Mirror Mirror [ONC 2021 Version]

TWO

It had been but a moment before Ruby woke to the glare of lights somewhere near her face. Someone loomed over her, whispering, shaking her shoulder about. "Miss. Miss! Wake up, or you and I will be in deep trouble."

Ruby didn't recognise the voice, but how dare they wake her this early. She thought she'd locked the door last night. She took a lazy peek at the darkness still lingering about the room with one eye and snapped it shut immediately. Yup, way too early to be up.

When her shoulder received another gentle shake, she swatted the hand away. "Let me sleep."

"But, miss, I beg you. You must wake and let me dress you... it's the you-know-what-today."

A depression formed on the edge of the mattress about Ruby's elbow. Guess the person wasn't leaving.

Ruby moaned in annoyance. Probably another one of Robbie's pranks. He was getting great at voices; she had to admit. He almost sounded like a genuine woman. With more practice, he'd have her fooled.

"What's today, Robbie? And don't say Monday. I know it's Monday!" She grumbled into her pillow that oddly smelled like it needed a wash—in fact, several washes. When had mum said she was doing laundry this week?

"Please, Princess. We don't have time for this, whatever this is. Are you having your—? Never mind, even if you are, we must get you ready and presentable before the Queen is." The woman nudged her elbow this time, unable to reach the shoulder. "We both know how mad she gets if she is made to wait for you..."

Princess? Queen? The words rattled around in Ruby's drowsy brain. Why did they sound ominous?

Princess? Queen?... the room!

Ruby jolted up so fast she nearly hit the woman knelt beside her bed. A young woman with a mousy face, deep tan, and hair that haloed above her head as if statically charged. Her dark eyes most definitely looked brown. She couldn't have been any older than Ruby herself. Why was she up? Why was anybody up?

"Where am I?" Ruby asked, her voice dry and raspy. She could use a glass of water.

"You're in your room, of course." The woman—no, girl—passed her a brass glass that stung with cold to the touch. "Drink. It will help your throat."

Ruby held the chilled glass in her hand and stared at what little of the room she could see in the light of the small lantern sitting on the side table beside the bed. It wasn't strong, but she could make out the four-poster bed. It was still here. She was still here.

"Where am I?" Ruby mumbled again, panic forcing her throat to close, and a strangled whimper escaped. She was supposed to wake up in her own room. Her own room. This wasn't it. Why was she still here? Why wasn't she waking up?

An icy hand flew up to her forehead to check her temperature, and Ruby jolted back.

"Don't touch me!"