Mirrored Shadows

A spirit of the past

  The queen was stomping in big steps through the castle. Heavy armored dress and boots rang with each step, announcing her arrival like a stampede. The courtiers were pressing themselves against the walls, letting her through. They were bowing deep to avoid an eye contact. Loyal Mira rushed not to fall behind, while Piri ran behind her, panting and cooling himself with documents in hand.

- Watch out, the royal stampede is on the rampage. - the courtiers would laugh when the queen and her escort pass them by.

  She barged into the royal room, where the breakfast was already on the table. The servants placed a lightly cooked stake on her plate and she cut it with an immense speed, swallowing it in three bites. Rulers have no time to chew, she claimed. They have to be prepared to digest much faster than their minions, because in life, only the rulers get the big piece of everything.

  Piri's reports about the events at the Hardcoat were quickly analyzed, as well as the events in other realms of Hell. She made big decisions in the blink of an eye; executed many with a swift movement of her quill, rejected ideas from pleading scientists, who hoped to get a financial support for their projects, and crushed the rebellious. Her least favorite duty came last: appointed festivities. She slammed the papers against the table.

- Another ball!??

- In honor of countess Ana, your Highness. - the chancellor Piri reminded her, swallowing saliva.

   The queen pressed her lips into a thin line of anger on the mention of that name. Piri felt like he's going to faint.

- You... You asked me to organize that ball, your Majesty. - he added, almost whispering, while retracting neck deep into his laced collar like a jeopardized turtle.

- I did? - she looked at her advisor Mira.

- You did, your Highness.

  Piri made a grimace of jealousy, hating that the queen trusted her more than him.

- Damn it. If I weren't in debt to her father, she wouldn't even set her foot in this place.

  Mira and Piri remained silent, waiting for orders.

- Alright, do it. And tell the new servant to polish my formal armor. Where is she anyway? Still in bed? Her head will fly.

- I am here, your Majesty. Completely awake.

  The queen turned around and saw Monika standing not far away, fresh and dressed up.

- She was here the whole time, your Highness. She came before us. - said Mira.

- You heard the order then. Polish my formal armor. And watch not to scratch it.

- The armor is polished, your Highness.

  All eyes rested on the queen, waiting for her reaction.

- Is that so? We'll see about that.

  The force by which she stood up made the chair creak and startle everyone. She rushed towards the exit, making Mira, Piri and Monika run after her.

- It appears that the royal stampede got another member. - the courtiers whispered.

- A gorgeous one. - they added, looking at Monika. - The queen is going to run over that poor thing.

  Callisto opened the tall doors of her chambers. The carpets were sinking under her boots. Silky drapes flew into the air as she flew by. Next to the bed stood an armor stand. A dress-like armor, made out of white gold, did not have the role of a protective garment, but to look like one. Devoid of any flattering details, the only decoration of this formal armor was its polished glow, which reflected the queen's face. She could not find a flaw.

- Very well. I am satisfied. I did not expect that you'd rise up to the task.

- I am glad that your Highness is satisfied.

- Piri, leave the room. You two stay and help me get dressed for the damn ball.

  Offended, the chancellor lifted his nose and left.

   Mira took off the armor the queen had currently on, showing Monika how to do it. After taking it off, a skinny figure stood before them. Monika never would've guessed that underneath all those heavy layers of iron and metal was something so fragile looking. How did she even wear such things? Her face, however, had to remain unchanged, for the queen's gaze was upon her, seeking any trace of mockery.

  The girl took the formal armor, ready to put it on her. But before she did that, she noticed many scars and bruises on her ribs and chest.

- Armor scars. - said the queen, noticing Monika's expression. - One must endure many things for duty, and physical pain is my least concern.

- Your Majesty, if I may say...

  Her eyes met the queen's in the mirror.

- Speak.

- No one questions your strength. No one even dares to, to be honest. Is it really necessary to prove that strength where it doesn't matter? You hate those balls. You hate the fake smiling to fake minions.

- What are you trying to say, slave?

- Isn't your body a column that holds this castle? Are these scars worthy of one ball?

  Examining her slender figure in the mirror, the queen took a brief moment to think. Monika noticed that the compliments about her strength make her proudly straighten herself.

- And what would you have me wear, human?

  For a ruler, the queen had an awfully little choices of clothes. Monika quickly looked through them. Most of the garments were just armored dresses.

  Callisto waited impatiently. Every time she looked at Mira, the woman would just shrug, equally confused. Finally, Monika picked a gown with long sleeves, made out of silver scales.

- A gown? Out of question. Put that back in the closet.

- You trusted me enough to make me your servant, your Majesty. Now trust me about something I'm actually good at.

  Reluctant, the queen lightly waved her hand as a sign of permission. Monika handed over the gown and she put it on. The soft velour underneath the scales comfortably leaned against her body. She had to admit to herself that it felt much better. She was more mobile, but felt weaker and vulnerable. However, upon checking out her reflection, a new kind of a strength took over. There was a certain impression of authority in her tallness, now only enhanced by the gown. She recognized a woman who lost herself long ago under the layers of armor. Silver scales defied the swaying weakness of velour.

- This doesn't look bad, girl.

  The belt Callisto had on her previous armor was to be used on the gown as well, regardless of whether it works with the new look or not. The queen did not intend to separate herself from it, and Monika did not dare to suggest otherwise. It seemed far too important.

  After she was convinced to apply some makeup from Mira, the queen was transformed.

- Majesty... - Mira was amazed. - You look...

- You are good, girl. I'll give you that. Mira, give this human something more formal to wear. She'll be joining us tonight at the ball. She will be my second escort.

- Of course, your Majesty. But won't that be a contra decorum of the castle?

- I am the castle. The decorum is defined by me. As you can see, this is a day of changes, so let this change as well. Besides, if I put this servant next to countess Ana, I will show her what I really think about her status, without telling her a single bad word.

- The wisdom of your Highness knows no limits. - Mira smiled.

- You may leave. - the queen dismissed them.

  Monika bowed and left the room. Mira also went towards the doors, but she looked over her shoulder in sadness, while the queen was still checking herself in the mirror.

- You are so beautiful, your Majesty. Just like back then... When it was just you and me... Do you... Do you remember sometimes?

  The queen froze for a moment and looked at Mira's reflection in the mirror. Something briefly shined in Callisto's eye. Maybe nostalgia, maybe a tear for love pushed down, or maybe just a particle of dust that found its way into those cold eyes, devoid of every emotion. She sighed impatiently.

- Stop living in the past, Mira. Leave.

   The advisor's lower lip shivered and she quickly left the room. The queen straighten her back tall, reminding herself that she is strong.