The scent of jasmine tea found its way into Romy's mind before she had even been roused from her long slumber. The floral fragrance tugged gently at her consciousness for a while before she finally gathered the strength to wake, and shortly after that, she urged her eyes to open as well. No matter how hard she tried, though, the left eye would not open even slightly – and each failed attempt to lift her eyelid struck pain deep into her skull.
'I must have lost my eye,' Romy decided, serving a sad frown at the conclusion.
She focused her eye and began to observe the unfamiliar space she was in. It was absolutely breath-taking, and she couldn't help but wonder how there was even a place like this in the cement-forest that she called home.
To begin, the room was massive – probably larger than her entire penthouse. There were eight windows, each accompanied by an elegant handmade gray tapestry; in the center of the room sat a curved-back velvet sofa and a mahogany coffee-table. Then, the very bed she was resting upon was not only a canopy bed with divine, slightly transparent pink fabrics draped over its bars… but it was also far bigger than necessary for one person, and the blankets laid over her injured body were made of fine, silvery silk.
Once her gaze had come back to the bed, she noticed that at her side a small, slumped body was sat in a chair at her bedside and was resting its head on the comforter. Disheveled blond locks poured lazily over the silk, and a quiet snore could be heard from beneath. Romy couldn't help but smile at the sight.
'The young boy I saved,' she considered fondly, 'They said his name was Lukas, didn't they?'
"Lukas?" Romy called, stretching out a hand to prod the child; nearly leaping from her skin at the sound of her own voice. Not only was her voice somewhat reminiscent of gravel due to lack of use, it sounded far more airy and light than it was supposed to be. No, it was more than that.
'This isn't my voice.'
After this realization came another, when she noticed that the skin of her outstretched arm was a rich tawny color, far darker than any tan that she had ever managed before. Then, she noticed the linen-toned blonde locks of hair falling over her shoulders and resting on her chest. Panic started to set in as it became clear that everything about this situation was wrong, but before Romy had even begun to process it all she realized that her call had successfully roused the boy.
"Calluna?!" He wailed, amber eyes filling to the brim with tears, "You woke up! You're finally awake… I- I thought I might have to be all alone without… without my parents or my s-sister…"
'Calluna? Sister? Me?!'
Though her mind was bombarded with protests and confusion, when she looked into Lukas' tearful, golden stare she felt all of the disquiet in her heart quell instantly. He clambered onto the mattress and, though obviously anxious to hug her, was very careful not to hurt her as he did. Lukas gently wrapped a small arm round her back and pressed his face close to her jaw as he knelt at her side.
"I'm s-so happy you're okay," he sobbed quietly into her neck, "T-thank y-y…"
"Shh," she found herself cooing, "I'm okay. More than that… I'm happy you're safe, too."
The two stayed like this for a long while and, despite herself, Romy found tears of her own escaping at the emotional reunion. Though she had no idea the reason she was in this predicament, nor a clue as to how she had taken someone else's body, it was in those long moments that they embraced one another that Romy decided she would do her best to fulfill the role she was in.
As it was the first time she was able to study the child up close, she took note of many small details about him that had escaped her during their brief interaction during the fire. Though he was most definitely around nine years old, he weighed far too little – which, assuming they were actually royalty, made no sense unless he had an illness or ailment of some kind. Concern burned in her belly… was he unhealthy?
"Princess Calluna!" A feminine voice announced with excitement, "You're awake, and you even managed to sit up on your own! I'm so glad."
Turning to look at the speaker, she found a kind smile on a woman who, based on her attire, Romy assumed to be a maid or servant of some kind. She had black hair tied into a tight bun, one streak of gray hair bouncing by her face as fringe. Most notable, however, was how she was staring at Romy with such gentle, azure eyes.
'These two… they appear to love Calluna so dearly. Just what kind of woman were you, Princess?' Romy wondered to herself with great interest, 'I will do my best to fill whatever shoes you left for me, but no promises to do a great job…'
"I don't mean to bother you while you're still recovering, my lady, but Captain Vincenzo has returned from Towbury and wishes to meet with you at once," the maid explained nervously.
"Sure, let him in," Romy responded, cringing at the sound of such a foreign voice leaving her lips.
The raven-haired woman's gaze immediately fell downard and began to inspect Romy inquisitively. "While you're… dressed like that? Would you rather I get you ready first?"
"What?" Romy cocked a skeptical brow at the maid, frustrated by her suggestion. She was wrapped in bandages from head to toe and, though she had begun to heal, could still feel her skin and bones burning. "Wouldn't my getting ready just cause a longer wait for the Captain? It sounded urgent, and beside that, I am injured and would much rather sit still. Let him in."
"Y-yes my lady," the maid stuttered, then added hesitantly, "as you wish."
Lukas remained quietly at Romy's side as the woman left to fetch the man in question. He looked up at her with a confused glance now and then, but overall seemed far more relieved than concerned. She hoped that she was acting naturally enough not to blow her cover instantly.
It only took a few minutes for the woman to return, this time leading a stunningly handsome man into the room. From what Romy could tell, this individual seemed to be in his late twenties or early thirties, and was very clearly trained in combat. His powerful posture and the sword swinging from his hip exuded an overwhelming amount of confidence as he entered the space, which made him stick out drastically against the elegant and unimposing decor surrounding him. He was tall with strong shoulders, and his battle-scarred skin was reminiscent of terracotta in its warmth and tone.
His hair was very long and was a rich, dark auburn. It was tied into a high ponytail that swayed near the small of his back with each step. His eyes were an astonishing, fierce emerald, though they were glazed with an impermeable sorrow as he looked at Romy and Lukas.
"Your highness, I wish to apologize," the Captain promulgated as soon as he reached the bedside, kneeling on one knee and bowing his head deeply in her direction.
"For what?" Romy queried, having not the slightest notion as to what this guy needed to be sorry for.
"I was at the border during the assassination attempt, and the King and Queen were killed in my absence. I overestimated the abilities of my men, and due to these mistakes I am willing to take any punishment you see fit," he explained, staring at her with sad, unmoving eyes.
"That's hardly your fault. I saw the assassin myself and he was quite formidable when it came to nimbleness and speed. I feel that even the most well-trained soldiers would have struggled in combat with him." Romy replied with a soft shake of the head. "That aside, I'm sure that your being away at the time was part of the assassination plan. It would be unjust to punish you for such a thing."
Vincenzo, the maid, and Lukas all exchanged complicated glances when she finished speaking.
'Did I say something wrong?'
"Calluna, you're the one who convinced mother and father to send Captain Vinny to solve the border dispute…" Lukas informed her with a shaken voice, speaking so softly that it was nearly inaudible.
'Oh, my God. Did this girl actually collude with others to kill her own parents?!' Romy was aghast at the thought, but tried to reel herself in and think logically before making any assumptions. 'It wouldn't make much sense, considering this stab wound that took my eye was most definitely meant to kill. If she were working with the assassins, that doesn't quite add up. Unless… perhaps she was betrayed?"
"I'm grateful for your generosity, Princess," Vincenzo stated ambivalently, rising from his deep bow to look her in the eye, "Are you alright?"
'Oh no, I've already roused their suspicions,' Romy's stomach lurched, 'I… am not sure what to say. Maybe I'll tell them the truth… but a bit modified?'
"If I am being honest with the three of you, I have no memories," she revealed, turning her eye downward in embarrassment, "I have no idea who any of you are, who I am, or what's going on."
"You don't remember us? Not even me?" Lukas asked, tears beginning to form in his eyes again.
"Ah! I may not have my memories, but I do know that you're dear to me. I saved you, after all," she said hurriedly, placing her hand on his head and brushing his hair lightly. He seemed satiated by the affectionate act and went quiet again.
"Ah… I could sort of tell something was wrong," Vincenzo relented, "You're a lot more – how do I put it – personable? And articulate?"
Seeing that the maid even nodded in agreement, Romy frowned, "Is that so?"
"Princess, I'm pretty sure that you've conversed longer with us right now than I've ever spoken to you before," the woman said with a pitiable laugh, "and I've raised you your whole life!"
"I think you're way better like this," Lukas spoke up indignantly from Romy's side, hugging her arm tighter. Vincenzo tried to hide his laugh at the young prince's statement, but ended up chuckling a bit regardless.
"I'd have to agree," the Captain said with a sarcastic grin, "because before, you definitely would have had me flogged for an entire weekend at the very least. It seems that wherever your memories used to be, a heart grew in their place!"
"You are… quite difficult," was all the maid could muster, seemingly afraid of speaking out, "but I guess we should try to catch you up as much as possible. I am your longest serving hand maid and assistant, Eleanore."
"I'm Vincenzo, the Captain of the Royal Guard. I'm in charge of all military personnel and security at the castle. You could just call me Vin, though," the man introduced himself with a smile, then took one of Romy's hands in his own and pressed it gently to his lips, "I'm at your service, dear Princess."
'Of course he's a flirt. The pretty ones always are,' she thought begrudgingly. Romy nodded in acknowledgement and pulled her hand away with a polite smile, then looked to the boy on her arm expectantly.
"I'm your little brother Lukas," the blond said with a wide grin, revealing that one of his front teeth was missing, "I'm ten years younger than you, I am nine. You've never talked much to me before, I really didn't even remember what your voice sounded like. I hope you don't get your memories back."
His brutal honesty was very endearing, and it even made Romy giggle. She was happy to know that these three were most likely trustworthy, but what now weighed on her mind was what kind of person the old Calluna was. It seemed she was quiet and kept to herself, and was rather cruel when it came to punishments… and she could potentially have a part in the assassination of the King and Queen.
What shocked her most, though, was that she was supposedly only nineteen. That wiped a whole thirteen years she had lived clean off, and also meant that Romy was now taking the place of some random teenage girl – or rather, a princess.
'No wonder they caught on so quickly,' she thought, even groaning aloud in her dismay, 'well, thank God I still have my own thoughts. Everyone here's in for a shock once they get to know me, though.'
"You're Princess Calluna Lombardia. You are nineteen years old, known for being cold and distant from everyone around you. Never have you developed friendships with anyone, nor have you taken interest in any types of education or politics. You never even took initiative to learn how to read. The only things you ever seemed to enjoy were singing, playing the harp, and painting," Eleanore listed these things very matter-of-factly.
'Not only a broody teen, but also entirely uneducated. Then, as the icing on the cake – this princess was exclusively an artist as well?! What did I do to deserve such cruel treatment from fate!' Romy lamented.
"The council wanted to meet as soon as you came to in order to discuss what would become of the Kingdom now that both the King and Queen are dead," Vin said while staring curiously at Romy, "though I'm not sure if that's something we should do while you're without your memories."
"No," she refuted the idea immediately, "I will attend the discussion. It sounds that the old me would probably offer nothing, or maybe even only negative things, to such a discourse. Things would probably be best if I participated in the state I'm in now."
"As you wish," he affirmed with a pleased nod.
"How do you want to deal with your amnesia, Princess?" Eleanore asked after a moment's silence.
"I want absolutely no one but you three to find out," the response was without delay, "I would greatly appreciate a language tutor of some kind, so that I can learn to read. I'm in no rush to try and fix my condition."
"I could teach you to read, my lady," the dark-haired woman offered, serving a kind and genuine smile.
"That would be wonderful," Romy answered, heaving a sigh of great relief.
"I'd suggest getting ready to go, then. I will escort your Highness since I have to attend as well. I will wait outside your room for you to change your bandages again and get clothed," the man stated with a polite nod. He then turned to leave the room, his large black riding boots making a great amount of noise on his way out.
Once the door closed behind him, Lukas gave her arm one final squeeze before hopping off of the bed.
"I'll leave to go get you something to eat while you change!" He exclaimed excitedly, giving his elder sister a toothy grin and small wave before exiting the room after the Captain.
Eleanore stepped forward and started to unwrap the bandages, her hands careful and precise with each movement. Romy's mind began to wander idly while tender fingers took great care of her wounds.
Romy had just reached the peak of her career in business when she was hit by a car, then woke up in another extremely dangerous place right after – in a young Princess' body. She had found herself in a foreign world, surrounded by interesting new people and suspicious politics… and even a mystery involving an attempted regicide. She couldn't help but feel a bit giddy as she organized all of this information in her head. It felt almost as though she were the main character in a novel.
Romy decided right then that from this point onward, she would embrace her new identity and perform in this position as best as possible.
She was Princess Calluna of a Kingdom she hadn't learned the name of yet.