AS THE NEXT MORNING DAWNED, she slowly stirred, her eyes blinking open to the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the wide window, casting a warm glow upon her chamber. The maid, ever dutiful, attended to her needs, helping her change her clothes and tenderly cleansing her body. The soft rustle of fabric and the gentle ministrations served as a comforting backdrop to her thoughts, grounding her in the routine of the day ahead.
As she was being dressed, her mind drifted back to the events of the previous day: the mysterious man in the mirror, his enigmatic presence, and the inexplicable magic that seemed to envelop them both. Was it all just a dream, a figment of her imagination? She couldn't shake the feeling of disorientation, her thoughts scattered like dust motes in the sunlight as she stared off into space, lost in contemplation. The memory of their shared laughter and the golden glow of the enchanted room lingered, leaving her heart heavy with longing for another fleeting interaction with him.
As the day dawned anew, she found herself retracing the familiar path down the hallway, her steps echoing softly against the polished floorboards. The staircase beckoned, its well-worn steps leading her once again to the abandoned room where the enchanted mirror resided, the very place where she had encountered the mysterious man. Each step forward felt like a journey into the unknown, anticipation mingling with apprehension as she approached the threshold of possibility once more.
A complex whirl of emotions stirred within her, a blend of anticipation, curiosity, and a subtle thrill of excitement. She couldn't quite articulate what she felt, but there was a palpable sense of contentment in the prospect of interacting with someone beyond the confines of her everyday existence. The presence of the man yesterday had brought a glimmer of joy into her life, a welcome respite from the monotony of her routine.
With cautious steps, she ascended the staircase, her hand trailing lightly along the cool surface of the wall for support as she made her way to the abandoned space. In one hand, she clutched a book tightly to her chest, a familiar companion on her solitary journeys. Each step was deliberate, measured, as if she were treading upon the threshold of a new adventure, her heart quickening with each passing moment. The anticipation of what awaited her beyond the door filled her with a sense of both excitement and trepidation, like a traveler on the verge of discovering a hidden treasure.
As she approached the familiar door, her breath caught in her throat. With a deep inhale and exhale, she steeled herself, knowing that stepping into the abandoned room would once again leave her breathless.
Upon entering, the dimly lit chamber greeted her with its thick layers of dust, shrouding every surface in neglect and abandonment. The faint sunlight filtering through the wide circular window high on the wall cast a soft glow over the space, illuminating motes of dust that danced in the air like ethereal sprites.
The window itself was a grand affair, wide and expansive, almost as if it could fill the entire room with its view if not for the encroaching shadows of forgotten relics and discarded memories. Its panes were adorned with intricate patterns of cobwebs, glistening in the sunlight like delicate lace curtains drawn across the glass.
As she stood before the weathered mirror, her reflection cast in the soft light of the forsaken chamber, she couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia mingled with longing.
With a tentative touch, she ran her fingers along the cool surface of the mirror, feeling the faint vibrations of her whispered question reverberating through the room.
"Are you here?" she asked, her voice barely more than a breathless whisper.
Her heart raced with anticipation, each beat echoing her fervent prayers and desperate hopes. She yearned for yesterday's encounter not to be a mere figment of her imagination, clinging to the fragile possibility that it could be real, even as the odds seemed stacked against her. A companion, a friend to share her solitude with—she eagerly awaited the response from the depths of her mind, willing it to manifest against the cold surface of the mirror. Each moment stretched into an eternity as she held her breath, hoping for a sign, a whisper, anything to validate the magic she so desperately craved.
For suspended minutes that felt like an eternity, silence enveloped her, leaving her to confront the stark reality of her solitude. With a heavy sigh, she turned her gaze to the mirror, her reflection painting a poignant picture of her current state: the fading pallor of her skin, the shadows beneath her eyes betraying her weariness, and the dimness of her once vibrant hues. She resembled death's whispered promise of eternal beauty, should she dare to depart from this world. Yet, bound by impossible dreams, she clung to life like a fragile flower destined to wither.
Sadness etched itself upon her exquisite features, casting a shadow over her delicate countenance. With a resigned exhale, she lowered her hand from the mirror's surface, turning away from the reflection that served as a stark reminder of her isolation. She took a hesitant step, prepared to retreat from the cold reality that surrounded her, but a sudden hesitation gripped her, freezing her in place.
Her breath caught in her throat as a voice, soft yet unmistakable, echoed in the background.
"Your eyes..."
The words hung in the air, sending a shiver down her spine as she slowly turned on her heel, her gaze fixed on the mirror. With trembling anticipation, she focused on the reflective surface, her heart pounding in her chest. It was there, in the depths of the mirror, that she hoped to find the source of the mysterious voice that had broken the oppressive silence of the room.
As if in response to her silent plea, the reflection within the mirror began to stir, its once static surface now alive with movement. Slowly but surely, the form of the man she longed for materialized before her eyes. Amidst the swirling remnants of forgotten dreams and faded hopes, his image stood, a beacon of familiarity in the desolate surroundings.
"...they look so lifeless..."
The words echoed softly, their meaning sinking deep into her soul. She watched as his gaze met hers, recognizing the sorrow mirrored in his eyes. It was a reflection of her own pain, a stark reminder of the trials they both faced.
Silence.
He saw in her a reflection of himself—a fragment of a person who had once fought for something greater, only to be met with disillusionment and despair. He couldn't fully understand or comprehend the depths of her sorrow, but he could empathize with the emptiness that threatened to consume her.
"You're here!" she exclaimed.
His presence filled her with a sense of relief and joy, and she couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.
He took in every detail of her, noticing the subtle changes in her expression and the way her eyes seemed to light up in his presence. A soft hum escaped his lips as he stood before her, taking in the moment with a sense of quiet contentment. Though separated by the barrier of the mirror, their connection felt palpable.
"Always," his voice echoed gently, a reassuring melody in the quietude of the deserted room.
Her smile widened in relief, her heart overflowing with gratitude at his unwavering presence.
"I thought you were just a figment of my imagination a while ago," she confessed, her voice tinged with wonder as she took a step forward, closing the widening gap between them.
"Exactly what I wanted you to believe," he replied with a playful smirk, settling himself on the mirrored floor of the abandoned room. He gestured for her to join him, patting the reflected ground beside him as an invitation.
"But, oh boy, aren't you the persistent type." he remarked with a chuckle, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched her approach.
She softly chuckled at his words.
"I have never heard your name," she spoke softly as she sat on her knees in front of the mirror, placing the book on her lap. She stared at him as he played with the golden light forming in front of him, molding each beam into the shape of animals, mostly ducks in particular. The creatures he conjured even stepped out from the mirror, walking in circles around her.
He smiled as their gaze followed the ducklings he created, watching as they trailed after their mother around the room, leaving a trail of golden dust in their wake.
"A curious soul you are," he remarked with a soft chuckle, straightening his collar as he stood.
"The name is Lucifer, mademoiselle," he said, briefly bowing like a gentleman with his hand placed over his chest. A small curl of his lips adorned his exquisite face.
He asked, as he resumed his previous position, "And you are?"
"Y/N."