Relena clapped trembling hands over her eyes.
"I'm running mad, absolutely crazy. I've lost it," she mumbled incoherently. "Milliardo rescue your sister, she needs to be committed."
The voice chuckled. "Not the reaction I thought I would get. You are different from the others," he said, his tone one of awe.
Relena remained still and silent with her eyes still covered. Maybe it would go away when she opened her eyes, maybe it's the hunger causing this morbid delusion.
"This cannot be real," she squeaked.
"Oh but I am very real, lovely. As real as the beast who awaits you outside that door."
Relena slowly brought her hand down to her size and bravely fixed her eyes on the image. She had almost forgotten why she was here, her actual purpose and suddenly a wave of despair came over her. Quatre rubbed his face against her leg, sensing her unhappiness.
"Who...are you?" she asked, wanting to distract herself from the remembrance of her misery.
The man dipped his head in greeting. "Duo, milady."
Her manners kicked in and so made a small curtsey. "I am Relena...of the Sanq Kingdom," she said hesitantly and then blurted out stupidly, "What are you doing in a mirror?"
Duo smiled. "I've been here for many years but all will be explained in time I suppose. While you're here, Quatre there will help you, er, as best as he can. He's the only one with free movement."
Relena frowned. "There are others?"
Duo nodded. "Yes, but you will meet them in time."
Swallowing her nervousness, Relena made to ask him of the beast but she couldn't bring herself to speak.
As if sensing her reluctance, his expression turned sympathetic. She was terrified, as he supposed she would be. To come to such a place with nothing to expect and then suddenly to be presented with such oddities, he hoped she would bear it.
"He will find you himself," Duo said seriously watching as Relena clutched the sides of her skirt. "Show no fear and you'll survive."
Her knees threatened to buckle. "Would he...would he kill me?"
Duo shook his head, his bangs brushing agains his brow. "You'll end up harming yourself out of your own will. I am sure you've heard of...the stories. The madness that consumes those who look at him in fear."
Relena shakily made her way to the bed, she needed to sit down.
Duo's eyes snapped to the door. "Go now," he said briskly as if sensing something approaching. "He knew you were here from the moment the carriage rode up the hill. There is no sense hiding."
Relena followed his eyes to the door and Quatre padded to sit by it and gazed at her as if he expected her to follow.
"Remember what I told you, princess," Duo said, his image and voice swirling and fading. "Show no fear."
