Lyra, ever the opportunist, offered a deal: "Model for my new immersive art exhibit, 'Different Perspectives.' You wear the clothes, attend the galas, and let people see you as Almerias's creation. In exchange, I research the reversal spell."
The narrative flips. We see Lyra not as a villain, but as a woman haunted by her own curse. Years ago, she had touched the same mirror shard and became obsessed with perspectives because she could no longer trust her own. Was she a genius artist? Or just a cruel heiress? The shard had scrambled her empathy. Lyra, ever the opportunist, offered a deal: "Model
"You have to look at Kaia," Caspian tells Lyra, "and see Kaelen. Not the muse. Not the pretty body. The annoying, pedantic, brilliant man who loves footnotes." Years ago, she had touched the same mirror
"You can't just keep it in your penthouse, Lyra," Kaelen argued, pushing his glasses up. "That artifact is known to induce 'Perspective Dysphoria.' It’s dangerous." The shard had scrambled her empathy
The first week was a study in humiliation. Kaelen, now calling himself "Kaia" to avoid questions, couldn't fit into his old life. His apartment key didn't work—the doorman didn't recognize "the pretty lady." His university ID flashed a red error. He had become, officially, a ghost.