I had never felt comfortable around Anna. Something about her just seemed—off. Now that she and my father had returned from their honeymoon, they were officially married. They pushed me to accept her as my new mother, but I still refused to call her anything but Anna. I found it odd that even though they were married, Anna still slept separately—in her own room—which was always locked. When I suggested to my father that she might be hiding something, he brushed me off. I could tell that in his eyes, Anna could do no wrong. He would never suspect her of anything underhanded.

As the daughter of a duke, I could not take any action. To conceal my worries, I began to embroider in earnest. Though it was a skill I had been taught when I was young, I completed more embroidered handkerchiefs and pictures in one week than I had in seven years. I especially made many pictures of roses—beautiful but dangerous due to their thorns. That was how I viewed Anna, though I truly had no idea why.

Then, a few months later, our family was invited to the palace for an entire week to celebrate the prince’s fourteenth birthday. On the third night, I was having trouble sleeping. I started walking through the halls, hoping the exercise would tire me out by the time I returned to my room.

As I turned a corner, I suddenly heard a familiar voice—speaking to an unfamiliar one. I ducked behind a suit of armor, and as they came into view, my eyes widened in horror when I recognized Anna walking with the king’s advisor!

“Our plan is working perfectly,” Anna gleamed wickedly. “Tomorrow, we take action and kill the king and his son. After that, the kingdom will be ours.”

The advisor chuckled, “Yes, and who better to pin the blame on than your stupid step-daughter?” They both laughed uproariously as my heart pounded.

Suddenly, I noticed something strange: Anna’s face was changing. I watched in horror as she shifted and morphed into a perfect replica of myself. _What?!_ my mind screamed, _Anna is a shapeshifter?! _That’s_ how she’s going to pin the blame on me for everything. But she said they’re not taking action until tomorrow. I still have time to take action myself._

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Anna shifted back, laughing as the advisor drew her in for a kiss. I turned my face away. I had seen enough. Fortunately for me, they walked back the way they came and then vanished. Rushing back to my room, my mind raced—what could I do to save the prince?