037 ※ Of Wardrobes and Egomaniacs: A Morning Routine Full of Fashion, Falls, and Invisibility
When I opened the wardrobe, I found myself surprised once again by the sheer amount of clothes in front of me. It was an overwhelming sight, almost as if I had opened a treasure chest full of clothing I had never imagined would be mine. I had never had so many clothes, not even when I lived with my parents in the Albtraum Kingdom. The quantity of options alone left me speechless, and I couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected luxury. It was overwhelming in the best way possible, a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.
I scanned the array of clothes before me, fingers brushing against the fabrics as I considered my choices. After a few moments of indecision, I finally settled on a thin black tank top, simple yet elegant. It felt just right. I paired it with high-waisted navy blue shorts made of what I believed to be silk. The fabric was smooth and cool to the touch, making me smile as I slid them on. To finish the outfit, I picked out a pair of thin black heels that I had almost forgotten I owned. Thank the gods, I hadn't forgotten how to walk in them. It had been a while since I had worn heels, but the familiar click of the heels against the floor was a welcome reassurance. It felt almost like stepping back into a familiar routine, where some things remained constant even as everything else changed.
I made my way to the full-length mirror to take a better look at myself. Standing in front of it, I examined my reflection, taking in my outfit and how it all came together. My eyes traced the way the tank top hugged my figure and the way the navy shorts complemented the tone of my skin. I wasn't used to feeling this put-together, but for once, I felt comfortable in my own skin.
I ran my fingers through my hair, momentarily unsure of how I wanted to style it. My curls had a life of their own, always a little wild, but after a moment of deliberation, I decided to keep it simple. I braided two thin sections on the front sides of my hair, pulling them back to join them with a thin band at the back of my head. The rest of my hair, as expected, fell freely in long, unruly curls that cascaded down my shoulders and back. It was nothing fancy, but it felt like me.
After finishing with my hair, I turned to the dressing table and reached for the sweet perfume sitting on it. I spritzed it lightly on my neck, enjoying the delicate fragrance that lingered in the air around me. I followed it up with a quick swipe of lip balm, making sure my lips were smooth and ready for the day ahead.
Just as I was about to open the door, someone did it for me at the exact same moment. I wasn't prepared for it at all, and before I could react, I found myself on the floor. "What the—" I barely had time to catch my breath before I heard a voice.
"I'm sorry!" The voice was unmistakable, and I recognized it immediately as Maelli's. She was already reaching out a hand to me before I could even process what had happened. I grabbed her hand, and she pulled me up effortlessly.
"Damn it, you're stronger than you look," I muttered as I dusted myself off. "But yeah, I'm fine. What about you?" I glanced at her, my heart still racing from the sudden tumble.
"I'm good, same here," Maelli replied, her voice light and upbeat, as if this was just another casual encounter. "Actually, I was coming to call you for breakfast."
"Oh, I was already planning on going," I said, adjusting my shorts. "I'm just waiting for Kai, because I'm not going down those stairs again." I shook my head in mock exasperation, half-amused by my own stubbornness. Maelli laughed at my words, her laughter ringing through the air.
"So, did you meet Mama Winter?" she asked casually, her voice filled with a hint of curiosity. 'Mama Winter'? The name struck me as funny, and I couldn't help but pause for a moment.
"I did," I replied, still surprised by the nickname. "She kinda freaked me out, honestly. When I woke up, she was already here, in my room. But I liked her. She's sweet." I couldn't help but smile at the memory of her calm demeanor despite my initial shock.
"She is," Maelli agreed, but her voice seemed to take on a more serious note. I wasn't sure why, but before I could ask, I heard a new voice.
"She is," came a deep voice from the doorway. I startled, not having noticed him leaning against the frame. I turned to find Kai standing there, his green eyes glowing with that ever-present confidence. His smile was effortless, and he gave me a once-over as if assessing me, but the warmth in his eyes made me feel like he was trying to soften the impact of his usual cocky demeanor.
"You're beautiful, sweetheart," Kai said, his tone more genuine than I expected. "I knew you'd prefer those clothes over those long, puffed-up dresses. It suits you."
"You were right, this time." I rolled my eyes, not wanting to admit it. "And you're beautiful too," I said before I could stop myself. Oh gods, why did I say that? My stomach twisted, knowing what was coming next. Of course, he would get that smug grin of his.
"I know, right?" Kai said, his grin growing wider. The smugness in his voice was impossible to miss. "I'm hottest when I wear black. Normally, I go for clothes that make me feel comfortable. But not that I wouldn't look hot in anything else. I mean, I am," he said, pointing at my black tank top. "But black..." He let the word hang in the air, clearly expecting me to understand.
"How can you be so narcissistic?" I couldn't help the sharpness in my voice. The arrogance practically oozed off of him.
"I just love myself, sweetheart. You should love yourself too," he replied smoothly, his voice casual as if he had said that line a thousand times.
"Oh, I love myself," I shot back. "I know I'm beautiful, hot, and all of that, but I don't have an ego like yours. I don't need to say it out loud all the time, just like you do." And, I thought but didn't say, just like your mother.
"You should," Kai insisted. "You're probably the strongest witch of all time, even before Samantha. You should be proud of that. No one would dare mess with you if you just showed how confident you really are." There was a weight to his words that I couldn't ignore. But while part of me knew he was right, the rest of me didn't feel as powerful as he thought I was.
Before I could respond, I glanced around the room, and to my surprise, Maelli was gone. I blinked, confused. "When did she—"
Kai shrugged casually, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. "She can be invisible."
I raised an eyebrow, still unsure if I had heard him right. "Invisible?"
"Yeah." Kai smirked as though this was the most normal thing in the world. "She can hide herself from sight whenever she wants. It's her thing."
"Well, that's... convenient," I said, still trying to process what I had just heard. It was starting to make sense now, given how often Maelli seemed to pop in and out of places without warning. Maybe I should've expected something like this, considering the company I was surrounded by.
Kai didn't elaborate any further, choosing instead to study me, like he was sizing me up for something. The silence between us stretched on, thick with an unspoken tension. I shifted my weight uncomfortably, unsure of whether I should speak or let the moment pass.
Finally, Kai sighed, his casual expression returning. "Alright, I'm gonna go, but when you're ready, wait for me here. We'll go down for breakfast in a faster way than yesterday." He raised an eyebrow as if challenging me to keep up with him.
"Hahaha, funny." I tried to make my voice playful, though my irritation was still bubbling underneath. "I won't forget how you made me climb all those stairs yesterday. You could've just opened a dimensional gate."
"It wouldn't be the same," Kai said, cutting me off with that characteristic smugness. His voice had an edge to it, but I wasn't sure what he was implying.
"Just go," I muttered, trying to shake off the irritation that had started to creep in. "I'll wait for you here if I get ready first."
Kai gave me a lazy salute, clearly enjoying the conversation more than I was. He turned to leave, but then, as if something had crossed his mind, he paused, glancing back at me. For a brief moment, our eyes met, and there was something in his gaze that made the air between us feel suddenly heavy.