Two weeks passed since the attempt on the Archduke’s life. 

Isn’t it funny how time just seems to slide away… 

Drift and drain away... 

Quicker and quicker, like water down a funnel... 
*** 
Chapter III: Reflections 
*** 
I fingered the dying petals of the snow lily flower while I laid in my comfortable bed and stared at the cracked ceiling overhead. 

The flower by now had began to dry out, making it become more and more delicate as the days pass… 

I had also started to dream of her. 

The beautiful glow of her eyes. 

The raven black hair that flowed down her back. 

Since the night after the attack on the Archduke’s life, my life had been hell. Between having to face numerous interrogations, intense questions, and more than one visit from various government officials, I had started to quickly get tired of it all, and was tempted to tell what I knew, just to get them to stop and to leave me alone. 

Yet I keep my mouth shut. Day in and day out, never bending, never folding, never giving in to what they think that I might know, yet can’t really prove it. 

I don’t understand it… 

My eyes focused on the snow lily for a moment. 

“And you...my dear...Where were you born into the world at?...” I asked of it wistfully. 

I looked at it for a moment, as if expecting an answer where I knew I would receive none. 

I delicately placed the flower on my bedside table, brushing the varnished top lightly with my fingertips on accident. 

"I don’t even know your name…and yet you torment me.” I paused for a moment and drew a breath in, and then closed my eyes to keep the light from leaking in. 

"WHO ARE YOU????!!!!" I shouted on impulse at the top of my lungs as I violently pushed my head further back into my chocobo-down pillow in deep fustration 
“Watashiwa watashichiga futatabiaukotoo shitteta…” I heard all the sudden in what I instantly know to be her voice, that start to echo in my ears. 

I immediately jolted upright in my bed, and looked around wildly for that faded felt hat, but instead I found nothing. 

Just my bed, a couple pictures of my friends, a dresser, and a couple night stands. 

Am I going crazy, hearing voices in my head that don’t really exist, in a language that I can’t even understand?! 

Those glowing hands… 

Falling into position. 

I see them when I close my eyes now, every time I try to just blink. 

Illuminating her face… 

As she is about to attempt to blast the so called leader of the free world into oblivion… 

With that thought I sighed gently while rubbing my eyes, and then close them again and lay back down to try to drift off to sleep. 

What is wrong with me? 

And why are my loyalties to the Archduke suddenly being put on hold for a mage? 

Grr... 

What kind of spell did that girl cast on me, and how do I possibly break it?... 

-fin Chapter III: Reflections