Mirrors ✔️

Chapter 6: Memories

Hi! It's me. Again. I'm pretty sure I did a decent length chapter, for once, but its unedited. You've been warned. *retreats*

"Look. Mommy! It's the princess! She's so pretty. OOOH! She glanced at me, Mommy!" A little girl with dark brown pigtails squeals in delight. She's maybe six years old. My age.

She's clutching her mother's fingers in a vice-like grip, her face bright with excitement. I don't know why I pay attention to her, but I do. My eyes meet hers as she gives an extra-loud shout of excitement.

Her mother hushes her, her eyes panicked as they dart to my mother. At the time, I don't know why.

I do now.

"Quiet, Eva!" She hisses at the girl-Eva-a hand moving instinctually to cover Eva's mouth. Eva frowns at her a little grumpily, but she listens. At least, until I wave at her, which has her clutching her stomach in a fit of nervous giggles.

This time, it is an older girl who steps in, pulling Eva back, hiding her behind the shifting crowd. The mother smiles at her gratefully. "Thank you, Kassidy." She says, turning back to look at my mother. Why does her beautiful, kind smile disappear when her eyes land on my mother's shimmering crown?

I know why. This is a memory. No. It's real. It's not. It's real, I can see her. How do I know what is going to happen? It's not real. It is. Eva is there. I can save her. I can save Eva. Why am I not allowed to ignore her? Please....

There is a stand for flowers behind her, where the girls Eva and Kassidy now watch the carriage pass by from the shadows. Eva looks excited. Kassidy looks....afraid.

She is afraid of me. Of Mother. Of course she is afraid.

"Mother." I say on impulse. "I want to go there." I nod my chin at the flower stand. "For my hair."

Mother stares at me, looking puzzled. Perhaps wondering why I need flowers, when I already have little roses woven through my curls. But she stops the carriage anyway. I try to be dignified as I walk along the little path the villagers create for me, leaving a space just wide enough.

Mother follows just behind me. I can feel her criticizing my every move, watching me like a hawk. I pretend not to notice. I am very good at pretending.

Not good enough. Not enough to save her....

"I want the little blue ones." I say, waving a hand in the general direction of the first flowers I see. "You can get them for me." I add casually to Eva, who's grin now conquers her entire face. Mother's expression is an impenetrable mask.

Is she plotting Eva's death, even now? Does she wonder?

"Hurry, Valarie." She says as Eva hands me my flowers. "I have a meeting with your father and his advisors in twenty-six minutes."

I wave a hand at her, stalling. "You are always in meetings. I can get home by myself."

"Valarie." Mother's voice hints at impatience. "You're only six. Come here."

Eva has been listening the entire time, and she bounces onto her tiptoes. "We can take her!" She offers, a tad too enthusiastic. "Mommy has a carriage, too. It is only wood, though." Eva frowns. "Yours is prettier."

Mother raises a perfectly arched eyebrow. "I would think not. Valarie would never-"

I would. I did. I am. I failed.

"I can do that." I interrupt. "I'll be fine."

Kassidy steps in now. "You're right, Your Majesty. It would not be right for the Princess to ride with us-" She subtly starts to push Eva back, but it's hard. Eva is struggling, her smile melting into a scowl as she glares at Kassidy.