Lily felt a nudge and a small tap on her shoulder.

“Your Highness, wake up. You’ll catch a cold if you stay in the water for too long,” Marian’s soft voice called to her.

“Your highness,” Lily repeated groggily, confused as she stared at Marian, the events of the day rushed back into her memory. She was now Princess Lisbeth. She needed to get used to that as fast as possible.

She took Marian’s hand to step out of the tub as the maids rushed to her to dry her body and hair. Once she was dry, Marian helped her to a new set of undergarments, and she walked to the bedroom.

Across the room, Liora was sitting on the bed. She was startled to see, and she murmured on how she also needed to get used to the presence of a ghost.

“ Princess, you look refreshed and sleepy at the same time,” Liora said, laughing. “That aside, I need to talk to you alone. Can you excuse the maids and your ladies-in-waiting?” pointing at Marian on her right and Priscilla Harrington, her other lady-in-waiting. 

Lily realised Priscilla was quieter and not as attentive as Marian. She didn't volunteer to do anything, as opposed to Marian, who was taking the lead on directing. Lily also realised that Priscilla was trying to show her how angry she was and would pout anytime Lily looked at her .

Lily nodded at Liora went to the bed to check several dresses were on display. She chose a maroon one that was flowing and had flared arms. It looked less complicated and lighter than the other options. And when she looked at her ladies in waiting, they looked surprised by her choice, but Lily simply handed it to Marian, who helped her put it on. After she was dressed, Marian took a dry towel and wrapped it around her wet hair.

“I want to have a nap before dinner. All of you leave?” she said, then turned to Marian. “Come wake me up when the butler arrives to invite us for dinner.”

“But your highness, you don't sleep with wet hair,” Marian said.

“It’s okay. I’m tired. You go,” she said and they all left, closing the door behind them.

“Finally, you’re alone,” Liora said. “Now we can talk.”

“Not that you weren’t talking when people were here,” Lily replied, making Liora laugh.

“You’re right, but I need you to talk as well. Anyway, it looks like words from your change in behaviour are circulating around. The ladies-in-waiting and maids seem suspicious. I’ll go around to eavesdrop, maybe I can know how the princess used to act, so you can mimic her properly,” Liora said.

Lily nodded, sitting on the bed and resting her back against the bedhead.

“Did you notice Priscilla acting suspiciously?” Lily asked, needing to confirm the nagging feeling that Priscilla had left her; she’d pout whenever I looked at her.

“I also noticed. She looks unsettled as well. Also, the fact that a healthy princess just dropped dead out of nowhere is very suspicious. I think there’s something large at play here,” Liora said. “So you should be careful unless you want to die twice without proper revenge.

Lily nodded solemnly. She understood that the more power someone had, the greater the threat they faced. She needed to be cautious and aware of her surroundings at all times.

“I’ll go out and listen in on the maids and guards. Meanwhile, you look paler than me so have a rest,” Liora said, as she flickered  briefly before she dissolved through the stone wall.

For the first time today, Lily was finally left alone with her thoughts. She stretched out her hand, staring at it. She remembered how it had looked just before she died black and rotting. She clenched her fist.

If, by any chance, the Duke and Rigella didn’t die of the plague, they would wish the plague killed them, she would make them pay for what they did to her. In fact, she now hoped they would survive.  Had she known she’d get a second chance, she wouldn’t have infected them at all.

“If they’re lucky, it is the plague that will kill them,” she muttered to herself. 

“ She took the pillow and lay down, thank you for your body, Princess,” she murmured softly. “I will live well. I also promise to avenge you... and myself. I hope you’re at peace, wherever you are,” she slurred, drifting into a deep sleep.

Lily didn’t know when she had fallen asleep, but she was woken again by Marian.

“Your Highness, the butler just came. He said dinner is ready,” she said gently.

Lily sat up and stretched. She felt very refreshed. Maybe it was because she had finally come to terms with what had happened. She felt lighter somehow.

She slowly stood and took the towel off her head, letting her hair down. The long, straight strands were now curled. 

She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked so different than she had the first time she’d seen herself. Maybe it was because her hair had been straight then.

She adjusted her dress.

“You’re leaving like this?” Marian asked, surprised.

“Yes. Why?” Lily asked, turning to face her.

“Your Highness, you never leave the room without a full face of makeup. And you always wear tightly corseted dresses. You also hate when your hair looks curly like that,” she added, pointing at Lily’s hair. “That’s why I told you earlier you do not sleep with wet hair.”

Lily looked at herself in the mirror again. She liked how she looked. Her hair looked fuller, and her cheeks had a natural redness. She looked young and vibrant totally different from how she looked in her previous life.

She had been considered one of the most beautiful women in Velmira, but she never had this kind of energy. Back then, her eyes had been lifeless. Now that she thought about it, she had looked like a walking corpse.

“Marian, it’s dark out there. I don’t want to dress up. This will do well enough,” she said, heading for the door as her stomach rumbled. She was very hungry.