Chapter 15 · Survival Menu - Chapter 15: Make the Mute Talk

They had us kneeling in rows.

The Dowager sat above us on the carved chair they'd dragged into the main kitchen before dawn. Her tea was still steaming. The guards had their hands on their swords. Every door was sealed. Every window had a face at it.

I kept my head down and my mouth shut. That part was easy. I'd been doing it for five years.

"Names," the eunuch said. He had a scroll. He was checking.

One by one down the line. Name, age, home province, how long in the kitchen. Some of the younger girls were crying. Cicada was three bodies to my left. Her voice shook when she answered.

I watched the Dowager's hand. She wasn't drinking her tea. She was watching us.

The eunuch got to me.

"Name."

I pressed my palms together. Shook my head. Pointed at my throat.

"The mute," someone muttered behind me.

The eunuch made a mark on his scroll and moved on.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Then the Dowager spoke.

"Stop."

Everyone froze.

She set her cup down. The click echoed. "Bring the mute forward."

Two guards hauled me up by my elbows.