As soon as we finished, Maisy sat me down at the mahogany vanity and had just begun to brush my long hair when there was a knock at the door. I watched Maisy set down the ivory hairbrush and walk over to answer it. Somewhat knowing what time it was, I stood up and made my way to the table in the center of the room, flinching as my dress tightened as I sat.

Anita emerged from behind the door, she yet again looked scared shitless after coming within 5 feet of Maisy. I nodded as she gave me a quick curtsy and set a silver tray down in front of me. Before I could even open my mouth to say thank you, she quite literally made a beeline out of the room. Blinking, I stared after her, then turned my head to look at Maisy, eyebrows raised.

“What'd you do to her? Act like yourself?” I asked. Insults felt good, when they were directed at her for some reason.

“She wouldn't be in this position if you hadn't tried to sell off family heirlooms to someone who wasn't even capable of assisting you ‘escape’ this place,” Maisy retorted as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. I ignored her. Even though I knew she was right. If I’d known the pearls were an heirloom, I wouldn’t have tried to bribe Anita with them. Don’t get me wrong, I did feel bad that she was getting shit from Maisy because of me, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it now.

I placed a hand below my breast, my ribcage was aching. How the hell was I supposed to eat like this? I reached a hand out and uncovered  the tray, the savory smell of beef–on second thought, I probably could eat just fine.

“The only way to escape this place safely is with my help,” Maisy continued. Man, she sure knew how to ruin an appetite. I gulped and stared down at my plate of beef crepe whatever the fucks, fork clenched in hand. I'm honestly just as confused and scared as I was when I first arrived here, but, though she's got a terrible personality, Maisy has been the only one helping me adjust. I hate to admit it, without her, I really would've been fucked.

After I had finished eating, Maisy sat down at the table with me and started to explain where exactly we were. Although she didn’t really touch the subject of how I’d ended up in the body I was now occupying it was still a total master class of ‘what the fuck’.

“We’ll start with these two first, “ Maisy said, handing me two small books, only to pull them back before I could grab them.

“...I take it you’re familiar with the alphabet?” She asked hesitating slightly.

“Of course I can read, you ass,” I snapped, snatching the books out of her hand and looking them over.

“Then, please read these two aloud, they’re quite short,” She requested.

I looked at the titles, “The Sacred Flame: How Fire Came to Our Family,” and “Sestina’s Guide To Tiny Taps: Basic Sparkle Magic,”...... what the?

“Did you just give me children's books to read?” I asked, annoyed.

“Would you prefer the full scholarly edition from the Alistair library?” She asked, cocking her head to the side. I quickly opened the first book with a huff.

“The Sacred Flame: How Fire Came To Our Family. A story of the founding of the De’Wraith Empie– So we’re in the De’Wraith Empire?” I asked, pausing.

“Please finish the book, before you ask questions,” Maisy said flatly. I scowled as I continued.

“Little one, let me tell you the beautiful story of how the fire came to our family.

Long, long ago, when the land around us was just barren dust, our founders were ordinary folk who lived very simply. They had no great house and no grand magic, but they had kind hearts.

They encountered an old woman. The nearby villagers had been cruel to her, but our founders looked at her not as a "witch" as others whispered, but simply as another living being who was cold and in need. They alone chose to show unconditional kindness.

For this selfless mercy, the old woman offered them a profound gift. She wove her own life and magic into their family, granting us the Sacred Flame . She promised that this fire would always be their protector, and it gave them a precious son with hair like blond spools of gold and eyes like fierce, protective rubies.

But this gift came with an ancient, shadowy consequence. The old woman's people—the powerful spirits who dwell in the dark Forest of Death—saw this exchange of power as a betrayal. They swore eternal vengeance for their stolen essence, and they remain our most relentless enemy on the eastern wall of Erhas.

So the Empire was built, protected by the flame, and guided by our great Duchies. Today, the Crown Prince is preparing for the Flame Rite. He hopes that the Maiden’s arrival will bring an abundance of that founding kindness back into the world, protecting our realm and ensuring a beautiful, fiery future for us all.

Dream of the Phoenix, little one,” I finished, closing the book. I looked at Maisy, an eyebrow raised.

“So, your empire was founded by two poors with fertility issues, that saved a witch who probably shouldn’t have off’d herself to give them a blonde flame baby? Haha, literally what even is this fairy tale?? I wanted actual information, Maisy,” I asked with a laugh, stopping short when I met the cold stare of these big brown eyes.

“Ahem, the next book then,” I said nervously, clearing my throat. 

“Sestina’s Guide to Tiny Taps: Basic Sparkle Magic. For Beginners, Ages 6-10– Maisy come on!” I complained. She really had me reading something for a child. I flinched as she slammed her hand down on the table and quickly continued reading.

“What is Mana? (A Simple Start)

Hello, future wizard! Have you ever seen dust float in a sunbeam? Mana is like that—an invisible, sparkly energy that is everywhere!

Mana is inside you (this is your Life Force!), and it's inside every plant, stone, and especially every drop of water. You can't see it, but you can feel it.

Our first job is to stop treating Mana like a wild wind and start treating it like a quiet, helpful friend. It listens to your focus!

Rule 1 (The Feel): Mana is always there. Don't hunt for it; just feel for the gentle warmth inside your body when you breathe slowly.

Rule 2 (The Focus): Mana listens to your thoughts. To move it, you must think of it as an invisible, sparkly thread running from your mind, to your hand, and out to the target.” I sighed and looked at Maisy with a dull expression. What the fuck is this?

“You have me reading bedtime stories about flame babies and witches, and now you have me read this nonsense about magic? What do you take me for? An idiot– Wait! Don't answer that, but you understand my sentiment,” I said, setting the small book on the table with a thud.

“You haven't finished the next chapter,” Maisy said, completely ignoring my questions.

“Come on, though! The Forest of fucking Death? Monsters and magic? You’ve got to be kidding if you expect me to believe that,” I said, trying to emphasize how insane all this sounded. Maisy ignored me and pushed the book back towards me.

“When the time comes you’ll have no choice but to believe it,” She said simply. Sighing, I picked the book back up and continued reading, there was no point in arguing with this stubborn ass.

“Chapter 2: The First Tap: The Water Glass Exercise

This is the most important lesson. You are going to use your Mana to give a glass of water a tiny, gentle poke—not enough to splash, just enough to make it shiver!

What you need:

One clear glass of cool water.

Your full and quiet attention.

Steps to Success:

Find the Quiet: Close your eyes and breathe deep and slow. Find the quietest place in your mind. This is your Center.

Reach Out: Open your eyes. Hold your hand flat and steady about three fingers' width above the water. Imagine the surface of the water is a smooth mirror.

The Invisible Thread: Imagine that sparkly thread (your Mana) running from your Center, down your arm, and out of your index finger, stopping right before it touches the water.

The Tiny Tap: Now, think of the word "Ripple." Don't shout it with your mind, just whisper it. Imagine a small, warm pressure building in your palm.

The goal is to make the water's surface move slightly, like when a gentle breeze passes over a pond– happy? I finished the chapter?” I said annoyed. Why was she so adamant about having me read this childish shit out loud?

Maisy was quiet for a minute, eyes closed, rubbing her temples with her fingers. She slowly opened them and looked at me.

“You have accomplished precisely what I asked for, but not at all what I desired. Though, I’d never expect you to understand the distinction,” She said with a heavy sigh, pushing herself out of her chair. I watched as she paced the room slowly, starting to feel like a cornered rat.

“I did not expect you to believe this at first, but I was at least hoping for your cooperation," She started as she began to dig through the vanity drawer. I craned my neck trying to see what she had gotten. It was a small blue book with a shiny silver metallic hue to it.

“Please open this,” She requested, handing me the book. I took it, it was light weight and made of some soft leather. I tried to open the cover, but the book wouldn’t budge.

“What the hell? Is this some kind of joke? Is this super glued?” I asked, trying to pry the book open in my frustration.

“This book is opened with magic,” Maisy said, snatching the book back and hovering her hand over the cover. Suddenly a small flash of blue light emitted from her palm and the book sprang open.

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I couldn't really comprehend what I just saw. I felt my jaw loosen and the world around me started to go quiet. How? How did she d-do that?!

“Breathe,” Maisy commanded as she smacked my head with the book. Harder than she needed to might I add. I shook my head and slowly came to my senses, taking a deep inhale. I could feel my heart still beating wildly in my chest. My eyes darted up to hers in confusion.

“As part of the plan for your survival, I plan to magically transplant Isadora’s memories into you–,” Maisy started, holding up her hand as I opened my mouth to speak.

“This doesn’t hurt, it will happen when you’re sleeping, like a dream. You’ll also need to read this diary, belonging to Isadora. These two things are the first steps to your successful impersonation of Isadora Allistair,” Maisy said, handing the book back to me.