Page 71 of The Broken Mirror
“Hello Princess Eliana and Jack the Giant Stalker,” the woman says as they get closer. From far away it was impossible to measure her height; the doorframe to the castle is shockingly large. But at this distance, Filomena sees she is extremely tall.
“I go by Filomena, actually,” she says. “At least, that’s what my friends call me.” She still hasn’t worked out how to deal with the whole double-name thing. Another complication of living in two worlds.
“Well, Filomena, let us hope that we shall be friends. I will call you by whatever name you like.”
“And what should we call you?” Jack inquires, bowing.
“Mary,” she says.
Something appears to click in Jack’s head when she says this. “Mary Contrary?” he asks.
“Quite,” Mary answers. “I was hoping you would be coming by,” she says to Filomena. “I have much to discuss with you.”
“Pardon me if this is rude to ask,” Filomena says, “but who are you?”
“That’s an entirely logical question for someone in your position to ask, Filomena. Not rude at all. Logic is never rude.”
“Not sure that’s true,” Jack mutters. Filomena almost laughs. She assumes he must be remembering the time when Rosie told him that, statistically speaking, he’s below the average height of a hero.
“Why don’t you come to my office and you can ask me all the questions you’d like?” Mary asks.
Filomena glances at Jack, who looks slightly suspicious. He shrugs, and they follow Mary through the castle and up several flights of stairs to her office.
The office itself is unlike any Filomena has been in. Both her parents’ offices are quite minimalist—Rosie would love them, come to think of it—with blond wood desks, stacks of papers, and large windows that bathe the room in light and look out onto lemon trees.
But Mary Contrary’s office is something else altogether.Officedoesn’t seem like the right word for it exactly. It looks like someplace an alchemist might conduct their work. Largestone arches curve across the ceiling. There are walls of bookshelves with ladders to reach the highest books, right up to the ceiling. And it’s so dark! The only window is stained-glass. Everything looks ancient.
“Wow,” Filomena says. “Have you read all these?”
“The books?” Mary responds. “Most of them, yes. But I always keep a shelf of unread books, just in case.”
Filomena is in awe. She walks around, looking at the spines. Heaven!
“You’re welcome to borrow any you like,” Mary says.
“Really? That’s amazing!”
“You will be living here soon enough, after all,” Mary continues.
That stops Filomena a little cold, her excitement dying down a bit. “Right.” Brought back to Earth, she recalls the reason they’re at the castle. To be crowned, hopefully, and for whatever lies beyond.
“Sit, sit,” Mary says, motioning to the red leather couch in front of her desk. Filomena and Jack take seats side by side. Mary Contrary sits facing them, perched on a thronelike chair, which seems to be her desk chair. “Even after the prime minister made that horrid announcement about you not taking your responsibilities seriously, I knew you’d come to claim your place on the throne. And then, whenyoumade an announcement? Genius! You’ve been the talk of the kingdoms ever since. It’s caused a real stir. Reignited a lot of hope. I saw some of your mother in you, with that pluck.”
Filomena feels flushed hearing this. And proud.
“How did you do it, by the way?” Mary asks. “Did you break into an ogre’s lair? Take one of the talking mirrors?”
There’s a pause.
“Actually, we sort of DIY’d it,” Filomena says.
Mary looks confused.
“She’s being modest,” Jack chimes in. “Filomena created a talking mirror herself.”
Now Mary looks shocked. “You created a talking mirror? I’ve never heard of such a thing!”
“Zera told me she thought I might be able to, since I—” Filomena cuts herself off. Suddenly she feels uncertain how many details she should share of herself with this person. After all, she doesn’t even know who Mary Contrary is. She’s filled with sadness, though, thinking of Ira Glassman belted at her waist, smashed to bits.
