After that, Laluri didn't leave but found herself somewhere to stay in the palace. And from that day, she became Bidal's new maid. No one would suspect anything because it wasn't an unusual thing for the empress to change her maids or acquire a new one.

Meanwhile somewhere in the wilderness, another maid with the same appearance as Laluri had appeared to Juwaira, who at that time had no inkling of the maid's origins.

The young princess never suspected that the message she sent to her mother was what gave her away.

Three months after that fateful day, the empress received a chilling message from her daughter.

"Leave Shen immediately," the message read. "We shall meet on the borders between Biyakis and Shurein at Cunaw. Don't tell anyone and don't let anyone know where you are set for. Your life is in danger. You may come with Alman if he would. But don't tell him where you are going or that I am the reason why."

This had been the message. Alman was Juwaira's elder brother, the man set to inherit the throne in the event of their father's demise. She knew that their mother might not agree to leave him behind - and that was why she had mentioned him - but she didn't think he would follow them and leave his inheritance behind.

Juwaira wasn't aware that another Laluri was at the palace. The empress' every move was being watched and sneaking out of the palace unnoticed would be impossible.

Bidal was confused. What did Juwaira mean by 'her life was in danger?' Was there another place more secure than the Shurein Palace?

Why would she, an empress, flee such a fortress and seek refuge in the wilderness? That didn't make any sense.

Laluri appeared before her as she paced about the room.

"I am wondering when we are going to meet with our daughter," the maid said, startling the empress out of her mental musings. She ignored the look on the empress and continued, "Stop worrying about someone blocking our passage, I have the perfect spell that would take us to her in a short time."

When did she know...? Bidal wondered with a frown. She had her suspicion but it was confirmed now.

***

Meanwhile, Juwaira was in Biyakis with her team. She had already taken the black Ayrid Abdin had given her and was well aware of everything that had happened previously.

That was what urged her to send the message to her mother.

She reasoned that since the time loop and everything told to her by Abdin about Nanata and Laluri and also the impending attack by Origin were all true, then she was obliged to return and help him. But that also meant that Shurein was in danger - very soon, everyone in it would be at risk of dying or being forced into slavery.

Saving the world was a noble act, but saving her mother was nobler. She thought. She would make sure to take her mother along before going to the castle.

The only problem was Laluri. She had deduced from her discussion with Abdin that he didn't intend to die or repeat the loop. And that meant anyone who died this time around would stay dead. Challenging Laluri in such a situation would be highly risky.

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The easiest way was to lure Laluri to the castle for Abdin to slaughter and then afterward return for her mother. She would feel much more at ease knowing that she had her mom by her side. Besides, it was a long way from Biyakis to Shurein and Abdin had mentioned that the attack in Shurein would only happen in about four months or five. If she wanted her mom to leave Shurein on time, she needed to send her an urgent message.

If Bidal left now, she would arrive at the meeting point in at most three and a half months. That would be enough time for her to travel to the castle, deal with Laluri, and come back.

That was the princess' plan, so she secretly sent a message home.

But then, not long after that, Laluri demanded that they make camp. Juwaira frowned when she heard that. Now that she could recall the previous loop, she realized that Laluri hadn't done anything like this previously.

She frowned again. Did her message alter the loop already? She wondered, oblivious to the fact that another Laluri was right then with her mother at home.

They made camp in the heart of the forest and rested. Juwaira sent another message home again. She received an answer a few minutes later. The tablet she held glowed as writings appeared on it.

"What's going on?" The message read. "Why would you ask me to meet with you in a forest? Aren't you afraid your father would know your location if I come?"

Juwaira looked around to make sure no one was within sight before she replied.

Surprisingly, Laluri had gone along with Denyanu to hunt, quite a rare feat considering how the maid never took her sight away from her. Juwaira had a sense of foreboding. She couldn't put her finger on it, and in the current circumstances, there was little to do but to quickly finish her message.

She placed an ayrid on the tablet, making it glow while the previous reply vanished. She dipped her pen inside the ink pot and began writing a fresh message.

"Mama, I can't explain to you right now, but I have a strong reason to believe that Shurein will be under attack in a few months. You will be affected if you continue to stay there."

A little while later, she received a reply: "Do you think I could just flee and leave behind your father and brother? You have to give me a definitive answer to convince me."

The princess bit her lip and glanced around her before writing: "A coalition of Nanata and Biyakis are planning for an attack. Father wouldn't believe it if you tell him. Believe what I told you Mom and flee. I promise to explain everything to you after you have come. You can always go back if, after a few months, there are still no attacks."

She didn't mention Fabae and Origin to make her story less dumbfounding. Her mother couldn't take on this much stress.

At this moment, she heard Laluri calling from the distance and quickly threw the tablet inside her bag.

The maid approached her and without seeking permission or showing any courtesy, she said, "We will camp here for three days," before turning away without waiting for an answer.

Juwaira frowned. They had never stayed for more than five hours in one place ever since they met. Then why would the maid ask them to do this now? It was obvious she was up to something.

But then three days could be all they needed to get rid of Laluri once and for all. Perhaps they could do it by themselves and be free of the plague.

Time passed slowly as a new plan surfaced in her mind. From the information she learned from Abdin, she knew exactly how powerful Laluri was. She knew her weapon of attack and even her reaction speed. They could pull it off.

The first two days were uneventful and Juwaira decided to kill the maid on the third day. She signaled to her men and they all got ready to dispatch the young maid to hell that evening.

Laran had already prepared the poisoned arrow a long time ago and now all he needed was a distraction. He didn't know Laluri's exact level of cultivation, but his team had previously tried and failed to kill the maid, getting the ant tattoo in the process. He would need her distracted, but that shouldn't be much of a problem since the princess and Janta would coordinate and serve that purpose.

They had planned everything to the letter but before the evening, a stranger appeared to them in the person of a woman in a white dress. She had long, black hair that streamed over her back. She looked to be in her mid-twenties with big, innocent eyes. She wore a white ornate flowing gown and her gait was unmistakably regal.

Juwaira kept blinking as the woman suddenly appeared aloft and approached the camp with great speed, heading for her as soon as she landed.

Denyanu and five others made a protective ring around the princess.

Juwaira stepped back and turned to glance at Laluri. The maid had suddenly gone down on her knees before the stranger.