Rita's POV
The aroma of peppermint and chamomile wafted from the teacup in my hands, a soothing scent that felt entirely out of place in my heart. I carried the small tray with practiced grace, my steps silent as I approached Astrid’s chamber. This was it. The next phase of my plan.
The direct approach had been messy, and while it had yielded satisfying results, it had also raised unwanted suspicion. A subtler, more insidious method was required. Now was the time for kindness, for comfort, for trust.
I knocked softly on her door, the sound almost lost in the stillness of the hallway. After a moment, I heard a faint, "Come in."
Astrid was sitting by the window, a blanket draped over her shoulders. She still looked so fragile, so pale. It was a beautiful sight. Her scent, which had alwa
