Sophie sat before the mirror, hands folded tightly on her lap. "Will everything really be okay?" she asked softly.
Hannah stood behind her, gently adjusting her hair. "As long as you do what you're tasked with, everything will go smoothly, my lady."
Sophie sighed. "Tomorrow is my birthday… Father invited many important guests. I'm afraid I'll embarrass him."
Hannah brushed Sophie's long black hair slowly. "Everything will be fine," she said calmly.
Sophie met her eyes through the mirror.
Moments later, Hannah left the room. Sophie followed shortly after, her steps slow and heavy. Walking down the hallway, she stopped by a tall window. Below, she saw Zephyr training in the garden, swinging his sword with focus and energy. Nearby, several maids whispered while watching him instead of working.
Sophie walked over and scolded them. "Get back to your duties." They scattered at once.
She lingered for a moment, watching Zephyr. Why are people drawn to him so easily? she wondered. He noticed her gaze and smiled, waving. Sophie smiled back before he returned to training.
"Maybe it's his kindness," she whispered as memories surfaced. Zephyr helping maids carry water, laughing with guards, assisting the gardener with planting.
After finishing her tea, Sophie wandered through the castle halls, studying the portraits that lined the walls. One stopped her in place. It showed her as a child, standing with the King and Queen. She smiled faintly in the painting. Two boys stood beside her.
Memories returned uninvited.
Her mother had loved her deeply. Though always ill, she brushed Sophie's hair, sang to her, told her stories. Sophie treasured those moments. But her brothers despised her. They mocked her for being weak, told her she shouldn't have been born. Her father remained distant, cold as always.
Then her mother died.
Sophie remembered standing alone in the rain after the funeral ended, refusing to leave. That was the day Hannah first comforted her.
After that, her life became strict and suffocating. Endless lessons. Singing, cooking, etiquette. Every mistake punished with a ruler. Her brothers were forced into brutal training. Sophie cried often. Hannah always came.
"I miss you, Mother…" Sophie whispered.
The next day, the castle overflowed with guests. Sophie stood at the entrance in a light blue gown adorned with gems. Her hair was styled perfectly. She smiled endlessly as nobles greeted her. Praise filled the air, but she knew the truth. They weren't here for her. They were here for power.
A noblewoman introduced her son. The man grabbed Sophie's hand and kissed it proudly, bragging about his achievements. Sophie smiled through the discomfort and slipped away.
From the second floor, she spotted Septh, Ki, and Zephyr laughing together. A maid stumbled and spilled wine all over Zephyr's clothes.
Voices immediately followed.
"Useless maid."
"So clumsy."
"She's lucky she didn't ruin a noble's outfit."
The other maids hesitated.
Zephyr placed a hand on the maid's shoulder. "Hey. Look at me. It's fine. Really."
Her face burned red as she bowed and fled.
Sophie smiled. For real this time.
Then murmurs erupted.
Her second brother had arrived.
Adrian.
Before she could escape, his loud voice called out, "Oh, Sophie. Long time no see."
He approached with a smug grin. "Still fragile as ever. I remember when you couldn't even hold a sword. Father always said you were better suited for decoration than duty."
"I've learned a lot since then," Sophie said quietly.
Adrian scoffed loudly. "Like when you embarrassed the family with your singing? Or nearly burned the kitchen trying to cook? You've always been a liability. You don't even deserve to belong to this family."
Laughter whispered through the crowd.
Sophie's chest tightened. Unable to endure it, she ran.
From across the hall, Zephyr, Ki, and Septh watched.
"What a disgusting man," Septh growled.
Ki snorted. "Wow, family love."
Septh smacked his arm.
Zephyr had already left.
In the garden, Sophie collapsed onto the grass, sobbing. Zephyr quietly closed the door behind him and approached, sitting beside her without a word.
"I'm sorry about what happened," he said gently. "Adrian was way out of line."
"He's right," Sophie whispered. "I always mess things up."
Zephyr shook his head. "That's not true. You're kind. That matters more than anything he said."
"But Father..."
"Your worth isn't decided by him." Zephyr smiled softly. "The first time I met you, you didn't look weak at all."
Then he added with a grin, "So seeing you this fragile now is… strange."
Sophie laughed weakly through tears. "You're terrible."
They sat together under the stars.
"You look like the sky when you're not crying," Zephyr said.
Sophie lowered her gaze, flustered. But this time, when she smiled, it wasn't forced.