With a stunning thud, sensations return.

I suck in a huge gulp of air as my eyes burst open, my heart hammering in my chest as I take in my surroundings. I immediately know where I am - I'm in Eric's bed, in the imperial palace.

I sit up with a groan of effort. My head is pounding - I'm still having a hard time reconciling my identity and my memories with Eric's.

I try to take a deep breath to get my heart and mind under control, but a truly foul odor makes me gag. I throw off the bed sheets, expecting to see that Eric's bowels had evacuated in death- but all I see is a pristine bed spread.

Looking around in confusion, I notice an oddly colored stain on the pillow. When I wipe at my mouth, my hand comes away with traces of bile. It confirms my suspicion of how Eric died, at least - he aspirated on his own vomit.

What surprises me, though, is that my breathing is unlabored and painless. I guess that upon possessing this body, it was cleared of toxins and foreign matter. Maybe that means I won't go through withdrawal?

I'm not given much more time to think, however, as there is a firm knock at the door. Before I even think to respond, the door is pulled open and a butler with impeccable posture enters. I can immediately see something strange in his eyes - something I've never seen in anyone before. It almost seems as though his iris subtly shifts colors for a brief moment as we make eye contact. Before I can even confirm what I've seen, they've settled at a deep, rich brown.

"Your Highness. It is time to prepare yourself to leave for the Academy. A bath has been drawn, and I will -" he stops mid-sentence, as something has caught his attention. I follow his gaze, and see that he's fixated on a box of powder on my bedside table.

Looking at it immediately fills me with temptation. A sudden desire to indulge in it, to lose myself to something that I know would slowly tear me down.

It makes me sick to my stomach.

I immediately put distance between myself and the powder, retreating towards the door. The butler regards me strangely as I approach. "Have that disposed of - safely. I can't trust myself to get rid of it."

"And…what should I tell the King and Queen, Your Highness?"

I look at the butler for a moment. I weigh my options for a moment, before choosing what I think is the best one.

"Use your best judgment."

I walk out before he can respond, determined to wash away the sticky feelings of addiction in a hot bath. By relying on the more clear of Eric's memories, I'm able to quickly find my way to the bathroom. Surprisingly, it's not an en suite, but thankfully it's just down the hall.

During my walk, I can't help but notice that there seem to be light fixtures on the walls, with what appear to be jagged crystals providing light to the halls. I'll have to figure that out later - for now, it seems as though I'm on some kind of schedule.

About thirty minutes later, I'm clean, dressed, and ready to leave for the Academy.

I just wish I knew what the fuck this Academy actually is.