Elizabeth wandered one more lap around the furniture shop, hoping even one thing could catch her eye. But, empty-handed, she turned towards the door... And caught sight of a mirror covered by a blanket resting just behind it. Although it seemed a bit odd, she did want a mirror - or rather, Laura did - so she turned to the counter, asking "excuse me, could I have that mirror?"
The clerk looked puzzled, "what mirror?", and came out to have a look. Upon seeing the blanket, she looked a bit nervous. "Oh... That's been returned twice now. I don't know why. But because of that, it's only $5."
Elizabeth smiled, walking back towards the counter and retrieving her purse. "Well, I'm not picky, so it should be fine. The glass isn't shattered, right?"
The clerk, accompanying, replied "no, that much I can at least be sure of. I was here when it got brought back last time".
Content, Elizabeth paid for it, and took it out, still blanket-wrapped, and walked down the block to the train station. She preferred taking the train over driving, because it meant she could play games on her phone while she travelled. And she couldn't rely on Laura to drive, because she'd rather be reading whatever romance she was busily devouring at the time.
Within minutes, she was on the train, gently swaying down the tracks towards home. It was quiet enough that she could lay the mirror down beside her on the seat, and focus on her game properly, using both hands to play.
Work had been fine today, as it usually was. 'Being a cleaner is nice', she thought, 'you don't have to deal with angry customers. But, still, exhausting'.
Her thoughts - and game - were suddenly interrupted by a call, from Laura. She picked it up. Her sister began speaking even before she'd got the phone against her ear. "Hey sis, can you grab some beans and mushrooms on the way home? I forgot earlier."
"Sure, what kind?"
"The normal ones, whatever they're called. Oh, the beans? Green beans. Thanks, cya soon!" *click*
Elizabeth chuckled. Her sister was a whirlwind as usual, flitting from one focus to the next every moment. She glanced out the window. Still a while until her stop, so she went straight back to her game.
Soon enough, her stop came, she paused the game and stowed her phone, picked up the mirror and stepped off into the evening sun. She walked to the supermarket, quite close by, bought the food, and walked home with the bag hanging from a hand on the mirror.
As soon as she opened the door, she heard Laura's voice from somewhere inside "HEY SIS GUESS WHAT!"
A moment later, she appeared, bouncing down the hall. Something good must have happened.
"Hmm... Your favourite story is getting a sequel."
"Close!" Laura wagged a finger at Elizabeth. "It doesn't seem to be a sequel, but it is by the same author, and it's starting very soon! First chapter will be up on Saturday!"
"Saturday... Ah, weren't we going to be visiting our parents then? Will you have time to read it?"
Laura laughed. "I'll make time to read it! Apologies in advance mum, dad!"
Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, yeah, take the bag. It's awkward." She turned the mirror to push the bag forward.
"Oh, right, what is that thing anyway?"
"A mirror. For you."
"Oh! Thanks! Can you put it in my room? I'll set it up later."
Laura grabbed the shopping bag and went off to the kitchen, while Elizabeth went to Laura's room and placed the mirror on the bed, before heading over to her own to prepare for a shower.

---

Erule was upset. Daddy was right, and that only annoyed her more. She wanted to take all her clothes, maids and beautiful furniture to the academy. Life was comfortable, she didn't want to grow up, become independent or anything like that. And she definitely didn't want to study even more than she already was. But Daddy was also right that she wanted to make some new friends. And he was right that she'd put people off by being attended to. Why did he have to be so right??
The new maid, whose name Erule still hadn't remembered - she asked again, it's Naia, she apologised again, it's ok, she's the lady - finished styling Erule's hair, the last braid completing the symbol of transition. She was meant to wear this for the next week, but without maids... It'd be very hard to do on her own. She wondered if anyone would complain if she just didn't bother after the first day... She realised that many others there would be doing it too, she should try asking them how they do it.
She sighed, got up and began walking. "Naia, would you come with me? To the academy."
Naia shook her head. "I apologise, but my employer is Lord Radun, and he has ordered all of us to stay here. You must make your own way at the academy."