In the end, I got out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom.

I splashed icy water on my face, rinsed my mouth, and froze on the spot when I caught sight of my reflection.

“……”

Not Brianna’s features.

Mine.

An ordinary, healthy face — so normal that you would never guess that it had once died and come back to life.

Almost without thinking, I ran my hands over my cheeks. There wasn’t a blemish or a bruise.

On a whim, I tugged at one cheek and tried out a smile.

Here, in a place where no one knew me, my silver hair no longer felt like a curse.

The prospect of a fresh start in this strange land excited me, yet I felt an indescribable emptiness.

‘Is it because of the dream?’

***

Once I was awake and clean, I went to the kitchen.

I hadn’t cooked much before, but while living in Brianna’s body, I had occasionally helped Daisy prepare dinner. Thankfully, I still remembered how. The utensils here felt almost familiar.

I toasted some bread, spread jam on it, and made a cup of coffee. Then I sat down at the table.

Outside, the village lay peaceful and still; at this early hour, birdsong was the only sound.

I took a large bite of toast and chewed determinedly, as though it were an important task.

Swallow. Spread more jam. Bite again.

It was an empty ritual, repeated over and over again.

With each mouthful, something kept rising inside me.

“Mm—”

Tears spilled down my cheeks and onto the plate.

Even the bread tasted salty now.

I continued to chew, despite the sobs that threatened to overwhelm me.

I shoved toast after toast into my mouth until my jaw was too stiff to move. Only then did I burst into loud, open-throated sobbing, like a child.

Tears rolled down my cheeks, pooled at my chin and dripped onto my knees, soaking the fabric.

Why was I crying?

Was it because I finally felt safe enough to let go, now that no one could hear me?

Because something—everything—was finally over?

Was it because I missed the people to whom I could never reveal myself again?

Or was it because I was alive and had no way of letting them know?

I didn’t have an answer.

When the dishes had been cleared away, I stepped outside as though nothing had happened.

***

The new house came with its own modest vegetable patch and flowerbed, much like those I’d noticed in the rest of the village.

Feeling excited, I knelt down and sifted the soil between my fingers, wondering what to plant. Perhaps I’ll pick up some seeds next time I’m at the market.

“Good morning! Did you sleep well?”

I looked up.

It was Aiden Lowell, the young man from yesterday, waving from beyond the gate. Fortunately, the low stone wall prevented him from seeing my face clearly.

Flustered, I pulled the hood of my robe over my hair.

“What’s this? Weren’t you just out here without that hood?”

“Why are you here?”

“I told you, I live right nearby. See that house?”

He stretched out his arm towards a cottage across the lane that looked just like mine.

“That’s mine. I’m heading to the seed shop and I was wondering if you’d like to come with me.”

“The… seed shop?”

“Yep, every household grows what it needs around here. Your garden is still looking rather bare, though.”

He did seem a bit nosy though, smiling in that sunny way of his. I still knew next to nothing about him.

Yesterday, however, I’d noticed vegetables and herbs flourishing in every garden, and the idea of starting my own plot was tempting. But I lacked the confidence to brave the market alone. I knew nothing about seedlings, and I hadn’t learnt my way around the town yet.

Besides, Aiden Lowell didn’t strike me as dangerous.

After a moment’s hesitation, I nodded.

“All right.”

I really did want to tend a garden.

I wanted to plant flowers, too.

It was a quiet dream that I had carried with me for a long time.

The seed shop that Aiden Lowell had mentioned was near the market that we had visited the previous day.

The owner was a kindly-looking older man.

At first, he eyed me suspiciously — my face was mostly hidden beneath the deep hood of my robe — but he seemed to relax after exchanging a few casual words with Aiden.

They spoke in Awenzian, chatting easily and using familiar expressions.

While they talked, I took the opportunity to look around the shop.

Though old, the shop had a charming, cosy atmosphere.

Every cupboard and shelf was stacked high with dusty glass jars, each one filled with seeds. Dozing quietly inside their clear containers, the seeds all looked different.

Perhaps I just needed something to throw myself into.

Lately, my quiet moments had been filled with waves of loneliness.

With each passing day, I missed the people I’d left behind in Azenta more and more:

Daisy, Madam Elwin and Elio in particular.

I would have liked to meet Brianna, too.

‘I wonder how they’re doing.’

‘Did Elio cry? Maybe he was happy that Brianna had returned.’

‘I wouldn’t mind seeing him happy. Just once.’

“What would you like to grow?”

Aiden’s voice brought me back to the present.

I turned my head and saw him standing beside me, having finished talking to the shopkeeper.

He lightly tapped the glass jars that I had been looking at.

“Something easy to wash and eat? Or root vegetables, maybe?”

After a moment’s hesitation, I replied.

“Actually, I want to grow flowers.”

“Mm. Flowers, huh? Good choice.”

With a quick grin, Aiden stepped past me and began scanning the rows of seed jars as though he were choosing a favourite.

Not long after, he plucked one from the shelf with almost suspicious ease.

It was a palm-sized jar layered with dust and filled with long brown seeds covered in soft fuzz.

“What kind of seeds are those?”

“They’re called Tabid – a flower native to this continent. Since autumn is coming, the timing is perfect. Tabid flowers are special — they bloom in winter.”

He gently shook the jar and continued his explanation.

“The flower’s meaning… what was it again? Ah, ‘It’s nice to meet you.’ I think that’s it. It fits you perfectly, don’t you think?”

I nearly laughed out loud at that.

It felt strangely comforting, as though the flower itself were welcoming me.

My heart warmed just a little.

“…I like it.”

“A flawless choice, Miss Robe.”

I tilted my head at the way he addressed me.
“Miss Robe?”

“Yeah. Since you’re always wearing that robe, day in and day out. Even on a nice day like this. Isn’t it hot?”

Playfully teasing me, he tossed the jar into the air and caught it with ease.

“I’ll take care of this one. Consider it a housewarming gift.”

Before I could respond, he turned and walked to the counter.

I stood there, watching in a daze, as he paid the shopkeeper.

The warm morning light spilled into the cosy little store.

***

The day after that, Brianna Elwin came to visit Claude.

She was an unexpected guest, but Claude didn’t bother to straighten his clothes.

The deep gash near his wrist had mostly healed, thanks to the capable young mage.

A noticeable scar remained, but he didn’t care.

The same mage had helped him get back on his feet in just one day. Nevertheless, Claude had no will to move.

He didn’t have the strength to lift a finger.

“Good morning, Your Grace.”

Her polite voice echoed through the quiet bedroom.

‘Brianna Elwin.’

The voice of the woman who had housed Diana’s soul for so long tugged faintly at Claude’s heartstrings.

Sitting on the sofa, he slowly turned to face her.

Lady Elwin stood awkwardly facing him.

Claude let out a faint, hollow laugh.

It was strange how clearly he could sense that the soul in that body was no longer Diana’s.

Every subtle movement and shift in her gaze made that truth all the more evident.