A black chess piece in the lady's palm.

Everyone in the Tang household knew that the mistress, Seraphina Lockwood, was the one dearest to the master’s heart—dignified and composed, she kept the entire residence in impeccable order. Save for one thing: even a second glance at the mute, foul-smelling servant in the stables was enough to vex her. Yet on this particular day, an offhand remark from the master—“Go and give him some guidance”—thrust that grain of sand squarely into the smooth course of her days. She had no choice but to put on a proper front and inspect the filthiest corner of the estate. No one could have foreseen that this one visit would stir an invisible undercurrent beneath a calm, deep pool, one that would never be stilled again.