Jana shifted her attention to the mysterious woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to herself. She spent days in the market, discreetly asking about the woman, but no one seemed to recognize her description. It was as if the woman didn't exist outside the palace walls. Frustration gnawed at Jana as she realized her quest for information was leading nowhere.

Living off stolen goods, Jana had become adept at thievery, blending into the shadows and striking when least expected. From time to time, she would get caught stealing, but her quick reflexes and sharp mind always helped her escape. The market's bustling activity provided ample cover, but it also reminded her of the vast chasm between her and her goal.

Watching the palace from the outside proved futile. The information she gathered about the soldiers was always outdated by the time it reached her. The palace, on high alert due to the ongoing war and assassination attempts, was a fortress. Jana knew she had to get inside to uncover the secrets it held.

Her opportunity came on a rainy evening when the palace was bustling with preparations for an upcoming feast. Jana slipped past the guards, blending in with the servants who were too busy to notice her. The grand halls of the palace were a stark contrast to the harsh streets outside, filled with opulence and luxury.

As she navigated the labyrinthine corridors, Jana kept her head down, trying to avoid drawing attention. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her resolve remained unshaken. She had to find the woman who looked like her and uncover the truth.

The palace was a hive of activity, with guards and servants moving about with purpose. Jana's every step was measured, her eyes scanning for any sign of her doppelgänger. She overheard snippets of conversations about the war, the king's strategies, and the constant assassination attempts. It was clear that tensions were high, and the air was thick with paranoia.

Jana wore a servant's suit she had stolen, blending in with the palace staff. Her search led her to the upper floors of the palace, where the nobility resided. As she approached the noble area, a guard stopped her, his eyes suspicious. "Name your purpose" he demanded.

"I'm tending to Lady Demera's needs," Jana lied smoothly, inventing the name on the spot. "She'll have my head if I'm late."

The guard hesitated, clearly weighing the risk of defying a noblewoman's wrath. Reluctantly, he stepped aside.Jana nodded and hurried past, her heart pounding. She moved through the opulent halls, the grandeur of the palace a stark contrast to the harsh streets outside. As she wandered, a soft melody reached her ears. Intrigued, she followed the sound, navigating the winding corridors.

She came upon a shabby figure, out of place in the lavish surroundings. The woman's appearance was unkempt, her clothes worn and dirty, yet her face was strikingly familiar. Jana needed to talk to her, to see if this woman was truly who she thought she was. Despite the lack of grace and the evident shyness, the resemblance was uncanny.

As Jana approached, she heard footsteps behind her. Quickly, she ducked into the shadows, watching as a man entered the room and addressed the shabby woman with deference. "Princess Moriana of Drakovia, your presence is requested at the court."

Jana's eyes widened in shock. The woman who looked exactly like her was royalty. The realization hit her like a tidal wave, raising more questions than answers. She watched as Princess Moriana rose, her movements awkward and hesitant, a stark contrast to the confident persona Jana had seen from afar.

She followed them, listening closely as they discussed a plan her father had concocted. The princess, who was her father's seventh child and held in no regard, was to be sold off to an old, wealthy countryman. The news seemed to devastate her, but despite her weak nature, she held her head high in front of those demeaning eyes, accepting her fate with quiet dignity.

When the princess returned to her chambers, she broke down in tears, sobbing quietly into her hands. Jana seized the opportunity, stepping forward and addressing her in a soft, holy tone. "I am the answer you've been seeking from God," she said, her voice gentle yet commanding.

The princess looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and skepticism. "Pardon?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Jana knelt beside her, her expression serene. "God has sent me to help you, Princess. You can escape this fate, and I will take your place. It is a divine plan, ordained by the heavens."

The princess hesitated, her faith and reason warring within her. "How do I know you speak the truth? Why would God send you to help me?"

Jana placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Because your prayers have been heard. Your suffering has not gone unnoticed. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I am His instrument. Do you not see the sign in our resemblance? It is proof of His will."

Tears streamed down the princess's face as she clutched her hands together in prayer. "Oh, merciful God, is this truly your will? Have you sent this angel to deliver me from my fate?"

As the princess prayed fervently, Jana grew impatient. She needed to act quickly. "There is no time to waste, Your Highness. We must act now, before your father's plans are set in stone. This is your chance to be free, to escape the life that has been unjustly forced upon you."

The princess opened her eyes, her face wet with tears. "But what will become of me? Where will I go?"

Jana's expression softened, though her mind was racing with plans. "You will go to a safe place, away from this palace and the schemes that bind you. Trust in God's plan, but you must leave tonight," she said, her voice filled with a convincing blend of urgency and compassion. "Wait for another messenger at the edge of the forest at midnight. They will take you to the refuge God has prepared for you."

The princess, overwhelmed but convinced by Jana's holy demeanor, nodded slowly. "Very well. I will do as you say."

They quickly planned the escape, switching clothes in the dim candlelight. Jana donned the princess's elegant gown, while the real princess dressed in Jana's ragged attire. As they completed the switch, Jana spoke with urgency. "Go now, and wait at the place we discussed. Another messenger will come for you."

The princess, still in tears, whispered a final prayer before slipping out of the chamber and into the shadows of the palace. Jana, now in her place, took a deep breath and prepared to assume her new identity. She couldn't afford to leave any loose ends; she steeled herself for what she had to do next. Her heart ached at the thought of her plan, but she convinced herself that once she restored the orb, everyone would forget everything, and events would return to their natural course. The butterfly effect she was now causing, altering the future as she knew it, and all the lost lives that weren't supposed to be, would revert to how they were. She kept repeating this to herself, trying to lighten the weight of her conscience, but it did little to ease the burden.

At midnight, Jana disguised herself once more and made her way to the agreed-upon meeting place at the edge of the forest. The princess was there, waiting nervously, her hands wringing in anxiety. Without uttering a word, Jana gestured for her to follow, trying her best to remain unrecognizable. The princess, her innocence evident in every questioning glance, obeyed without hesitation. Jana led her deeper into the woods, the darkness gradually enveloping them as they walked in silence.

Despite the princess's innocent questions and her childlike wonder at the unfamiliar surroundings, Jana remained silent. It was clear that the princess had lived a sheltered life within the palace walls, barely interacting with anyone.

Finally, deep within the forest, Jana stopped. She turned to the princess, her expression hardening.