Yvonne awoke with a cold sweat. She was being observed by two maids that had blank faces. Confusion laced in her mind as she glanced around the room. She spots herself in the mirror and is taken aback by what she sees. Not flat, auburn hair, but curly, plum black strands. Not hazel eyes, but deep turquoise orbs that were wide and not constantly adorned with eye bags. Not pale, pasty skin, but an olive tone canvas that decorated her features nicely. Yvonne looked at the maids in disbelief. Was she? She couldn't be in her own story… Could she?
She then groaned, clutching her head. Extreme pain shot through her right ear, a loud ring sounding out. Memories flooded in, she was now Yvonne Creed. Bastard daughter of the High Priest in the Ethereal Isles.
She has three older sisters: Mildred, Ethel, and Lydia. Their mother, Janis, is the Holy Saintess and was fated to Cairan, the High Priest. Cairan had an affair with the Emperor's Mage, Endora. Endora conceived Yvonne on the winter solstice and kept her hidden from Cairan until she was five. Yvonne had met the 7th Prince, Jasper, when she was four, and he was six. He was reluctant to speak to such a young girl because she seemed too shy. But, Yvonne surprised him when she sat next to him and read a book with him. She was taught to read and write by her mother when she turned three. Children of Mages excel more than normal children. Mage children have a higher spiritual value so their wisdom is more keen than others.
That day, she had become friends with Jasper, the royal family visited frequently. But, soon Lydia and Jasper met, Yvonne and the 7th Prince had drifted. Lydia, being three years older than Yvonne, was much more matured and sophisticated. Jasper and Yvonne are still distant friends, but as of now, Jasper is confused about what he is feeling for Lydia. It is not too late to approach him.
Yvonne was done reminiscing her current life when a maid asked her if she was alright.
"Are you alright?" Yvonne instantly perked up and looked at the maid straight in the eyes.
"Dear Alyssa, are you forgetting something?" Yvonne twirled her velvet strands between her fingers and glared at the maid. The maid looked confused and didn't give an answer.
"Should I teach you myself? You should always address me as 'Princess' or 'Your Highness'?" Yvonne glared at Alyssa and sighed dramatically.
"Y-Your Highness, I deeply apologize for my rudeness, but you were always fine without a title, forgive me for saying, but what changed?" Alyssa had a scared look on her face. The maid's got bravery, that's for certain.
"Let's just say, I had a change of heart. I'm not just some bastard who is going to be locked up for the rest of her life, I'm going to be the most beautiful woman in the Empire," Yvonne whispered in Alyssa's ear, giggling a little at the end.
"Definitely, Your Highness. I will do my best to serve you," Alyssa exclaimed with devotion. Yvonne is glad the girl got the point, she would've been fired if she didn't.
"Your Highness, are you feeling well? Last night you got food poisoning and your elder sister, Her Highness Lydia, announced you wouldn't be coming to the ball," Alyssa explained while the other maid, Genevieve, got warm water and a cloth, ready for washing.
If Lydia was so hell-bent on Yvonne not coming to the ball, then this must be when His Highness, Abner Abellion attends the Holy Grail Ball. Every two years, Ethereal Isles celebrates the Cup of Life, in which the Lord gives light and protection to the Holy Land. A bastard princess such as Yvonne is not very welcomed. But, she will be soon enough.
"Alyssa, Genevieve, please do bring me my best gowns, I will be attending tonight."