I went into the bathroom and observed closely. It was kept in such a pristine condition it was hard to even find a certain item out of place or a speck of dust left over. (The castle maids probably take at least 2 hours to clean this bathroom alone!) 

 

The counters and floors were made out of marble. There is a mirror hanging over the sink (and it was probably made out of gold too!). In the middle of the room, there was a large bathtub. The bathtub is huge! (I wonder how many buckets of water take to fill that thing. It seemed similar to an "onsen" from Japan.) There were some candles and jars nearby in a wooden tray. 

 

I walked over to the sink. There were two buttons on each side of the faucet. It seemed like a simple push of a button would dispense the desired type of water. I press the button on the left side and stuck my hands underneath. It was just cold water. I took out my right hand to press the other button. 

 

"That's pretty cold... Let's hope the hot water balances this out."

 

Once I pressed the button, the hot water mixed with the cold water and created a pleasant temperature. I grabbed the soap and lathered my hands, hoping most of the ink will come off. I washed for 20 seconds and stopped as the water stopped running. I looked over and saw that a towel was hung off a holder and grabbed it. Once I was finished drying my hands, I hung the towel back on the holder. I saw the items that Priscilla kept on the counter. There were makeup brushes, eyeshadow palettes, and other items for makeup. There were also wooden hair curlers in a wooden box. It was very neat and organized. I decided to look at the mirror and saw Priscilla's appearance staring back at me.

 

Priscilla has platinum blonde hair and slightly (messy) curled hair ringlets at the end. She had glassy blue eyes and pale white skin. I brought up her hand and touched her face. It was very smooth and soft, unlike earlier (when I had touched it before). Her lips are a pale rose-like color. Her stature is very slim. Priscilla really does seem like a perfect doll. Her facial expression was stiff and emotionless.

 

"What a beautiful girl."

 

Any girl would be jealous of Priscilla's natural beauty. 

 

I finished my business and walked back out of the bathroom and saw that Tanya had already finished cleaning up the mess and had laid out a night gown for me.

 

"My lady, do you need help changing? If so, come this way."

 

"Yes, please."

 

I walked over to Tanya. 

Tanya loosed a dress string on the back of the casual dress and it fell to the floor. She grabs the night gown and puts it over my head and pulls it down over my body. Tanya works quite quickly.

 

"Lift up your arms please."

 

I did as she instructed. The sleeves finally slid in place. Tanya steps back and looks at me.

 

"If there's nothing wrong with the gown, then I will take my leave. Oh, and, don't stay up too late."

 

"Thank you, Tanya."

 

Tanya turns off the light, curtsies to me, and leaves the room.

 

I walk over to the large bed and collapse on top. The soft comforter enveloped me as soon as I touched the surface. I crawled over, pushed away the decorative pillows, and threw open the covers. The mattress sank in and was so soft. (Damn, why couldn't I have such a good mattress back on earth?!) I grabbed the nearest body pillow and hugged it.  

 

"Mmm... so comfy..."

 

As I whispered those words, I felt myself losing consciousness. Today was too tiring.

 

                                                                                   ◦○◐◑○◦

"Hey, what are you doing in my body?"

I opened my eyes.

"Hmm? Where... am I?"

Don't tell me I died, again...

It felt like I was partially submerged in something wet. I looked around and saw that there was water everywhere.

Besides the water, there was nothing else other than a blank space. I saw my reflection in the water and it was not Priscilla's, but the same as my old appearance from earth. A plain girl with orange hair, brown eyes, and freckles. Oh well, it's too late to do anything about my appearance now that I had died on earth. I stand up and decided I should start walking around. While I was walking, the water moved around my ankles.

 

After a little bit of walking, I saw a girl in the distance. Once I came close to her, she turned around.

 

It was Priscilla.

 

I stared at her and she started back.

 

"Hello, Priscilla," I said, quietly.

 

"Hello, Anne," Priscilla replied.

 

Priscilla's voice was cool, similar to that of her father's.

 

"I have a few questions I hope you could answer, Priscilla."

 

"That should be no problem."

 

"..."

 

"Well, go ahead and ask."

 

"Okay. But, first, I want to apologize for inhabiting your body without your permission."

 

"That's fine, Anne. There's nothing I can do about it."

 

Priscilla just stared at her nails.

 

"Why am I here?"

 

"Well, you've been tasked with a mission from an entity above to change the fate of this world. I wasn't given as many details [from that entity] as I would have liked, but, you along with 4 other outlanders and new 5 summoned heroes will come to Mayrd and aid in our conquest to defeat a corrupt Arch Angel named 'Sariel'. "

 

"Wait, what? Why me?! Whose Sariel? Outlanders?"

 

Priscilla sighed and said, "Be quiet for a moment, Anne. Let me talk to you within this dream world of mine."

 

"Ah, yes. My apologies."

 

I closed my mouth.

 

"Now then, where to start?"

                                                                                   ◦○◐◑○◦

[Priscilla explained the great cataclysm to Anne, the Udugs (demons of sins and disease), and the corrupt arch angel called 'Sariel' that fell from grace and is running rampant in hell. Priscilla also explained the plans]

"Geez, what a predicament everyone from this world is in~! All thanks to that entity not keeping watch other Sariel enough," I sighed in frustration and sat down. 

"Be careful with your words, Anne. That entity will expel you from my body anytime it wants. If you're not careful or aren't doing the job well enough, then the entity will expel you," Priscilla said, coolly. "This means that your soul may not have another place to go unless another entity/god pulls your soul to another universe. If your soul doesn't have a physical medium to occupy, it's really over for you."

"I see. Thank you for explaining the situation to me."

"You can also choose to change your mind if you want. All you have to do is say 'game over', then your soul will be expelled from my body before we [our souls] get the chance to 'fuse together', or 'become one'. Please, think about this mission responsibly, Anne. One screw up and this planet will be turned into a living hell."

"How many missions will there be?"

 

"One main mission, Two side missions. The main mission is called: 'Defeat Sariel and his Udugs minions'. The two side missions are: (the 1st one) 'Defeat the Udugs’ Uprising' and (the 2nd one) 'Work Together to Avoid Your Doom'."

 

"What is the time frame for these missions?"

 

"The two side missions will take place within a time from of 1 and a half years. The main mission will take place within 3 years."

"Eh, but, that's so soon!"

"Sariel doesn't have time to wait for us in order to continue with his plans."

Priscilla has a point though.

"Ah, our time is running out. Ask me one more question."

"Anything I want?"

"Yes, but please hurry."

"Okay. Then, why do you love Gray?"

Priscilla just stared blankly at me.

 

"U-Um, if you don't want to answer, then that's fine!"

 

"Ah, no, it's okay.... I will indulge you," Priscilla said; a sad note rang in her voice. "I love Gray because of his kindness towards me. When I was younger, there were rarely people who were kind to me... Not even my own father looked toward my way. This went on for years, until I was 8 years old. I was playing in the palace garden by myself, when suddenly, Gray came up to me and wanted to play with me. Since then, our friendship only grew stronger. During our times together, I observed that Gray was very kind towards anyone we had come across, no matter their status or race.

"As the years past, our friendship turned into a blossoming love. Two years ago, on that very same day I was condemned, Gray had asked me to date him. No one had openly expressed their love with me before. I had accepted and the last two years of my life, I had never been happier. Alas, that girl, Yuan Seislin, had stolen Gray away from me. I was struck with an overwhelming feeling of grief and jealousy. I had come up with many plans just to try and separate those two. I was so focused on my revenge; I hadn't realized I had developed magic deficiency. It was petty of me, and I have realized that it's no good holding Gray back because of my selfish desires. If Gray doesn't love me anymore, I will let him be."

 

"How mature of you, Priscilla."

 

"Thank you, but our time is over. I will stay silent for now until you need me the most. You've only relied on your memories today, but my memories will slowly come back over the next week or so." 

 

"Thank you for your time today, Priscilla."

 

"No, thank you Anne for picking up this mission. I think it's such a thrilling thing to take part in a mission from god. Also, thank you for dealing with Gray and Yuan [earlier today]. If you see Gray or Yuan, please apologize on my behalf."

 

"It's no problem for me, Priscilla," I said. "Good bye, and see you later!"

 

"Yes, I will see you again."

                                                                                   ◦○◐◑○◦

I shifted in bed. The bed was so warm, soft, and cozy.

"My lady."

A soft voice was calling to me.

"My lady, it's time for you to get up."

I slowly opened my eyes. I turned my head over and saw Tanya staring at me from above.

"Hello, Tanya," I said slowly and quietly, having just had woken up.

 

"My lady, I will help you get dressed, if you're awake."

 

"Hmmm," I said while thinking about it. "Mmmm... 5 more minutes."

 

I turned away from Tanya and re-closed my eyes.

 

"Ack-! My lady, today is going to be such a busy day today at the castle! Please, get up!"

 

Tanya started to shake me, as an attempt to awaken me again. 

 

"Mmmph-! Fine, I'll get up now, Tanya!"

 

I reluctantly throw off the covers and sit up.

 

Tanya sighs in relief and said, "Yes, thank you, my lady."

 

"Anyways, why is today so important for us?"

 

"Did you seriously forget about such an important event, again?! Today is the coming-of-age-ceremony for the second step-princess, Eira Asur von Shuli."

 

Oh- my- god. I really hope Priscilla's memories come back quickly, otherwise Tanya may find out that I'm just an imposter. 

 

"Well then, my lady, let's get you ready for today."

"What are we going to do first, Tanya?"

 

"Today, I have to do many errands to get ready for Princess Eira's party. Meanwhile, you on the other hand, can just do whatever."

 

"O-Oh, okay... Are you sure that there is nothing for me to do?"

 

"Hmm? But you never do anything at all, besides visit Gray and go out shopping. You always neglect your duties as the 1st Princess, but the Crown Prince has taken the most responsibilities out of all of you."

 

"A-Ah. Okay then. Good luck with your tasks, Tanya." 

 

"Thank you, my lady. Let me help you get dressed before I leave you on your own."

 

Tanya walks over to wardrobe and pulls out a pale blue dress with pink and yellow cherry blossom [type] flowers on it. She sets it out on the bed and tells me to take off the night gown. I do as she tells me to.

Tanya rummages through the closet and finds something white. Maybe it was a corset?

 

"My lady, suck in your stomach for me, please. I am going to tie and tighten the stays."

 

I did and she places the stays over my stomach. Tanya tied the ribbon for the stays. She pulls on them to tighten them. I felt a slight squeeze on the sides of my stomach.

 

"For the tightening of the stays, this might hurt a bit," Tanya calmly said. "So proceed with caution."

 

"Alright." 

 

This shouldn't be so bad. I've worn a corset for a few cosplays back when I was on earth. How bad could it possibly be?

 

"I will tighten them now. Are you ready?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Okay, then" Tanya said. "One"

 

"Two"

 

I waited in anticipation. Why did Tanya sound like was this going to be stressful? She suddenly puts her foot on my back. I could feel her heel dig into a bit of my skin.

 

"THREE!"

 

This isn't bad- 

 

"ARGH-!!!"

 

Tanya pulled so suddenly, a bit of spit came out of my mouth like I was punched in the stomach. My stomach felt like around 10 tons of pressure were keeping it in check.

 

"What the hell, Tanya?!"

 

"I did warn you about this, so don't blame me, my lady."

 

Wearing the stays just felt like a tight hug around my stomach. Tanya finishes tying the stays. After a few moments, the pain has subsided. Tanya steers me towards the mirror near the wardrobe. I looked and it seemed like the stays did really fit snuggly on Priscilla's body. Tanya grabs the dress loosens the ribbon on the back and tells me to lift my arms. As I did, she slides the dress over my arms and the sleeves slide in place. Tanya tightens and ties the ribbon in place and admires her handy work.

 

"If there is nothing wrong or nothing feels wrong with the dress, I shall get going now. After all, we imperial maids shall have our hands full with doing the errands and getting ready for Princess Eira's coming-of-age-ceremony."

 

"Alright, Tanya. Make haste now!"

 

"Yes, my lady."