Standing before the mirror, Miao Miao traced her fingers over the pages of the diary. Her amazement deepened as the letters began to straighten and reveal their meaning through the reflection of the glass.
"She is truly incredible! How did such complex things reminiscent of Da Vinci, enter her mind?" Miao Miao mused to herself. Her eyes now held a newfound respect for Aria's intelligence.
Moving closer to the mirror, she began reading the first few paragraphs:
"It is I, Aria Nightshade. This is the name the Knight family gave me. To be honest, many secrets are buried within me. Experiences I cannot share with anyone, and for which I have no logical explanation as to why they happen to me."
Miao Miao's breath hitched for a moment. She realized that Aria was not just an ordinary girl; she was experiencing the awakening of a mysterious 'Beyonder' power within her.
"I have heard of Emperor Roselle's diary. They say he created an entirely new language just to keep his secrets secure. I know I am no one great like him, but my privacy is just as valuable to me. I thought long and hard about how to hide myself as Emperor Roselle did. Then it hit me—why not write the letters from right to left instead of the conventional left to right? It was very difficult at first, but finally, my efforts succeeded. Now, no one can enter the alleys of my mind without a mirror."
Miao Miao turned the next page and held the paper against the mirror.
"Firstly, from what I remember—before coming to this family, I lived with a fisherman's family on an island. They said they found me on the sea sand. According to them, even though I was four years old then, I couldn't speak—as if the roar of the ocean had snatched away my voice. But luck did not stay calm for long."
"Within a month, pirates attacked the village. That horror still rings in my ears. They brutally murdered all the men and elders of the village. The women and children were rounded up like cattle and sold in various slave markets. The fisherman's wife and I were sold into a hellhole in Backlund—a brothel."*
Miao Miao flipped to the next page and held it before the glass.
"The strangest part was that the first time I looked someone in the eye and said something, they believed it. Whatever I wanted, they would give it to me. But they would remember nothing of it; if they gave something under this influence, they usually had no memory of the encounter."
Aria doesn't know her origin, and this power is definitely related to a Beyonder characteristic.
"For a year, no one noticed this, but Mr. Dont Knight did. Then he introduced me as his daughter. He used this so-called 'strange power' of mine to transform from a bankrupt merchant into one of the wealthiest businessmen in Backlund."
"He gave me a pair of glasses so that I wouldn't unknowingly control others. The best part was that he cared for me like his own child—even though he was using me. But I am grateful to him because he rescued me from that brothel when I was small. Otherwise, I cannot imagine what I would have had to do now."
"Mr. Dont Knight was quite the opportunist!"Miao Miao smiled to herself, but there was a hint of disdain in that smile. *"He knew exactly how to keep Aria happy so that his 'goose that lays the golden eggs' would never fly away."
She began reading the third page.
"March 26, 1849. After all these years, I have already learned how to control this power. The method is clear to me now—first, I must concentrate my mind completely, then fix my gaze upon the eyes of the target. Then, I say what needs to be said. I don't think these ordinary glasses are necessary anymore."*
*"But I will wear them. Without them, I feel somewhat vulnerable. These glasses are the source of my confidence.
Miao Miao looked at the clock; it was already 6:15 PM. She stored the diary in her Space Ring, having learned a great deal. Now, she had to dress for the banquet.
I could assume this is related to the Spectator pathway, but she can breathe underwater without any help...
As Miao Miao sat before the dressing table mirror, a completely different Aria emerged.
She slowly untied her hair. The silky black tresses cascaded down like a waterfall, spreading to her waist. Then, she removed those mysterious glasses from her face.
Looking into the mirror, Miao Miao stood stunned for a moment. She whispered involuntarily:
"Aria, your face is truly beautiful. This oval face, large alert eyes, and this perfect, slender, high nose.... Yet, these round glasses and the way you messily tied your hair were a huge barrier to your external beauty."
She applied some makeup and a light-shaded lipstick that suited her pale skin.
"Look Aria, you look like nothing less than a Queen of Serpents."
She tied her hair up in a Victorian style, then setting aside the system-provided glasses, she put on the round glasses from her Space Ring. She no longer looked like a stunning young lady; now, her face carried the air of count.
At last, she put on a wide-brimmed hat with a large circumference, made of delicate black lace. Its edges rippled like waves, and the top was adorned with large fabric flowers.
She picked up the prepared gifts—a bouquet of fresh tulips, a box of chocolates, a bottle of sherry, and the invitation card.
She had prepared these gifts because Miao Miao knew that bringing proper presents to such an occasion was a way of showing respect and courtesy to the host and their family. She loved money, but she couldn't be as stingy as Klein.
Amid the soft chime of the doorbell, she saw the maid, Julian, open the door. She noticed that Stelin had styled her golden hair into an elegant updo and was wearing silver earrings on her earlobes.
Miao Miao removed her hat, bowed her head slightly, and offered a polite compliment as she extended the bouquet of tulips toward her.
"Mrs. Summer, you look very beautiful today."
Seeing Stelin's appearance, Miao Miao had to admit inwardly that this social leader of Backlund had elevated herself to another level today. The magnificent braids of golden hair and the gleam of her silver earrings cast an aura of refined elegance over her.
"Thank you, Miss Nightshade. You look truly wonderful in this outfit," Mrs. Stelin praised as she accepted the bouquet.
"The fragrance of the flowers is delightful."
Miao Miao handed the box of chocolates and the bottle of sherry to the servant.
"Oh, thank you…"
"Many distinguished guests have arrived today, Miss Nightshade," Stelin said in a low but proud voice. "I'm sure your graceful presence will attract everyone's attention."
Miao Miao smiled faintly, purely out of courtesy. She thought, Not to attract attention, Stelin—I came to observe.
"Please have something to eat first. Then I'll introduce you to someone."
There's no need for that… Miao Miao mocked inwardly.
Cold salmon, chicken pie, mutton stew with peas, marinated breast meat, curry, roast beef, cooked turkey, ox tongue pie, ham, salad, and cream cakes… there was even rice cake.
Miao Miao spotted Klein sitting to one side, calmly enjoying his meal. She took some food onto her plate and walked toward where he was seated.
Let's have a little fun with Mr. Fool… It seems I came to this world just to amuse myself.
Miao Miao sat across from Klein, keeping a slight distance.
Tilting her shoulders slightly, she looked at him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Hello, Mr. Moriarty. This is a matchmaking banquet, isn't it?"
Klein finally turned fully toward her, wearing an elegant and composed smile.
"That's what I've heard," he replied briefly.
"Then…" Miao Miao lowered her voice slightly, as if sharing a secret, "are you planning to choose a beautiful young lady tonight?"
Klein had not expected such a question from a fellow transmigrator. He used his Clown abilities to keep his expression neutral.
Miao Miao observed his perfectly calm face for a few seconds. Then she smiled lightly and tilted her head, as if the previous question had never mattered.
"Then…" she gently tapped the edge of her plate with her fork, "how does this rice cake taste?"
The shift in topic was so abrupt that the previous conversation seemed to vanish into thin air.
Klein stared at her for a moment.
"Not bad. The sweetness is controlled, and the texture is just right," he replied calmly.
After a brief pause, he added in a very natural tone, "Do you usually like to change topics in the middle of a conversation, Miss Nightshade?"
A mischievous smile once again appeared on Miao Miao's lips.
"No," she said slowly, "only when… I've already gotten the answer to my previous question."