Invitation

A thunderous sound reverberates across the four corners of the communal bath as my head crashes on the mirror in shock. Like a domino effect, a wave of gasps echoes inside.

"I can't believe this…if this is a nightmare, I want to wake up, please!" I could not help but murmur repetitively like a broken record. As if saying it all over again will make a difference. As if saying it will transport me back to the real world, my familiar world!

However, nothing changed. I remained rooted in front of the mirror, possessing a body of a stranger who looks like it will faint any moment with just a light draft of the wind. To make matters worse, she's currently living in a frightening world that I only read in the book and watched in movies, or is it me now that will end up living in this world?

A frail and innocent-looking young girl who is my complete opposite, by the way, and with the rotten luck of being born in a world teeming with monsters. Did I die, and my soul inadvertently possesses this strangers' body? This absurd plotline makes me want to pull all my hair out.

"This is crazy! This is not me!" I yelled out in frustration, pummeling the mirror just like a kid throwing a tantrum. Maybe, it would have been much better to die? My minuscule sanity starts slipping away from my grasps, and I'm on the verge of breaking down when I felt something tugging on the hem of my dress.

When I look down, I found a small and skinny hand clutching tightly at me as she looks up at me with her big brown eyes. It must have taken a lot of courage to approach a stranger like me, considering that I can feel her tiny hand trembling like a scared animal. I must have looked crazy in front of her and these children. Regardless, she decided to approach me.

Where is my dignity as an adult?! Am I even considered an adult in this world?

"La..lady, are you al—right?" she murmurs using her sweet voice that my heart twists uncontrollably. A little girl like her who had gone through so much pain and distress is worrying about me. My hand plunges weakly at my side suddenly, feeling defeated. I crouch down in front of her before patting the child's head.

"I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me."

"Hmmm…" the little kid nodded as she nudges her head towards my hand, probably liking the feeling of my hand on her head. Just like a normal kid would…until I spotted the angry red marks on her neck.

My hand froze in the air as my mouth slackens in shock. She must have noticed the expression on my face. The child took a shaky step away from me as she clamps her small hand on the marks on her neck. A poor attempt to hide it but did anyway. Her face flushed in embarrassment as her head mechanically hangs down. Instinctively, my hand moves towards her injury to further inspect it when the double doors slam open, and a group of uniformed personnel went inside unannounced with an unmistakable sense of urgency.

They all filed in, in a straight line, and then a handsome, tall man probably in his late thirty's followed suit. He is wearing a dark, fitted garment that impressively exposes his strapping physique. His dusky eyes scan the surroundings assiduously, looking indifferent and cold as an effigy. As if everyone inside that communal bath is nothing but a decoration. His presence is far more overwhelming than a group of these attendants combined.

"Do not move from your spot, or heads will roll" his sharp and arctic voice cut through the night and reverberates across the four corners of the room.

"Start looking for her. She cannot leave at this important time," he murmurs to one of the male attendants.

And just like that, everyone was on edge as the uniformed men scattered inside the room without caring for propriety and started checking on everyone inside the communal bath. If they were looking for someone, who could it be? Is it someone important? I look around the confused faces of the children inside. They couldn't do anything but stand helplessly in front of these strangers who don't seem to have an ounce of awareness about privacy.

"Privacy…" I couldn't help but murmur in confusion.

My heart kicks in, and my body suddenly shot up in disbelief as I finally realized what's been bothering me. I look down at my half undone clothes and exposed chest. My hand automatically grasps the dress and puts it back in order. I look down at the half-dress little girl in front of me. I immediately pulled her arm and hid her behind me.

They are all men! How could they just come inside like this inside when we're bathing!

I glared at the unapologetic intruders that I almost wish my eyes could shoot laser beam and shoot them down in their spots. They were murmuring to themselves in distress. I caught snippets of their short exchange about a young lady.

I was trying to get a sense of the situation when I felt a cold but intense gaze directed at me. My body straightened up in response, and once again, my bloody heart begins its erratic beating. Why does this body acting too anxious and fearful?

I didn't even feel him walk up to me. In just a blink of an eye, there he is, standing close to me and invading my personal space. His dark and prying eyes bores a hole through my face, and it was this kind of situation that makes me think of a fight and flight response. His stare just makes me want to run in the opposite direction! Though he is handsome in every sense of the word, he just creeps me out!

"How old are you?" his sharp voice that somehow gains a spark of warmth suddenly engulfs my senses, but what made me felt like my brain had practically gone haywire was because of his question. My mouth moves like a fish out of the water as I struggle to answer his query.

How old is this girl anyway? I don't even have her memories with me that could get me through this! I should at least have it to help me survive!

He looks me up and down with his shrewd and unnerving gaze, probably not caring whether I answered his question or not. He is too busy inspecting me that he couldn't care less of that little bit of unimportant information. He is much more interested in my face and body, considering the approving noises he had been making since earlier.

His hand reaches out to my face and lifts my chin before moving it from side to side while his eyes sought every corner that his gaze could reach. As if still feeling unsatisfied, his fingers start to trail on my cheek and towards the beauty mark underneath my eyes. It was only for a few seconds, but I felt something in the air change. It looks like I have finally gotten his approval, especially now that he is smiling at me ghoulishly. It feels like all the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I'm standing in front of a wolf who will chew up slowly but surely.

I shakily tried to remove myself from his touch, but it was futile. His hand snakes around my waist like hard metal. It was getting difficult for me to breathe.

"Consider yourself fortunate. You will have the honor to attend this years' special hunting event organized by Count Bellaviti,"

I thought I heard the sound of chains clinking as the resounding clunk of lock surrounds my neck, signaling my impending doom.

"Special what –what did you just say? Can you please explain in a way that I can understand?" I asked, sounding a little too breathless. I just hope he didn't get the wrong idea. Thankfully, he immediately releases his hold on me.

He ignored my question and motions for the others to go near them. Two young men who were probably in their late teens silently walk up to them and bow their heads in front of the creep. It was a difficult thing to see.

"Take her and bring her to Madam Collette. Tell that hag to scrub this little thing from head to toe and make her presentable to the guests."

They didn't reply but silently did their job as they suddenly flank me at both sides and grab my arm without my permission.

"What do you think you're doing? Let go!"

They ignored my protests and only tightened their hold. Despite their age, they're stronger than they look. It is because, amidst my shouts and cries of objections, they almost half-carry me out of the communal bath and towards the long hallway. My struggle to get away didn't even bother them. This body is just too weak!

And from there on, I had undergone a flurry of an endless number of aesthetic treatment to get me ready for the banquet that I couldn't wrap my head around it. And I wasn't alone. There was a handful of us inside the room, young girls probably ranging from sixteen years old and above. We never had a chance to talk. They remain silent like a lifeless mannequin as the attendant continuously doll them up.

I couldn't do the same. And yet here I am, after those long rigorous hours of preparation and failed attempt to escape, the result was outstanding. Even I couldn't recognize the same face that I saw in the mirror earlier. This girl is just too ethereally beautiful that words weren't enough to describe her.

I am donned with white filigree and a flowing dress that reaches past my calves. Delicate and pristine snowy flowers are embroidered in it just like a crown of blossoms was place on my head. At the same time, my long black violet hair was exquisitely braided at my back. I felt like a fairy of the forest. A suitable concept for the special hunting event, whatever might that mean.

"It's time. May the gods be always in your favor, young ladies," Madam Collette suddenly announces as she looks at her masterpiece.

I just want to survive this night unscathed. However, it was only until later that I realize what the night has in store for me. It was really a long and dreadful evening.