I hate the smell of antiseptic. Emily thought as she laid in a cold pure white hospital bed. Her eyes closed as she laid still, her hair was cut short and it fanned out along the pillow she rested her head upon. A couple of machines sit next to the bed. Quiet beeps echo from some of them every now and again. One of the machines had a sort of rhythm to it, beeping and then making a line go up and then do little bumps. Wires were connecting Emily's arms to the machines. One was trailing up to her heart, which was the reason the rhythm machine, her heart monitor was beeping so often.
Where am I? And, why do I hurt all over? Emily wondered as her eyes started to move back and forth under her lids. She could feel medicine forcing her to sleep, but she was trying to fight it.
No, no. I want to wake up. I want to find out where I am. Where's my mom? Emily's lips barely part as she finally slips unconsciously. With the medicine pulling her under, she could feel herself sinking down. Lower and lower until it was like she was drowning. Her chest squeezed and started to hurt. It hurt, why was it hurting so much? Then, almost as quickly as it came. It stopped. Almost like the pain never existed.
Then, it was like someone latched onto Emily and pulled her from the depths of a dream. Higher and higher she could feel herself being pulled up towards the sky. Flying, it was like she was flying, no almost like she was floating. The warmth started to slowly wash over her body and a sort of calm swept over her. Like a hug from a loved one. A warm blanket wrapped around one as they relaxed in front of a cozy warm fire.
A small groan slowly escaped from Emily's slightly parted lips as she started to stir. It was like she was just waking from a deep sleep. Her lips slowly pull into a small smile before relaxing. Her right arm that was under her pillow to elevate it slowly stretched out and brushed against the softest bed sheet she'd ever felt.
Wait. Emily thought to herself as she held her breath and listened. She stayed as still as she possibly could before breathing in a gasp through her mouth as her eyes popped open. Emily sat up as quickly as she could, tossing the warm silk and fur blanket off of her in the process. Wooden walls and furniture met her bright green eyes.
"What the-" A sudden force started to throb inside of Emily's head. Causing her to groan as she clenched her eyes shut and lean forward in pain. Her hands raising to rest against the back of her head as the worst pain she'd ever felt washed over her. Then, images started to flow through her head. People places that she'd never seen before and a culture that was all unfamiliar to Emily played like a movie in her head.
Memories They were memories, memories of someone else's life. A life that Emily now knew forward and backward. Almost like it was her own life. Like she'd become that person.
It was a couple of moments later before the pain ended, leaving the young girl in a confused state on the bed. Slowly, Emily lowered her hands from her head as she raised it once more. Her mind slowly putting things together. Inn, this was an inn. But, how did she get here? Why was she here? Moving slowly, Emily slipped out of the bed. Her bare feet landed on the wooden floor and sent a small chill down her spine. Acting as if a reminder that she had just woken up. "Woken up?" Emily murmured quietly, then frowned. "My voice." She murmured once more and pursed her lips. The confusion was evident along her face as she slowly looked around the room. Her eyes landed on a mirror at the other side of the room and started to move towards it. Its framing looked like it was made of dark copper and as the young girl moved closer she could make out small leaf designs along the edging.
Once in front of a mirror, a second gasp escaped from Emily. Or rather, Princess Alexia. Looking back at herself, it was evident to Emily that she wasn't in her own body. The hair was a dirty blonde, whereas hers was a dark brown. Eyes were the same but it was quite sure to Emily that Alexia is a tad bit shorter. "What the hell?" Emily, er Alexia murmured quietly as she slowly leaned forward to get a better look at herself. Her right hand raising to press slowly against her right cheek.
Then, a knock sounded and echoed around the room. "Princess, it is time to wake." An older feminine voice echoed through the wooden door. Emily stood still for a couple of moments more. Thinking, wondering what in the world she should do. She wasn't this Princess Alexia. She was Emily Hawkins, or rather was? She still had no idea what was going on or how she'd ended up in such an old-fashioned inn. "Princess, I'm coming in. Awake or not!" The woman said just as she opened the door and placed her hands on her hips as she looked at the young Princess. "Oh! You're already up!" The woman said, seeming surprised. Her stern expression and voice slowly softening. "I'm glad it seems that you're feeling better, you gave us all a scare the other day." The woman said as she slowly closed the door and walked to the chest that was in the right of the room. A clothes chest, popped into Emily's head.
Narrowing her eyes, Emily racked her brain for who this woman was. Then, it popped into her mind like it was something that should be obvious to her. "Margret, where are we?" Emily asked. Margret paused in her looking before starting once more. Pulling out a dress for the young Princess to wear. "Why, we're in The KeyStone in. On our way to meet your betrothed." Margret said as she walked towards Emily with the dress before slowly pushing her towards a bucket full of water that was in the room. "That fall must have rattled your head, huh Princess?"
"R-right," Emily murmured quietly, thinking about everything that seems to be going on.
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Riding through the forest on horseback,
Kieran sat up straight and looked around them. The sun was rising and slowly casting a warm glow over the world. It was quite a sight to see. It was peaceful as well, the animals in the woods were fast asleep, vulnerable to their sneaking approach as the young man and company approached the hunting grounds. "So, your highness. Your betrothed is going to be arriving this afternoon." Kieran said quietly as he glanced towards his right where the Prince was riding. A small playful smirk playing along his lips. The two had been childhood friends and it was quite amusing to see things change for his friend. Their years of sleeping around were going to become a little bit more challenging soon. "What do you think she'll look like? The letters all described her as beautiful, did they not?" Kieran turned his head and looked forward, adjusting the reins of the horse to walk around a tree that was in his way.