Mira
1143 Words
Her eyes were sharp, lined like magic.
Her lips full, and her eyes held a cunning she had never known.
She was not Ella…
She was… “Mira.”
A small maid approached her,
Her eyes unlike those of ordinary servants,
Carrying a mystery, as if she knew an untold secret.
“Please wait a moment, Lady Mira…
Lady Nara will be here shortly.”
Ella blinked, or rather “Mira” as she had become,
Was she really inside the story?
Was this Nara’s palace?
The palace she had just read about?!
She gazed at the vast courtyard…
The threads of light still glittered between the columns,
And the wind played on the curtain fabrics a melody resembling the opening tune of every tale.
Suddenly…
The golden doors of the palace opened.
And she appeared.
Nara.
A girl who looked like she had just stepped out of a poetic verse,
Walking calmly,
A gentle smile sparkling like morning on her lips.
She wore a bright yellow dress,
Embroidered with sea pearls,
Swaying with her steps as if woven from light.
Around her neck hung a necklace,
A red gemstone like blood,
Resting on her skin white as a sunbeam.
Her hair?
Blonde, long, flowing behind her like wheat ears at harvest time.
She approached…
Her smile unchanged.
“Mira!”
She whispered lovingly,
Then threw herself into her arms, embracing her as if they had never been apart.
“How are you?”
---
Ella…
Stumbled over her words,
Her eyes fixed on this strange enchanting creature:
“I… I… I’m fine… Nara?!”
Nara laughed softly, as if the whole world smiled.
“I missed you so much!
You’ve become so beautiful, Mira!”
Nara took her hand; the warmth of her palm felt like memories.
“Come…
I’ll take you to the garden where we used to play as children.
Remember? We chased butterflies… and stole peaches from the trees.”
And Ella…
Did not reply.
She walked beside Nara,
Her heart screaming:
“I am not Mira!”
But her lips…
Only smiled.
The garden was a piece of fantasy.
Flowers bloomed in storybook colors: violet, lemon, ruby,
And drops of dew danced on their leaves as if knowing the visitor was no ordinary guest.
The scent of blossoms filled the air,
A swing hung between two almond trees, swaying gently,
Nearby, a decorated table,
Where maids brought warm tea,
In gilded glass cups,
Floating on them were dried flowers befitting princesses.
Nara sat first,
Perched as if she’d been accustomed to luxury since birth,
And looked at “Ella” — “Mira” with wide eyes:
“Tell me…
How did you become this beautiful?
Was that faraway town as lovely as they said?”
Ella smiled shyly,
Trying to keep her eyes steady:
“Everything was… beautiful,
But I missed this place.”
Nara leaned toward her,
Her laugh tinged with nostalgia:
“I missed it too…
Our childhood, the carefree laughter…
Do you remember Prince Sam? He’s become very handsome!”
Ella felt a nervous flutter creep into her heart.
The name “Sam”…
Nara…
The garden…
Damn! This is the start of the story!
But she held herself together,
“Yes, I remember him…”
She said softly, as if afraid her secret would be revealed.
Nara smiled and stepped closer:
“Everyone knows you’re here, Mira…
I sent for them; they’ll all arrive soon.”
Ella
“I’m sorry, but I must leave… I have unfinished tasks.”
Ella gasped softly:
“Please, Nara… I need time.”
Nara looked at her,
A strange, deep look…
A mix of longing and control.
“But they’re coming for you, Mira.
They’re eager to see you.
It’s not fitting for you to leave now.”
She said, gripping Ella’s shoulder
With a strength Ella hadn’t seen from her before.
Her eyes grew sad,
As if she wanted to say something she couldn’t.
“Alright…”
Ella whispered,
“But I… won’t stay long.”
Minutes passed like an eternity.
Silence before the storm.
Then…
The rumble of carriage wheels and the sound of horses drawing near.
They arrived.
The three princes,
Each carrying a different aura,
Princess Darin walked confidently, her gaze surveying the palace.
At the forefront…
Minister Jack.
His face calm, stern,
His eyes scanning the place, but when they landed on “Mira,”
He paused for a moment,
Contemplating how the mischievous child had changed…
The guards?
Stayed outside, guarding the carriages,
While inside…
Everyone sat, greeting “Mira.”
The carriages stopped, the horses calmed,
and in the spacious courtyard of the palace, the three princes, Princess Darin, and Minister Jack gathered,
amid light laughter and welcoming glances…
Ella — “Mira” — tried to keep her breath steady.
Everything seemed familiar to everyone… except her.
Minister Jack remained standing, not approaching,
greeting her from afar with eyes that never left her face.
It was not a look of admiration… but one of questioning.
The others sat on the gilded sofas,
as if this awaited reunion had taken them back to childhood days:
Edward, the youngest prince, laughed, pointing at her:
“Do you remember when you made us run from the guards?!
That night we walked for hours until we neared another village,
all because you heard about a buried map from your father?!”
Rai, the second prince, chuckled:
“Don’t forget that trip…
That day my father punished me severely, thinking I was the mastermind!”
Then he smiled at her:
“You were mischievous, Mira.”
Ella smiled, feeling embarrassed.
She did not remember any of this,
but she followed the scene carefully so as not to be exposed.
Sam, the eldest prince, scrutinized her features:
“The new country… changed you.
Why are you so calm like this?”
Mira whispered:
“The journey was long… I’m still not rested.”
Rai asked:
“How was that land?”
She answered calmly:
“Beautiful… enchanting.
But it’s not as beautiful as our homeland.”
Darin, the youngest princess, jumped up:
“Did you bring us gifts?!”
She said, eyes sparkling.
Edward teased gently:
“Sister… you lack nothing. Don’t be greedy!”
Darin sighed, frowned:
“None of your business!”
Then she sat down, her shoulders twitching with irritation.
Mira laughed and raised her hand:
“I brought the gifts with me,
with my personal guard.”
Then she looked at the guard…
glanced quickly at his face,
Was he really carrying the gifts? Or was she pretending?
The guard returned loaded with beautiful wooden boxes,
each labeled with a prince’s or princess’s name,
filled with perfumes and fine accessories.
She distributed them with a smile… then held a bag without a name.
She paused. Thought.
Who was this for
- Writer
