Lovers Beyond the Mirror - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – Lady Looking In The Mirror (3)

“Is it so surprising that I am Kudra?”

Behind Vaisha’s low whispering voices began to be heard looking for him.

The commotion created a wrinkle between the man’s handsome forehead. Is he the type of person who hates loud noises? He didn’t seem to like the serene garden becoming noisy.

“Is it Chiarin?”

“Chiarin’s voice is not so frivolous, Kudra.”

“Then, it must be someone from Rajen who met me.”

“Since you suddenly disappeared, there must have been a riot over there.”

“It’s already making me tired.”

Vaisha clicked his tongue briefly. He didn’t like the suffocating Royal Castle, though he didn’t like the people of Rajen who filled this royal castle even more.

“I must leave as soon as possible, Kayan.”

“I heard that the wedding ceremony to be held here was prepared very simply. It will work out the way Kudra wants it to be.”

“Well, my Ranua. See you again soon.”

Vaisha, who greeted her by waving his hand lightly towards her, escaped the garden with a leisurely pace.

After the meeting, Seriana stood there staring blankly at his distant back. She still couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality.

“Are you okay, Princess?”

A maid came and looked at Seriana.

She was said to be a fake, but regardless, she didn’t like his expression, as if she thought the Princess of Rajen had been teased by a rude barbarian.

“Princess!”

After Vaisha’s appearance completely disappeared from her view, Seriana sank into place. The servant with a parasol hurriedly approached her and made a shade, and the servants trembled and called for a doctor.

“Vaisha Khun Kudra…”

Ignoring the noisy surroundings, Seriana whispered his name carefully.

…Vaisha, Vaisha Kun Kudra.

It was a name she had longed to know.

And he, beyond the mirror, was the King of Chaitun.

But, he and I… marriage?

Suddenly, Seriana’s pure white skin was dyed red in an instant. Seeing her, who had turned red all over her body, the maids were terrified and looked for the doctor again, but now, she could hear nothing in her ears.

The melancholy and despair that had enveloped her a while ago had long since disappeared.

‘Thank you, thank you very much…’

As she thanked the unknown, Seriana shed tears of joy.

“I am that man’s bride.”

It was the first happiness she had ever felt in her life, she swore.

* * * 

Vaisha was walking through the dark corridors of the Royal Castle.

It was clear that the architects of Rajen did not fully understand the blessings of the sun. Even with the sun rising above his head, the room is only dark…

Vaisha, who brushed his hair as if frustrated by the structure that even the wind couldn’t get in and out of properly, pulled the corners of his lips, recalling the pure white woman with the scent of flowers he had seen in her garden a while ago.

“I think you really liked her?”

“I like her quite a bit.”

She was a very beautiful woman with pale purple hair resembling a lily flower, pale pink eyes resembling a delicate bud, and her pure white skin reflecting the light of the sun.

“Isn’t that enough to be called Ranua by anyone looking at it?”

“Yes, that certainly surprised me.”

“Nurabi’s information is quite useful.”

Vaisha smiled as he recalled the appearance of the bride, who had an appearance that exactly matched that of the ‘Goddess Ranua’ in the desert legend.

When he first heard about her from Nurabi, he was the one who at the time thought it was a good thing that her hair color was the only standard. However, from the color of her eyes, to her pure white skin, and even the scent of the flowers she had, she was truly like a goddess.

She was a woman who seemed to shine brightly just by looking at her, so there was no reason for him not to be satisfied.

“But, how did you get there?”

“It smelled like lily flowers.”

“Here?”

“It was interesting, so I pursued it.”

Had it been someone else’s words, he would have been puzzled at how Vaisha could smell the scent of lily flowers that only bloom in an oasis in the desert.

Though Kayan, a faithful servant of Vaisha, who had been with him since childhood, slowly nodded his head.

“If Kudra was in charge, it would be in charge.”

“Kayan, couldn’t you smell it?”

“It looks like my nose is paralyzed by the bad smell of this place.”

“What do you mean…”

Unlike the dry but warm air of the desert, there was only a foul stench resembling the smell of water from all over the Royal Castle of Rajen. It was not known whether it was from humans or from this royal castle, but it was clear that it was bothering his sensitive nose.

“She’s living well in a place like this.”

“I just miss Kudra’s oasis.”

Vaisha, who nodded his head slightly to Kayan, who spoke his sincerity, glanced around and frowned. He didn’t look at all of them, yet all of the Rajen characters he encountered all over the castle had stupid faces.

“A face is a face, but what are those bodies? Did they put a wooden stick in the pit? I don’t know if they’ll survive a day if I throw them in the desert.”

“I put my sword on the fact that they can’t last even half a day.”

“…Isn’t that the sword I gave you as a gift?”

“I can’t hang the bracelet Chiarin gave me, can I?”

“I’ll make sure you wear that bracelet someday.”

“There will be no such thing even until I am in Helaim’s embrace.”

Muttered to himself that he’s such a boring guy, and Vaisha turned his head. He didn’t want to stay long in the space where his breath was choking, but he had to do what he had to do.

“What about Jyakam?”

“Looking for a hole to hide.”

“He doesn’t have to get the information right now. Tell him to make sure he takes root without raising doubt.”

“I take your orders.”

The people of Rajen and Chaitun had distinct looks. That would certainly be a huge obstacle to spy.

Still, Vaisha was not worried.

It was because his warriors were competent enough to clear any obstacles in sight.

“But, are you sure it’s really okay?”

“Are you talking about making the Princess of Rajen as Ranua?”

“I know what Nurabi was thinking when recommending the Princess of Rajen. However… she is Ranua, who will spend her life with Kudra.”

Unlike Rajen, Chaitun is not allowed to divorce. It was the couple’s bond that continued until they died and were embraced by Helaim.

So, Kayan couldn’t erase his worries.

It was something his master decided was necessary, but it was something he wanted to prevent if it could be prevented.

“It’s about gathering the winds of the desert into one. If it helps, I will do anything.”

“Kudra.”

“In addition, Ranua’s seat has been vacant for too long. It is right to fill the position as soon as possible.”

“….”

“I know what your worries are, Kayan.”

Vaisha patted Kayan on the shoulder. It was because his friend and faithful servant worried that he would be unhappy.

“It’s just the order has changed. Think so.”

All he needed was Ranua to decorate his side. The one, who fought well even when Ranua’s seat was vacant, was him and his warriors, but if Ranua, who resembles the old goddess, appears, it will certainly benefit Chaitun.

Compared to that, marriage without love was not a big deal.

“If Ranua is respected and valued, you will also have that kind of heart. Let’s think about it that way for now.”

“Yes, Kudra.”

Prior to that, the new Ranua will be completely separated from the hometown of Ranua, Rajen.

‘She looked pretty docile, but you can’t judge her just by her appearance.’

Humans with different exteriors and interiors also existed in the desert. How much less different is this Rajen that is full of an unknown stench?

Vaisha looked at her and shook his head, recalling the swaying pale pink eyes. She was a woman with an innocent and beautiful face, but he couldn’t say for sure what it was like inside. So, he won’t tinker with her and shed insider information.

Vaisha vowed to do so, and he looked at Rajen’s servant running from afar.

The reddened, flushed face, dripping cold sweat, and disheveled clothing were representative of the servant’s heart…

“By the way, was there a rumor that this is full of idiots like that?”

“Old Chaitun was divided and cut off for a hundred years. It must have been something you didn’t know.”

“Tell Nurabi to gather more information. Keep Jyakam’s business a secret.”

Nurabi was the chieftain of the Shika tribe who was the first to kneel before Vaisha. Like a tribe that wandered in the desert, they knew information about the desert, and based on it, they made a big contribution in battles big and small.

Vaisha didn’t trust him, who now acted like Vaisha’s strategist. He hadn’t been accepted as his person yet.

At first, Vaisha didn’t trust many people. Most of them were born and raised in the oasis in Chaitun.

“I will tell Jyakam to move and be careful with Nurabi’s eyes.”

Jyakam was Kayan’s younger brother and a man Vaisha trusted.

He will surely bring the results that Vaisha wants.

Vaisha shut his mouth as he watched Rajen’s servant run up and catch his breath in front of him. The stench that had been forgotten for a moment began to haunt Vaisha’s nose again.

‘The scent of lily flowers blooming in this stench…’

He remembered the slender, small woman standing in the midst of the pile of flowers, not forgetting her scent.

For the time being, the thought of the woman will drive away this stench.

He followed the attendant who was guiding him and began to sincerely look forward to the next meeting with the Princess who would become Ranua.

Back in her room, supported by the maids, Seriana was with all the maids around her, along with a doctor who diagnosed her with mild anemia.

She still couldn’t shake the hazy feeling, as if she were dreaming.

“Vaisha Kun Kudra.”

She heard his name, which she had longed to know, in his own voice.

What if it’s a dream? No, has she ever had such a happy dream? Even a dream will make her happy. But, she wishes it wasn’t a dream. Unorganized thoughts ran through Seriana’s head.

She then walked up to the mirror that reflected her own reflection.

It was the first time she had ever seen her face reddened, dyed red like rose petals.

How did this dreamlike, magical thing happen to her? How could he be her husband, whom she fell in love with without knowing the name or the voice of the man she only glanced through the mirror…?

“Can I be happy like this?”

It was her first love. She hadn’t told anyone, but even she was just now aware… It was her first love. It was only a moment before she got drunk on this first feeling of hers, and the worries overcame her again.

Never in her short life had anything so miraculous happened.

Did this really happen to me? At any moment, the King’s attendant can come in at the door, and the marriage will be cancelled.

Seriana gazed at the door with a trembling body unknowingly and began to pray with her hands together.

It was a god who had never heard her prayer before, but she had nowhere else to pray to.

‘Please let me be his bride. Please… Please allow me to be Vaisha’s wife.’

While dressing up for a banquet to welcome Chaitun’s guests, she peered at the magic mirror again and again.

It was like the day she started looking at him through the mirror when she was eight years old when she first discovered that magic mirror… The day she found out that she was not the Count’s daughter, but the King’s illegitimate child.

She found a magic mirror full of dust in the corner of the warehouse where she hid while looking for a nook to cry without anyone knowing.

Seriana removed the thick dust on the mirror to check her face after crying for a long time. And then, by chance, the moonlight of the full moon that penetrated through the window hit the mirror.

‘At first, I thought it was a ghost.’

A mirror shone out of nowhere, and beyond that, a person other than Seriana was reflected. She was so shocked when I saw it that I couldn’t even scream.

Now that she thinks about it, it was fortunate.

If she had screamed in surprise at that time, people would have flocked to her, and they would have known that the mirror in the corner of the warehouse was actually an object with magic that could not be obtained even with a thousand gold coins.

Putting on the blue dress and having a last check, the maid put a small tiara over her head.

Thanks to that, Seriana, waking up from her recollections, gazed at herself in the full-length mirror.

She looked exceptionally good-looking today.

Maybe, it was because she expected to meet him…

“If you do not intend to keep the King and the Queen waiting, then you must move.”

“Hmm.”

“Keep in mind. They must not find out that the Princess is a fake.”

“…I know.”

Her heart, excited by the cold words of the maid, calmed down a little.

…She must not forget that she is a fake.

Seeing that the excitement in Seriana had subsided, the maid carefully opened the door.

It was a celebration before the wedding.

Whatever the intent, the main characters of the celebration were Seriana and Vaisha, and the party wouldn’t start if the protagonists didn’t arrive.

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll see you off.”

There was no escort.

In the first place, there was no knight who would give up their hand for the fake princess who would marry the one, who was despised for being a barbarian.

If asked, it would have been suitable for her adoptive brother, who would remain in the Count’s mansion.

Nevertheless, he was a knight who managed to return after losing the battle with Chaitun. He had no intention of escorting Seriana, who would become the Queen of Chaitun, who killed his comrades and insulted him.

Seriana slowly walked towards the carriage, struggling to hold back her spontaneously speeding steps.

The Perkin Hall, where the banquet was held, was located a bit far from the palace where she was staying, so she could not walk.

Is it because of the movement of the carriage, or is it because of anticipation? Her stomach churned, Seriana tightly closed her eyes. The uncomfortable gaze of the maid sitting opposite her swept her up and down, though she couldn’t care less about it.

“We’re here. I will be waiting for you in the carriage.”

After a while, the carriage stopped and the carriage’s door opened.

Getting off the carriage, she held the outstretched hand of the royal attendant, took a moment to breathe, and looked around her.

Many nobles of Rajen were looking at her.

Curiosity, fear, disgust, sarcasm, and very little sympathy. If they were familiar gazes, and they were eyes she never wanted to get used to…

Seriana straightened her back and walked towards the massive door of Perkin Hall. Then, she opened the door to the banquet hall after the attendant bowed his head politely, after seeing her standing at the door.

“Princess Seriana Winne Darmian is entering!