"Lady Elara, where would you like to play today?" a maid asked kindly.
Maulana—now trapped in Elara's small body—stared at his reflection in the large mirror in his room. Big golden eyes stared back at him, the frame of his bluish-silver hair shimmering in the morning light. It had been a week since Maulana 'woke up' in this girl's body, but the strange sensation still hadn't gone away.
He touched his smooth cheeks, feeling the texture of skin so different from his previous life. Who exactly is Lady Elara? he thought for the umpteenth time.
"To the library," he replied briefly, his voice still sounding foreign to his own ears—so soft and childlike.
The maid—Madam Hilda, if Maulana remembered correctly—smiled gently. "You are indeed a clever child, Lady Elara. Always wanting to read." The middle-aged woman straightened the collar of Elara's dress. "But wouldn't it be better to play in the garden today? The weather is so lovely."
Maulana shook his head slightly. "Library," he repeated in a tone he tried to make sound childishly spoiled. "I want to see the picture books again."
He had learned that pretending to be interested in picture books was the perfect excuse to be allowed into the palace library. The maids and nannies were always impressed with Elara's "intelligence" which exceeded children her age. They didn't know that behind that tiny body was the mind of a seventeen-year-old teenager who was hungry for knowledge.
"Very well, Little Lady," Madam Hilda sighed with a smile. "But after breakfast, yes? Her Highness would not be pleased if you skipped breakfast again."
Maulana nodded obediently. He had to be careful to maintain a balance between seeking information and not making people suspicious of his change in behavior. Besides, this small body needed nutrition to grow.
The private dining room of the Silver Moon Pavilion—Elara and her mother's residence—was decorated with intricate carvings with floral and crescent moon motifs. Morning light streamed through the tall windows, making the silver and crystal on the table sparkle.
"Elara, my dear," a soft voice greeted him as Maulana entered the room.
Consort Valeriana—Elara's mother in this life—sat gracefully at the dining table. The woman wore a light blue silk gown with silver embellishments, her long bluish-silver hair styled high with seemingly expensive floral ornaments. She smiled gently at Maulana.
"Mama," Maulana greeted back, trying to sound natural. He still wasn't used to calling this strange woman 'Mama', but he had to keep doing it.
The food on the table was served in small but diverse portions—whole wheat bread with berry jam, slices of fresh fruit, eggs cooked with spices, and warm milk with honey. Maulana was still amazed by the quality of food available every day in this palace.
"How did you sleep, dear?" Consort Valeriana asked while helping Maulana onto his chair, which was elevated with cushions.
"Well," Maulana replied briefly. He was still trying to find a balance between speaking like a three-year-old, but with the vocabulary and understanding he possessed.
Consort Valeriana looked at him with a hint of worry. "You've been a little quiet since... the accident. Mama is concerned."
Maulana knew he had to be careful. "I'm fine, Mama. Just... lots of dreams."
"Dreams?" The woman stroked his hair gently. "What kind of dreams, darling?"
Maulana thought quickly. "Dreams about... books. Lots and lots of books."
Consort Valeriana chuckled softly. "Ah, my clever little Elara. Even in dreams you're thinking about books." She placed a piece of bread with jam on Maulana's plate. "Eat up first. After this, Mama will let you go to the library with Madam Hilda."
Maulana nodded and began to eat quietly, observing the room around him carefully. Small details that he had previously missed now began to catch his attention—strange symbols carved on the walls, crystals hanging from the ceiling that seemed to glow faintly, and a ring with a blue-colored stone that Consort Valeriana always wore on her ring finger.
"Mama," Maulana asked cautiously after a while. "Why do the lights in my room turn on without fire?"
This question had been prepared since the first day he woke up in the palace. Lights that turned on without electricity or fire were one of the first anomalies he noticed.
Consort Valeriana smiled. "That's mana crystal, dear. You know that."
"Mana... crystal?" Maulana pretended not to remember, seeing this as an opportunity to get information.
"Yes," Consort Valeriana replied with a gaze that was now more concerned. "Crystals that are filled by the palace mages with magical energy. Just like what Mama uses to warm your tea." She raised her hand and uttered soft words. Instantly, the teacup in front of her emitted warm steam.
Maulana's eyes widened without pretense. Magic. He had just witnessed magic firsthand.
"Mama can do magic?" he asked with genuine amazement.
Consort Valeriana chuckled. "Of course, darling. All members of the Luna family have a talent for magic, including you. Your memory is really messed up since the accident, isn't it?"
The Luna family? Magical talent? Maulana's mind raced with this new information.
"Can I do magic too?" he asked enthusiastically, leaning forward.
"Not now, darling. Your magical abilities will only start to grow around the age of five. There are still two years left," she explained while stroking Maulana's head. "And then you will get basic magic education, like all other noble children."
Maulana stored this information deeply. Two years before he could start learning magic. It seemed he had to be patient.
"And you, as the Emperor's daughter and a member of the Luna family, will surely have extraordinary magical talent," Consort Valeriana added in a slightly softer tone, as if talking to herself.
Emperor's daughter. Luna family. These pieces of information swirled in Maulana's head, building a picture of his position in this new world.