Moonlight:

Umara:
— Wake up, Lady Umara.- whispers a thick, masculine voice, close to me.- wake up.
I sit on the soft mattress, startled. My heart has plummeted in the direction of my stomach. I stare at the royal gardener in bewilderment, who is sitting on the edge of my bed. Wearing completely black robes and covering his face once more.
— My Lord.- I mumble, sleepily.- what are you doing here? How did we get in here ? Is prohibited. Is they find you...
— I don't come to this place often- he murmurs.-but I've come to cut the stems you want. It's time to plant the garden.
I look at him paralyzed with terror...
— Sir, you shouldn't be here…- I try again.- It's dangerous, I already told you...
He looks at me impassively. It's like he doesn't understand how terrible this situation is.
— Don't worry, little desert flower.- he whispers, understanding her hand and stroking my cheek with obvious affection.-I am the royal gardener, you know, and the Lunas´pavilion is the most lavish garden within the palace. I am allowed to be here, as long as my presence does not inconvenience the Emperor's wives.

Then I understand, my friend must be a eunuch. Only a man incapable of producing offspring would be so freely received in the private chambers of the royal harem.
For a moment, my heart contracts in pain. The other day I ranted about freedom and slavery, disregarding the fact that he is also a serf. At some point he was taken captive and brought here, like all the girls in this pavilion, just like me.
—I'm so sorry. -I whisper, closing my hand over his,which is caressing my face.-I had no idea…

— Doesn´t matter. Shall we go? - He says standing up and offering me his hand.

Outside, the night breeze is pleasant, the garden is lit by a huge full moon, crickets and cicadas sing their melodies and even an owl flaps its wings in one of the high branches of a nearby tree.
There are many nocturnal flowers planted in this place, which are open, exhaling their dissimilar and wonderful perfumes.
Among the tall grass and flowers, thousands of luminous dancing fireflies swirl.
I inhale deeply, filling each of my pores with the scent of flowers and the beautiful view.
Beside me, my companion remains silent, contemplating the scene with marked disinterest.
We walk for several minutes, touring the garden. I point out the stems of the plants I have visualized planted in the secret garden.

—Why do you cover your face, sir?- I ask. I know I'm being nosy, but I can't help it, I'm curious.
—Why did you cover your?- He asks me in turn, using the scissors to take a stem.
I compress my lips.
— I was in mourning. I am in mourning, I've lost my family.- I whisper.
—Yes. I remember you told me that you suspect that your mother and sisters died, but... are you sure?-Are you completely sure that the captain of the golden army committed such a heinous act?
—I am. I had already been sold to the merchant who brought me here, that's why I wasn't one of the victims, but the cries of terror of my countrymen still echo in my mind. Then I saw with my own eyes the thousands and thousands of corpses, all the tents engulfed in flames... - My voice breaks. —It is impossible that my family could have escaped.
—I understand.- he whispers. – Is that why you hate the emperor?
I snorted and crossed my arms over my chest, looking up at him.

— I have answered your question. Now, answer mine.- I demand.
He sighs.
— When I was young, there was a fire in the stables. I tried to rescue our King's father's favorite horse, and I was badly burned. Especially on my face.
Oh how terrible! My heart has shrunk with sadness.
— Many have said that I have the face of a demon.
—Could be…- I approach, taking him warm and soft hands in mine. -…but you are the most beautiful of men to me . You are gentle and kind. Talking with you is so easy. By your side, I feel… safe.
He is silent for a moment, looking at me.
— What about your father? Do you know of his whereabouts? - He changes the subject abruptly, obviously uncomfortable with my praise.
— Father had gone on a pilgrimage to the Orenheb Oasis . It is possible that right now he is returning to the site where our camp was. - I release his hands gently, moving away from him and losing myself among the nocturnal flowers.

We continue selecting stems, while I explain the different properties and advantages of each plant. He places the selections in a basket that I hold, becoming more and more reserved and taciturn.
—Where is the tree?- I ask.
—What tree?
— I seem to remember that originally the garden had a tree. I am almost sure of it. I would like to plant a replacement for the one that was lost.
—Why?- he asks, looking at me with a curious expression in his shining eyes.
— Well, because that way we would respect the initial plan of the garden, you say that it was the favorite of the emperor's mother, and it is also her private garden. It would be nice to restore it as faithfully as possible.
My friend laughs.
— If you hate the man, why put so much effort into pleasing him?
I frown at him.
— You are the royal gardener, Lord. I am only advising you on this matter, if our effort turns out to be a disaster and the emperor gets angry, you could be punished. I'm not doing it for the Merciless, I'm doing it for you. You are my friend, after all.
He looks into my eyes, regarding me with an amused expression.
—Yes. I am your friend. Remember it well, little flower.
Returning to the emperor's chambers, I am amazed to find that the man is not present. For a moment I wonder where he could be, but I quickly correct myself. I don't mind.
Whether he's in Cítiê's or Cassandra's quarters is really none of my business.
In silence, my companion and I began to sow the samples that we have brought. It doesn't take long, we're about to finish when a worry strikes me.
—Have you discovered where the poisoned water came from?
— Yes. You were right, the water from the main fountain of the Luna´s Pavilion is poisonous.
— I knew it.- I mumble.- but it doesn't make sense, the other fountains pour fresh and good water. Isn't that source the one that feeds the others?
—Not really. It is called the main fountain because the water that the women of the pavilion drink is taken from it, but that fountain does not supply the others, its water only leads to this one. - He responds by pointing to the marble construction that we have nearby.
I feel like a tremor runs through my entire being. My mind has been flooded with a horrible reality.
— That means…- I swallow dry…- someone has been poisoning the girls in the pavilion!