Hint: Sometimes the heart remembers a promise the mind has forgotten.
The fortress had fallen silent.
The pale hands that covered the windows slowly disappeared into the fog.
Only the sound of rain remained.
The soldiers stayed awake throughout the night, too frightened to sleep.
Inside the highest chamber of the fortress, Myreiya stood alone on the balcony.
The cold wind carried the scent of rain and ash.
Far beyond the mountains, the Black Tower glowed faintly beneath the moon.
It was waiting.
Just like the voice.
Just like the memories.
"My Queen."
She didn't turn around.
"I knew you would come."
Mirror stepped onto the balcony.
He had changed into clean clothes, but the collar of his shirt still hid the strange mark on his chest.
Neither spoke.
The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.
It felt... peaceful.
"You should be resting," Myreiya said.
"So should you."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"That almost sounded like an order."
"It was a suggestion."
She looked at him.
"I've never known you to give suggestions."
"I've never known you to listen."
For the first time...
Myreiya laughed.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't elegant.
It was genuine.
Mirror stared at her.
The Queen of Ashes looked completely different when she smiled.
For a brief moment, she looked like someone who had never known war.
Someone who had never learned cruelty.
Someone who deserved peace.
"You shouldn't smile at me like that."
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Myreiya raised an eyebrow.
"Like what?"
"You look..."
Mirror stopped himself.
She waited.
"...different."
"Different?"
"You don't look like a queen."
She folded her arms.
"Is that supposed to be an insult?"
"No."
He looked away toward the distant mountains.
"You look like someone carrying too much."
The smile faded from her face.
No one had ever said that to her.
Everyone saw the crown.
No one saw its weight.
After a long silence, she spoke.
"When I became queen..."
"I believed fear would protect everyone."
Mirror listened quietly.
"My father ruled with fear."
"My grandfather ruled with fear."
"So I thought I had to do the same."
She lowered her head.
"But every year..."
"I lose more people."
"More friends."
"More trust."
"And somehow..."
She laughed bitterly.
"I became the monster everyone expected."
Mirror took a slow step closer.
"You aren't."
She looked up.
"You've seen what I've done."
"I have."
"You've suffered because of me."
"I have."
"Then why?"
Mirror searched for an answer.
He couldn't explain it.
Not with logic.
Not with memories.
Only with his heart.
"Because..."
His voice softened.
"I think the person standing in front of me..."
"...isn't the real you."
The wind blew through the balcony.
Myreiya stared at him.
Her silver eyes shimmered under the moonlight.
"You really believe that?"
"I do."
"Even after everything?"
Mirror nodded.
"I've seen hatred."
"What I see in you..."
"...is regret."
A tear escaped before she realized it.
She quickly turned away.
"I don't cry."
"You just did."
"I didn't."
"You did."
She wiped her face immediately.
"If anyone hears about this..."
"I'll deny it."
Mirror smiled.
"I'll keep your secret."
She looked back at him.
"And yours?"
His smile slowly disappeared.
"I wish I knew what my secret was."
Silence returned.
This time, Myreiya closed the distance between them.
Only a single step separated them.
She reached out carefully.
Mirror remained perfectly still.
Her fingers brushed a loose strand of his dark hair away from his face.
"I never noticed."
"What?"
"Your eyes."
Mirror blinked.
"My eyes?"
"They're kind."
He looked down.
"No one has ever called them that."
"Then no one was looking properly."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Neither spoke.
The entire world seemed to disappear.
There was no kingdom.
No tower.
No curse.
Only two lonely people standing beneath the same moon.
Myreiya slowly rested her forehead against his shoulder.
Just for a moment.
She closed her eyes.
"I'm tired, Mirror."
He hesitated before gently placing his hand on her back.
Not as a servant.
Not as a spy.
Simply as someone trying to comfort another person.
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
She let out a slow breath.
"I've been alone for a very long time."
"You aren't tonight."
She looked up at him.
Their faces were only inches apart.
Their eyes met.
Mirror's heart raced.
So did hers.
Neither understood why it felt so natural.
As if this moment...
Had happened before.
Very slowly...
Myreiya lifted her hand and placed it against his cheek.
Mirror covered her hand with his own.
Neither wanted to break the silence.
Then—
The mark beneath Mirror's shirt suddenly flared with crimson light.
Pain shot through his body.
He stumbled backward.
The warmth between them vanished.
A cold voice echoed inside his mind.
"Do not fall in love with her again."
Mirror's face turned pale.
Again?
Before he could understand the meaning—
The Black Tower released a beam of crimson light that pierced the night sky.
The fortress shook violently.
Every candle went out.
And deep beneath the earth...
Something ancient whispered with quiet satisfaction.
"The King has remembered... the first feeling."