“Sawadee ka, Jao Ying,” Muet sang sarcastically as she stood outside her cell door. “Hiew mai?” She opened the door and stepped in gleefully before closing the door again. “I come bearing gifts. Come look.”
Sofia refused to take the bait. She stayed planted on the cot, ignoring the woman and her mocking tone. Muet’s voice echoed in Sofia’s ear, reminding her of the woman’s threat when Sofia first arrived in Tropos. I guess she finally got me. Sofia’s body still felt sore from being tackled by a royal guard, but luckily, she was shielded from the full extent of the fall by her kidnapper.
“Don’t be so rude, Princess,” Muet ordered gently. “I know you are weary of me, but you have nothing to fear. I won’t hurt you. In fact, I’ve saved you from a mundane life of choices being made for you. Certainly, a girl of your talent wouldn’t want to be tied down to a life of servitude for a kingdom not your own, right?”
Sofia continued ignoring the stranger, determined to have faith that the King and Queen would find her. If not them, then Cara would certainly not let her down. She hardened her expression, not wanting to give her captor the satisfaction of seeing her distressed about being held hostage. Or that she agreed with some of her captor’s words about choices being made for her and possibly not truly belonging in Tropos. But it took all of the strength she had inside of her not to break down in tears.
“Do you think I don’t know what you’re going through?” Muet began. She stepped closer to Sofia and reached out to stroke her hair. Sofia flinched at the gesture, which only made Muet pursue her further by sitting next to her on the cot.
“Believe me. I understand exactly what you’re thinking,” Muet said as she stared at the brick wall in front of them, patting Sofia’s knee in an attempt to comfort her. “You’re holding onto the idea that the King and Queen will take flight immediately, using every resource at their disposal to find you. You’re hoping your protectors will come and set my home ablaze to save your honor. You’re clutching on desperately to the vision of being reunited with your family in a joyous scene of tears and laughter.”
Muet slowly got up and took a step toward the tiny table in the cell. Her back still facing Sofia, she said, “Well, Jao Ying. No one is coming for you. No one is searching for you; most importantly, no one even realizes you are gone.” She turned around, eyes filled with devilish delight. “You are replaceable in their eyes.”
Clenching her fists, Sofia refused to respond to the cruel words, but deep inside, her heart broke at the thought. How would she know? She doesn’t even know me. Muet smiled at the idea of shaking Sofia’s resolve, but ultimately, she held no ill will for the young princess.
“All right then, dear,” Muet sang snarkily. “It’s clear you are not in a chatting mood, so I’ll just keep these gifts for you here. You really should eat something to keep your strength up. You don’t know how long you will be here. As a matter of fact, you don’t even know where here is.” Muet stepped out of the cell and locked the door behind her.
Sofia listened to the clacking of her captor’s heels fade, the sound growing softer and softer. She waited for the quiet rumble of conversation to end, indicating that the woman left instructions for her prison guards. The screeching drag of an outer door filled the floor, only to be drowned out by the deafening silence that followed.
Confident that the woman was gone, Sofia scanned the table, eyeing the pitiful roti and half cup of water waiting for her attention. I’d rather have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich than this. She debated with herself, decided the food couldn’t be poisoned, and ate what was provided. With each bite, Sofia convinced herself that the woman’s words were untrue and that her family would soon come to her rescue.
A small gift box with her name on it sat next to the plate, and she opened the box to find a handwritten note inside.
My dearest Sofia,
My choices were also taken from me long ago, but I refused to conform to the rules. Should you wish to hear this tale, simply ask me to tell you the next time we meet. In the meantime, I leave you this gift as a peace offering. Ask the mirror anything you wish, and it will show you what you need to see. Although we did not start on the right foot, please believe that I will treat you much better here than at the palace. Just give me the chance to show you.
Your Beloved Mistress,
Muet
I know all about choices being taken from me. Sofia’s heart told her that Muet’s words held some truth, even though she believed her captor was not to be trusted. Setting the note down, Sofia picked up the wrapped box and pulled off the shimmering silver ribbon. She carefully tore the delicate paper from the box and neatly folded it to set it aside.
Opening the box, Sofia was graced with the most beautiful pocket mirror she’d ever seen. She lifted it to examine it closer. The mirror had an elegant onyx exterior with an intricate pattern of flowers and teardrop gems etched onto it. She turned the mirror around and noticed a tiny insignia on the back that looked extremely familiar. Sofia squinted at the symbol, hoping it would jar her memory, but her mind came up blank.
Running her fingers over the handiwork of the etchings, Sofia wondered why Muet would give her such a beautiful gift. She was a stranger to Sofia, and this mirror seemed like a personal trinket. The flower designs swirled intimately into one another but never overpowered the other. The pattern wove around a central image of two interlocking hands, symbolizing an unbreakable bond.
The image of the interlocking hands made her think of Cara, and Sofia struggled to hold back tears. She opened the pocket mirror, expecting to see her reflection, but was startled by the moving images that appeared before her. Rather than her own crying face, Sofia saw Cara and the Sawaan brothers standing next to the King and Queen. Queen Fauna hugged someone while holding back the tears in her eyes. The King stood next to the brothers, lecturing them about something. Cara wiped the stray tears from her eyes and looked at the Queen. The Queen stepped back to reveal an identical Princess of Tropos at the center of the crowd.
Muet’s voice entered her ears, mocking her. You are replaceable in their eyes.
Her captor had said those words as if it was part of a grand scheme. Sofia froze as this impostor smiled back at the group and gestured that she was okay. Cara hugged the strange girl again and then linked arms as they entered their room. As much as Sofia wished to believe this was an image of her future reunion at the palace, she knew this was not the case. Somehow, an impostor had taken her place at the palace, and her best friend didn’t notice. Sofia quickly shut the mirror and slammed it down on the table.
Pacing the floor, her mind tumbled through a roller coaster of emotions, livid at the image of her supposed family embracing this fake. Tears pricked the edge of her eyes at the notion that she wouldn’t be rescued. But ultimately, she was disappointed at the idea that no one realized it wasn’t her.
Just like back home, in Lok Klang, I am all alone in Tropos.
What hurt more than anything was the feeling of betrayal Sofia felt. How could Cara, her closest confidante, her kindred spirit, not know that the fake Sofia wasn’t her? How could she hug and smile with someone who wasn’t her?
Sofia stomped away from the table and flopped down on the cot. Her heart filled with despair as she allowed herself to be consumed by the reality of her situation. I can’t believe Cara would do this to me. For what? A fake? For Lek? How could our friendship be so shallow? Even when I trusted her with my life? Sofia could not do anything else but cry herself to sleep.