The two of them and the one pet sat in the hall, each harboring their own secrets.
Outside the hall, the maid who had hidden the paint bucket moments earlier was busy scrubbing the final traces of blood from the floor. She glanced around; seeing the guards distracted by the others, a flash crossed her eyes. She retreated to a spot not far from the hall entrance, concealed by lush foliage, and pulled the bucket from her robes, clicking the hidden latch open with a soft *ding*.
The moment the lock gave way, two small, vibrantly colorful snakes slithered out, vanishing into the shadows of the floorboards in the blink of an eye. The maid’s face lit up with joy, and she immediately tucked the bucket away and returned to the guards.
Chapter 50