Chapter 1: Introduction
castle walls, always colder than you expect. I'd woken up early to watch the sun break the horizon. I was probably the only guy in his late twenties who can get stoked over that - but then again, I was studying fucking magic. Nerds like me don't get to date the pinnacle of beauties, converse with kings and queens, or even lay hands on ancient spell books. It was my sheer fascination in the mystic arts that led me down the rabbit hole.
I traced my fingers along the title of the forbidden spell, The Transference, with both excitement and uncertainty. If this worked, the castle and its people would be mine to navigate. But then again, if this didn't - I might end up being a modern-day Icarus - and let's just say that the ground was quite unforgiving when I tested my ability to fly.
After a few more minutes of hesitation, I finally let out a sigh and muttered the incantation.
A shiver ran down my spine, the space around me crackled, and the next thing I knew, I was standing in a body very much unlike my own. Queen Anna herself.
Now, if you've never felt the sensations of surging power and eyes that could pierce the heart of the bravest man - then lucky you, I guess. But take my word for it - absolutely everything about the Queen changed the way I thought, moving, and spoke.
Slowly, I made my way down the spiraling staircases, conscious of my every move.
I'd never imagine the heavy crimson dress and the jeweled crown that the Queen wore could be so cumbersome, but I relished the feeling - it was a sensation that most certainly was reserved for the royalty, and now I knew firsthand what it took to be part of the nobility.
Upon reaching the Great Hall, I saw the royal court coming to life amidst the buzz of hushed conversations and the flutter of elegant clothing. Almost instinctively, I scanned the room for familiar faces among courtiers and guards.