Sapphire was reclining on the luxurious sofa of her mansion, a wine goblet resting between her fingers. The flickering firelight cast soft shadows on her flawless skin, highlighting every detail of her supernatural beauty.
"Viola." Her voice was silky, laced with authority and a hint of amusement.
In an instant, the shadows around the room twisted, and from them emerged a small figure with an overwhelming presence. Viola bowed before her mistress with the precision of someone who knew exactly where she belonged in the world.
"Yes, my lady," she responded, her voice controlled but always carrying a note of devotion.
Sapphire gently swirled the wine in her glass before lifting her glowing eyes to Viola, her gaze piercing and enigmatic.
Then, with an unreadable expression, she asked...
"Viola... do you think I'm ugly?"
The impact was immediate. Viola's body stiffened on the spot. She blinked. Twice.
'What?' was the only thought running through her head.
