• Be My Princess 2: Sleeping Mirror •

[Chapter IV] A Curse

It's strange how a mere wristwatch can make the mirror girl feeling on top of the world. She fixed her gaze on the gold and silver watch she's holding. The watch is her most treasured object at the moment. To her by having the watch she feels more human and closer to the prince. To her, the gear of time started to works again and the once frozen time has already melted.

However, nothing stays the same for a long time. The happiness only last for a little short moment. That night once she fell asleep, she had a dream. She dreamed about someone strangling her.

The person's hands were grasping at Sophielle's throat, leaving her without air. Her eyes were wide because of fear and pain sensation she felt and small ragged gasps were escaping her throat.

Sophielle can sense herself drifting away from her body and taking her to a peaceful place one where there are no worries in the world. But then reality came back, Ivan was there.

Yet, he only stood there. Watching Sophielle as she slowly losing consciousness.

Sophielle was almost out of time and she did the first thing she could think of. She clawed her fingers at the person who strangles her uselessly and used her last breath to scream for help.

But no one saves her.

Sophielle woke up. She shot up straight in bed, she was covered in sweat and breathing heavily. That was a terrible nightmare. Images flashed throughout​ her head all at once, like a movie being played in the theatre.

Negative thoughts started to take over her mind but she desperately tried to fight it back. She doesn't want to be like she used to be. She wants to believe in her only hope. She doesn't want to be in the dark for too long. She wanted to be free from all of this agony.

It's been countless times for her to try encouraging herself. That encouragement will work for a few moments occasionally. But, this time. she wanted it to last forever.

Why is it so hard for her to be happy for once? Whenever she's happy, nightmares and negative thoughts will creep into her. Making her frightened by what lies in the future.

She never wishes to be surrounded by those fear. Yet, they won't leave her alone.

"What time is it now..?" Sophielle decided to check on the wristwatch to distract her mind from her fear and her anxiety. The watch arrow is pointing at number nine which mean she has an hour before the time she's going to meet and talk to the prince again.

She got up from the bed and started brushing her hair. Then she remembered that Ivan wanted to see her face.

Sophielle stared at the mirror and saw her own reflection. Her bangs covered almost all of her left face. Is that why he said he couldn't see her face?

In the next moment, Sophielle found herself holding a silver scissor in her right hand. She brought the scissors to her face and slowly puts her bangs up with her left hand. She took a deep breath and hesitate for a little while.

"....Be true to your heart." Sophielle muttered softly before she cuts her hair by her own. Her hair was reaching down her hips and her bangs are covering her eyes. Now, it's already becoming a straight fringe cut just above her eyebrows.

She glanced around again after that and found no tiger. Sophielle thinks maybe the tiger is going to the other world again. The world where she can't go.

"....Ah, it's time.." Sophielle saw that the clock finally shows 10 AM. She immediately walked up to the mirror and with her heart beating a little faster than usual, she puts her hand on top of the mirror and as expected it shines again from her touch and then it revealed Ivan's face.

"Your face...!" Ivan's eyes widened as soon as Sophielle appeared in front of him. He was surprised because the lady who's been hiding her face finally revealed it.

"... I'm sorry if it's not like what you expected." Sophielle muttered insecurely while folding her arms and looking down awkwardly.

"No, you are beautiful," Ivan replied still showing a hint of surprised.

Sophielle was happy to hear that. But, she remembered the dream. The Nightmare she had. She knows she shouldn't over think that but its hard for her. People don't change that easily. What she's doing right now is the first step.

One thing about her is that she could never believe a word anyone says.

"Thank you. Umm, You know, Ivan. I'm really thankful that you're here but one day.. you'll... You'll continue your own life right?" Sophielle gave Ivan a pained smile. She tried her best not to say 'You'll leave me alone' because that's selfish. But in the end, it always sounds as if she's saying that.

"I'll find a way to free you from there first. I swear that." Ivan gave Sophielle his most reassuring eyes.

Suddenly, Sophielle remembered a missing piece of her memories. She remembered how a boy with brown hair told her similar things. He told her how he'll find a way to help her.

His name..

"Kuon. Ivan.. I remember my friend's name. It's Kuon..!" Sophielle clasped her hand together and Ivan once again seems to be taken aback.

"K-Kuon..?"

"I.. I'm from Orien...But who's my family? What is my last name? Why can't I remember them? What happened to me..? Why can't I remember the rest?" Sophielle shut her eyes tightly and tried to remember the other pieces of my missing memories.

"Sophielle, please calm down. Do not force yourself to remember. Nothing good will happen if it's by force."

Ivan's voice calmed her down in an instance. It was strange to her. No one's voice ever gave her the feeling of security and comfort. Yet, Ivan's voice can calm the Sophielle who was a mess a couple of seconds ago. It was all magic to her.

However, it pained her. His kindness and the warm sensation inside her pained her greatly.  She doesn't deserve all of it, she has failed everyone too much. That's what she thought.

All of this was too fast. Too sudden. She doesn't know how to react to him.

"I apologize, but, I have to go now. I'll talk to you again soon. I think I know who would recognize you."

"I understand... Thank.. you.."