The Timeless Beauty كتاب · المقتنيات

She went by the name of Ilinca and all her life she lived in the shadow of her beautiful younger sister, Floarea. Where Floarea tread, heads turned in awe. Where Ilinca went, she was invisible. And the envy pierced her heart.

Desperate to be adored, she sought out an alchemist rumoured to grant unnatural gifts. Her mother wept and pleaded, warning of his dark dealings, but Ilinca would not be swayed.

She offered her most precious treasure, a bracelet set with a precious stone, and begged for beauty beyond compare. The alchemist gave her a potion, telling her to drink it under the next full moon in the village square.

She did as told. As the moolight bathed her, her flesh shimmered, her features turned perfect beyond human measure, and her skin so flawless and smooth it hardened like marble until she stood frozen in place, a marvellous statue.

She's been admired in her timeless beauty ever since.