The next morning, Elara was assigned to polish the mirrors in the eastern reception hall—a job so far from the gardens she almost believed yesterday had been a dream.
The sunlight pooled across the floor in long rectangles, catching the dust motes that danced lazily in the still air. She worked in silence, cloth in hand, watching her own reflection shimmer back at her in each newly polished panel.
She had eyes now.
Not just shapes—real eyes, clear enough to catch the faintest flecks of brown in the irises.
It was happening again. The world was filling her in.
Behind her, two maids passed by, their voices carrying in the echoing space.
"…said His Highness actually spoke to her."
"Impossible. He wouldn't remember a D."
"I'm telling you, B saw it. In the garden, yesterday morning."
A soft laugh. "If it's true, then A won't be happy."
The words faded down the corridor, leaving Elara with the sound of her own heartbeat.
She didn't have to wait long for the warning to arrive.
A appeared in the doorway, every detail in place—hair pinned just so, ribbon tied in a perfect bow. "Ah. So they've given you mirrors." Her tone was pleasant, but her eyes were cold. "Careful not to leave streaks. I'd hate for the wrong sort of reflection to reach the wrong eyes."
"I'll manage," Elara said, not looking away.
A's lips curved faintly before she crossed the room to the largest mirror. "This one's difficult. The glass was imported from the south—very delicate. You wouldn't want to scratch it." She leaned in as though inspecting her own face, then stepped back with a satisfied hum. "In fact, perhaps I should take this one. You can finish the others."
It was a dismissal, wrapped in silk. Elara nodded and moved on, but she could feel A's gaze on her back the entire time.
By midday, her arms ached from the constant polishing, and the hall gleamed as though it had been dipped in water. She was gathering her things when Guard 4 appeared in the doorway.
"D?" His tone was clipped, but there was a trace of uncertainty in it—guards rarely addressed the lower maids directly. "His Highness requests your presence in the garden tomorrow. Morning service."
Elara froze. The same time. The same place.
The story wasn't letting go.
"I'll be there," she said, her voice steady.
Guard 4 gave a curt nod and left.
She looked into the nearest mirror once more before leaving.
Her lips had color now. Barely there, like the faint blush before sunrise—but unmistakable.