Chapter 3

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Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Eleanor stood before the antique mirror, her reflection gazing back at her with an unfamiliar but strangely familiar face.

For a moment, she hesitated, her fingers trembling as she reached out to touch the mirror's cool surface. The reflection mimicked her movements, as if urging her to confront the truth she had been denying.

As she stared at the woman in the mirror, Eleanor's racing thoughts began to take shape, forming a monologue within her mind.

"This face... it's not mine. Yet it is. It's a face I created, a character I gave life to with words on pages. But now, it's *me.*"

She whispered the realization to herself, her voice barely audible, "I am Lena."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the stillness emphasizing the weight of her words.

Eleanor's confusion was still present, but now it was accompanied by a strange sense of acceptance. She couldn't fully comprehend the *how* or *why* of this bizarre transformation, but one undeniable fact remained: she was Lena, a character from her own story, and Lena's fate was a tragic one. But she doesn't remember the detail. All she knows is that she did something and the prince killed her.

As if to solidify this newfound understanding, Eleanor continued her whispered monologue, "I hated the original story that's why I wrote this tale. The story of Lena and the Beast. The Beast who, in a fit of rage, brings about Lena's end."

Her emotions were a tumultuous sea, a mix of fear, confusion, and an odd sense of destiny. She knew what lay ahead, for she had written it herself. Lena's story was etched in her mind, and it was a story that would follow her to the end.

"I am Lena," she repeated, her voice gaining strength. She looked into the mirror, meeting the gaze of her reflection. The reflection seemed to acknowledge her words, as if confirming the profound truth of her existence.

The room remained silent, save for Eleanor's whispered proclamation. She had accepted her role in this unfolding narrative, and the realization hung in the air like a promise of the adventures and challenges to come.

Eleanor stood before the mirror, whispering to herself, "I am Lena." The words felt strange but true.

After this moment of realization, she decided it was time to explore this strange world she'd become a part of. She left her room and found herself in a corridor filled with colorful tapestries and soft carpets. It was like something out of a fairy tale.

She came across a door slightly open, leading to a cozy library filled with books. Some were familiar, like ones she'd written, while others were entirely new. As she browsed, she noticed a cat, Catalina, lounging on a nearby armchair.

Catalina, without any hint of surprise, looked at Eleanor and asked, "Good morning, dear. Are you feeling better today?"

Eleanor blinked in astonishment but decided to play along. "Yes, thank you. I... just needed some rest."

Catalina purred contentedly. "I'm glad to hear that. Would you like some breakfast first, or perhaps you'd prefer to freshen up?"

Eleanor was puzzled by Catalina's questions but decided to choose breakfast for now. "Breakfast sounds lovely, thank you."

As she followed Catalina to the dining area, Eleanor couldn't shake the feeling that this world held secrets waiting to be unraveled. But for now, she would focus on this curious breakfast and the enigmatic cat that seemed to know more than it let on.

Eleanor followed Catalina into the dining room, her anticipation for a hearty breakfast growing with each step. Her stomach had been rumbling, and she couldn't wait to satisfy her hunger.

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