ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

Ellen moved carefully through the streets, keeping to the shadows and avoiding the early morning crowd. New Eridu was starting to stir, but she had no intention of drawing attention to herself. After everything that had happened, the last thing she needed was unwanted visitor's trailing her back to Victoria Housekeeping.

Slipping through the entrance, she made her way straight to her room. As she pushed the door open, a soft, peaceful sight greeted her—Miyabi lay on the bed, her arms wrapped protectively around a still-sleeping Mira. The gentle rise and fall of their breathing filled the quiet space, the dim morning light casting a tranquil glow over them.

Miyabi's usual regal presence was softened in this moment of rest. She was dressed in a deep violet yukata, the fabric adorned with delicate silver embroidery reminiscent of swirling wind patterns. Even in sleep, her fox-like ears twitched slightly at Ellen's entrance. Mira, nestled against her, wore a loose white t-shirt that was just a little too big for her, paired with soft pajama shorts. Her hair was slightly messy from sleep, but she looked content, completely undisturbed by Ellen's arrival.

Miyabi's golden eyes flickered open, her gaze meeting Ellen's as a warm smile formed on her lips. "Good morning, Ellen," she greeted, her voice still laced with drowsiness but filled with warmth.

Ellen gave a small nod in response, too tired to say much. Without hesitation, she climbed into her bed, sinking into the familiar comfort of her blankets. But as she settled in, she noticed Miyabi watching her with a slightly furrowed brow.

"...Is something wrong?" Ellen asked, raising an eyebrow at the intense stare.

Miyabi didn't answer immediately. Instead, she reached out, pressing two fingers gently against Ellen's forehead. The moment she did, Ellen felt it—her fingers weren't pressing against just skin. There was something there. Two small bumps, firm yet unfamiliar, protruding from her skull.

Ellen stiffened. "What the hell?"

"How long have you had these?" Miyabi asked, her voice calm but curious.

Ellen, still processing, blinked at her. "I—I don't know. I'm just now figuring this out." Her hand shot up to feel them herself. Sure enough, the bumps were there. When did this happen? Her mind raced. How had she not noticed?

She let out a sharp exhale. "And my friends didn't notice either?"

Miyabi chuckled softly. "Considering many aren't a morning person, I doubt they've had the presence of mind to notice anything beyond their need for sleep."

Ellen groaned, rubbing her temples. "Great. First, I start changing in ways I can't ignore, and now this."

Miyabi's expression softened, but before she could offer words of reassurance, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen before turning back to Ellen.

"My father texted me," she said. "He says he has something important to discuss, and he wants you to come with me."

Ellen frowned. "When?"

"Four PM."

Ellen turned her head, glancing at the clock. It had just turned ten.

She sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "Well, at least we've got time before we have to deal with whatever that's about."

Miyabi gave her a knowing smile. "Indeed. So, what do you want to do until then?"

Ellen flopped back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. "First? I think I need a damn minute to process."

Ellen adjusted the collar of her maid uniform, checking her reflection in the mirror of the changing room. Though she didn't have to wear it, she found comfort in the familiar fabric. The uniform had grown on her—not just for its surprising comfort but for the sense of nostalgia it carried. It reminded her of how far she had come since joining Victoria Housekeeping.

Most of the others had left earlier for a mission involving some rich client. Ellen hadn't paid much attention to the details; it wasn't her problem. She had her own task for the day—training the twins.

With one final adjustment to her sleeves, she made her way to the training room. Upon entering, she found the twins already waiting for her, standing side by side with a mixture of nervousness and determination on their faces.

"Alright," Ellen started, crossing her arms. "I'll make this quick. Training won't be as long today since I have somewhere to be later."

The twins visibly relaxed, but before they could celebrate, Ellen continued, "Which means you're going to have to go twice as hard."

Their expressions shifted instantly, nervousness taking center stage. Ellen smirked. Good. They're taking this seriously.

"We'll start with a spar—one versus two. Then, we'll move on to one-on-one matches to see how far you've come."

The twins exchanged glances before nodding in unison. They knew Ellen wouldn't go easy on them, but they were ready to prove themselves.

"Alright," Ellen said, rolling her shoulders. "Let's see what you've got."

The sparring session began just like the last—Ellen was completely overwhelming the twins. Every attack they threw at her was dodged with ease, her movements fluid and precise. Each time one of them thought they had an opening, she was already a step ahead, knocking them off balance with a well-placed strike or counter.

The twins attacked in unison, coordinating their strikes as best as they could. One went for Ellen's legs while the other aimed for her torso, trying to limit her mobility. But Ellen, reading their intentions with practiced ease, leapt into the air, twisting her body mid-flight before landing gracefully behind them. Before they could react, she delivered a sharp kick to one of the twin's back, sending them stumbling forward. The other turned just in time to block her follow-up strike, but the sheer force sent them sliding backward.

Ellen smirked, offering both tips and taunts as they continued their battle. "Not bad, but you're still too predictable. Watch your footing, and don't let your eyes give away your next move."

The twins, despite being tossed around, kept their composure. They were improving, Ellen noted. Their reactions were quicker, their teamwork more seamless. Even if they were still far from truly challenging her, the progress in just a day was commendable.

Just as Ellen was about to go on the offensive again, a sharp pain flared under both of her arms. She let out a grunt, her body stiffening as the pain momentarily distracted her. Sensing an opportunity, the twins launched their attack.

Their weapons struck true, tearing through Ellen's maid uniform. But instead of feeling their blades or strikes cut into flesh, they felt an unnatural resistance—like striking something impossibly dense. Their attacks didn't penetrate, didn't even leave a mark on Ellen's skin.

A cold chill ran down their spines as they instinctively took a step back. Ellen's hair fell over her face, casting a dark shadow over her features. All they could see were her white, dilated irises, gleaming ominously. A low, guttural growl rumbled from her throat.

Before they could react, an unbearable force struck them both in the stomach. Pain erupted through their bodies as they were sent flying, crashing into the nearest wall. The impact nearly knocked the wind out of them, leaving them gasping as they struggled to process what had just happened.

As they looked up, they saw Ellen approaching, her expression having returned to its usual neutral state. Her gaze flickered to the torn fabric of her uniform, and she sighed. "Rina is going to kill me for this."

Then, shifting her attention back to the twins, she nodded in approval. "Good job landing a hit," she said, offering them a rare bit of praise. But then her expression hardened. "But don't make the mistake of thinking that landing one hit means you've won. An enemy can always pull something out of their ass that turns the fight in their favor. Make sure they're incapacitated or completely defeated before you let your guard down."

As she said this, a silent thought lingered in her mind—I hope they never have to go through the struggle of having to kill someone.

After the rest of Victoria Housekeeping returned from their mission, there wasn't much to report—just some thugs who had the poor judgment to ambush them in an attempt to steal from their employer. Needless to say, they took care of them with ease.

Upon their return, Rina's eyes immediately locked onto Ellen's tattered maid uniform, and her expression darkened. The fabric was torn in several places, a clear sign of the rigorous training session from earlier.

Rina crossed her arms, her voice sharp with disapproval. "Ellen."

Ellen stiffened. "Uh… yeah?"

"Do you have any idea how much effort I put into making that? Every stitch, every detail—perfect! And yet, this is what happens after one day?" Rina's scolding was relentless, her frustration evident in every word.

Ellen could only shyly bow her head, mumbling an apology. She looked very much like a child revealing a broken toy to their mother, who had spent a great deal of money on it. The comparison was almost too accurate.

Lycaon, sensing Ellen's growing despair, decided to step in. "Rina, calm yourself," he said in his usual composed tone. "She understands your frustration. Besides, you can always reinforce the fabric to be more durable next time."

Rina let out a long sigh but nodded. "Fine. But don't think you're getting off that easily, Ellen."

Before Ellen could even respond, Rina grabbed her by the wrist and led her to the changing room. "Take it off," Rina ordered.

Ellen obediently removed the maid dress, watching as Rina inspected the damage with a deep frown. Muttering to herself about using stronger materials, Rina stormed off with the tattered uniform in hand, leaving Ellen standing in the changing room.

With nothing else to do, Ellen picked out some casual clothes—a pair of black athletic shorts and a white tank top, simple and comfortable. Once dressed, she made her way back to the living room.

She found the twins and Corin playing with Mira. Ellen's eyes were immediately drawn to Mira's horns. The black tips that once barely touched the ends had now spread halfway down.

Though surprised, Ellen wasn't particularly worried. Instead, she turned her attention to the couch, where Miyabi was watching the others play.

Ellen sat down next to her, and almost immediately, Miyabi leaned against her with a teasing smirk. "So, how does it feel getting scolded by Rina?"

Ellen scoffed. "It wasn't my fault."

Miyabi chuckled. "If you weren't such a dummy, maybe you wouldn't have gotten scolded."

Ellen rolled her eyes but didn't bother arguing. She just sank into the couch, letting Miyabi rest against her as they both watched the rest of the group enjoy their evening.

Ellen left Mira in the care of Victoria Housekeeping, fully trusting them to keep her safe and away from harm. With that taken care of, she and Miyabi departed for the Hoshimi estate, both dressed in professional attire.

Ellen wore a tailored black suit with a high-collared white shirt underneath. The blazer fit snugly over her frame, emphasizing her sharp presence, while the matching trousers allowed for easy movement. She had opted for black gloves to cover her hands, giving her a composed and refined look. Her hair was neatly tied back into a low ponytail, keeping her usual wild locks under control.

Miyabi, on the other hand, wore a deep blue kimono-style blazer with subtle golden embroidery along the edges, paired with a long, flowing skirt that allowed for both elegance and mobility. The outfit was reminiscent of traditional wear while maintaining a contemporary, professional look. Her fox-like ears twitched slightly as they arrived at the estate, but her expression remained composed, as always.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by Hoshimi Souichirou, Miyabi's father. His expression was calm, yet there was a seriousness in his gaze that indicated the importance of their visit.

"There are some government officials who wish to make you an offer," he explained after a brief exchange of pleasantries. "I've already spoken with them, but I want you to hear it for yourselves. I won't tell you what it is beforehand—I don't want to influence your decision."

Ellen and Miyabi exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Without further delay, Souichirou led them toward the meeting room.

Inside, they were met with the sight of a woman dressed in a pristine white suit, her presence commanding yet unreadable. Her sharp, platinum hair was styled into a sleek bun, and her piercing gray eyes analyzed them the moment they entered. Standing on either side of her were two bodyguards, clad in matching dark suits, their expressions blank and professional. The air of authority around them was undeniable.

The woman gave a small smile and gestured toward the seats across from her. "Please, take a seat," she said smoothly. "I'll get straight to the point. I have an offer that I believe both of you will be very interested in."

The weight of her words settled in the air, and Ellen could already tell that whatever was coming next would be far from simple.