The heavy oak door swung shut with a soft thud, leaving Alisa alone with the two maids in the surprisingly small room.
Sunlight streamed through a single, tall window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Lae, the redhead, her fiery hair pulled back in a neat bun, offered a bright smile.
"Welcome, miss. I'm Lae, and this is Mayli," she said, gesturing to the other maid, whose pink hair cascaded down her shoulders in loose waves. Mayli's smile was even wider, almost childlike in its enthusiasm, a stark contrast to the apprehension etched on Alisa's face.
Lae picked up a plush, cream-colored towel, its texture impossibly soft, from a nearby chair.
"Now, let's get you cleaned up," she said gently. Alisa's gaze drifted to the opulent bed, far larger and more luxurious than anything she'd ever seen, its silk sheets gleaming under the sunlight.
A grand piano sat beside it, its polished ebony surface reflecting the light. A gasp escaped her lips, barely audible, a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Lae took Alisa's hand, her touch surprisingly firm and reassuring. Mayli trailed behind them, her steps light and almost hesitant, her movements suggesting a nervous energy.
Alisa couldn't help but notice the almost childlike way Mayli mimicked Lae's every move, a subtle detail that brought a flicker of amusement to her eyes. She suppressed a giggle, a silent, mysterious sound lost in the quiet elegance of the room.
The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, the porcelain bathtub gleaming under the soft light.
As the warm water enveloped her, Alisa leaned back, her muscles relaxing for the first time that day. She closed her eyes, letting the soothing warmth wash away the tension.
But even the luxury of the bath couldn't fully erase the knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. She looked up at the ornate ceiling, its intricate carvings a stark contrast to her racing thoughts.
Exhaustion tugged at her eyelids, a heavy weight threatening to pull her under.
After what felt like an eternity, she stood, the water draining away with a gurgling sigh. Mayli, ever attentive, offered a fresh, fluffy towel, her pink cheeks flushed, her eyes wide with a mixture of concern and eager anticipation.
"Thank you," Alisa whispered, her voice barely above a breath, as she took the towel, her fingers brushing against Mayli's.
The dress, a breathtaking creation of crimson silk, awaited her on a nearby chair. It was a gown of exquisite craftsmanship; the fabric flowed like liquid fire, catching the light with every subtle movement.
Intricate gold embroidery, depicting swirling vines and delicate blossoms, adorned the bodice and sleeves. Tiny pearls, shimmering like dewdrops, were delicately sewn along the neckline and hem.
The skirt, full and flowing, pooled around her feet, a cascade of rich color. As she slipped it on, she felt a strange mixture of awe and unease. It was a garment fit for royalty, far beyond anything she had ever imagined possessing.
She stared at her reflection in the ornate mirror, her eyes wide with a dawning horror. The image staring back was beautiful, undeniably so, but it wasn't her. A single tear traced a path down her cheek.
"It isn't me… it was never me," she murmured, her voice thick with despair. Her shoulders slumped, the weight of her predicament crushing her.
Lae and Mayli exchanged worried glances, their attempts to offer comfort lost in the heavy silence. Then, the Baron entered, his booming laugh echoing through the room before he even spoke.
He paused, his eyes sweeping over Alisa, his gaze lingering on the red dress. "This is it! You're ready," he declared, clapping his hands together with a sharp crack. "Tomorrow morning, you'll go to the palace!"
Alisa's eyes widened, her face a mask of confusion and dread. "I—" she began, but the Baron cut her off, his voice ringing with an unsettling cheerfulness.
"Be ready for dinner," he said, his voice booming. "You need to be full before the prince sees you." His laughter filled the room, a jarring contrast to Alisa's silent despair. Lae and Mayli exchanged another look, their faces etched with pity and helplessness.
They were commoners, bound by duty and fear, unable to voice their concerns, their silence a testament to the powerlessness of their position. The Baron's departure left behind a heavy silence, broken only by Alisa's ragged breathing.
The weight of her impending fate pressed down on her, a suffocating burden she couldn't escape.
The fear of the unknown mingled with a deep sense of unease, a premonition of something terrible yet to come.