The next day, Laura woke earlier than usual and drifted to her verandah, her gaze falling on the ever-bright galaxy above.
She stood there blankly, stars twinkling in her tired eyes, until a cheerful voice rang out from below.
"Lady Yamira!"
Laura blinked, leaning over the railing. "Tilv?" she croaked, her voice still heavy with sleep. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
"Goodness, Lady Yamira, are you're still half-asleep? The tournament announcement is about to begin!"?" Tilv stood with her hands on her hips, exasperated. "Didn't your fellow contestants tell you?"
Laura groaned, waving dismissively. "Go on ahead, Tilv."
Shuffling back inside, she tousled her hair with both hands, her reflection staring back from the tall mirror above her white desk. Her face was drawn with fatigue.
