
The morning light filtered through the paper windows, casting a soft glow across the room. I blinked, waking slowly to the now-familiar routine. Two weeks of lessons, two weeks of being reshaped into something I still did not want to accept. I sighed, at least I knew what to expect when the day started.
I heard a soft knock on my door and then my attendants entered with practiced grace. Over these last few weeks, I had grown to rely on them and had made it a point to learn more about them.
Miko, the quieter of the two, bowed her head slightly before moving to the wardrobe. She had been born into service in a noble household, though not one of great prominence. Her expertise in the small details—how to present oneself, how to keep one's appearance immaculate—was her greatest strength.
She hummed softly as she sorted through robes, finding something suitable for breakfast. I had learned she had once served the lady of a minor house before tragedy left her displaced. She rarely spoke unless necessary, but her quiet efficiency had become a calming presence during the chaos of these past weeks.
The other, Hana, flashed me a bright smile as she approached, holding a bowl of water for me to wash my face. She was younger than Miko, with a bubbly personality that made her a constant stream of chatter—much to my chagrin at times. She had been a farm girl, chosen for service in the palace for her keen wit and quick hands. Over the past weeks, I’d learned that despite her lively demeanor, she was fiercely loyal and surprisingly perceptive.
"Good morning, Lady Lira!" she chirped, setting the bowl down. "Today’s a big day! I can feel it."
I raised an eyebrow as I splashed water on my face, washing away the grogginess. "Isn’t every day a big day lately?"
Hana giggled. "I suppose so, but today feels different."
Miko shot her a look, effectively silencing the morning cheer with a quiet authority. "Breakfast will be served soon, my lady," she said gently. "Shall I prepare your hair?"
I nodded and sat down in front of the mirror, letting Miko’s skilled hands work through my unruly hair. As she pinned and styled it, I glanced at the robes she had laid out. A deep blue, accented with silver—a reflection of my noble status and the quiet power I was still getting used to.
By the time I was dressed, I felt somewhat ready for the day ahead. Miko stepped back and bowed slightly. "You look perfect, my lady."
I took a deep breath and nodded, muttering a quiet, "Thank you."
The breakfast room glowed softly in the morning light, the warm aromas of tea and steamed rice filling the air. I sat with my companions, our bodies angled toward one another, but the tension was palpable, a silent challenge hanging over us.
Nessa, seated closest to the head of the table, surveyed the scene with sharp eyes. Her presence was commanding, an anchor amidst the swirling conversation. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement and nervousness as we prepared to engage in our morning practice—an exercise in probing, deflecting, and maneuvering our way through each other’s questions.
Isaac broke the silence, lifting his teacup as if it were a weapon in his hand. "So, Lira," he began, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Now that you’ve adapted well, we’re all dying to know about your life before you graced us with your presence. What was it like?"
My heart quickened, a sudden rush of panic clawing at my insides. What do I say? I can’t let them see me falter. I forced a smile, knowing I had to remain poised. "It was... challenging," I replied, my voice light yet carefully controlled. "I was alone, broken, trying to find my way back from a pretty dark place."
Isabella leaned closer, her curiosity evident. "That sounds horrible. Were you from a wealthy family? You came from somewhere notable, didn’t you?"
I just smiled and took a sip of tea. Looking at Isabella to see if I could pick out any movements that would help me reader he better, a skill I was still sorely inept at.
Isaac chimed in, "Come on, Lira! We all have our secrets. What’s one more? You’re among friends!"
I steadied my breath "I prefer to focus on the present," I said, my tone remaining steady.
"Honestly, you’ve improved so much faster than the rest of us," Isabella commented, tilting her head. "It’s impressive. How do you manage it?"
Fast? I’m just trying to keep up. "I've learned to adapt quickly," I said, shooting a quick glance at Nessa, who watched the exchange with an unreadable expression.
Across the table, Peter's brow furrowed as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed defensively. "You know, it’s almost unfair," he muttered, frustration lacing his words. "You hardly ever talk about yourself, Lira. You just keep ignoring my invitations as well and it is kind of rude. You know I would like to know you better too."
Nessa’s gaze snapped to Peter, her expression sharp as a knife. "Peter," she said, her tone cool yet firm, "you’re letting your impatience show. This is not the way to build connections." The tension shifted, a palpable weight settling over the table.
Peter’s bravado faltered, heat rising to his face at his admission "I—I didn’t mean it like that," he stammered, his confidence wavering. "Sorry, Lira."
I gave him one of the smiles I had been painstakingly crafting for the last few weeks. The thought however made my stomach flip.
Isaac chuckled, trying to ease the atmosphere. "Well, I must say, I admire how you carry yourself during meals. I’m still struggling to remember not to speak with my mouth full." He chuckled.
"Or to keep my elbows off the table," Isabella added with a light laugh. "My mother would have my head for it!"
I smiled, feeling a flicker of camaraderie. At least we can find humor in our struggles.
As the conversation continued, they began discussing their training.
"So, how has your practice been going?" Isabella asked, leaning toward Peter with an inquisitive look. "I heard you struggled with the footwork yesterday. What happened?"
Peter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let’s just say I tripped over my own feet. It felt like I was battling a phantom opponent rather than mastering my movements."
Isaac grinned. "Sounds like a classic case of ‘I swear I’m better than this.’ I had a similar mishap trying to balance my tea while practicing my curtsy. I nearly ended up wearing it instead!"
Laughter erupted around the table, and I couldn’t help but join in, feeling the warmth of their camaraderie.
As we shared our training woes, I felt a sense of ease settle over me, despite the initial tension. Just when I thought the moment would linger in light-heartedness, Isabella turned to me again. "So, Lira, tell us about your favorite food. Surely you had something delicious from your homeland?"
I took a breath, steadying myself. "I enjoy simple meals, really. There’s something comforting about them," I said, deflecting gracefully. "But I suppose if I had to choose, I enjoy... sweets."
"Ah, sweets!" Peter chimed in, a grin breaking across his face. "What’s not to like? They bring a bit of joy in every bite."
The conversation continued, a lively back-and-forth of teasing and laughter. But as we transitioned to more mundane topics, I felt myself relax but with remembered to hold my posture. My back began to ache though.
Eventually, after another round of playful teasing, the others began to filter out. I prepared myself for another round of lessons. I went to stand in preparation, but Nessa walked up to me and put her hand on my shoulder. Her grip was firm, a silent command that told me to stay.
"You handled yourself well today," she said, her voice carrying a hint of approval.
I nodded, a flicker of relief washing over me. "Thank you."
"An envoy has arrived this morning," Nessa continued, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. "They’re here to meet with me, and it will be an extensive matter. I think it best if you excuse yourself for the day."
Surprise washed over me. "Are you sure?"
Nessa nodded; her demeanor unwavering. "I’ll handle today’s affairs. You’ve earned some time to yourself. Use it wisely. Now you are dismissed."
I barely managed to keep my composure as I slipped out of the breakfast room. The second the door closed behind me, I was met with the sight of attendants rushing back and forth in a flurry of activity. My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t expected this much chaos. My heightened senses made every footstep, every whisper feel like a wave crashing over me. My tail twitched involuntarily, a habit I was still learning to suppress.
As I scanned the scene, my gaze locked onto the ornate door across the balcony—the one I was sure Yuki, the young Felinor girl, was behind. Attendants flitted around it, their faces tense and focused. Something was going on. But right now, all I could think about was the overwhelming thrill of freedom surging through me.
The moment I turned toward the courtyard, a wave of excitement hit me. I jumped up, almost tripping over my formal kimono in the process. I couldn’t help myself; the weight of those formalities was gone, at least for today. I rushed down the hallway, nearly colliding with Miko and Hana, who appeared out of nowhere.
Miko’s disapproving frown was immediate, her arms crossed tightly against her chest. “Lira,” she said, her voice low and steady, “you are a lady now. The expectations are based on who you are now. You need to act like it.”
I sighed, brushing my hair back into place as I slowed down, still buzzing with excitement. “I know, I know… but I’m not really a lady. Not yet, anyway.”
Hana, who had been smiling at my excitement, glanced at me with curiosity. “Where are we going, anyway? Who are we visiting?”
“Myra and Katrina,” I replied, turning toward the staircase. “They’re some friends I made before I came to the Embassy. And we’re going to see them today.”
Hana’s eyes widened, her tone turning cautious. “But… isn’t leaving the compound against the rules?”
I shot her a look, my expression stern. She blinked a few times, then quickly backtracked. “Well… maybe we can bend the rules just this once?”
Miko, ever the stoic, looked irritated but said nothing. I ignored her disapproving glare as we descended the stairs, my excitement building with each step.
But when we reached the lower floor, I froze. The guards stationed at the entrance were sharp, their eyes scanning everyone who passed. If I tried to leave like this, dressed in my formal attire, I’d be recognized immediately. My heart sank as the realization hit me.
I glanced around, desperately looking for an escape route, when my eyes landed on a group of priestesses moving through the hallway, their plain robes billowing softly as they moved. An idea sparked in my mind. I turned to Miko, an eager smile on my face.
“Miko,” I whispered, “where’s my old outfit?”
Miko’s eyes narrowed as she raised her nose in disdain. “I burned it,” she replied, her tone clipped. “It wasn’t fit to grace your body anymore.”
I groaned in frustration, but before I could respond, Hana stepped forward with a glint in her eye. “I’ve got an idea.”
Without another word, she hurried over to one of the attendants rushing by, whispering something quickly into her ear. The attendant’s eyes widened in panic, but she nodded and bolted off down the hall.
A few tense moments passed, and just as I was starting to worry, the attendant returned, out of breath and holding a plain robe. Hana smiled triumphantly and handed it to me. “Here, this should work.”
I took the robe, a wave of relief washing over me. “Thanks,” I said, quickly donning the cloak over my kimono. It wasn’t the most elegant solution, but it would do the job.
As the attendant hurried off, I turned to Hana, raising an eyebrow. “Who was that, anyway?”
Hana smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “That’s a secret.”
With my new disguise in place, we managed to slip past the guards unnoticed. The moment we stepped out of the Embassy and into the camp, I felt a rush of freedom. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine and earth. The chaos of the camp buzzed around us, but all I could think about was Myra and Katrina.
“Let’s go,” I said, my voice filled with anticipation as we headed deeper into the camp, ready to find my friends.
bound for disaster