Before Rosie could begin to make sense of her surroundings, the sharp sound of approaching footsteps sent a jolt through her chest. Her breath caught. Rather than facing whoever was coming, she dashed toward the bed and pulled its heavy curtain around her, hoping to remain unseen.
From behind the folds of velvet, she peeked out.
A stream of women entered the grand chamber—one after another, dressed in flowing fabrics that shimmered under the soft, golden glow of hanging lanterns. Rosie had never seen such beauty gathered in one place. Their presence was surreal, as though she had stumbled into a mythical court brought to life.
The room was vast, almost endless. Even after forty women filled the space, it didn't feel crowded. It was the kind of architecture Rosie had only read about in old storybooks—arched ceilings carved with celestial patterns, floors inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and air so fragrant it could have been spun from lavender and dreams.
She considered stepping out and asking where she was—somebody here had to know. But before she could move, the atmosphere changed.
Four more women entered the room—commanding, regal, and breathtakingly elegant. The moment they arrived, the crowd shifted. Without a word, the women divided into four distinct groups, ten standing in line before each newcomer. These were no ordinary guests.
From their conversation, Rosie quickly realized that the four newcomers were princesses—each leading her own retinue. But who were they here to meet?
There was no one else in the room… except her.
Still hidden behind the curtain, Rosie searched the chamber for another presence. But then, something happened.
One of the young maids suddenly gasped, her eyes fixed on the bed.
She pointed with a trembling hand. "A shadow… behind the curtain!"
Gasps echoed through the room as heads turned. A ripple of panic swept across the crowd. Within seconds, the grand chamber emptied. Terrified shrieks filled the air, and gowns swirled like petals caught in a whirlwind.
Rosie blinked, stunned. She stepped out from behind the curtain, her feet sinking into a plush velvet carpet. Confusion clung to her like mist as she wandered out of the room.
The hallway beyond was dazzling. The pillars—tall as trees—were made of what looked like polished gold. The walls danced with intricate carvings of birds and stars, as if the building itself was alive with stories. Light filtered through stained glass windows in brilliant hues, casting mosaic shadows under her feet.
And yet… everyone who saw her either stared in horror or ran away.
Rosie's heart beat faster. "Why are they so afraid? What's going on?"
Suddenly, a voice rang out behind her.
"Princess Rajshri!"
She turned sharply. A young girl was rushing toward her, tears streaming, her face both relieved and devastated.
"Princess Rajshri… you're alive! I thought I'd lost you forever…"
Rosie stood frozen. "Why are you calling me Rajshri?"
The girl stopped in her tracks, stunned by the question. Her lips trembled. "Miss… it's me, Aadarshini. I'm your maid. I take care of you—I have since you were a child."
Rosie shook her head, "I'm not Rajshri. I think you're mistaken."
The girl fell to her knees, her eyes wide with disbelief. "But you are the daughter of Duke Nathan. Your name is Princess Rajshri…"
Rosie felt her knees weaken. Her surroundings shimmered like illusions. "This… this can't be real. I just wanted to see a meteor shower—and now I'm here?"
Seeing Rosie's growing distress, Aadarshini gently took her arm and led her back to what she called Rajshri's chamber. The room was like a dream—a palace within a palace.
Aadarshini helped her to the bed, then sat humbly on the floor beside her.
"I will call your father," she said. "Please don't leave the room. Everything will be fine."
When the door closed behind her, Rosie stared into the silence.
That moment in the water returned to her.
"I'm going… but you have to live my life. You have to save them."
The words rang in her head.
"It wasn't a dream." Rosie clutched her temples, trying to anchor herself in the surreal reality that had taken her over.
"So… is this going to be my new life now?" she whispered.
She had survived an impossible moment, only to be reborn as someone else in a world far beyond her own.