For the first time in years, I’m awoken by the familiar warmth of the sun. Usually, I wake up to the unmelodious ring of my alarm that sounds like a siren announcing World War III. I don’t remember the last time I opened my blinds and let some natural sunlight in.

I finally bring myself up from my unusually comfy pillow, and slide off my silky sheets. I sit up, and open my eyes, ready to head into my urban planning lecture.

Instead, I am greeted by two women in my room. All of them wore what looked to be a maid uniform. A long black tunic with a white apron overtop, hair up in sleek buns and a smile. I do not remember my roommate being into roleplay. I then realize that none of the three women in my room are my roommate.

And so, I scream. A shrill, high scream; the type you hear in horror movies.

“My lady!” Called one of the maids. The shortest of the two, who had dark brown hair and warm auburn eyes ran to my side.

“What’s wrong, my lady?” the other one exclaimed, following suit. She had platinum blond hair and pale blue eyes, and looked equally as petrified to my yell.

She reached up a hand to my forehead, which I quickly yanked away.

“Who are you? And why are you in my room?” I asked, eyes narrowed at the strangers.

The two interchanged knowing looks, the brunette sighing before staring me dead on.

“Our lady must’ve had another nightmare,” she said with a sigh.

“Why do you keep calling me that?” I retorted, eyebrows furrowed. What type of weird roleplay is this?

“Because you’re our master! Lady Alexandra of Montfort,” she replied, stating it as if it were common knowledge.

Everything clicked. Alexandra Montfort. Yes, that name is familiar.

It was from the novel I finished; Divine Heart. However, if I remember correctly, Alexandra Montfort. I might have reincarnated like it happens in the other novels I’ve read. Unfortunately for me, the body I inhabit is a villainess. She was a cruel one too. So cruel, she ended up being executed right at the hands of Arthur, the crown prince, and her betrothed.

“My lady, you must get up! You have been invited to a royal banquet!” The blond exclaimed, yanking the covers off my bed.

The brunette took my side, gently nudging me out of bed.

“No one will be able to take their eyes off you tonight, my lady,” she said, her brows furrowed with determination.

That was supposed to be comforting. Perhaps even exciting to Alexandra, someone used to being the center of attention. To me, that sentence was more of a threat. I wanted nothing more than to blend into the crowd and go unnoticed, because if tonight were to play out like the book, I could end up dead.

My feet touched a carpet, and it was then that I could take in the whole room. The room itself was grand. It was twice as big as my dorm room, yet the space was more open. The walls were covered in flowery wallpaper and the moldings made of marble. It was all I could take up before being forced to move forward, out of the room and into a bathroom.

The bathroom itself was just as grand as the bedroom. The marble floors glistened as sunlight beamed into the room from the numerous windows. Thankfully, my windows overlooked the garden which remained desolate so early in the mornings.

The maids were quick to draw me up a bath, filling it up with fragrant rose petals and mint leaves.

The brunette maid walked behind me, and began to undress me from my silky nightgown.

I shuddered, feeling her fingers slide my dress up. I quickly flapped my hands down on my dress, clamping it in place.

“I can undress myself,” I snapped, my tone coming off more harsh than embarrassed.

Confused, she released her grasp on my gown slowly, before staring at me for a moment, awaiting my next move.

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I stared at them, almost as if hoping they would leave by themselves, but to no avail.

I cleared my throat, glancing around the room.

“I can bathe myself. I don’t need you to help me.”

The maids looked at each other knowingly, before lowering their heads to me.

“Alright my lady. We’ll be waiting for you in your chambers to pick your morning dress,” the blond spoke up, the brunette nodding in agreement.

With that, they both left, silently closing the double doors behind them.

I dipped my toes into the water, feeling its surprising warmness, before following with my whole body. I submerged myself completely, only the upper part of my face peeking out.

I’m going to die.

No.

Alexandra is going to die.

I still haven’t met Catalina. I still have a chance to make up for it. And even if I do, I’m not Alexandra. I don’t have to act like her. All I have to do is attend that ball, but from then on, I can become a shut in. Or perhaps run away to the south? I don’t know, but I’m giddy with the possibilities.

All in all, Alexandra is a noble. One of the most powerful ones, part of the three founding houses. She has more money than almost anyone else in this world. She could go anywhere and do anything.

With all that money, I don’t even have to be Alexandra. I could fake my death and take on a new identity.

I raised myself, my hand reaching out for a fluffy towel sitting for me at the end of the tub. I step out of the water, opening the double doors and walking back to my room. My maids were busy at work, dusting off my vanity. As soon as they heard the faint creak of the doors, they dropped their dusters and turned their attention to me.

“My lady, what dress would you like for breakfast time?” The blond asked, now walking over to my closet.

I had failed to notice the piece of furniture. It was a dark maple color, its doors carved with a design of repeating roses, the center of which were decorated with small rubies which glistened under the morning light.

She opened the doors, revealing a large amount of closet space. It was definitely bigger than it looked, even as it was filled to the brim with dresses.

“Today is a crisp autumn day. Perhaps our lady would like a coral?” She asked, shuffling through my dresses until finally pulling one out.

It was a long dress, the bust criss-crossed and hemmed. It had flowy bell-sleeves, with matching hem at its ends.

“I like that dress,” I said simply, nodding curtly.

“Maddy, go fetch the undergarments,” she asked, then turning to me. She nodded, leaving the room through another pair of double doors. I had completely forgotten I was still just in a towel.

Maddy, the brunette, returned just as quickly as she had left. She had a corset and a pair of bloomers, which she laid on the bed as the blond straightened the dress.I had come to learn that getting into ancient underwear was a two person job. The corset was tied tight enough that I could practically feel my lungs pressed up to my chest.

Sliding into the dress wasn’t any better. It was long and agonizing time spent, and they hadn’t even done my hair yet. I sat at my vanity, while the blond did my hair. She took great care of my hair, braiding the front and letting the rest of it down. When she was done, she had passed me a mirror.

The girl staring back at me had long, flowing black locks. The ends were curled perfectly, which it made it hard to believe it was my real hair. My eyes were a deep red; a color so pure it could only be seen in rubies and wine.

“My lady, please head down to breakfast,” the blond said with a smile.

“Can I just eat in my room instead?” I asked, scrunching my nose slightly at the thought. I don’t know how it would be to talk to them. Alexandra’s family. They had been with her all her life, won’t they notice something is up?

“You must. Duke Montfort requires all family members to share meals together unless too sickly to do so, my lady,” The blond reminded me, her eyebrow slightly raised at my obviously stupid question.

“Right. Okay. I’ll get going then,” I said with a sigh, standing up from my vanity.

I pushed my double doors, stepping out into the hallway. The hallway was long and winding, with doors to all my sides. The parts of the wall not having a door were filled with portraits, all of those with people with the same red eyes. I glanced down, not seeing an end to the hallway. I turned around, walking back to my room.

“Can you please walk me there?” I asked the maids.

They interchanged looks again, before conceding.

“Of course, my lady. I’ll take you,” Maddy said, leading the way.

House Montfort was very confusing. It took us over 5 minutes just to find the steps and walk down to the main floor. And it took at least another 3 to find the dining hall.

“In here, my lady,” she said, stopping in front of another pair of double doors. There sure was a lot of those here. However, these were different. Its arch was slanted and welcoming, with wood detailing of interlocking circles. I stared at it, before grabbing its handles, and walking straight into the shark den.