An overcasted room stood hushed for a moment, before a few echoing flickers of a lit candle appeared beside a mirror, where a young girl was standing firm. The 17 year old girl Aria Lin awakens in the body of a 13 year old heroine, a young girl in a novel she was reading before her sudden loss of consciousness. Aria grazed her face in awe, soft and clear fair pale ivory skin, long shiny silver hair, soft and feminine features, and her large golden eyes. There was doubt in her mind, she was in Daphne's body.
Daphne Everlest.. The adopted daughter of the Grand Duke of Sunmarian. She was renowned for her score of a noble title through her angelic like beauty alone, her eyes were thought to be symbolic of the sun god Sol. She was born a commoner, and a lower class one at that. Aria knew almost everything about the character, she drowned her days in reading the novel after all. She couldn't escape the box of astoundment.
'Breath of the Wind..'
The name of the novel recited in her mind over and over again, her memories were obviously tampered with. The only leftover recollections of her past she had, was a sharp pain in her stomach before losing consciousness, the memories of the novel she spent so much time reading, and Daphne's memories. Aria lifted her hand to her temple, and lightly rubbed it. It seemed the more she tried to recollect her past, the more severe her migraine grew. Silently, She panicked looking straight at the mirror.
Even though everytime she recalled her memories was met by aching pain, one sharp memory about her opinion on the novel stabbed throughout her brain like a rusty sword. 'Daphne was the heroine, but she was the most aggravating character throughout the whole story.' Aria shuddered at the thought, but before she could detest it further, her sight fell upon the slightly pulled curtains. A dazzling golden light peeked through them, and Aria's already distressed expression became even more rigid.
'Crap! The maids come to Daphne's room at the first light.'
As of right on cue, a knock on the door could be heard. A young sounding woman's voice peered through, before the grand white doors began to peak open. Aria's eyes widened, her body stiffened up straight as she stared at the opening door like a deer in front of a headlight. The young woman dressed in a maids uniform blinked at the young girl's appearance, and then tilted her head.
"Are you alright, My Lady?"
Aria couldn't help but shake slightly, even if she had memorized the novel in her free time, this was too spot on to be a dream or hallucination. When the young maid approached her, her hand softly pressed against Daphne's shoulder. Aria could feel the pressure, and this wasn't her body! Instinctively she stepped back with a look of pure horror on her face. The maid pulled her hand away quickly, clasping them to her chest in sympathy.
"Oh dear I'm sorry Lady Daphne!"
Aria took a deep breath, her eyes closed tightly as she took a deep breath in, and then out. As a result her expression softened remarkably. The maids' expression grew more and more concerned as seconds passed. Aria tried to remember the woman's name, a sharp pain pierced her head once again, but eventually the memory resurfaced in her mind. 'Bridget.. Her name is Bridget. She's Daphne's head maid.'
"I'm fine Bridget, Yes I'm fine!"
Aria attempted to return an awkwardly large smile to the maid, and even though she was still worried, Bridget let the subject go. Instead she swiftly alternated the conversation to something entirely different.
"I came to help you get ready for your etiquette lessons, My Lady?"
"Etiquette lessons.. Right."
Bridget quickly sat Aria down, a soft bristled brush swayed up and down her long, and shiny silver hair. Whilst the maid attended to her appearance, Aria attempted to remember more about the novel. The severe pain she felt before while resurfacing memories, had somewhat subsided. Her thoughts quickly shifted, it was obvious she was at the very beginning of the story. The story began with Daphne Everlest waking up in her adopted fathers palace, and attending her regular routines as a daughter of a Duke. Then, in the afternoon she attends a tea party.
'Right, in the first chapter, Daphne attends Colette's tea party where the princesses ladies-in-waiting would be selected. She wears a dress the complete opposite of Colette's request, and when she is called out for it, the crown prince protects her. This backs Collete into a corner, causing her to make her a lady-in-waiting against her will.'
Aria closed her eyes tightly in annoyance, she attempted to remember the colors Colette selected for the party. Then, a troubling thought infiltrated her mind. 'If I don't follow the story perfectly.. will something bad happen?' She had no experience in being thrown into a random novel, and it was completely possible. If she damages this universe enough.. could it possibly be brought to ruin? 'I can't just do everything Daphne did, it goes against my entire moral code, and would probably eat away at my sanity. I'll just have to take the risk.' While she came to her firm decision, the memory of Colette's color code finally resurfaced.
'Pink and Black!'
Aria smiled, and opened her eyes to a shocking sight. Bridget pulled her hair back into a large ponytail, with a braided clump of hair wrapping around it. Even if Aria hated Daphne, her beauty was nothing short of extravagant. She did look like an angel.. if only she acted like one. Bridget led Aria to her closet, and began pointing to the dresses she had selected.
"Here is a pink and yellow one to wear during your casual task, and.. A blue and white one for the tea party!"
"The pink and yellow dress is beautiful, but.. can I change the second dress?"
"Of course my lady! Which one would you prefer? Yellow and white, Light blue and pink with lots of ruffles and jewels!"
"Pink and black, with a simple, elegant design."
"Really? Are you sure my lady?"
"Yes. I'm sure. I'll wear pearls instead of jewels as well."
"I'll arrange it right away!"
***