Reflection and Cleansing

I stood in the center of the room, taking in the opulence around me. The plush, dark silk sheets on the bed, the elegant ebony wardrobe, and the vanity table adorned with brushes and perfumes. Everything seemed surreal, as if I had been transported into a dream. I sighed, feeling the weight of my situation pressing down on me.

A large, ornate mirror stood against one wall, and I found myself drawn to it. I hesitated for a moment before stepping in front of it, my eyes widening in shock at the reflection staring back at me. My appearance had changed drastically.

My brown hair was now a deep, glossy black, and my eyes had turned a striking shade of red. I looked a bit taller and, despite the dirt smudging my skin, undeniably gorgeous. 

"Is this really me?" I whispered, touching my face. The reflection did the same, confirming that it was indeed my own.

The changes were disconcerting, but there was no denying the allure of my new appearance. It was as if the transformation had made me into a different person altogether.

I remembered the king's words, calling me a thief. What kind of life had the previous owner of this body led? How had they ended up in this strange situation, and what had they done to warrant such hatred from the king?

Before I could ponder further, the door swung open with a creak, and the same demon maid from before stepped in, carrying a towel. "It's for you. Take a bath, please. You look dirty," she said, her voice calm but firm.

I shook my head, backing away from her. "I can bathe myself, thank you."

The maid raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I'm afraid I have orders to assist you," she said, stepping closer.

"I don't need help," I insisted, trying to put some distance between us. "I can do it alone."

The maid's expression hardened slightly. "Orders are orders," she repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument. With a swift, practiced movement, she grabbed the hem of my clothes and pulled, stripping me of the dirty garments before I could react.

"Hey!" I protested, trying to cover myself. But the maid was relentless, pushing me towards the bathroom.

The bathroom was as luxurious as the rest of the room, with a large marble tub filled with steaming water. The scent of lavender filled the air, soothing but not enough to quell my irritation.

The maid pushed me into the tub with surprising strength. I splashed into the hot water, gasping at the sudden warmth. Before I could voice another protest, she began scrubbing me with a rough cloth, her movements efficient and unyielding.

"Stop! I can do this myself!" I yelled, trying to fend her off, but she ignored my struggles, her focus entirely on cleaning me.

As the dirt and grime were washed away, I noticed several injuries on my body—scratches, bruises, and what looked like a deep gash across my side. I winced at the sight, the former owner looked to have fought a lot.

"It won't leave any scars," the maid said, her voice softer now, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. Her eyes met mine briefly, and there was a flicker of something akin to understanding in her gaze.

I fell silent, letting her finish her task. She worked quickly, her hands surprisingly gentle despite the rough start. When she was done, she rinsed me off and helped me out of the tub, wrapping me in the towel she had brought.

"There," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "Much better."

I stood there, feeling vulnerable and exposed, but also strangely grateful. Despite her brusque manner, the maid had taken care of me, and the hot bath had soothed some of my nerves.

"Thank you," I muttered, looking down at my feet.

The maid nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're welcome. Now, let's get you dressed."

She led me back into the bedroom and pulled out a set of clothes from the wardrobe. The garments were simple but elegant, made of fine materials that felt soft against my skin. She helped me dress, her movements efficient and precise.

Once I was dressed, she stood back and looked me over. "You look much better now," she said, her tone approving. "The queen will be pleased."

I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed by everything that had happened. "What's your name?" I asked, curious about the woman who had just seen me at my most vulnerable.

"Anara," she replied, her eyes meeting mine. "I'm here to serve you, Lady Elara."

"Elara," I repeated, trying to wrap my head around the new title. "Why are you calling me 'Lady'?"

Anara's smile was enigmatic. "Because you are to be the queen's wife, and that makes you a lady of this realm."

I swallowed hard, the reality of my situation sinking in once more. "And what if I don't want to be the queen's wife?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Anara's expression softened slightly. "We all have roles to play in this world," she said gently. "Sometimes, we don't get to choose them."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I didn't know what to say, so I simply nodded, feeling a mixture of fear, confusion, and resignation.

Anara finished adjusting my clothes and stepped back. "There, you're ready," she said. "Now, rest for a while. The queen will call for you when she is ready."

I nodded again, feeling exhausted. Anara gave me one last look before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind her. I sank down onto the edge of the bed, my mind racing with thoughts of everything that had happened.

I glanced around the room, taking in the details once more. The lavish furnishings, the opulent decorations—it was all so different from my old life. Everything felt surreal, like I was living in someone else's dream.

I looked down at my hands, still getting used to the sight of my new, unblemished skin. I could hardly believe the transformation. It was as if my old life had been wiped away, replaced with this strange new reality.

I tried to calm my racing thoughts, reminding myself to take things one step at a time. There were so many questions left unanswered, and I had a feeling that my new life was going to be filled with challenges and mysteries.

But for now, all I could do was wait and try to make sense of the whirlwind of events that had brought me here. I lay back on the bed, staring up at the intricately carved ceiling, and let out a long, weary sigh.

"How did I end up here?" I whispered to the empty room. "And what does my future hold?"

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder about the demon queen and the strange new world I had been thrust into. Whatever lay ahead, I knew one thing for sure: my life would never be the same again.