• Be My Princess 2: Sleeping Mirror •

[Chapter X] Tiger's façade

Let's go back to a few hours ago. What really happened between the two men? What did they talk about and who was the man? What is his relation to Sophielle? What does he mean by he's been waiting for Prince Ivan?

That few hours ago was a nerve-wracking moment for the Prince. He didn't know how to respond nor what to feel when he heard the lady in the mirror's story from the unknown man's mouth.

~*~

"I've been waiting for you, prince."

"You're her brother aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. Now, I'm sure you've heard something from your friend. But let me explain something more in detail."

Ivan who still processing what just happened only gave the man simple nods with a blank look on his face. Something that he rarely shows to people.

"Our family was a noble family once. We were living happily. But all of sudden everything changed drastically to us. You could say someone spread fake rumors about us and made our family seems bad even though we're not. Since then everything fell apart... Our parents argued a lot,  we're becoming distant..and that was weeks before Sophielle's school trip. Sophielle was acting strangely during those days. She was losing her confidence and her cheeriness. I thought it was just because the family situation or school but after hearing rumors in her school I heard that she's been bullied by Kuon's fangirls. But.. she was so stubborn and prideful. She won't tell us even if we ask her." The man stopped then continues,

"I didn't notice how bad the bullying was. Until the accident.. at first, my family tried to save Sophielle and everything but.. something else happened. We lost our noble title. We lost our money... house.. everything. Yes, we're doing fine again now after that but... The doctor said she doesn't have any chance to wake up anymore. But with your help... I think you can wake her up." The man spoke again and Ivan raised one of his brows

"...You.. how do you..?"

"I've been watching the two of you. I am the Tiger that's been there all along."

Ivan who has been listening to what Sophielle's brother saying is struck. He is in loss for words and couldn't believe all of this. How in the world can he shapeshifting? How in the world can Sophielle get stuck in the mirror too?

"I have no idea how Sophielle's soul ended up in the mirror. But someone gave me a tiger necklace and they said it's magical. They said it would bring me to my sister. Of course, I didn't believe them at first but then when I used it my body changed into a tiger and I'm there.. inside the mirror. But unlike her.. I can get out from that cold world. Maybe.. just maybe. She's trapped in there because she used to say that she's a shadow and a reflection of someone else. If only I noticed everything sooner... I'm such a bad brother.." Sophielle's brother muttered in a low tone with a saddened smile.

"But Prince Ivan, I'm sure you can help her because you're the only one who can see her beside me. I actually have sent the mirror to someone else including the other princes except Kuon. But, you're the only person who's able to see her in that mirror."

"... I've seen her several times before you sent the mirror to me. She was in my dream..maybe she was asking for my help after all." Ivan told him and gave Sophielle's brother a soft smile.

"Don't worry. I'll help her. I'll wake her up. I'll find a way."

"Can you please visit her? Please visit her... If her condition remains like this then we have to let her go... but if that happened I want you to at least meet her. Here." The man gave Ivan a small folded white paper.

"This is her hospital. I know the chances of getting her back..are low but.. at least if they're going to take off the cables and everything from her.. I wanted her to be in the arms of someone that could make her happy... even for once."  The man gave Ivan a pained chuckle.

"... I hate to say this but how about Kuon? I.. know what he did to Sophielle but I don't think Sophielle is a person who won't forgive someone. Yes, she may be insecure and cold but deep down she's kind. I know you know that too. After all- you're the tiger. You're her older brother." Ivan muttered with a gentle yet serious tone. His eyes were the one that convinced Sophielle's brother even more. His eyes are that kind of eyes that shows a lot of honesty and courage.

"Thank you very much."

"I know it's easier to say than do but we couldn't change the past even if we want to. We can only think about it and use it as a lesson for us to be better. If we regret what we have done in the past then we need to focus on the present time and try not to do the same mistakes. Try to atone for it. We are all human and it would be a great lie if one said they never hurt or did something that they regret now." Ivan said.

"You really are born to be a king, Your Highness Prince Ivan Chernenkov of Sanct Sybil." The man chuckled warmly before he held his hand out to Ivan.

"Nice talking to you, Prince but we can't keep the two ladies waiting can we?" The man gave Ivan a mischievous, cocky smile before then bursting out to laugh.

"Pardon my rudeness. I'm just happy to see how you are the person the mirror chose. Well now, let me take the honor to show you the way out." The man muttered again before he politely let Ivan exit the room first. He then leads Ivan to the main door where Mikhail has been waiting for him.

"I'll be waiting for you to keep your promise, Prince. Have a nice evening. You too. Be true to your heart." The man said, bidding Ivan a polite yet also a mysterious meaningful farewell.

Ivan only gave the man a firm nod with a determined smile. A strong feeling of hopefulness is burning inside of his heart. What he wanted to do now is only to set the Princess in the mirror free. But to do that, he knew he has to ask the lady a tough question. Just one question.

Then it's all up to her.

It's all up to her whether she wanted to be there or not.