(Lina)
I pressed my ear to the cold wooden door, hoping the guards' voices would tell me something useful.
Nicholas thought he could lock me up and make me act like his perfect little princess. But he had another thing coming if he thought I'd just sit here and play along.
The guards outside were talking quietly, probably about something boring like usual. But tonight, I felt restless, and every little sound from the other side of the door made my heart pound. I had to get out of here. If I could find my way past them, maybe I'd have a chance to escape.
I took a deep breath and looked around the room. I'd only been in this strange body for a short time, but it was enough to realize that being Princess Isabella was nothing like what I thought.
A plan started forming in my mind. I could pretend I was sick and lure the guards inside, then slip out while they were busy fussing over me. I needed to get past that door.
I clutched my stomach, trying to make myself look weak, like the kind of princess they expected me to be. Slowly, I called out.
"Oh! I don't feel well! Please, I think I need some help!" I sank onto the bed, holding my side, and waited.
The guards outside went silent for a second, then one of them knocked on the door. "Are you alright, Your Highness?"
I winced, making my voice as shaky as I could. "I... I don't think so. Please, can someone come in? I feel dizzy…"
There was a long pause before the door creaked open, and one of the guards stepped in, eyeing me with a worried expression. I clutched the side of the bed like I was about to fall over, giving him my best helpless look.
"Are you alright, Princess?" He asked, stepping closer.
I nodded weakly, then groaned, hoping he'd get even closer. I planned to rush past him as soon as he was close enough, but then he took a step back, looking me over. "Should I fetch someone?"
I bit my lip, heart racing. I had to do this now. With all my strength, I pushed myself off the bed and bolted toward the door.
But as I moved, my legs stumbled under me, almost as if they didn't know where to go. I felt strange and awkward, and I nearly tripped over my own feet.
The guard looked startled and reached out to steady me. "Princess, what are you doing?"
I shook him off, trying to gather my strength. "Let me go," I snapped.
Another guard appeared in the doorway, and I realized my chance was slipping away.
They both stared at me with confusion, and I could feel the frustration building up inside me.
One of the guards moved closer, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "You shouldn't be trying to run, Your Highness. His Majesty asked us to keep you safe."
Safe? That was a joke. "Let go of me!" I tried to push past him, but my strength felt weaker like I was wrapped in layers of fabric that held me back. No matter how much I struggled, my movements were clumsy, almost like my own body was fighting against me.
Finally, I stopped struggling, breathing hard as I glared at them. "I'm not your princess. I'm not who you think I am."
The guards exchanged a confused glance. One of them looked like he wanted to laugh, and the other just seemed uncomfortable. "Perhaps you're just tired, Your Highness," One of them said. "It's best if you rest. We'll fetch the healer if you need them."
I shook my head, realizing it was no use. I'd never get out of here if I couldn't even manage to get past these two. Defeated, I let them guide me back to the bed, and I sat down, gripping the edge with shaking hands.
Everything felt so frustratingly wrong. My heart pounded in my chest, and my hands were trembling.
Once they were gone, I sat on the bed and stared at my hands, trying to figure out what to do next.
My fingers were slender and delicate, nothing like my real hands. I had to remind myself that they weren't mine. This body didn't belong to me, and that made everything feel harder.
Nicholas had left guards at the door for a reason—he knew I'd try to run. He'd probably laugh if he knew I was trying to escape.
I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes and taking deep breaths. I needed to calm down and think.
After a while, I forced myself to stand up again, pacing the room slowly. Maybe I couldn't run, but I could still outsmart them.
I just needed to find a way to get past those guards and into the corridors beyond. If I could blend in somehow, maybe I could make it to one of the doors leading outside.
I might be trapped in this palace, locked in someone else's body, but I wasn't going to give up. Nicholas thought he could break me, but he was wrong. I'd find my way out of here, one way or another. And when I did, I'd make sure he regretted ever thinking he could control me.
The system told me that if I left, I would lose everything that I earned. I didn't want to end up on the streets broke and alone. But, if I have to, then I had to find a way out of here.
I don't care what Nicholas or Isabella's parents might think. I have to find a way to escape this cage. I wasn't some helpless girl who could be molded into their puppet princess. If it meant losing everything I'd built before this twisted fate threw me into her life, so be it. Freedom was worth the risk.
I took a deep breath, calming the adrenaline still rushing through me. I wasn't defeated; I was simply biding my time. One way or another, I'd reclaim my life. And when I did, Nicholas and his entire court would know just how wrong they were to underestimate me.