As I sit in the dimly lit room, two figures enter. A young girl and Prince Maxim, his face bruised and battered, step into the light. I hadn't seen him since Flora's disappearance.
"You are rather efficient, brother," Prince Maxim says, approaching me. He slowly plays with one of my dreadlocks, then leans down and whispers, "Not very tough without your magic."
I want to tear him to shreds, but the guard behind me would slice my head off if I tried anything. The young girl approaches with a needle, stretching out her hand to grab mine. I try to resist, but she is much stronger than she looks. She pricks my finger and takes a drop of blood, placing it into a crystal.
"This should be enough," she says, stepping back. The gem starts to turn a golden color from the small incantation she murmurs, sounding like Latin. In no time, a golden energy consumes her body, the room becoming bright and blinding.
When I open my eyes, I see a woman who looks exactly like me, down to the last detail. "Is this convincing enough?" she asks, looking at Malo. Even her voice is an exact replica of mine.
I try to object, but I have no voice to yell or magic to cast a spell. As I rise to fight her, the guard holds me down and places a sword on my neck.
"Don't make any foolish moves," Maxim warns, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "We need you alive for now, but not necessarily unharmed."
The doppelgänger examines herself, adjusting her posture and mimicking my movements. "It will be easy to fool everyone," she says confidently.
I struggle against the guard's grip, but he tightens his hold, making it clear that any resistance is futile. I feel a wave of helplessness wash over me. How could they create such a perfect imitation?
"You will stay here until we have no further use for you," Prince Maxim declares. "Your role is over. From now on, she will be you, and you will be nothing."
The young girl smirks, satisfied with her handiwork. "The spell will hold as long as I maintain the crystal," she explains. "There is no escape for you."
I try to speak, to object, but my voice remains trapped, and the guard's grip on me tightens as he holds the sword to my neck. The cold metal presses against my skin, a stark reminder of my precarious situation.
"Now," Malo says, addressing the doppelgänger, "you know your role. You'll take Daniella's place, and ensure the decisions made align with our plans."
The false me nods, her eyes cold and calculating. "Understood."
I struggle against the guard's hold, desperation flooding through me. I can't let them replace me, to use my likeness for their schemes. But with the collar suppressing my magic and the guard's sword at my throat, I'm powerless.
"Let's not waste any more time," Maxim says, stepping back. "We need to act quickly."
As they begin to discuss their plans, my mind races, searching for any possible way to escape or send a message to someone who can help. I think of Sinbad, Alibaba, and Vider, hoping they might realize something is amiss.
The young girl who performed the transformation turns to Malo. "What should we do with the real princess?"
Malo looks at me, a calculating glint in his eyes. "For now, we'll keep her here. She won't be able to cause any trouble without her magic."
Maxim nods in agreement. "Agreed. But we need to ensure she can't communicate with anyone."
The young girl steps forward, placing a hand on my collar. She mutters another incantation, and I feel the cold sensation intensify, making my body feel even weaker.
"That should keep her subdued," she says, stepping back.
I look back at Malo, begging him with my eyes, but he seems unwilling to meet my gaze. My silent plea falls on deaf ears.
Maxim slaps me across the face, forcing me to look at him. "He won't help you," he says coldly. He glances up at Malo, who is clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "No saving your little girlfriend," Maxim taunts, smirking at Malo.
Malo turns and looks at me for a moment, a flicker of conflict in his eyes, before he exits the room without a word.
My heart sinks as I watch him leave. Any hope I had of Malo intervening fades away, replaced by a crushing sense of despair.
Maxim's expression hardens, and he leans in closer. "You should have known better than to trust anyone here," he sneers.
The young girl who had pricked my finger stands back, watching the interaction with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. The doppelgänger, now a perfect replica of me, stands silently, her presence a constant reminder of my dire situation.
Maxim straightens up, giving me a final, disdainful look. "Enjoy your stay," he says mockingly. "It won't be long, but it will feel like an eternity."
He turns to leave, and the guard tightens his grip on my shoulders, ensuring I remain seated. As Maxim and the young girl exit the room, the door closes with a heavy thud, leaving me alone with my double and the guard.