In a luxurious and oppressive room adorned with dark red and gold tapestries, the air was heavy with the sweet aroma of incense burning in a corner. Silver candelabras cast a dim, pulsating pink glow across the shadows on the walls. At the center of the room, a massive canopy bed draped in velvet dominated the space. Crimson silk sheets lay rumpled beneath the body of Ruby, the War Master's daughter. She was sleeping deeply, her rosy hair cascading across the pillow like a waterfall of petals.
The door creaked as it opened, and a young servant entered in haste. Her simple blue cotton dress stood in stark contrast to the opulence around her. In her hands, she carried a basin of steaming, fragrant water. She hesitated for a moment, glancing at the sleeping figure, before approaching the bed with light steps. Bowing deeply, the servant called out:
— Lady of Steel, wake up. Your bath is ready.
Ruby stirred beneath the sheets, letting out a muffled groan. Her voice was drowsy, as if still lost in a dream:
— Just five more minutes, Mom...
The servant, named Lya, frowned, startled by the response. But her rigid posture didn't falter. She tried again, her voice firmer this time:
— My lady, you hate being late for your lessons.
Ruby frowned but still didn't open her eyes. With a tired sigh, she muttered:
— What lesson? I'm already on vacation...
Lya stood still, confusion evident on her face. She tilted her head slightly, as though she had misheard.
— What?
Finally, Ruby opened her eyes. Her long lashes blinked against the candlelight, and she looked disoriented. Sitting up slowly, her movements were sluggish, as though her body felt too heavy. Her eyes scanned Lya with a mix of bewilderment and suspicion.
— Wait... Mom? Who are you?
Lya took a step back, shocked. Her voice trembled, almost offended:
— It's me, Lya. What do you mean you don't remember me?
Ruby tilted her head, scrutinizing the young servant more closely. There was something disconcerting about it all—the room, the light, the girl. She squinted, as though trying to focus on something far away, before murmuring to herself:
— Lya? Like... Lya, Ruby's servant?
Her expression quickly shifted from confusion to disbelief. She laughed, but the sound was forced.
— This has to be some kind of prank, right? Sister, you can come out now!
Lya stared at her as though she were watching someone lose their grip on reality. Her voice came out worried, almost pleading:
— My lady, are you feeling well? You're saying such strange things...
Ruby blinked a few times, as if trying to convince herself it was a dream. She threw the sheets aside and got up, stumbling slightly as her feet touched the cold marble floor.
— Seriously... — she grumbled, running her hands over her face and taking a deep breath.
Lya stepped forward, extending a hand as though to help her.
— My lady...
But Ruby raised her hand, cutting her off with a brusque gesture.
— Get out of my way!
With an unexpected shove, Ruby pushed Lya aside. The servant stumbled and fell to the floor with a thud. Without looking back, Ruby rushed to the dressing table. Her hands trembled as she touched the ornate mirror, made of polished crystal and framed with golden details.
When her eyes met the reflection, she froze. The face staring back at her wasn't her own. It was Ruby's—the villain of Empire of Shadows.
— This can't be... — she murmured, her hands rising to touch her pale and perfect face. — I'm in Ruby's body.
She leaned closer to the mirror, as if trying to confirm it. Her fingers traced the delicate jawline and full lips. Her heart pounded so loudly it echoed in her ears.
— She's so beautiful in person...
Eliza, now in Ruby's body, stepped back, nearly tripping over the rug. Her mind raced as she tried to piece things together.
— This is a dream... — she muttered to herself, her words hesitant. — I remember reading Empire of Shadows with my best friend... Did I die? And I don't remember how?
Lya, who had stood back up and was now watching her closely, took a cautious step forward, concern etched on her face.
— Lady of Steel, are you all right? I'm very worried...
Ruby shook her head, trying to mask her confusion. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
— Don't worry. I was just... disoriented. You mentioned a bath?
Lya nodded, still wary.
— Yes, my lady. It's ready.
Ruby turned back to the mirror, staring at her reflection.
— This is everything I've ever wanted... Now I can save Ruby from her cruel fate.
Her thoughts began to align. She knew what was happening. She knew exactly where she was.
— Ruby is the daughter of the War Master and the villain of Empire of Shadows. She's in love and engaged to the crown prince, Alexander, but... she dies after betraying the villain, Leonardo. He hands her over after she falsely accuses him of trying to assault her.
Ruby (or rather, Eliza) closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.
— I need to figure out where we are in the story... and save Ruby. And Leonardo.
Lya stood in silence, but her curiosity got the better of her.
— My lady, you seem lost in thought. If it's not too much to ask, you can confide in me.
Ruby turned to her, her expression now more serious.
— Where are the other maids?
Lya hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor.
— Well... they're at Leonardo's execution.
Ruby felt as if the ground had vanished beneath her feet.
— What do you mean?
Lya, now visibly uncomfortable, replied in a barely audible whisper:
— For trying to assault you, my lady.
Ruby's blood ran cold. She remembered exactly what that meant.
— Oh, right... This is the day Leonardo decided to turn Ruby in. He couldn't take her betrayals anymore...
Lya noticed the change in her expression and asked, concerned:
— Are you upset that I mentioned it?
Ruby quickly shook her head, her voice urgent:
— Why didn't you tell me this earlier?
Without waiting for an answer, she bolted from the room, her bare feet echoing down the hallways.
— My lady, wait! You can't go out dressed like that! — Lya called after her, running to catch up, but Ruby didn't stop.