Chapter Six:

This Will Be The Day, Mirror

Eight Time Turns Later…

She stood alone on the glass platform, wearing nothing but a white silk gown with spaghetti straps that she usually wore for bed. Darkness surrounded her, with only a small golden circle of which she stood on was lit up.

"Hello?" Lisanna called out, not seeing her usual dream scenery which was always back in the garden at the Prime Minister's Residence. For split second, she thought it was Nightmare gate crashing her dream. "Nightmare? If this is all you then it's not funny."

No sarcastic reply came for her.

"Nightmare!" Lisanna shouted, growing annoyed with the incubus's antics when a soft glow caught the corner of her eye. Turning, she gazed as slowly, one by one, silver floor length mirrors appeared around her.

Each one's frame was wrapped in rose vines and jasmine flowers in gold.

"What's going on?" Lisanna murmured to herself, looking at each mirror as no reflection was held within.

The one closest to north flashed violet rays and held an image of Lisanna in a large, white dress that flowed freely outwards. On top of the white material, was golden lilies that were engraved all the way up to the bodice; which was gold. Her arms were covered and so were her shoulders and neck, leaving only a large triangle shape of her chest above her breasts exposed.

Her brown hair was tied back into a tight, high bun with the sides of her hair raised slightly to firmly fit the golden kokoshnik, one that reminded her of Queen Alexandra's kokoshnik tiara.

Lisanna took a step back as her reflection's eyes snapped opened, no longer their usual blue but cognac instead with flecks of gold here and there.

"Mirror," Lisanna's reflection sang softly, her eyes boring into the real one. "Tell me something…"

"Tell me who's the loneliest, of all?"

Lisanna's chest squeezed painfully, forcing her to gasp at the sudden loss of breath. She clutched it, leaning against the mirror behind her as the mirror on her right lit up, with another reflection.

But this one was of her in the clothes she had died in.

"Mirror, tell me something, tell me who's the loneliest of all?" her modern reflection sang slightly louder as she shook her head, grunting in pain at the stabbing feeling in her heart.

"Stop it!" Lisanna ordered, pushing past her queen reflection and running down a darkened glass pathway. Each step she took turned the floors white as the voices continued to sing out.

"Fear of what's inside of me; tell me can a heart be turned to stone?"

Lisanna tripped over her gown, landing chest first into the ground. She lifted herself onto her knees as more mirrors surrounded her; constantly staring at her as their voices grew louder.

"Mirror mirror, what's behind you? Save me from the things I see."

"I can keep it from the world, why won't you let me hide from me?"

Lisanna squeezed her eyes shut, covering her ears with her hands as she tried to block it all out. "Stop it!" she shouted, her heart pounding heavily in her chest.

Her lip trembled, tears filling her eyes as she felt trapped.

"Mirror mirror, what's behind you? Save me from the things I see," her reflections kept singing.

"Boris," Lisanna whimpered, falling into a fetal position on the ground, keeping her ears covered as best as she could. "Boris….help me…."

"I can keep it from the world, why won't you let me hide from me?"

Arms engulf her body, pulling her close as the voices began to disappear. Lisanna's eyes opened slightly, keeping her ears covered as green eyes came into her view.

His lips moved, speaking something but she didn't hear a thing. The young queen noticed his eyes narrowing behind her as she turned, seeing her two reflections, modern and queen, side by side, watching them intently.

"Mirror, tell me something, tell me who's the loneliest of all?" They sang together, reaching into each other's mirrors and holding hands. "Mirror mirror, what's behind you? Save me from the things I see. I can keep it from the world, why won't you let me hide from me?"

Lisanna's eyes were covered by Boris's hands, his breath against her left ear.

"Wake up," he whispered softly as her body slumped against his chest.

oOo

Lisanna's eyes flew open as she sat up straight, her body covered in cold sweat and shaking slightly. Her eyes instantly sought the mirror as she got out of bed and ran to it, finding her eyes their usual blue and not cognac.

Relief filled her as she rested her forehead against the cold glass, tears freely falling down her cheeks. Her hands clenched against the metal frame, still hearing the song in the back of her mind.

Mirror, tell me something, tell me who's the loneliest of all?

oOo

During the Next Assembly…

Usually she would have participated heavily within the discussions brought up in the assemblies, even pointed out a few of her own. But Lisanna was silent and only spoke up when needed to. Otherwise, her mind was a mile away from the court room.

Last night was…intense, Lisanna reflected and remembered Boris's appearance. Her eyes sought out his and found him watching her with a worried gaze as he laid back in his chair. I wonder…he did say Cheshire Cats could enter any domain…did he—

Gray cleared his throat quietly behind her and she blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts and releasing the meeting had come to an end. Quickly she rose to her feet, along with Nightmare and bowed her head.

"As always, thank you for your attendance. Our next meeting will be our last, therefore I hope you all receive sufficient rest as we slowly come to an end to the Assembly," Lisanna smiled politely as everyone rose to their feet and began filing out of the court room.

Feeling eyes on her, Lisanna glanced at Nightmare and found her co-ruler studying her intensively. "Must you keep staring?" she raised a brow.

"You're acting different today…which is odd," he frowned. "I don't like it."

She rolled her eyes. "There are many things you don't like and I honestly couldn't care."

"My lady, are you unwell?" Gray asked, concerned as he placed a hand on her forehead. Sienna cleared her throat, giving a look of thick disapproval at the lizard's touch. Realising his mistake, he removed his hand but kept the look.

"I'm tired, that's all," she answered, walking past and leaving the court room.

Many had still gathered around the hall, chatting amongst each other. As she strode past, many bowed their heads or to their waist in respect but she barely noticed. Her mind was heavy with thoughts of her dream….how real it had felt.

As she headed towards the staircase, deciding relaxing in the library might be good for her, a sharp pain in her chest exploded. Lisanna gasped, grasping her chest as her breath grew short and panted. It felt like the worse heart burn anyone could experience.

"Beware that the light is fading," a deep, female voice called out. Lisanna leaned against the wall, slowly floundering up the staircase and onto the first floor. The sheer effort left Lisanna short of breath, gulping the air as best as she could as her chest continued to feel as if someone were stabbing it.

"Beware if the dark returns….This world is unforgiving…Even brilliant lights will cease to burn…."

Lisanna glanced at the window beside her, seeing emerald eyes staring back at her. They seemed old and yet, young…possessing knowledge that she could only imagine having herself.

"Lisanna?"

Her head snapped back towards the staircase, finding Boris running over. As soon as he reached out and grasped her arm, the pain ceased to exist. The young woman's breathing returned to normal as he narrowed his eyes.

"Boris," she swallowed, standing up straighter. "Is there something you need?"

He frowned. "I wanted to see if you were alright…you weren't participating in this stupid Assembly as you usually do—"

"This stupid Assembly as you see it; is an opportunity to resolve things in a diplomatic manner," Lisanna snapped at him, watching him look at her in surprise. "Without having to drag innocent lives into conflict!"

Boris took a step back, holding his hands up in surrender. "Don't get so worked up about it, geez!"

Lisanna's hands gripped the front of her dress, looking away in shame. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have snapped at you…I'm just tired…if you'll excuse me."

Boris opened his mouth to speak but she turned away and ran down the hallway without another word.

oOo

She was back in the same room, but there was only one mirror in front of her. And instead of her reflection she stared at, it was a woman with dark skin and raven black hair that flowed freely down her side and back. She wore a simple, yet elegant medieval inspired white dress with long sleeves and her eyes were an emerald green.

The woman smiled at her, studying Lisanna from head to toe before resuming eye contact. "You must be Lisanna Halliwell…the pathetic excuse of a successor I have ever seen."

Lisanna's hands clenched at her side. "Forgive me, but I have no clear idea of who you are."

Her eyes narrowed with unblinking focused eye contact as she raised her chin. "I am Queen Esmeralda, the last queen of this country for seventy years."

Lisanna recognised the name instantly, remembering the history lesson Sienna had given her on the Ten Year War. Indeed, Esmeralda seemed like a woman who was quick, decisive and powerful.

"The game had chosen you, despite my opinion," Esmeralda sniffed, looking at her in disgust. "Which is why I am going to test you."

"I thought giving up on my old life would be enough," Lisanna crossed her arms over her chest and Esmeralda laughed, actually laughed at her!

The old queen looked at her in amusement. "My, you are nothing more than a child! What were they thinking? Making you my successor?"

Lisanna glared at her.

Esmeralda's smirk turned into a sneer. "After all, you haven't truly become the queen…not with your heart still torn between your old world and your role."

Lisanna placed a hand over it, gazing at the floor. She knew the queen was right…but didn't want to admit it.

But I need to become the queen, she thought before returning her gaze to Esmeralda's emerald ones. "You want to test me? So be it."

An enigmatic smile appeared on her lips as Esmeralda raised a brow. "You are either brave or truly foolish. Very well, you must go to this place," her image disappeared and was replaced with a crow's eye view of the maze back at the White Castle.

"Alone," Esmeralda clarified as she reappeared. "If anyone were to follow you, they will meet a swift end."

Lisanna's eyes snapped open as she sat up, finding it dark outside of her window. Without waiting a moment, she climbed out of bed and grabbed her golden coat, putting it on and her white ballet flats before rushing out of her bedroom.

There's only way to get there without being discovered, Lisanna thought, heading towards the hall of doors kept within the tower. She had been there once, when Nightmare gave her a tour of the tower.

Silence had descended the tower as she quietly snuck down one flight of stairs from the floor her room and Nightmare's room resided in. Lisanna kept going, keeping cautious as to not run into anyone until she made it to the door.

Once there, she proceeded to open it and walk inside the large hallway filled with man doors of all shapes, sizes and materials. An oak door with a metal lily above it caught her attention and she walked towards it.

Reaching out, she grasped the door handle in between her fingers. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes briefly.

Take me to the White Castle, Lisanna commanded in her mind, opening her eyes and the door, taking a step through without looking back.

oOo

Nightmare shot up in his seat instantly, sensing Lisanna's presence no longer within the tower. Gray noticed his master's sudden tense stance and frowned in concerned.

"What is it, Lord Nightmare?" Gray questioned, looking up from the book he was about to place within the large, black bookshelf.

"Lisanna's gone…she's no longer in the tower," he answered, placing his palms on his forehead. "I had sensed her presence moments ago…blocking me from Lisanna's mind."

Gray's eyes widened. "Do you know where she's gone?" he questioned, clearly worried about the young queen. Especially since the cat had reported of her behaviour earlier and obvious pain he had witnessed.

Nightmare shook his head, narrowing his eyes as he stared at his desk. One person, however, came to mind. He knew this one individual would be able to track her down.

The door slammed open with a breathless cat glaring at him. "I know where she is but I need your help to get there."

oOo

Lisanna turned to the left sharply, tripping over her own feet and landing arms first into the gravel ground. Grunting, she quickly turned and held out a hand as a violet energy shield covered the gap.

The dragon, made out of vines, appeared from around the corner and glared at her, seeing its way blocked by her power. Keeping her hand out and gaze focused, Lisanna slowly rose to her feet and back away from the corner.

The hedges began forming a dead end where the dragon stood, covering its body and the shield. Swallowing, Lisanna turned away and began walking down the newly forged pathway.

That the was the third monster she had encountered within the maze ever since she started. It had been an hour into her test from Esmeralda and never had she felt more exhausted in her life.

Her arms were covered in scratches from the attack of the thorns. Some were deep and some were thin but both had resulted in blood being drawn. The night gown she wore was no longer floor length but up to her knees as it had been ripped when she got caught by the large falcon with large horns.

She turned another corner, finding it to be a dead end and sighed, turning back around to find another path.

All Esmeralda had said was to reach the middle. She made no mention of the physical dangers, monsters and even ghostly figures of her old life appearing every now and then.

"The maze will reveal its path to the queen of the castle," Esmeralda had spoken before disappearing into thin air.

Lisanna's knees buckled from exhaustion and she leaned against the hedge, falling to her knees with her hair falling across her face like a curtain.

I'm so tired…. She thought weakly, hearing the distant roar of the vine-made-dragon. Her eyes fluttered shut, feeling heavy as her conscious began to fade…

"Lisanna!"

Boris? Her eyes flickered open, expecting to see him but saw no sign of him.

"Lisanna!"

His voice sounded distant as she slowly raised her head. "Boris?" she murmured, hearing footsteps as he turned a corner, coming into her field of vision.

He was running desperately as the hedge behind him was trying to close, stopping him from coming any closer to her. Lisanna frowned, gripping the flora wall.

"Stop! Leave him alone!" she commanded, slowly climbing onto her feet. "I order you to stop!"

As if listening to her, the hedge stopped closing behind the cat as he pulled her into his arms when she was within an arm's length to him. He buried his nose in her hair, his tail snaking around to her waist.

"Don't disappear," he whispered hoarsely, catching her off guard as her eyes widened. "Don't ever disappear on me…got it?"

Lisanna was at a loss for words as he pulled back, cupping her face into his hands. Without missing a beat, the cat pressed his lips against her forehead and held it there for a few moments.

As if a fog lifting from her mind, the young queen felt her body and mind waking up, as if she had drank four cups of coffee.

"I'm sorry," Lisanna swallowed the lump in her throat, wrapping her arms around his back and burying her face in his chest. She laughed bitterly as they pulled away. "I feel like you're always saving me."

He smirked slightly, moving a strand of her hair behind her ear. "That's because I'm the super awesome Cheshire Cat, remember?" he lightly touched the cuff on her ear.

She blushed slightly before feeling a cold wave hit her spine. Turning around, she came face to face with her father.

He stood there, smiling sadly as he watched his daughter. She had ran into him a few times and always felt guilty for leaving the way she did in her old world. At one point, she even blamed him for her death but knew it wasn't true.

"Dad," she paused, stepping towards him. "You said I was always meant for something far greater than simply being your daughter."

He exhaled slowly, placing a hand in his pocket. "Is this what you want?"

Slowly, she nodded and he smiled warmly.

"Then how could I ever be disappointed in you?" he asked as tears filled her eyes. "Having you as my daughter was the greatest thing I had ever accomplished."

"I love you Dad," she told him and he beamed.

"And I you, Anna," he stepped aside, revealing a path that led straight to the middle. "Now go…make me proud."

Lisanna took a few steps forward before breaking out into a full blown sprint, running towards the middle as he father disappeared. With each step she took, her heart felt lighter as all the doubts and conflicts she had held before left her.

In the middle of the maze, was a small Greek-styled white column with the same golden kokoshnik tiara she saw her reflection wearing. Reaching out, she grasped it within her hands and stared at it.

"If I put this on, I'll truly be the White Queen of Peace," she stated, looking at Boris who was watching her. "With this, I'll be accepting my role here…"

He didn't say anything as slowly, she raised it above her and gently placed it on top of her head.

Then came the white flames enveloping her body, entering her eyes, her skin, her bones, her heart. Instead of a burning sensation, it honestly felt like water being dumped onto her body.

"Welcome, at long last, Queen Orlá," a child-like voice whispered into her mind as the flames disappeared, bringing the reflection she had seen in the mirror of her dream to life.

She opened her eyes.


Songs: Mirror Mirror and This Will Be The Day are both from RWBY Soundtrack. Great songs by the way.

So, Lisanna has finally accepted her new role and given up her old life. I felt like this chapter was dedicated to that important decision and some cute BorisxLisanna moments thrown in there :)

Now, regarding the name. It's Celtic for Golden Queen which is kinda suitable for her. I looked up and from what I could tell, I'm guessing the role holders, especially Blood and Vivaldi, had to change their identities upon becoming a role holder so that meant giving up on their old lives and it's my theory that they were given new names. Because honestly? What mother in their right mind would call their son Blood?

So I gave Lisanna one but I'm not sure if I'll keep calling her that. Maybe she'll be called it officially but keep her old name in the sake of friends and close ones...I dunno.

Anyway, enjoy and let me know how you found this chapter :D