The Wizard’s Spire bustles with activity; an endless assortment of mages fill the area practicing magic and exploring the wealth of knowledge its libraries have to offer. With an environment like this, there’s hardly a dull moment.

  Its most notable wizard, however, sits by her lonesome in a room near the building’s tip. She’s surrounded by a personal office outfitted with an array of magical devices and machines of her own creation.

  Her long, dark purple hair streams down her with its bangs swept to cover one of her ruby eyes. A concentrated gaze lands on a glimmering, star-shaped crystal resting in the middle of the table.

  Strands of blue energy flow from her palms and seep inside, brightening the gem bit by bit. Several gadgets circling her work station release wispy streams of mana to join her own to make an ethereal display of magic.

  Though engrossed in the process, the sound of exaggerated snoring echoes in her mind. A look is aimed toward the ceiling as if staring into empty space. She calls to the open air.

  “Um, Solitaria?”

  “Hmmm?”

  A voice in her head, nearly a mirror to her own, replies. Though it usually has more energy, it currently holds a pouty undertone.

  “How long have you been awake?”

  “Long enough! Why are we here again, Eda? You’ve been coming to this room every morning and it’s getting dull! Your princess needs a change of scenery!”

  “Sorry, there’s something important I had to finish.” The vivid display of energy slows to a stop. Soon, the concentrated mana thins akin to a mist before vanishing. “I think that should be good. And..good morning.”

  “Humph, some morning it is. Too far from our cozy sheets.” Solitaria’s playful tone gives way into a giggle. “But, I guess seeing you out and about makes up for it. Good morning! Sooo, what’s the plan for today?”

  “Actually, um..” A small smile rises on Eda’s face. “I was going to ask you the same question. Our day’s completely in your hands.” A brief pause follows. “..Uh, within reason.”

  “Ooh!” The excitable voice bursts to life. Eda’s companion already returns to her usual vibrancy. “You’ll be my escort today, huh? Okay! Let’s be on our way to the marketplace. Your wardrobe needs a little more of my touch.”

  “Ah..alright.”

  Setting aside the worry that normally follows Solitaria’s ideas, the High Wizard closes up her office and makes her way down the spire. Upon reaching the bottom floor, the ornate doors swing open with a loud creak, treating them to the beautiful view ahead.

  Flurries of white dance across Lefundos, blanketing the ground with a dense layer of snow. It softly crunches beneath Eda’s shoes during her walk to the city and leaves a solitary trail of footprints. Before long, she’s surrounded by towering buildings veiled in sleet that glistens in the sunlight.

  With the onset of winter apparent, devices produced by the wizards emanate heat at every corner. Civilians and knights go about their days like any other with the addition of a coat or extra padding. Eda herself, however, feels no need for anything aside from her black and blue-hued cloak.

  The marketplace offers its own unique ambience with its chatter and the shuffling of footsteps. Vendors, shops and carts wherever she looks, Eda finds herself buried in the street’s everyday hustle and bustle.

  “Ahh, there’s so much to do. I could wander around all day!” Solitaria exclaims, her rise in energy a stark contrast to the wizard’s. Eda sighs as she shields her eyes from the sun.

  “Do you have a place in mind already..?”

  “Oh come on, there’s no need to rush!” An excited gasp echoes through Eda’s mind. “What if we stumble into my prince charming out here?! Just think of it; a lovely lady wandering the snowy streets by her lonesome. She drops her bag on the ground only for a strapping man to touch her hand when they reach for it at the same time. Then, their eyes meet..and it’s love at first sight!”

  “It hasn’t happened any other time we’ve been here..” Eda tilts her head in thought. “And..I think you just got that idea from the book we read yesterday.”

  “Hey, you never know! If we don’t believe with all of our heart, we’ll never find our true soulmate. I’m sure those gloomy clothes of yours are to blame.”

  “But..in the fantasy you mentioned, the princess isn’t supposed to stand out. She wears a civilian’s outfit. The man sees her for who she is instead of her status. That’s how she knows it’s true love.” Eda recites all too naturally. Solitaria continues without missing a beat.

  “Then they share meals with each other, take walks together and get all lovey-dovey. After some time passes, she’s abducted by villains that know her true identity. Her soulmate is overcome with despair!”

  “But his courage leads him through.” Eda’s turn comes again. “They expose everything about her and offer him a portion of the ransom for his silence. He doesn’t even consider it.”

  “With a series of daring maneuvers and risky tactics, he saves his beloved and escapes! They cry in each others’ arms while confessing their feelings all over again. Once the fiends are reported to the king, they’re swiftly dealt with.”

  “And then..they live happily ever after.”

  They giggle in perfect sync once the story reaches its end. A small smile graces Eda’s face throughout their exchange.

  “Yeah..I can understand wanting to find something like that. Someone willing to go that far for you sounds nice.”

  “Heh, exactly. That settles it, we’re picking up another fairy tale while we’re here. I need more material for my novel!”

  “Sure. Um..” A tinge of red crosses Eda’s face as her eyes trail to the snowy ground. “Your soulmate..d-does it need to be a prince?”

  “What, like royalty?”

  “No, I-I mean..uhm…a-actually, it’s nothing..”

  “Nothing, huh?” Solitaria scrutinizes the wizard with an inquisitive hum. As if her mirror is staring directly at her, Eda’s gaze lowers.

  “A-anyway, right, the clothes..which shop are we going to?”

  ”Of course, I nearly forgot!” With her attention derailed, she ponders her options. “Aha, right there. To your left!”

  Eda navigates into a nearby apparel store, its warm air providing respite from the winter chill. Countless clothing racks line every aisle, their options ranging from simple garbs to extravagant dresses.

  “Where do we go first?”

  “Let’s find something cute! We’ll work our way down the store until we get to the very back.”

  Fortunately, Eda knows her well to know exactly where she wants to start looking. She follows Solitaria’s directions down every aisle, plucking a few articles from each rack.

  Like their usual shopping trips, they chat while collecting a mountain of apparel from every corner. While Eda’s fine with some choices and nervous about others, her companion gets a kick out of it all the same.

  Near the end of their adventure they spot a dazzling dress displayed on a mannequin, adorned with star-like sparkles and cute frills.

  “Ah! Eda, Eda! That one! Right there, we need that one for sure!” Solitaria fires off with a burst of excitement. Eda looks the dress up and down, intrigued.

  “Wow..it’s beautiful. Do you think it’d be decent for someone like me?”

  “Duh! You look great in anything, and this is no exception.”

  Her smile resurfaces, then dampens once she spots another woman looking it over.

  “Oh..I think she wants it. We may have to find another one.”

  “What?!” A pouty growl comes paired with the sound of frustrated foot stomping. “No way! Tell her to beat it!”

  “I-I can’t do that! That's not very nice..”

  “We got here first, it’s only fair!”

  “It’s okay, we can find something else. There’s lots of pretty outfits around here.”

  Overhearing their conversation—Eda’s side, that is—the woman turns to face her.

  “Were you interested in this dress?”

  Suddenly put on the spot, Eda’s attention quickly redirects.

  “H-huh? Oh, that one? No, not really..”

  “Hey! Do you want it or not?” Solitaria shouts, startling her.

  “I-I mean yes! Yes, I am..!” Eda corrects with a stammer. Though the woman gives her a strange look, she steps aside.

  “I love its design, but the price is far out of my budget. I think you’d wear it really well.” She compliments with a smile before walking away. Eda gives a light bow of her head.

  “Um, thank you.” Once the woman’s out of earshot, she sighs. “I feel bad..”

  “Why? She wasn’t going to get it anyway.”

  “You’re right, but..”

  “No buts unless it’s yours getting stuffed into one of these skirts. Snag it and we’ll finish up!”

  Eda’s eyes wander toward the price tag. The breath leaves her body as a stunned look overtakes her expression.

  “Oh..I suppose I should’ve expected that it’d cost this much. I guess I don’t spend on much else anyway, and..” She walks closer to the dress, running her hand down its soft frills. Her eyes sparkle as the faint smile returns.

  “It obviously makes you happy just thinking about it. Follow your heart!”

  “Right..! I’ll get it!”

  “That’s the spirit!”

  Their mountain of clothes is carted over to the dressing rooms with the addition of the bedazzled dress. Once near their assigned booth, Solitaria’s image phases out of Eda’s body like a specter. Her translucent figure floats nearby, her spangled dress and radiant white hair a stark contrast to Eda’s.

  Solitaria plants her hands on her hips and gives her companion an excited grin.

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  “Hehe, I can’t wait. Let’s get started already!”

  Sharing her enthusiasm, Eda returns a softer yet similar one.

  “Alright. I’ll be out soon.”

  She disappears behind the curtain with the first outfit she’s assigned. Clothes can be heard shuffling for a short while, then the booth opens back up.

  Eda stands wearing a short sleeved t-shirt colored a gradient of blue and white. It sports a wintery theme with snowflakes adorning every bit of the fabric. A short, red pleated skirt compliments the design with a pleasant contrast to its color.

  “I like this one. How does it look?” She asks, prompting Solitaria to rapidly nod in approval.

  “Super cute, that’s how! Looks like it fits well, too.”

  “Yes, it feels nice to wear. I think we should buy it.”

  “Obviously!”

  Next, Eda emerges wearing a tan ribbed sweater that wraps around the shoulders, exposing her collarbone and everything above. Its sleeves are just long enough to cover the bottom half of her palms. Paired with it is a long set of dark blue pants that proves to be a snug fit against her waist and legs.

  “How about this? It’s very comfortable.”

  “Looking good! Not surprisingly, of course.” A mischievous glint comes to Solitaria’s eyes. She hovers around Eda, looking her up and down. “Hmm. Raise the sweater a bit.”

  “Like this..?”

  The hem is lifted a little, prompting Solitaria to reposition behind her. A grin sprouts as she studies Eda’s figure.

  “Just like that. Perfect! It hugs those curves of yours as I expected. We’ll be buying this one too!”

  “O-oh..” A blush settles along Eda’s face as her eyes glue to the floor. She slowly pulls the sweater a bit further down than before. Her companion snickers, clearly enjoying her reaction.

  Time flies by while they swap and test outfits. Some are modest and tasteful, while others prove too daring for Eda to even step out of the booth. It’s a successful shopping trip overall, save for a few garbs that were returned to the shelves.

  The day’s hours fly by from there, whether they set aside time to eat or wander into any other stores. The sun flies overhead in an arc, brightening the daylight until it begins to subdue into an orange hue. Before long, night falls on Lefundos.

  A wooden door creaks open and blows the crisp winter air inside. Smothered by a mountain of bags, Eda carefully shuffles along and nudges the entrance shut with her shoe. A muffled sigh follows.

  “Finally, we’re home..we really need to invest in some kind of cart for next time.”

  The house in question is rather modest – the first and largest room simply a space where the kitchen meets the living room, only divided by a counter. A plush, dark red rug lies in front of the currently dim fireplace. Furniture such as a navy blue sofa and a wooden table wrap it together to complete the quaint home.

  “Yep, it’d be nice if you didn’t have to lug all of our stuff around.”

  Solitaria chimes in, floating into their abode. Eda shakes off any residual snow as soon as the bags are set down.

  “It’s a little cumbersome..but I don’t mind too much. Days like these are always fun.”

  “You said it! Thanks for letting me lead the way today. It’s always amazing seeing the stuff this place has to offer.”

  “Of course, it’s the least I can do.” Eda rubs the back of her head. “..Even if I’m not too sure how all of these clothes and jewelry will fit. The closet is already having a hard time from our last outing.”

  “A princess’s wardrobe needs to be endless!” Solitaria plants her fists on her hips with a proud smile. “We’ll have to buy another room just for this. I want to get lost in it!”

  “I..suppose getting another room built isn’t the craziest idea you’ve suggested.” She mutters. Her mirrored self aims narrowed eyes at her.

  “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Hehe..it’s nothing.”

  Solitaria puffs a cheek out while Eda giggles under her breath. A playful smirk replaces the pouty look before long.

  “Hmm. You know, you’ve changed a lot since we first properly met. My first nicknames don’t fit anymore.”

  “Not in a bad way, I hope..”

  “It’s the opposite! You smile and giggle plenty. You don’t mope around or sulk much either. We’re becoming more alike by the day! All you need is a little more confidence.”

  “Ah..” Eda’s smile grows a little. “That means a lot, Solitaria. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome! I’ll just have to figure out something else to call you now.”

  Solitaria folds one leg over the other as she taps a finger against her cheek. Eda watches her for a short while, seeming lost in thought. Soon, her smile fades a little and she turns her gaze away.

  She heads upstairs, pushing open the door to her room. It was modest, much like the first floor. It had a bed covered in black sheets with white stars decorating them all over. Looking at the room made it easy to tell who bought what – simple jewelry and decorations were accompanied by others that were covered in absurd amounts of glitter or sparkles.

  Eda exits her bathroom without her usual attire, now wearing a nightgown that reaches down to her thighs. Colored a soft blue, it’s adorned with a pattern of purple crescents along the hem and the edge of the sleeves; alongside this, she wears a simple golden bracelet around one of her wrists.

  She sits on her bed and gazes out of the window, admiring the view of the starry sky with an aimless smile.

  “Enjoying a nice daydream?”

  Eda’s attention is brought to the Solitaria floating close by. She looks upon her mirrored self with a fond gaze.

  “Something like that..”

  “No need to hide it, I’m an expert! C’mon, what’s in that noggin of yours?”

  “Well, it’s..uh..” She fidgets around, clasping her hands while her fingers shift about. Her ruby eyes trail away from Solitaria. “I..got you something.”

  “A present? For me?” Solitaria’s eyes sparkle with glee.

  “Yes, um..it’s just over here.”

  Eda moves to the hook holding her usual cloak and sifts through its pocket. A crystalline object in hand, she slowly returns to the bedside. The smile Solitaria wears only grows wider.

  “That’s the pretty stone you’ve been tinkering with for a while, right? Has it always been a gift for yours truly?!”

  “Mhm..I’ve been working on something new. It took a while to figure it out. Hold out your hands.”

  “My hands?” The mirage-like princess questions with confusion overtaking her features. She extends her arms and cups her palms. Eda holds the star-shaped crystal in a similar fashion and moves it closer.

  Once nestled between their hands, a calm teal bubbles from within as if surfacing from a deep lake. Rays of blue light shine, giving the crystal a radiant glow that illuminates their faces. Soon, it shines brighter than the display it put on back at the Wizard’s Spire.

  In that moment, the mana within ripples outward across the ghostly Solitaria. Rings of calm energy wash over her body in a series of waves, coating her figure with the same brilliant gleam. Her eyes start widening from the immediate changes – bit by bit, she becomes less of a mirage.

  Her bright red eyes look over her newly solidified figure. She taps the ground with the tip of her shoe.

  “Huh? What..happened?” Her voice takes on a bewildered tone while she looks at her hands. Eda’s smile brightens.

  “You’re whole again, Solitaria. Just like back in your castle.”

  “Whole..?” She repeats, still processing the sudden change.

  “Yes. I’ve been developing that crystal so it can hold my mana and inject it into you to keep your form intact. Normally, it’d be finite and need to be refilled to keep working, but..since you’re made of it, this will automatically replenish by putting it through a cycle. Kind of like...a heart.”

  “I think I understand..” She mutters, looking genuinely stunned.

  “The best part is that you’re completely unchained. Not bound to a castle, or a tundra..and not to me. Not anymore.” Though Eda smiles, there’s a slight sadness to her tone.

  “Wow..! So this’ll just work wherever I go? I can just wear it like a necklace or something and I can be like this forever?” Energy pumps through Solitaria’s body anew, her smile more radiant than ever.

  “That’s right. You can be entirely free to do what you want. I’m..really curious to see what you’ll do with this kind of freedom.”

  The giddy Solitaria skips around the room, bounding from place to place. She twirls and hops as if cast in a stage play.

  “Hehehe! There’s so many options! So much to explore! I’m so happy I can hardly think!”

  She slides to a stop in front of the window. With an exaggerated flourish she throws it open, letting her hair and dress flow in the brisk winter wind. A bright grin is aimed at the night sky above.

  “Watch out, world! You’re not ready for the radiance of Solitaria, the princess you could only dream of!”

  A strong burst of wind follows as she flings herself into the open air. She’s carried upwards with the flurries of snow decorating the terrain. Her magical staff manifests in a burst of rime, mounting it to ride into the distance.

  Solitaria’s figure soon becomes silhouetted by the darkness of night. She soars over the shadowed treeline with the stars serving as the backdrop. The stars appear to move with her and dance through the sky in celebration, trailing behind her like a comet. All the while, her joyous laughter echoes through the night.

  Eda watches on from the window, entranced by the sight. The beautiful picture brings out a soft sigh and a somber smile.

  She slowly steps away and only returns to set a book upon the windowsill. It’s the same book they had bought earlier that day – a fairy tale about a princess that finds a way to break free of her shackles.

  The dawn’s light shines through the window, indicating the imminent sunrise. Falling asleep was difficult in Solitaria’s absence, yet even as Eda stirs awake she finds it hard to move. A warmth like no other blankets her body. She sinks into her mattress without an ounce of urgency, basking in the calm heat.

  Then, there’s a heartbeat. She feels it softly ‘thump’ against her arm. Soft breathing nearly identical to her own follows next, its source right next to her. The oddity spurs her enough to peek an eye open.

  She’s joined in bed by Solitaria, whose arms have her in a snug embrace. The sleeping princess is now dressed in a similar nightgown, this one sporting a soft lavender with decorative stars instead of crescents. Solitaria’s head rests against hers as she lies with a pleased smile.

  Realization jolts Eda awake as a faint crimson crosses her cheeks. She quickly props herself up on an elbow.

  “U-um…S..Solitaria..?”

  The snow-haired princess peeks back at her with one eye opening.

  “Hmm..? Is it morning already?”

  A dainty yawn follows her question. Her relaxed posture and quiet tone show she has no intention of moving.

  “I..I think so..uhm..” An awkward pause ensues. “I-Is something wrong..? Does the crystal not work?”

  “Nope, it works great! I got all tuckered out flying around all night. I had a blast!”

  “Oh, th..that’s good.”

  “What makes you think it didn’t?” A playful smile rises as she locks eyes with Eda, who quickly turns her attention to the ceiling.

  “I…just thought you’d rather be somewhere else. You can do whatever you want to now, so..”

  “I know.” She giggles. “This is exactly what I want to do.”

  “Really..?”

  “Yep, and I know what you’re thinking. You think I’m probably tired of you since I wasn’t able to leave. Maybe go off to make another castle somewhere and look for my prince, right?”

  “Well..” Eda hesitates. “While you weren’t stuck as badly as before, you still didn’t have much freedom of your own. I don’t live the life you dream of.”

  “Saying I was stuck is such a silly way to put it! That implies I wanted to leave.” Solitaria’s smile tapers into a neutral expression. “Every day is different, even if it’s just the path you take to the store. The city, the people, the weather..it all changes, you know? Before all of this, everything was dull. Sure, I lived in a pretty castle, but that’s all I can say about it.”

  “..I remember.”

  “We talk all the time, read books together, cook, take walks..it’s been amazing! Nothing as grand as the tales I’ve read, but I appreciate the simple things. After all, grand stuff is only that big because it stands out so much.”

  “It’s…it’s nice always having someone there.” Eda’s eyes soften to match her small smile. “Being alone is something we’re both familiar with. I was..really happy to have you along. Even if our personalities clashed at first, we’re really similar. You became one of the most important people to me, Solitaria..that’s why I wanted to make you happy.”

  “Aww..” Solitaria’s lips curve into a warm smile before she nuzzles her own red-hued cheek against Eda’s. “You’re so sweet. I have been happy, now I’m only happier! Imagine all of the things we can do now that I’m back in action!”

  “Y-yeah..!” A hopeful gleam surfaces in Eda’s ruby eyes. “So..you’re staying?”

  “I wouldn’t dream of anything else. Besides! I still plan on making an even better castle, one amazing enough for the both of us! Oh, and I never answered your question.”

  “My question?” Eda repeats with a puzzled blink.

  “It doesn't have to be a prince.” Solitaria gives her a playful smirk. “Is that the answer you wanted?”

  A fierce blush seeps into Eda’s face. Her eyes dart toward a nearby wall.

  “O-oh, that one..”

  “Hehe, you’re not very good at hiding it.” Solitaria leans in closer as her voice lowers. “I didn’t have to look very far to find my soulmate after all.”

  The breath catches in Eda’s throat.

  “Y-your soulmate..? What do you mean?”

  “Being cute about it won’t save you!” She gently tilts Eda’s face toward hers. Their blushing faces meet, now inches apart. Even Solitaria’s voice is subdued compared to normal – even a little shy. “Come on, spit it out already. Your princess is waiting.”

  Eda cycles through deep breaths, finding it increasingly difficult to keep her composure. She heavily gulps under her mirrored self’s expectant gaze.

  “I..like you a lot, Solitaria..um...I-I’d love to make you happy as, uh…your..your soulmate..”

  “Hehe, you finally said it!” Solitaria’s smile, bashful yet beaming, grows even further. “So we’re romantic partners now, right? I’ve never done anything like this before! I have no idea where to start!” She claps her hands over her reddened cheeks and squeals with glee.

  “I’m not really sure either..um…”

  “Ah! I know a perfect place!” Solitaria shouts. “Cute nicknames are a must. No more saying my full name!”

  “Huh? What am I supposed to say..?”

  “Something cute, like I said! Just ‘Soli’ is fine, but if you’re feeling daring, you can just say sweetheart! Or my beloved, or darling, or sunshine..” Solitaria kicks her legs with her eyes squeezed shut, beside herself with joy. “What should we do to kick off our grand tale of love?! Ahh! I think I’m going to faint just thinking about it!”

  “D-don’t do that..” Eda gently pats her shoulder, looking somewhat concerned. “I..I’ll do my best with the nicknames. Maybe..we can just stay like this for a little while..?”

  “Hmm, cuddling like this..” She coils her arms around Eda’s shoulders and nuzzles their cheeks together. Better prepared for the intimate gesture, Eda relaxes in her arms.

  “Yeah..I like how warm it feels. We have as much time in the world as we need. I might fall back asleep..”

  “I can’t believe you can snooze at a time like this! We’re at the dawn of our next chapter!” Another playful huff follows. Her arm snakes down to find Eda’s idle hand, then clasps it with her own. “..But I guess you’re right. I don’t really feel like moving much anyway. I’ll just have to see how you look in that dazzling dress later.”

  “That sounds like fun..” Reciprocating the gesture, Eda’s fingers slowly interlace with Solitaria’s, resting their soft palms together. “You can try on all of those outfits too. I’d love to see how you look in them, um..Soli.”

  “Hehe..I like the way you think, darling.” Solitaria gently presses her forehead against Eda’s, rubbing the tips of their noses. Their blushing faces are mirrors of one another, sharing the same smile.

  They wrap an arm around each other and pull into a snug embrace. Both of their eyes shut to relish in the intimate warmth, complimented by the new day’s sunlight illuminating them. The fairy tale Eda had set out rests on a nearby table, waiting to be opened another time.