My name is Luna, and my sister's name is Yuna.

Six years ago, heavy rains flooded the south, submerging many homes and crops. My parents lost their lives in that disaster.

Left to fend for ourselves, my sister and I followed the villagers to the capital city.

I had always been frail and sickly.

My sister had to care for me while working to earn money.

At that time, the Emperor issued a decree stating that all girls aged ten in the capital must enter the Moon Pavilion to pray for Imperial Consort Jones.

The first group that entered never returned.

People soon realized that the prayers were merely a cover for the palace to hide something sinister.

As the palace struggled to find enough girls, they began rounding up refugees using lists of names.

When it was my turn, I was still ill.

She assumed my identity and entered the Moon Pavilion.

On the 15th of August, I sneaked into the Moon Pavilion to bring my sister some mooncakes, filled with excitement.

But instead, I witnessed the horrifying scene of my sister being cut open, her heart's blood extracted and rushed to the Eternal Joy Palace for Imperial Consort Jones' medicine.

A nervous eunuch wiped the blood off his hands and said, "Master, when will this terrible act end?"

The old eunuch replied in a hushed tone, "You don't understand. The Imperial Consort Jones is showcasing the Emperor's affection for her."

"So this medicine is also a test for the Emperor?" the young eunuch asked.

The old eunuch smirked. "Of course."

"Her headaches have long been cured, and she pours the medicine away without even looking at it."

"The Imperial Consort Jones is too..."

The old eunuch tapped the young eunuch's hat. "Don't speak ill of her Highness."

The mooncakes had turned cold and greasy, making them nauseating to eat.

I returned home alone, trying to act normal.

But as soon as I reached our little shack, I vomited a mouthful of fresh blood, tears streaming down my face.

I curled up on the floor, gasping for air.

Is human life really so worthless?

But what about Her Highness' life?

At the empress' birthday banquet, Imperial Consort Jones stole the show.

She had been carried into the Eternal Joy Palace by the emperor himself that day.

After ten consecutive days of his favor, she made the other palace ladies green with envy.

During the hour of six, Imperial Consort Jones pointed to a small dish in the center and playfully said, "My dear emperor, the wolfberry and glutinous rice cake you adore was made early this morning under my watchful eye in the kitchen."

The emperor squinted his eyes and affectionately grasped her hand, saying, "Rosalyn, you've really outdone yourself."

I quietly entered, lighting the freshly prepared incense for the garments Imperial Consort Jones would wear in the coming days.

Then, I stood outside with my head bowed.

"It smells divine."

The emperor buried his face in Imperial Consort Jones' shoulder, taking a deep whiff. "Rosalyn, you smell absolutely heavenly."

Imperial Consort Jones beamed, replying, "Then Your Majesty must visit more often."

I stood outside, poker-faced, listening to their flirtatious banter inside.

In just ten days, I had become a favored presence beside Imperial Consort Jones, and everyone called me "Ms. Yuna."

However, this did not guarantee my safety forever.

As the emperor left, he casually glanced at me and then smiled at Imperial Consort Jones, saying, "Rosalyn is a beauty, and your maid is quite fetching too, especially her eyes, which somewhat resemble yours."

A chill ran down my spine as I met Imperial Consort Jones' shadowy gaze.

She had a domineering personality and an intense possessiveness over the emperor.

Anyone who could threaten her position was not welcome, including me, the lowly maid who had helped her gain favor.

That night, I was dragged into a room and forcefully made to drink an unknown liquid.

Imperial Consort Jones sat in the main seat, leisurely saying, "Yuna, go kneel in the courtyard."

"Your Highness, that medicine..." I protested.

She smiled sweetly, "You'll find out soon enough."

I obediently knelt at the door.

My knees ached, and my vision grew increasingly blurry.

Three hours later, I could see nothing at all, only endless darkness.

I pinched my palm, trying hard not to tremble.

Just because the emperor said, "Your eyes are beautiful," she had taken my eyes.

If I weren't of some use to her, she would have killed me outright.

"Yuna."

Imperial Consort Jones crouched down, pinching my chin and speaking slowly, "From now on, just stay in the perfume workshop and diligently make perfume for me."

"Ms. Yuna, please come back with me," the young eunuch said, his voice still sounding quite youthful.

He handed me a branch and led the way.

After kneeling for so long, my knees wouldn't straighten, so I could only shuffle slowly along.

The young eunuch was considerate, adjusting his pace to match mine.

"Everyone else is avoiding me; why are you helping me?"

In the palace, everyone was opportunistic and fickle.

Just this morning, they had called me "Ms. Yuna" affectionately, but after the incident with Imperial Consort Jones, they all seemed to shy away from me.

Only this young eunuch was willing to take me back.

"I do what I can, with a clear conscience," he replied.

"That's what my father taught me."

"Oh," I said, feeling a sense of connection.

The summer breeze was cool, easing the heaviness in my chest.

My sister had once told me, "Even if no one else does it, you should still act."

"As long as we can look ourselves in the eye, that's what matters."

We chatted back and forth as we walked.

Before we parted ways, he even pressed a hard biscuit into my hand.

Although it was tough to chew, it would at least fill my stomach.

I reached under the bed and pulled out a small square tin.

Inside was red powder that gave off an intoxicating scent.

But if I inhaled too much, it would turn rancid, like rotting meat.

A little had already been scooped out.

I took two spoonfuls and placed them in a paper bag.

Gripping the branch for support, I headed straight toward the perfume workshop.