Mirror, Mirror

2.13 Sun Princess

You're the one good thing that I truly made. I feel you growing inside me, and you're just perfect. Can you believe it? I am creating life with my body. That is just a miracle.

❖

Starla and Rayvin had been on their way back from hiking, walking through the city to get back to the palace when Starla saw her.

Starla didn't recognize her at first because her silky black hair was dyed blonde. She was surrounded by royal soldiers, which is why Starla and Rayvin slowed and looked to see what was going on.

Then the woman turned her head, and Starla saw the high cheekbones and long fake lashes. She looked like a goddess.

"We're going this way," Starla said, turning on her heel. Had she seen Starla?

"Isn't that in the opposite way?" Rayvin asked behind her, sounding confused.

"This way is more scenic anyway," Starla said, walking quickly.

"Who was that anyway? Someone you knew?" Rayvin asked, jogging to catch up with her.

"Someone I knew, yes," Starla said. "And I'd hoped to keep it that way." What was she doing here? And now of all times?

"Wow," Rayvin observed. "You seem pretty rattled about seeing her."

"We used to be best friends," Starla said.

"What happened?" Rayvin asked.

"I don't want to talk about it," Starla said. "Come on, we're going to be late for lunch."

❖

Starla had finally managed to forget about seeing her ex until that night.

"Miss Starla," a messenger said. "Your dear friend, the Sun Princess, is here for dinner. She'll be staying with us for a while."

"Lovely," Starla said.

"She's here for dinner," the messenger said.

"Got it," Starla said, making no sign of movement.

The messenger paused awkwardly.

"Dinner is starting very soon," the messenger said.

"Right, thank you, you are dismissed," Starla said acidly. Who knows, maybe her ex had changed?

❖

Her ex had changed, at least outwardly. Starla finally got to see her up close at dinner. She looked... grown up. She wore a sharp pink blazer and a tight white mini-skirt. Her wing-tip eyeliner looked sharp enough to draw blood. She was no longer a pretty girl roleplaying a prettier woman. She was a woman. She looked good blonde, too. Starla couldn't bear it.

Dinner was about as awful as Starla was expecting. Starla was upset too because she normally looked forward to family dinners on Fridays, even though they were exceedingly awkward since Rayvin had joined the mix.

"It's so good to see you again," the King said warmly to their unexpected guest, the Sun Princess. "What made you decide to make such a journey across the sea to visit?"

"Oh, I just missed you all so much," she responded, then turned her attention to Starla. "That's just so sad, that you're not actually a princess. You must feel terrible."

"It's fine," Starla said with a tight smile. "How is your father? He couldn't join you to visit us? I see he finally let you dye your hair." Starla was glad Poppy-Anne was next to her. She gripped her hand under the table for comfort.

"Oh, he's doing great. He was busy," she said, waving her hand dismissively. She ignored Starla's comment about her hair.

"Who are you again?" Rayvin asked around a mouthful of noodles, and the Sun Princess turned her attention to him. Her sharp smile widened.