The Kneeling Daughter.
Then—
The spell was broken. So subtly, so utterly, that no one realized the announcer had moved back to the center of the courtyard—until he threw up his hands and shouted:
"The shattered mirror is no failure. It is a sign."
His voice boomed out, solemn and heavy with ancientness.
"Somewhere in the ancient texts, it is said—when a mirror shatters during the peak of moonlight, it is the moon bestowing its entire blessing. It refuses to reflect. It beams straight, unadulterated, upon the soul it finds worthy."
There was a sudden silence that fell upon the crowd.
The master of ceremonies allowed the quiet to hang before he went on, with devotion:
"Now that our princess has had her complete blessing—indicated by the holy shattering of the mirror of the moon—the moon has given its gift to her."
He moved aside, voice firm with custom.
