never faltering.

Frowning, I tried again with the next passerby, this time adding a dramatic hair flip for good measure. Nothing. Not so much as a startled yelp.

Laurel’s muffled laugh reached my ears. At least someone was having fun… at my expense. “Having trouble, my lady?”

I shot her a withering glare. “I’d like to see you do better.”

Her eyes sparkled with mirth. “Perhaps your ghostly wails need some work? Or maybe a bit more flailing?”

“Oh hush,” I grumbled, though I couldn’t quite keep the smile from my lips. “We simply need our first victim to get the ball rolling. People are like sheep - once one starts bleating, the rest will follow.”

As I gazed at Laurel, inspiration struck. “Actually, my dear, I believe you’ve just volunteered for a crucial role.”

Her laughter died instantly. “Oh no, my lady, surely you don’t mean-”

“Oh, but I do,” I grinned wickedly, rubbing my hands like those proper villains in those troupes. “Now, let’s see those acting skills of yours.”

With much grumbling and eye-rolling, Laurel took her place on the street. I hid in a nearby alley, waiting for my cue.

As a group of revelers stumbled by, Laurel let out a blood-curdling shriek. “Ghost! It’s a ghost!”

She pointed wildly in my direction as I glided out, doing my best impression of a vengeful spirit. To my delight, several of the men paled visibly.

“By the gods, do you see that?”

“It can’t be real… can it?”

“The rumors were true then?”

“Run!”

As they scattered, I couldn’t contain my laughter any longer. Laurel joined me, her eyes dancing with mischief.

“Well done, my lady,” she giggled. “Though I think your ghostly moan still needs work. It sounded like a dying duck.”

I swatted her arm playfully. “Critic. Let’s see you do better next time. Weren’t you against this idea just a few minutes ago?”

We spent the next hour haunting the streets, perfecting our routine.

When a particularly brave soul decided to chase after me, I ducked behind a fruit stand or behind the garbage can, and that one time I even climbed a wall in my gown, making it appear as though I’d vanished into thin air.

Their baffled expressions were priceless.

As we made our way back to the palace, still laughing, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. It wasn’t exactly the height of nobility, but it was the most fun I’d had in ages if I count my years in exile.

“You know, Laurel,” I mused as we slipped back into the secret passage, “I think this little venture of ours might actually work.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Starting a ghost infestation to drive down property values and buy up the neighborhood cheaply? It does seem rather… unconventional.”

I grinned. “Unconventional is my middle name nowadays, it seems. Now, what do you say we plan our next haunting? I’m thinking we need to up our game and do some floating spirits…”

Laurel groaned, but I could see the smile tugging at her lips. “What have I gotten myself into?”

I emerged from the tunnel, still giggling like a child, the warm night air a sharp contrast to the stuffy cold passage. Laurel stumbled out behind me, her cheeks flushed with exertion and mirth.

“I can’t believe we actually pulled that off,” she whispered, her eyes dancing with barely contained laughter.

“Oh ye of little faith,” I smirked, brushing dust off my ghostly white gown. “Never underestimate the power of a good haunting and-”

My words died in my throat as I caught sight of two familiar figures in the moonlit garden. I yanked Laurel behind a nearby alcove, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“What in the-” Laurel’s protest was cut short as I clamped a hand over her mouth.

Peering around the pillar, I confirmed my suspicions. Noah and Rosalind stood mere feet away, engrossed in what appeared to be an intense discussion. Their faces were cast in shadow, but the tension in their postures was unmistakable.

Laurel, having wiggled free of my grip, poked her head around my shoulder. “Is that… Lord Noah and Rosalind?” she whispered, echoing my own thoughts.