【鏡中夢幻ーEphemeral Fantasies Within the Mirror】Episode11

"I've failed. I don't know where Alexander has gone..." Clara murmured to herself.

"If only I could have a child, the royal family would continue, and our wealth would be secure... But even if that happens, will I have to live under the constant pressure of the British Empire?"

Suddenly, Clara swept everything off the table in a fit of rage. Pens, ink bottles, scissors, perfumes, glasses—everything flew across the room.

The wall was dented, and dark ink splattered everywhere like an ominous shadow.

"It's all over! The kingdom, me—everything is finished! Why won't even one of my wishes come true? I've sacrificed everything—my life, my happiness—for the royal family and my mother!"

Her voice broke as she sank to the floor, hugging her knees, her sobs filling the room.

After a time, the storm of tears subsided. Clara stood slowly, her gaze drawn to a tall mirror standing in the corner.

The mirror’s silver frame was intricately carved with designs of flora, fauna, celestial beings, and goddesses. Once a masterpiece, its surface had darkened in places, and the distorted reflection seemed to reach out, as though it might consume her entirely.

"So, they say wishes come true? What nonsense. My wishes will never be granted," she whispered bitterly.

Reaching for a purple silk cloth, she threw it over the mirror, hiding her reflection from view.

What a pitiful face I must have.

In this political marriage, she had already lost to her husband. Her beloved Alexander showed no interest in her, even after she had given him a name worthy of royalty.

Worse still, he seemed far more taken with that plain, unremarkable girl—Sarah.

Clara clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms as her body trembled with anger.

At that moment, the maid Sylvia burst into the room, her face pale.

"Your Highness, it's terrible! A coup has occurred in the Mistwild Kingdom!"

"What did you say?!" Clara exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock.

In late August, preparations for the autumn festival were underway.

Fluffy cumulonimbus clouds floated in the blue sky, while the decoration of the festival floats proceeded at a rapid pace. The market bustled with activity, and everyone seemed cheerful. Alex had also contributed a large sum of money as a sponsor. Lanterns with "Nokutaan" written on them adorned the floats.

"The main shrine will be open on the day of the festival. The atmosphere of the shrine at night is wonderful. Let's go see it," Alex said.

"That sounds great. Should we keep our meals light on the day?"

"oIwa will have the day off. It would be good for him to take the children out to play."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. It's a reward for his diligent service."

Alex handed Iwa a bonus—an amount equivalent to two months' salary. It was already a high salary for a second secretary's servant, but Iwa had served well in return.

"Wow, this much?"

"Since it's a festival, you should get a new kimono."

"Thank you very much!"

Iwa beamed with joy, tightly gripping the money and bowing to Alex repeatedly.

"You too. Get a hairpin to match the festival."

At that moment, Sara remembered the events in Okutama and felt a flush on her cheeks. She already had what she needed.

"I have something I like, so I'm fine."

"Is it the one you wore when we took the picture before?"

"Yes."

It was a very precious treasure given to her by Alex. She looked forward to creating more memories wearing it. However, Alex slightly furrowed his brow, showing just enough displeasure for Sara to notice.

"What is that...? Did you receive it from your family?"

"Eh?"

Ah, I see. Alex wouldn't know. It was something she had bought from him three years later.

"This is... um, a secret."

"…"

Alex stared intently at Sara, his eyes probing, almost resembling a glare.

Following Iwa’s lead in sewing kimonos for the children from new fabric, Sara began sewing her own kimono for the autumn festival.

Since it was still hot, she planned to layer something lightweight.

Japanese sewing is all about straight lines, making it less challenging than Western garments. Sewing was something Sara excelled at.

Day after day, she continued her work on the veranda.

Though she felt it might be a bit improper, she lifted the hem of her kimono, exposing her knees to let the breeze cool her.

As she focused on her stitching, she unconsciously began to hum, her mood lightened.

Swinging her legs back and forth, she heard Alex remark, "That’s a nostalgic tune."

Sara turned to look at him.

"…Was I singing just now?"

"You were. I liked that song too."

With that, Alex headed to his study.

(What song was that? It couldn’t have been one from this era… could it?)

After finishing her duties at the Rokumeikan, Sara climbed the hill back to the mansion in the afternoon, accompanied by the sound of cicadas.

She widened her eyes in surprise at the sight of a guest waiting there.

A tall man with black hair, a foreigner whose glasses suited him perfectly.

"Marquis Edmund."

At the sound of his name, the man turned to face her.

His cold, intelligent gaze and confident posture exuded unwavering self-assurance. At the Rokumeikan, women of all backgrounds, Japanese and foreign alike, had cast admiring glances his way.

"What brings you here?"

"Nothing in particular. I simply wished to talk to you," he replied, his demeanor relaxed in contrast to Sara’s guarded stance.

"What would you like to talk about?"

"Don’t be so wary. I’m not acting on the Queen’s behalf, nor do I intend to come between you and him."

"What…?"

Sara furrowed her brow. For a marquis, his attitude toward the Queen seemed oddly irreverent.

"If anything, I’m interested in you personally. You’re hiding something, aren’t you? It’s been on my mind, and I can’t look away."

Sara felt her throat tighten, forcing herself to breathe as she gripped her belongings more firmly.

"I…."

"For example… that you’ve come from the future?"

"…"

"Ah, I see. I guessed right. Tell me—how did you acquire that power, and how do you use it? Teach me."

"Coming from the future? That’s absurd. If you’re joking, perhaps you should share it with the ladies at the Rokumeikan instead."

The Marquis’s questions were too precise. Sara tried to maintain her composure and firmly denied his insinuations.

(Who is he? Could he be one of the ‘anomalies’ Mr.Edgar mentioned?)

Still, even if that were the case, what could she do?

He was undeniably strange. Though his face was beautiful, his presence felt unsettling.

When Sara tried to enter the mansion, his cane blocked her path.

"Not just anyone will do. Even a noble is just a person when stripped of their finery. It’s in that moment their true charm is revealed."

"Who are you? What do you want?"

When Sara pressed him, the Marquis smiled faintly and leaned in slightly, his blue eyes reflecting her image.

"That’s what I want to know most of all. …You, you have quite the lovely face, like a fawn. Your skin is smooth—no doubt your husband cherishes you greatly."

He gently stroked Sara’s cheek with his hand.

"If just one choice had been different, our meeting might have changed as well. But what’s certain is that right now, it’s me sharing this moment with you—not him."

As the cicadas mourned the end of summer, Sara and Marquis Edmund locked eyes in silence.

Just then, a horse neighed, climbing the hill.

The rider was Kondo.

"Madam!"

"Mr.Kondo…"

She quickly moved to his side as he dismounted.

Even the Marquis didn’t pursue her further. Straightening his posture with the help of his cane, he gave a fearless smile.

"Very well. There will be another chance. "Madam", unlike that ignorant Alexander, I might be able to show you a better path."

With those words, he departed.

"Are you all right, Madam? Who was that man?"

"…A guest from the Rokumeikan."

"Is that so? He gave off a rather unpleasant aura…"

"…In any case, thank you. You saved me… What brings you here, Mr.Kondo?"

"My brothers wanted to offer sweet potatoes for the festival… That’s why I came."

"I see…"

Suddenly, the tension drained from her body, and her hands and feet began to tremble.

Marquis Edmund didn’t just know something—he might be trying to exploit the mirror.

(I have to meet Mr.Edgar and seek his advice.)

Two weeks later, the day of the festival arrived. Sara was eager to meet Edgar, but for some reason, she hadn’t been able to see him.

During the day, the floats paraded through the streets, and the festival music filled the air with excitement. Wearing a lightweight kimono layered for the heat, Sara walked alongside Alex. With each step, her geta clacked against the ground as they passed by the sun-kissed skin of the townspeople.

As she walked, observing children playing at the stalls, she spotted a small figure resting in the shade of a tree.

(Mr.Edgar?)

It was a woman’s haori with a floral pattern. There was no doubt. Sara stopped and said, “Um, I forgot something,” and quickly left the scene.

Edgar was trying to hide in a secluded spot—she called out to him.

“Mr.Edgar!”

In a low voice, he turned to her, his face looking worn and weary, and managed a weak smile. She offered him food and drink, explaining the situation.

Edgar, regaining some vitality, nodded solemnly.

“An anomaly…”

“It was a person themselves. Why did it happen? Was it because of me in Okutama?”

“The way wishes are granted varies, but one thing is certain: there is a connection. If he also came from another world, then there must be someone related to him in this world.”

A connection. Sara pondered, resting her chin on her hand.

For instance, could it mean that she resembled Sarah? Or perhaps the maid… what was her name? Sylvia? She had called her “grandmother.” If she was a person of connection, it might be possible.

“What should I do?”

“Grant your wish.”

Edgar’s advice was always the same.

“While being cautious of him?”

“Yeah. Well, it’s fine. That mirror only responds to women’s wishes. Even if he finds it, he won’t be able to use it.”

“I hope that’s true…”

“But?”

“It’s the timeline, I think… Something’s off. Alex received that name from Queen Clara, but he’s already Alexander. It’s been that way since he was born, and his birthplace was supposed to be Kagoshima, yet it’s Nagasaki instead.”

“...I see. If Alexander can regain himself, it might change the flow of this world…”

“What do you mean?”

“It could mean that Alexander is also someone brought from somewhere else.”

Sara felt a jolt.

There were hints that supported this idea. Alex had made gestures like checking a watch and reacted to Sara’s humming. If that were the case, perhaps they might meet somewhere?

“Does that mean he and I… have a connection?”

“Sure, there’s a connection. Well, I don’t know the details. Sorry, I’m trapped in this world and being scrutinized by her. It’s become harder to move than before… It seems various wishes are intertwined. Be careful, young lady. You mustn’t lose sight of your wish, but you also shouldn’t become trapped by it.”

Sara bit her lower lip hard.

She had kept suppressing the thought of always being with Alex. That wasn’t her wish.

She had come to learn about him.

What had happened to him…?

Sara nodded deeply and suggested to Edgar, “Why don’t you come to the mansion? I can talk to Alex…”

He seemed to have barely eaten, and she was worried about Edgar’s health too.

“No, it’s impossible. I can only be in the divine realm… Luckily, Japan has shrines everywhere.”

With that, Edgar concealed himself in his haori and disappeared into the shade of the trees.

When Sara reached the torii gate, she spotted Alex standing there. His tall stature made him impossible to miss.

(If I wished to be with him here, I would surely lose my way.)

It was because she thought of him that she suppressed that desire.

Sara was not Sarah. She must not interfere with her life… Reminding herself of this, she approached him as he smiled in her direction.

The presence of night had deepened, and she realized that the season had changed.

The sun set earlier, and even the sound of the cicadas had faded into the distance.

Under the moon, the trees swayed in the wind, rustling softly.

The vermilion torii gate and the torchlight illuminating the path.

She walked on the stone pavement, the sound of her geta clattering, listening to the approaching festival music.

She held his hand—warm and large.

Just touching his body heat brought her comfort, and when she glanced at his profile, Alex noticed and looked back at her.

His navy blue eyes. He had said that holding hands outside was improper, but this moment was special.

They crossed a bridge over a clear stream and passed through the torii, exploring the lively grounds filled with stalls at night.

Children climbed on the Komainu(guardian lions), getting scolded.

Foreigners in Sherlock Holmes-like suits walked with women in dresses that fluffed at the rear.

Japanese men in what appeared to be black military uniforms stood guard in the shrine grounds.

Kondo was also there.

—Was this not a dream?

As a child, she had often seen this scene.

This landscape felt incredibly nostalgic, evoking a sense of longing for a festival at a shrine she had never visited.

The one walking beside her was indeed her lover.

She had known this well in her childhood.

Kind, sincere, and reliable. The ideal person who always protected her.

(Why…)

This was supposed to be a dream.

Yet now, she was walking in that world with Alex.

It felt like tracing a dream.

Alex touched the kanzashi and looked up.

“It’ll fall out.”

“Really?”

"Yes ... It looks great on you. I'm sorry I wasn't the one who gave it to you."

“This is…”

The world appeared double.

Was it because the torchlight distorted the space?

“Alex?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Are you here?”

“Of course. It’s okay to be lost. I will definitely find you…”

His hand tightened around hers.

“Let’s go out next break. There’s something new opening, right? What was it… Ah, Azabudai Hills…”

That was a modern place. She wondered if she had misheard, but the noise made it hard to hear clearly.

Alex’s voice grew distant.

Sara was struck by a severe headache and lost consciousness.

(Who is Alex really? Where has the real him disappeared to?)

Endless questions dominated Sara's mind. She knew she had to fulfill her wish. Even though she understood what needed to be done, she found it difficult to move forward. Could it be that he knows something?

Edmund the Marquis. No, he shouldn't know. After all, he had said he was also trapped by his own wishes...

"Are you awake?"

Alex's concerned face came into view.

When she called his name, he let out a sigh of relief and leaned back in his chair.

"Thank goodness. The doctor said you might have fainted from exhaustion. But there’s no MRI here, so we can't be sure..."

"MRI...? Why...?"

That was something from far in the future.

As she sat up, a sharp pain throbbed in her head.

"Don't push yourself. You can rest until tomorrow; just lie down for a while."

"Wait, Alex. How do you know?"

"Know what?"

"About the future..."

After saying that, Sara suddenly covered her mouth in shock.

But Alex looked at her as if he didn't understand at all.

"What are you talking about? The future?"

"Um..."

"Anyway, just rest. If you eat well and take care of yourself, you’ll surely feel better."

Alex moved away from the bed.

In a reflex, Sara grabbed his hand.

"Are you feeling lonely?"

"N-no. I'm sorry."

She gently released his hand.

For some reason, she felt as though Alex was drifting further away.

No, it was different; she had a sense that parting was drawing near.

"Alex... please be careful."

"What’s wrong? There’s nothing to worry about."

"It’s about the Rokumeikan. It's better to be cautious..."

No, if she spoke of the future, she would lose the chance to learn about him.

(What am I thinking?)

She clenched her hands as if to remind herself.

She had come to know.

She shouldn’t seek more than that.

As Sara bit her lip, Alex gently stroked her cheek.

The warmth enveloped her like melting warmth, and her vision blurred, but she held back her tears.

(Why do I think of parting when I don’t even know him yet?)

"Sarah. It's okay."

Alex softened his voice.

Sara nodded and said, "I’ll sleep now," and left him alone.

Tears began to overflow.

Why was this happening?

It felt as if “Sarah” was crying.