Lady Saada stood at the entrance of the Palace of An Layan and for the first time in decades felt something like fear. Unfortunately, the grandeur of the Redwood banners that lined the halls only served to heighten that anxiety. Rumours had spread like wildfire across the city that it was indeed the Red Queen herself who had summoned the upper echelons to this meeting and Saada's mind raced with thoughts of what this could mean.

The Queen only personally called meetings for threats to the House. And House Whiterose was a formidable threat, no matter what the others said. Only fools would pretend otherwise.

As she made her way through the opulent corridors, Saada couldn't help but marvel once again at the sheer extravagance that surrounded her. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of battles won and conquests achieved. The air was heavy with the scent of exotic perfumes, mingling with the subtle aroma of polished wood.

Servants scurried about like frightened ants, their footsteps echoing through the spacious hallway and one of them hurried forward and flung one of the doors open. Saada blinked, eyes flickering with curiosity as representatives from the Vassal Houses sauntered in. Each wore robes that bore the symbols of their respective House, their colours and symbols intricately woven into the fabric. The distinct patterns and emblems marked them as members of House Starfire, House Ashfall, House Nightshade, and so on.

Saada marvelled at the sight, her heart swelling with a mixture of surprise and trepidation. She had expected to see only the highest-ranking officials present at a summons from the Red Queen, but to witness representatives from all the Vassal Houses was unexpected. The situation must be that dire then.

The representatives noticed Saada standing there, her presence conspicuous amidst the bustling crowd and with a collective bow of respect, they acknowledged her, as was her right. Saada, feeling a surge of pride and purpose, reciprocated their gesture with a regal nod and turned away with a sniff.

However, as the representatives hurried along with her towards the throne room, Saada couldn't help but notice their apprehension. Their eyes darted about nervously, their words whispered in hushed tones. It was clear that they, too, were aware of the weight of the meeting that awaited them.

The corridor grew wider as they approached the massive double doors leading to the throne room. The intricately carved designs on the doors depicted scenes from ancient battles and triumphs of the Red Queen's reign. Each stroke of the artist's chisel seemed to breathe life into the figures, making them almost dance in the flickering torchlight.

With bated breath, Saada stepped into the throne room and it was a sight to behold. The vaulted ceilings stretched high above, adorned with dazzling chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the room. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, bathing the room in a kaleidoscope of colours. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, mingling with the thick fragrance of flowers that lined the chamber.

And at the centre of it all, Saada's gaze was drawn to the magnificent throne that towered over everything else in the room. It was a testament to the grandeur of the Red Queen's power—a magnificent structure built around the brightly pulsating City Core, its ethereal light casting an otherworldly glow upon the throne and its surroundings.

Standing near the throne were a few select Core Elders, their robes flowing in vibrant hues. They exuded confidence, their expressions unwavering despite the weight of anticipation that hung in the air. Saada couldn't help but feel a surge of respect for these esteemed individuals who, like her, had dedicated their lives to the service of the Red Queen.

Taking her place among them, Saada felt a mingling of emotions within her. On one hand, she was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and honour to be counted among the Core Elders. It was a position coveted by many, yet attained by few. And Saada was one of the youngest to ever be lifted to such heights. On the other hand, a flicker of unease danced at the edges of her consciousness, reminding her that something momentous was about to unfold.

The minutes stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity as they waited for the arrival of their sovereign. The tension had grown to palpable heights now, and Saada could practically taste it in the collective energy of those around her. It was as if they were all suspended in space, caught between hope and trepidation.

And then, as if in response to their collective yearning, the air shifted. A hush fell over the throne room, as if the very walls had held their breath. And then, in one swift moment, the Red Queen appeared.

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It was as if time itself had bent to her will. One moment the throne was empty, then the next she was sitting upon it with an air of regality that commanded attention and reverence. Her presence was undeniable, radiating with an otherworldly power that seemed to vibrate through every fibre of Saada's being.

The spiritual pressure of the Queen's Domain lanced out like a tidal wave, crashing against her senses. Saada felt her knees buckle beneath the weight of it, a physical manifestation of the awe-inspiring power that emanated from the Queen. Her domain spoke of a blood-soaked battlefield, of mountains of corpses left behind by a laughing, raging tyrant. She could see her fellow Core Elders and representatives from the Vassal Houses also succumbing to this overwhelming force, their bodies sinking to the floor with a collective thud.

As Saada found herself on her knees, she dared not raise her gaze. But she could feel the intense gaze of the Red Queen piercing through her, an electric current coursing through her veins. The power that radiated from the Redwood Legend was, as always, unlike anything Saada had ever experienced before. It was raw, primal, and rooted in ancient magic that spanned generations.

With a voice that seemed to echo through the vast chamber, the Queen commenced with her address. Her words reverberated in Saada's ears, each syllable weighted with disappointment and fury. The news of the failed attack on An Solidan struck like a dagger to Saada's heart, for she had devoted countless hours to meticulously planning and strategizing every affinity of that operation.

But it was the mention of House Whiterose and the lifting of the Queen's curse that sent a fresh surge of anger coursing through her veins. She bit her lip, fighting to maintain her composure as the Queen's words continued to wash over her. Her voice dripping with disdain and disappointment.

Saada's mind raced, searching for any excuse, any explanation that could absolve her of the blame. She could feel the weight of her fellow Elders' eyes upon her, unwavering and judgmental.

Summoning the courage to speak, Saada dared to interrupt the Queen's address. The room fell silent, every eye turning to her as she braced herself for the consequences of such audacity. "Apologies, Your Majesty," she began tentatively. "But may I be granted a moment to explain?"

The Queen turned her piercing gaze upon Saada, the intensity of it unnerving. "Speak then," she commanded, her voice cutting through the air like a sharpened blade. Saada felt a shiver run down her spine, aware that her fate hung in the balance of her words.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Saada began her account. "Your Grace, it is true that I bear the weight of failed plans and shattered expectations, but I implore you to hear me out. The mission to An Solidan was fraught with unforeseen challenges. House Whiterose, once considered a mere obstacle, proved itself to be more formidable than anticipated."

Saada watched as the Queen's expression shifted, a flicker of curiosity crossing her regal features. Encouraged by this slight change, she continued. "During our infiltration into their core room, we discovered three of the Whiterose inner disciples. Two of them were soon revealed to be the Brothers Divine."

A murmur rippled through the throne room at these words, whispers of intrigue and speculation spreading like wildfire. Saada pressed on, her voice steady and determined.

"But it's the third disciple that is of interest," she continued. "The Brothers Divine were protective of her, Your Grace. Very much so. And when combined with the essence surge that originally drew our attention to the First Isle... I believe the girl might be Starborn."

A hush fell over the chamber as Saada's words sank in.

The Queen's reaction was subtle. Merely a widening of the eyes and her gaze fixing upon Saada with a newfound intensity. But the air in the throne room grew heavy with anticipation The notion of a Starborn disciple within the ranks of House Whiterose was a troubling thought. The Queen was said to have been the granddaughter of a Starborn herself, and despite being removed by two generations, that particular penchant for greatness had manifested in her as well.

The Queen rose from her throne, her crimson robes cascading around her like a river of blood. Her voice, once filled with ire and disappointment, now held a hint of curiosity. "Are you certain of this, Saada?"

Saada nodded, meeting the Queen's gaze without faltering. "I am certain, Your Grace," she affirmed. "The girl's blood was untainted, a level of purity that could only be achieved if the System had designed her from scratch. I checked it myself."

"Keep an eye on this girl, Saada," the Queen finally commanded. "And not just her, but the rest of the inner disciples as well. I want to know everything about them, their strengths, their weaknesses, their secrets. We cannot afford to underestimate House Whiterose any longer."

Saada bowed deeply, acknowledging the Queen's orders. "As you command, Your Grace," she replied. "I will gather a team of our most skilled spies and infiltrators. We will leave no stone unturned in our search for information."

The Queen's smile broadened, a glint of something dancing in her eyes. "Excellent," she declared. "But while we prepare our spies for this crucial mission, we must also fortify our defences. The Roses are cunning, and they will not hesitate to strike back at us should the opportunity arise. Core Elder Coos, gather our inner and core disciples immediately. We must increase their training. House Ironfist recently complained that The Harvest Trials had gotten stale as of late." Her smile grew nastier. "I think it's time we returned them to their original purpose."