When I woke the next morning, sunlight streamed through the ornate windows, painting the room in soft golds and silvers. For a moment, I stayed still, trying to collect myself. The events of yesterday felt too surreal, too vast to grasp. Yet here I was, breathing, blinking, and very much alive in this body that wasn't mine.
The room around me seemed almost smug in its grandeur. The bed was massive, draped with deep green velvet and embroidered with golden threads. The walls were covered in tapestries depicting battles and mythical creatures, and every piece of furniture seemed carved from ancient, dark wood.
My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn't eaten since waking up in this world. Whatever I was now, my body still needed food.
But first, I needed to know where I was.
Throwing back the heavy covers, I rose, careful not to trip over the absurdly long nightgown the attendants had dressed me in. I glanced at the mirror again. The face staring back was still foreign yet familiar, like a mask I hadn't quite settled into.
The door to my chambers stood tall and heavy, but surprisingly, it opened with a soft push. The corridor beyond stretched endlessly in both directions, lined with marble columns and decorated with more tapestries. I took a deep breath and stepped out.
[**System Notification: Exploring palace. Hidden memories may trigger. Proceed?**]
"Yes," I whispered automatically.
The interface disappeared with a faint shimmer, leaving me alone in the hushed hallway.
The air smelled faintly of lavender, mingling with the faint metallic tang of the distant sea. Footsteps echoed faintly in the distance—guards, maybe? Servants? For now, I was alone.
I started walking.
The hallways twisted and branched in ways that felt both maze-like and purposeful. Every so often, I passed a towering window that gave me glimpses of the outside world: manicured gardens with fountains, beyond which stretched a sprawling city that seemed to cling to the palace like a lifeline.
As I walked, faint flashes of memories surfaced.
A child's laughter echoed in the halls. My laughter? Her laughter. The sound of a sword being drawn, sharp and final. A voice, low and commanding: "Protect her at all costs." The feeling of cold stone under my knees as I knelt, begging for something—someone.
The sensations were fleeting, like wisps of smoke, impossible to hold onto.
[**System Notification: Memory fragment unlocked.**]
I stopped in my tracks. "Show me."
A translucent screen appeared, showing a short clip like a scene from a movie.
I was standing in a grand hall, much like the one I'd just left. My dress was different, simpler, and my hair was tied back in a braid. Before me knelt a man in armor, his face hidden by a helmet.
"You saved me," I whispered in a voice that wasn't mine but was mine. The words were filled with gratitude and something deeper—fear.
The man tilted his head. "Always, Your Majesty."
The memory dissolved, leaving me reeling. My hands gripped the nearest wall for support.
"What was that?" I whispered, but the system didn't respond.
Shaking off the unease, I continued walking.
Eventually, I found myself in a quieter part of the palace. The floors here were bare stone, the walls less adorned. The air was colder, too, carrying the faint scent of damp earth.
I opened a door at random and stepped inside.
The room was small, almost cozy, with a single window overlooking the gardens. Bookshelves lined one wall, crammed with worn volumes, and a single chair sat near the hearth. The faint smell of old parchment and herbs filled the air.
This felt like a space someone had used often, though it was currently empty.
I ran a hand along the spines of the books, noting the titles. Most were histories, records of battles and treaties. One book, however, stood out. Its spine was plain, unmarked, and when I pulled it free, I saw it had no title on the cover either.
Flipping it open, I found handwritten notes in the margins, the script sharp and precise.
The council must be watched closely. Trust is a rare commodity. Damian's demands are not without reason. We share a history more complicated than they know. The treasury is strained, but there is hope in the mines if they can be stabilized.
The words sent a chill through me. Whoever had written them knew the intricacies of ruling this kingdom far better than I did. Was this Karina's handwriting?
"Who were you?" I muttered, clutching the book tightly.
The system chimed again.
[**Hint: Legacy of the Goldbrace lineage is key to understanding your role. Explore personal spaces for additional insights.**]
"Legacy," I repeated. My reflection in the window caught my eye. For a moment, it wasn't just me—Karina's face overlayed mine, her expression calm but piercing. It was gone in an instant, leaving me shaken.
The rest of the morning was spent wandering.
I discovered the kitchens, bustling with activity as cooks prepared meals fit for royalty. The head chef, a stout woman with flour dusting her hair, nearly dropped her ladle when she saw me.
"Your Majesty!" she exclaimed, bowing deeply. "Is there something you require?"
I waved her off awkwardly. "No, no, I'm just... looking around."
She didn't question it but watched me curiously as I left.
From there, I stumbled upon the armory, where rows of polished weapons gleamed in the dim light. The guards there saluted sharply, their movements practiced. They didn't speak unless I addressed them, so I moved on.
The gardens were next, sprawling and vibrant. Flowers bloomed in every color imaginable, and fountains bubbled softly. Birds chirped in the trees, and for a moment, I let myself relax.
But even here, the weight of the crown followed me.
Two women, maids by their simple dresses, whispered as I passed. Their words were low, but one phrase stood out:
"She's different now."
By the time I returned to my chambers, my legs ached from the walking, but my mind was sharper.
I sat at the desk, placing the strange book before me. There was too much I didn't know, but I was starting to see threads connecting everything. This palace was my cage, but it was also a trove of secrets.
The system chimed one last time before I drifted to sleep.
[**New Objective Unlocked: Uncover the truth of Karina Goldbrace.**]
I smiled faintly. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Tomorrow, I'd dig deeper.