The Story began:
They say life flashes before your eyes when you die.
But for me, it was a book.
The same one I had read a thousand times — The Prophecy of the Silver Flame.
I was 19. A nobody. A girl forgotten by the world, just like the side character I always related to — Elira Vane.
I didn't fight death. I welcomed it like an old friend.
But death... had other plane
A Stranger in Her Skin:!
A sharp breath.
My eyes flew open.
I wasn't surrounded by white hospital lights or machines. I was lying in silk sheets, beneath a canopy of moon-stitched curtains. The scent of lilacs and burning herbs filled the air.
What... is this?
I sat up. My body felt light, too graceful to be mine. My hands — pale, delicate, with silver rings on the fingers — were not mine. A mirror stood across the room. And when I looked...
I saw her.
Elira Vane.
The quiet noble girl who served the future queen.
The one who was meant to die protecting someone who never remembered her name.
And now... I was her.
> "Lady Elira," a soft voice called from outside the door. "The prince is waiting."
The prince?
The same one who would later break hearts, burn kingdoms, and fall in love with someone else?
My heart pounded.
This wasn't a dream.
This was the beginning of a story that was never mine…
But it might be now.
Maid (nervously knocking):
"My lady, are you... well? The Crown Prince is waiting in the east garden."
Elira (confused, whispering to herself):
"Crown Prince? Rael...? Wait — this is the scene before the royal banquet... Elira was supposed to deliver a message and then—"
Maid:
"My lady?"
Elira (faking confidence):
"Yes, yes. I'll be there in a moment."
(She stands, her legs shaky. Everything feels unreal. Her thoughts are spinning.)
Elira (inner monologue):
Okay. Breathe. You're in Elira's body. This is real. And Prince Rael? He never even looked at Elira twice... This meeting wasn't even in the book.
Why is he asking for me...?
Scene shift — East Garden
(The garden is quiet. Moonlight filters through tall, glowing trees. Prince Rael stands there — cold, elegant, unreadable. Dressed in black and silver, his back is turned to her.)
Rael (without turning):
"You're late."
Elira (nervously):
"My apologies, Your Highness."
(He turns slowly, eyes like storm clouds — grey, cold, sharp.)
Rael (watching her closely):
"You look... different."
Elira (heart pounding):
"Do I... offend you, Your Highness?"
Rael (steps closer):
"No. But you used to tremble when you spoke. You don't, now."
(Elira panics inside. Has she already changed too much?)
Elira (quickly):
"I... just had a strange dream. It made me realize life is short. I shouldn't be afraid to speak."
Rael (pauses, then smirks faintly):
"Hm. Strange dreams... It seems the stars are restless tonight."
(His tone is unreadable. He's not supposed to be here. Not supposed to notice her. Why is he... staring?)
Rael (after a moment):
"Elira Vane... I want you to stay close during the banquet tomorrow."
Elira (shocked):
"W-What? But I'm only—"
Rael (firmly):
"You heard me. Don't disappear."
(He turns and walks away, cape sweeping behind him.)
Elira (to herself):
"This... wasn't in the story. Why is he changing his lines? Why is he noticing me?"
(She looks up at the sky. The stars seem to flicker strangely — like they're watching.)