The Princess's Stolen Body

Chapter 4: An Audience

-Liana-

I looked around, unsure of what to do. I was trapped. Completely, utterly trapped. I didn’t know if this woman had really been involved in stealing my body or if she was just helping her daughter. But it didn’t matter—I had to find a way out of here. First, though, I needed something to wear.

My eyes darted around the room until they landed on a dark blue dress draped over a chair in the corner. I hurried over, slipped it over my head, and stood there for a moment, expecting servants to arrive and help me. When none appeared, I sighed in frustration, adjusting the dress higher on my shoulders before tackling the corset.

Normally, I could pull the laces tight without issue—at least until the air started to leave my lungs. But this wasn’t my body anymore. This one was much curvier, and after one sharp tug, I felt like I was suffocating. Gritting my teeth, I did the best I could before pulling on a pair of boots and tying them securely.

When I finally looked in the mirror, I gasped. Her—my—breasts were practically spilling over the top of the dress. Oh no. I couldn’t walk out like this! No one would even look me in the… eyes.

I glanced up and froze, staring into the eyes that now belonged to me. They were fascinating—greenish-blue, with one pupil that bled into the iris and streaked downward. It was… unusual, but not unattractive.

Forcing myself to look away, I scanned the room for something to cover up with. My gaze fell on a cloak draped over the end of the bed, and I quickly pulled it on. That would have to do for now.

I turned my attention to the small window on the left and ran over to it. When I managed to push it open, my heart sank. The ground was far below. Too far.

The streets below were bustling with life as people sidestepped puddles of mud, heading about their daily routines. I thought about yelling for help but quickly dismissed the idea. What good would it do? They’d think I was crazy—or worse, the mother of this Elisa would claim I was just a naughty child being punished. No, screaming wouldn’t solve anything.

I scanned the surroundings again, desperate. To my left, a thin rope stretched between two buildings, adorned with small flags bearing a lion’s crest. It was far out of reach, even if I leaned out of the window.

I stepped back, my stomach twisting as I realized what I had to do. Bracing my hands against either side of the window, I climbed onto the ledge, the dizzying height making my legs tremble. I gulped, taking a deep breath before reaching for the rope. I had to let go of the window with one hand, and as I did, I leaned too far…

A sharp scream escaped my lips as I lost my balance. Instinctively, I grabbed for the rope and managed to catch it just in time. My legs flailed helplessly as I dangled above the ground. Then, I heard a sickening snap.

The rope gave way.

I swung violently, crashing into the opposite wall before plummeting into the muddy street below. I groaned as I hit the ground, mud splattering everywhere.

Around me, people stepped back, giving me wide-eyed stares. They must have thought I was insane. I didn’t bother explaining. Struggling to my feet, I ignored the pain and stumbled forward, dizzy and disoriented.

By the time I regained my bearings, I realized I was far from the castle. I was in the poorer part of the city, where homes were packed tightly together and the air reeked of filth. I pushed on, ignoring the occasional glare from those I accidentally bumped into.

Finally, I reached the castle gates, panting and out of breath. Two guards stood there, blocking the entrance. Relief washed over me at the sight of home, and for a brief moment, I forgot—I didn’t look like myself anymore. I approached them with a smile, only to have both guards raise their hands, signaling me to stop.

“Please, I need to get through,” I pleaded.

“And what is your business here?” one of them asked gruffly.

“I must speak to my mother!”

“And who might your mother be?”

I almost blurted out, Queen Grace, but caught myself just in time. No, they wouldn’t believe me if I said that. Think, Liana.

“I… I need an audience with the king and queen,” I said instead, grasping for any solution.

The guards exchanged a skeptical glance but eventually stepped aside. Any citizen was technically allowed an audience with the king and queen, and in this case, that was my brother and his wife, Raven.

I rushed inside, my heart pounding with a mix of hope and fear. I ran up the stairs and into the hall where I knew Cole would be holding his audience. A line of people had already formed outside the room, stretching down the corridor.

Raven was there too, sitting beside him. From my spot in the crowd, I couldn’t see much over the many heads, so I had to jump a little to catch a glimpse.

Waiting my turn felt agonizing, and panic bubbled within me. What if this Elisa truly intended to harm my family? I couldn’t let that happen. Desperation drove me to push past the line of petitioners.

People complained loudly, demanding I go back, but I ignored them. I forced my way to the front, cutting in just as the next person stepped forward to speak.

Now, I stood directly in front of my brother. Cole’s expression was a mix of shock and confusion, his eyes narrowing at my abrupt interruption. I felt a pang of guilt for disrupting the orderly line, but there wasn’t time to be nice.

“Do you not see the line?” my brother asked.

In that moment, I saw him as others must. From a stranger’s perspective, he truly looked every inch the king. Seated upright on his throne, he wore his golden crown with authority, the ceremonial sword resting against the arm of the chair. His presence radiated power and composure.

Beside him sat Raven, embodying the image of a queen. Her slightly smaller crown caught the light, and her long, fiery red hair cascaded over her shoulder, flowing down her gown.

However, I almost wanted to laugh. It felt so strange hearing him speak to me this way—cold, indifferent, as though I were just another petitioner.

“I do… but—”

“Then you must wait your turn. There are many others who wish to be heard,” he said firmly.

Under normal circumstances, I might have been touched by how deeply Cole cared for his people. But not today. “I know, but—”

“Listen, you cannot simply—”

“Please, Cole, listen to me!” I shouted, my desperation getting the better of me.

A murmur rippled through the room, and it was then I realized my mistake. I had called him by his name.

“How dare you address the king by name,” one of the knights growled, stepping forward. It was Sir Gawain. Of course, he didn’t recognize me either—why would he? I didn’t even look like myself.

I turned back to Cole, whose expression was a mix of shock and confusion, but there was no time to apologize.

“Please, Cole,” I pleaded. “It’s me! I am Liana!”

“What?” he said. “What are you talking about?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The words spilled out in a frantic rush.

“I’m your sister! My body was taken last night—or I swapped bodies, or something. Listen, I bought this stone yesterday at the market. After dinner, a thief tried to steal it, but I got it back. I kept it with me, just like the woman—Elisa—told me to. Then I had this strange dream, and when I woke up, I was her! I was Elisa! Her mother locked me in a room, but I escaped and came here to tell you—it’s me! Someone has taken my body!”

I breathed deeply, staring at Cole and Raven as they exchanged alarmed glances. Cole leaned back in his seat, his hand gripping the armrest as if for support.

“You’re saying,” he began slowly, “that… my sister isn’t my sister? You are?”

“Yes!” I cried, nodding furiously.

He blinked several times, then looked at Raven, who seemed just as bewildered.

“You don’t believe me,” I whispered. “You don’t believe me!”

Cole raised a hand, stammering, “No, no, I… I believe you.”

“You do?” I asked, hope flickering to life.

He nodded, then turned to Sir Gawain. “Bring my sister… or, uh, my… not-sister,” he ordered, gesturing vaguely.

Sir Gawain cast me a concerned glance but ultimately obeyed, disappearing through a side door. My heart leapt. He believed me! Cole really believed me! I offered him a shaky smile, which he returned awkwardly as we waited.

But when the door opened, I felt stunned. She stepped in—Elisa, wearing my face. Her expression flickered with shock when her eyes met mine, but she quickly masked it with an air of confidence. She moved closer, her stride measured and graceful, just as I would have walked.

“Yes?” she said. “I hear you called for me.”

“Yes,” Cole replied. “It seems I’ve been told… you are not my sister.”

She laughed softly, as though the idea was absurd. “I’m sorry?” she said, her smile widening. “What a strange thing to say.”

Even Cole smiled at her tone, though he tried to hide it. My chest tightened. He didn’t believe me. Not really. So why had he summoned her?

“Yes,” he said. “But perhaps if you spoke to her, you might… clarify things.”

Elisa turned to me then, her expression shifting to something unsettling.

“I don’t know who you are,” she said politely, her voice even. “But I am Princess Liana. And I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Rage surged through me, boiling under my skin. My hands clenched into fists as I stared at her. How dare she? How dare she steal my life and act like it was hers?

“You liar!” I screamed, launching myself at her. “You thief!”

Sir Gawain moved quickly, stepping in front of her and pulling her behind him. He grabbed my wrists, restraining me as other guards rushed in to help. I struggled, shouting at the top of my lungs.

“You liar! You liar!”

“Guards!” Cole barked. “Get that woman out of here!”

“No!” I screamed, thrashing against the guards holding me. “Listen to me! That is not your sister! I am! Cole, please—you have to believe me!”

But no one listened. The guards dragged me out of the room, my cries echoing through the hall, and outside, they threw me to the ground.