She felt cold. It never happened before in the world inside the mirror, where everything was comfortable yet monotonous. Here, she felt chills, despair, loneliness, and the cold hard stone where she lied.

'Wait... Cold hard stones?'

Vera tried to open her very heavy eyelids. Upon opening her eyes, she was greeted by the gray and dark stone ceiling. Her body felt stiff, as if it haven't moved for a while. Her hands went to her head as she groaned in pain and relief.

'What happened?'

A cold voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "You're awake just in time. Get up, now, or you'll be in for a harsh punishment!"

The voice left no room for argument. Vera stood up, noticing her frail frame and her tattered gray sacks she was reluctant to call clothes.

'Just where am I?'

---

Vera just found herself in trouble.

She found out that she was in another body once again, sharing the same name as her fairy persona. What's different from this body is it's pale and sunken features, as well as the body was sold as a slave.

Yes. The body she was inhibiting was a slave. Therefore, she's a slave as well.

'Crap, could it get any worse? I granted Sonia's wish, and here I am as a slave?'

She was now a branded slave of a princess named Chanda. She met her, and she was as bratty as one could get. Vera was tasked as the princess' personal servant, obeying every single one of her whims.

Now, they were on their way towards a castle, where the princess' family was invited to attend a party.

'I just wish I find my way back to Sonia...'

---

Sonia was in no better state. After making her wish, she just saw Eve collapse in front of her. The mirror then turned murky, and it had been days since she had last seen her best friend.

She was sorrowful. Her previously bright eyes dulled and lost their shine. The previously stoic and unresponsive servants showed concern towards her, which she wanted before but she couldn't relish in it for her best friend was missing. Her father even took notice of her gloom.

"Sonia, my daughter, is there anything wrong?"

Her sullen face answered it all. "I'm just under the weather, that's all, your highness."

"Come here,' insisted the king. He cuddled with her lovely daughter, which made her smile for a little bit. "I don't know what's bugging you, but it will soon pass, okay? Don't be sad..." The king hugged her even tighter. He even dared to tickle her sides.

"Your highness!" said Sonia amidst her laughs.

"Don't call me that when we're alone! Call me father... or else I'll tickle you even more!"

"No!" Sonia giggled. "Stop it father!"

The king stopped tickling her, and proceeded to gently cup her daughter's face. "You can tell me what's on your mind when you're ready, okay?" He kissed her forehead with love. "At least enjoy the feast in a few days..."

"Okay... father."

---

Vera and her master Chandra were inside the castle of the party's host. Chandra wanted to explore the castle, and as Vera was just a humble and lowly servant, she had no choice but to obey. Now, they stood before a large wooden door.

"Eve! Just open the door!"

"But... isn't it dangerous?" said Eve with a feeble voice.

Chandra just glared at her. "Just who is the master here, huh?!" Chandra pulled at her black locks without remorse. The princess whispered behind her ears as tears began falling from her eyes the shade of the twilight. "Open it, or I'll make sure you'll be punished!"

Vera hesitantly obeyed the princess' orders. She picked the lock of the door in front of them. After a few minutes and some nagging and threats from Chandra, she finally managed to unlock it.

"It has been opened..."

"That's what I'm talking about, you lowly servant! Get out of my way!" The bratty princess pushed her out of the way, making her fall into the ground. The princess let out a gasp as she saw one of the largest and most beautiful rooms she had ever seen. It was decorated with very expensive materials, from the furniture made with blackwood, to the drapes and covers made from silk. Everything in this room screamed expensive and classy.

The princess' eyes darted around in wonder and glee as she entered the luxurious room. For Vera, however, everything looked familiar, as if it was---

"HALT! STOP WHERE YOU ARE!"

The master and the slave flinched and looked at the person in fear. It was none other than the chief knight of the kingdom.

---

Chandra's parents begged at the king for his mercy. Both of them were prostrated in front of the king. As her eyes darted around and landed on the king's face, she realized where she was.

'I am at Sonia's castle! Where is Sonia?' Her eyes darted like crazy, until they landed upon familiar emerald eyes. Both of them looked at each other, and Sonia gasped in recognition.

"Please, your highness! Please forgive Chandra!"

"We're willing to do anything!"

The king just sighed. "Normally, I would exile them from the kingdom, stripping them of their name." The couple gasped in shock. "But seeing as they're both minors, and the trespassed party is my daughter, Sonia, I'l let her decide how she wants this to be settled."

Sonia was surprised to be called to judge the situation, yet she composed herself immediately. Chandra's parents turned to grovel at her feet.

"Anything, huh? Are you sure about that?"

"Yes! We're sure about it! Anything for Chandra!"

Sonia schooled an uninterested expression. "If that's the case... I want you to relinquish control of the lands you have at the north of the kingdom---"

Vera's heart broke at her declaration. 'I thought we were friends...' She just kept her head down, while Chandra beside her seethed in anger and humiliation.

Chandra's father blanched. "But---"

Sonia smiled sweetly, which sent shivers down their spines. "I thought you were willing to do anything?" said Sonia with a lilt. "It doesn't seem like it. Well then, father---"

"No, it's alright!" Chandra's mother glared at her husband. "Right, honey?"

"Y-yes! If that's all---"

"Have I said I'm done?" Sonia cut through his words. "Because I'm not done yet."

"W-what!? That's preposterous!" said Chandra's father.

"Okay, then. Father---"

"What else do you want?" Chandra's mother plastered a forced grin on her face. She silenced his husband with a fierce glare.

"Because of your husband's imprudence, I also want you to relinquish your controls over your lands on the east."

"Okay. Can we---"

"There's a last one."

Chandra's mother gritted her teeth in anger. "What is it?"

"Are you angry? Perhaps we can---"

"I'm not angry! Just finish it, will you?"

"Okay... The last request of mine is to give me that servant of your child." Sonia raised her hands and pointed at the prostrated Vera.

"Huh?" Her statement sowed confusion among the people in the throne room.

"That lowly servant?"

"What is the matter? You don't---"

"It's alright! So our lands in the north, and the servant, right?" bluffed Chandra's mother.

"And the lands on the east as well."

Chandra's father was furious, yet he agreed. "And the lands on the east, right."

"Kindly sign these documents first." The man and the woman hastily signed the documents and towed Chandra away from the throne room. They bickered on their way out. The remaining people in the room held their breath, until the trio were finally out of sight. Sonia visibly deflated in relief.

"That was hard..."

The king started applauding. "That was masterful, my daughter! You did a great job!"

Sonia flushed at her father's praises. "That was nothing much..."

"You say that, when we've been having troubles with them for the past few years already! Luckily, their child made a grave mistake! I'll have to celebrate this! I have to go."

"Take care, father."

After several heartbeats, Sonia approached Eve, who was still prostrating herself in fear. "Eve, you can stand up now. I know that it's you..."

Eve looked up, and saw Sonia's concern. "Sonia...?"

"Yes, it's me... I'm still your best friend..."

Tears started falling from her amethyst eyes. "I-I thought..." Sobs wracked through her thin frame. Sonia embraced her, which made her feel warm and safe.

"That I forgot about you? Of course I didn't, you dummy! You're my best friend!"

---

Despite Sonia's reluctance to order around her best friend slash fairy godmother, Vera still had to maintain her cover. That's why she forced Sonia to assign her as her personal maid. Even with this set-up, their bond did not change and was as strong as ever. With Vera being present physically, Sonia was noticeably happier and better. Her smiles were more genuine than before, as she finally could do friendship things with Vera.

The king even caught them playing and acting as friends and not as master and servant, but he let it slide. After all, he only wanted his daughter's happiness, and if the servant brought it, he couldn't break it.

Even if he was slightly jealous of their bond that made her know Sonia better than him.