Chapter 1: I'm what now?

The warmth of sunlight consumes me, the smell of earth and stone around me. I lie in peaceful harmony as I hear the singing of birds. Then, I realize, none of these things are in the city. Usually, the buildings are so tall that there is no sunlight. The smell is usually cigarette smoke with a combination of sewer water, not earth and stone. The sounds are supposed to be yelling, shouting, car horns blasting over each other, and the cooing sounds of pigeons if you listen carefully enough, but not singing birds. I think of the events that happened before and my eyes shoot open. How am I not dead? Where am I? This is not a street or a hospital. I'm in a strange room that is made of stone walls and polished wood flooring. There is a vanity made of marble, a large oak wardrobe, and a full-length mirror with silver framing on the right side of the room. On the left, there is a small table and chair with intricate designs engraved on them. There is a balcony with only sheer white curtains covering the entrance. I'm in a bed with silk sheets and a large headboard made of brass and gold. Large posts stand at the corners, also made of brass and gold, supporting poles that run up top that holds sheer fabric around the bed. The pillows I was just laying on are made of crushed velvet in the most beautiful shade of pearl, the silk sheets are the same color. I look down to see that I'm wearing a white nightgown with beautiful embroidery that looks to be hand-stitched. There is a double oak door with brass handles in front of me. Whoever lives here is wealthy, but only wealthy enough to live in a stone building. I jump out of bed and I feel smaller than I usually am, I run over to the mirror and the face that is staring back at me is not my own.

My features are softer than they were, my nose smaller and more like a child's. My eyes are larger than they were. My lashes now thick and long, no mascara needed. And instead of the seductive honey-gold colored eyes I had, they are now the most gorgeous green I've ever seen - shining like emeralds. My lips are full and deep pink, perfectly rosy cheeks and freckles across my nose and cheeks. My face is a little shorter and more heart-shaped now, and my skin is flawless and fair all over. But what really shocks me, is my hair. Far from the perfectly wavy golden colored hair I once adored, now my head is full of fiery red curls that fall down my back and almost to my thigh. And it was true that I was now shorter, but other than that my body hasn't changed much. My feet and hands are smaller to accommodate for my smaller stature, and I'm a little thinner in my legs, arms, and waist.

I go into the wardrobe to get clothes to change into, but it's full of only full-length dresses and corsets. Not too long into looking for something to wear, the door to the room opens. "Good morning, your Highness. Good to see you back on your feet again. The medic told your father you would be unconscious for a few days." A young woman in her twenties came in carrying in a silver tray with a bowl that looked like a very large shell, a pitcher of water, and a cloth. But, what did she say? "Um, 'your Highness'? Why do you address me this way?" The young woman looks at me in confusion then answers my question, "Well, it is your title, Princess. Are you okay? Should I go get the medic?"

"Princess?! Look, lady, I don't even know who you are. I don't know where I am, or what I'm doing here. So if you have an explanation for me, I suggest you tell me now."

"Oh my... Princess, I'm your maid, Lucinda is who I'm named. Wash your face, I'm going to get the medic."

She set the tray on the vanity and left the room, giving me no more answers than when I started. I walked over to the vanity and sat down on the small stool in front of it. Pouring the water into the freakishly large shell, I dip the cloth into the water and start washing my face. There is a small bar of soap next to the shell that I use. It smells of roses and is very relaxing. After I finish, I go back to the wardrobe and pick something to wear. In the end, I choose a simple pale blue dress and wear a pale green corset that fits under the bust. I choose this because everything else is too complicated to get into myself. The dress has no intricate patterns, has a lace at the collar which goes down about 3 inches, and is light, flowy, and practical. The corset laces up the front, so I can put it on myself. After I'm dressed, Lucinda comes back in with a worried look on her face. Behind her is a man who looks to be in his fifties, who I assume is the medic. "Hello, princess," he says. "How are you feeling? Lucinda has told me the magnificent news that you have awaken from your coma, but she says you don't remember anything. Is this true? Let me have a look at you." He puts down his large bag which I assume is filled with medical supplies and takes out a strange-looking object that he places on my chest. He checks my pulse, stares at me, and asks me a few questions about me. "Well, it seems you have indeed lost your memory. You don't remember your name or anything about who you are. Lucinda, please see to it that she is properly taken care of. She is going to be confused about everything for a while and will need help getting back to her previous state. Accompany her at all times-"

"I don't need anyone to accompany me, I can take care of myself!" I can take care of myself, I know I can. I don't need anyone else but myself. The medic turns to me, "Princess, it would be very much advised that you are accompanied at all times-"

"Why do you keep calling me 'princess'? Look, I wasn't a princess before and don't care to be one now. If you'll excuse me, I'm leaving." I started to leave the room when Lucinda caught my arm, "I'm sorry, Princess, but you'll have to be escorted from now on. There's no telling what might happen to you after the accident that you miraculously survived-"

"What accident?"