I pace back and forth in the opulent dressing room, my eyes fixed on the ornate clock ticking away on the mantle. We were supposed to switch back hours ago, but Charlotte is nowhere to be found. A knot of worry forms in my stomach as I try calling her phone for the tenth time, only to be sent straight to voicemail.

"Where are you, Charlotte?" I mutter to myself, my voice laced with concern. "We need to switch back. Now."

I stop pacing and glance around the room, as if expecting Charlotte to pop out from behind one of the velvet curtains. But the room remains empty, and my anxiety grows. Something is wrong. I can feel it.

I gaze into the mirror, and my eyes lock onto the reflection of Charlotte Richmond staring back at me. Despite having the same face structure and body shape as the princess, the elaborate dress and makeup feel foreign. I adjust the heiress's diamond necklace, the weight of the gemstones a constant reminder that this life isn't mine. I have a job to do, and it's my highest-paying one yet. But I can't complete it while I'm stuck here pretending to be a princess. I need to switch back and get back to work.

My mind wandered back to earlier when Charlotte called, her voice laced with excitement and a hint of nerves. "Lexiiiii!" She squealed. I smiled to myself when I heard her voice. Lexi's voice and bubbly self were admirable. Even if we were polar opposites, I found myself adapting to her mannerisms whenever she was around.

"What's up?" I asked her.

"What?" She replied in her familiar posh accent.

I chuckled before responding. "I meant... How are you?"

"Sick and tired of being in my room. But that's why I called." Already knowing what she wanted to say, I started declining. "Don't even think about it. It was fun while it lasted, but we said we weren't going to do it again, and that's that."

"Lexi," She whined. "Don't be such a killjoy."

"I won't if you don't suggest stuff like that."

"Please, Lexi, I know I said we won't do it again. But I very much want this right now. Tomorrow is my coronation as queen, and I might never be able to live my life as casually as I'd like again."

"I'd love to help, but I can't. I have a job to tackle, and it's my highest-paid job yet. So I need to prepare for it tonight."

"But what if I pay you double the amount they want to pay you?" She quickly suggested.

I stuttered, shocked at her offer. "I can't accept money from you, Char."

"What if I promise to come back on time? You know I'm always back on time. I'll make sure I'm earlier than the usual time this time around. Please, just this once. Pleaseeese"

I groaned. "Charlotte..."

"Say yesssss."

I sighed. "I'll say yes if the previous offer gets added. But we'd have to switch back by 6 PM, so you better make sure to get your ass back on time."

"Oh, Lexi! I love youuuuu!" She squealed.

I stopped thinking about our earlier conversation when the clock sounded, announcing it was 10 O'clock. And still... Charlotte was nowhere to be found.

 I frowned, my mind beginning to race with worst-case scenarios. Where was she? She knew how important it was to switch back on time. I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time, my anxiety growing with each passing minute. We had to switch back by 6 PM, and now, with only hours to spare, Charlotte was MIA. I tried calling her phone again, but it went straight to voicemail yet again.

"Pick up your call, goddammit!" I exclaimed, aggressively tapping the call button on my phone again. After a while of no response, I threw my phone on the bed in frustration. I lied down, staring at the blue luxurious bed canopy above me, its intricate folds and draping a stark contrast to my growing unease. I was trapped here, and my opportunity to earn extra cash had slipped away.

Suddenly, a knock on the door made me jerk to my feet. A part of me knew it wasn't Charlotte - she'd never use that door to come in. But still, I couldn't help but feel a mix of hope and worry. I slipped on my flops and made my way to the door, my heart racing with anticipation.

I opened the door to find a maid with her head bowed slightly, carrying a tray of fruits. "I'm not hungry," I mumbled harshly, before attempting to close the door in her face. Disappointed that it wasn't who I thought it was, I was about to shut the door when the maid's foot blocked it. 

I looked down at her feet and noticed a familiar tattoo. My eyes widened in recognition. What was she doing here? 

We were supposed to go on a mission together. The details hadn't been revealed yet, but I knew it involved assassination. That had been my covert job since graduating from military school with a profound degree but no job prospects. Nobody wanted to employ a female security expert, and if they did, they often wanted to use them as sex slaves. So when I saw an opportunity to work undercover to eliminate potential threats, I took it.

"You have to consume this before bed, Your Highness," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "It will keep you nourished for your coronation tomorrow." She walked past me, setting the tray on Charlotte's dressing table. 

But what was she doing here? I knew she wasn't a maid. We'd seen each other today, and I knew she didn't belong anywhere near the castle. 

Unless... Realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Just as I turned to look at her, a glint of metal flashed across my eyes, and a blade hit the door. My eyes widened in shock.

 It was her alright - I knew Kayla's tactics all too well. She aimed to strike her opponents in the neck to weaken them before delivering the final blow.

"Motherfucker, did you just try to kill me?" I spat, my tone laced with venom as I glared at her. 

Kayla drew two daggers from her hair, assuming a fighting stance. "Motherfucker? Not too shabby for a princess," she quipped, a sly grin spreading across her face. 

With a swift motion, she charged towards me, daggers at the ready, intent on striking me down.