EPISODE 3 The Mirror That Changed Everything
1140 Words
The Mirror That Changed Everything
Aira had never been on a royal expedition before.
To be honest, she had never even been camping.
And now she was riding a horse through ancient forest paths beside a king.
Life really had no warning system.
She clutched the saddle tightly, trying not to scream every time the horse stepped on a rock.
“I am not built for medieval transportation,” she muttered.
King Jian rode beside her, perfectly balanced, completely unbothered.
“You are doing well,” he said.
Aira looked at him.
Her hair was slightly messy.
Her robe kept tangling around her legs.
Meanwhile, he looked like a painting—calm, powerful, elegant.
She sighed.
“Your Majesty, you realize I’ve only ridden elevators before, right?”
He glanced at her.
“…Elevators?”
“Moving boxes. Never mind.”
He slowed his horse a little.
“If you feel tired, we can stop.”
She shook her head quickly.
“No, no. I refuse to be defeated by gravity and history at the same time.”
One of the guards tried not to laugh.
Lady Mei rode several steps behind them.
Her eyes were fixed on Aira’s back.
Too close.
Too familiar.
Too important.
Her fingers tightened around her reins.
🌸 Arrival at the Forgotten Temple
After hours of riding, they reached it.
An abandoned stone temple hidden between tall trees.
Vines crawled over broken pillars.
Old carvings faded by time.
The air felt… heavy.
Master Rong stepped forward.
“This is where the celestial mirror was last recorded.”
Aira swallowed.
“So this is where my return ticket might be hiding.”
King Jian dismounted first and offered his hand to help her down.
She hesitated only a second before taking it.
His grip was warm.
Steady.
Her heart betrayed her again.
They entered cautiously.
Dust floated through beams of sunlight.
Their footsteps echoed.
Aira hugged her arms.
“Why does every mysterious place feel like a horror movie set?”
King Jian moved closer.
“You are safe.”
She smiled.
“Good. Because I scream easily.”
🌸 Comedy Moment: Trapped Together
While exploring a side chamber, Aira accidentally stepped on a loose tile.
Click.
A hidden door slid shut behind them.
Darkness.
Silence.
Aira froze.
“Okay… that’s new.”
King Jian immediately tested the door.
Solid stone.
Locked.
They were alone.
Together.
In a dark ancient room.
Her breathing quickened.
“This is how scary movies start.”
He lit a small lantern.
Warm light filled the space.
He looked at her.
“Are you afraid?”
She nodded honestly.
“A little.”
He removed his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
Her voice went soft.
“You don’t have to keep saving me.”
He replied quietly.
“I choose to.”
Her chest tightened.
They sat against the wall while guards tried to open the door from outside.
Minutes passed.
Aira hugged her knees.
“Back home, I used to complain about traffic jams.”
He watched her.
“You speak often of your world.”
She smiled sadly.
“It feels unreal now.”
He hesitated, then spoke.
“If you return… will you forget this place?”
Her eyes met his.
“No.”
Not him.
She didn’t say that part.
But he felt it.
🌸 Emotional Close Scene
The door finally opened.
Fresh air rushed in.
Aira stood, but her legs wobbled.
King Jian caught her before she fell.
Her forehead rested against his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
She whispered:
“Thank you… for not letting me disappear.”
His hand rested gently on her back.
“For as long as you are here,” he said softly, “you will not face anything alone.”
Lady Mei saw them like that.
Her heart cracked.
🌸 Discovery of the Celestial Mirror
Deep inside the temple, hidden behind broken statues, they found it.
A tall ancient mirror.
Its surface shimmered like moving water.
Symbols glowed faintly around its frame.
Aira stepped closer.
Her reflection warped strangely.
Master Rong spoke carefully.
“This mirror reacts to souls outside their timeline.”
Aira’s breath caught.
“So… this really is connected to me.”
King Jian moved beside her.
“What happens if she touches it?”
Master Rong hesitated.
“It may open a passage.”
Silence fell.
Aira stared at the mirror.
Her way home.
Her fingers trembled.
King Jian grabbed her wrist.
“Do not touch it yet.”
She looked at him.
His eyes held something raw.
Fear.
“You might vanish,” he said.
Her voice cracked.
“That’s the point.”
He released her slowly.
Aira stepped forward.
But suddenly—
Lady Mei shouted.
“Wait!”
Everyone turned.
Lady Mei walked forward, face pale.
“You don’t know what you’re risking.”
Aira smiled gently.
“I don’t belong here.”
Lady Mei whispered.
“But His Majesty…”
Her voice broke.
King Jian closed his eyes briefly.
Aira finally understood.
Jealousy.
Love.
Pain.
She looked at Lady Mei kindly.
“He doesn’t belong to me either.”
Then she touched the mirror.
🌸 Vision of Two Worlds
Light exploded.
Aira screamed.
Images rushed through her mind.
Her apartment.
Her mother.
Traffic lights.
Phones.
Then—
The palace.
King Jian.
Cherry blossoms.
His quiet smiles.
She saw two futures.
One where she returned home.
One where she stayed.
Tears streamed down her face.
The mirror glowed brighter.
King Jian reached for her.
“Aira!”
She collapsed into his arms as the light faded.
The mirror cracked.
Silence followed.
🌸 Aftermath
She woke up in his chambers.
Her head rested on silk pillows.
King Jian sat beside her bed.
He hadn’t left.
Her eyes fluttered open.
“You didn’t go back,” he whispered.
She tried to sit up.
He helped her.
“The mirror… it broke,” she said.
Master Rong entered quietly.
“It seems the mirror can no longer open portals.”
Aira stared at her hands.
“So… I’m stuck?”
King Jian spoke firmly.
“You are not stuck.”
She looked up.
“You are here.”
Her eyes filled.
He took her hand.
“You have a place in this palace.”
She squeezed his fingers.
“And with you?”
His thumb brushed over her knuckles.
“Yes.”
Outside, Lady Mei watched through the doorway.
She finally understood.
The king had already chosen.
🌸 Ending Hook
That night, assassins were seen near the outer walls.
War whispers began spreading.
And somewhere in the shadows—
Someone decided the girl from the future was too dangerous to live.
Aira slept peacefully, unaware.
King Jian stood guard outside her door.
Sword in hand.
Heart fully involved.
The game had changed.
- Writer
