Art Of Hallucination

Awakening in a New World

The first thing I noticed in this strange room
was the canopy of an intricately carved wooden bed, draped with rich, velvet curtains. I blinked, trying to reconcile the sight with the sterile white hospital room I last remembered. The soft rustle of silk sheets beneath me and the distant chirping of birds outside the window felt surreal.

I sat up slowly, my head swimming. The room around me was lavishly decorated, with tapestries depicting serene landscapes and a chandelier that sparkled like a thousand tiny stars. A massive wardrobe stood against one wall, and an ornate vanity table was laden with delicate perfumes and jewels.

I glanced down at my hands—small, delicate, and unscarred. Panic surged through me as I stumbled to the mirror above the vanity, desperate to see my reflection.

The face staring back at me was not mine. It was the face of a young girl with large, curious eyes and hair the color of spun gold. I touched my cheeks, feeling the smooth, unfamiliar skin, and the reflection mimicked my every move. This was real. This was me.

“Where am I?” I whispered, my voice trembling with fear.

As I tried to steady my racing heart, the door to the room creaked open. A woman in a maid’s uniform entered, carrying a tray laden with breakfast. Her eyes widened when she saw me standing by the mirror.

“You’re awake, my lady!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and joy. “How are you feeling?”

“I… I think I’m fine,” I stammered, not sure what else to say. “Where am I?”

The maid looked puzzled. “You’re in your room, my lady, in the Marquis’ estate. Do you not remember?”

I shook my head, my thoughts a chaotic whirl. “No, I don’t remember anything.”

The maid set the tray down and approached me cautiously. “You’ve been ill for a while, my lady. The fever must have affected your memory. Let me fetch the doctor.”

As she hurried out of the room, I sank back onto the bed, trying to piece together what had happened. I had died. I was sure of it. Yet here I was, in a new body, in a place that seemed straight out of a historical novel.

Minutes later, the maid returned with an older man dressed in fine clothes, carrying a leather bag. He smiled warmly at me. “Good morning, Lady Lily. I’m Dr. Hastings. How are you feeling?”

“Confused,” I admitted. “I don’t remember anything. Not even who I am.”

Dr. Hastings nodded sympathetically. “You’ve been through quite an ordeal, my lady. It’s not uncommon for severe illness to cause memory loss. Let’s give it some time. In the meantime, try to rest and don’t strain yourself.”

The maid, whose name I learned was Anna, stayed by my side, helping me eat and answering my questions as best she could. She told me that I was Lady Lily, the daughter of Marquis Edward and Marquess Eleanor, and that this was our family estate.

Days passed in a blur as and bit by bit i got used to it not all of it but its a start...i guess. The mansion was a labyrinth of opulent rooms and grand hallways, each filled with reminders of a life I didn’t remember. My parents were kind but distant, their concern for my health evident in their every action. They were relieved to see me recovering, but I could see the worry etched in their eyes.

Every night, as I lay in the enormous bed, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an imposter in someone else’s life. The memories of my past life haunted me, and the uncertainty of this new existence weighed heavily on my heart.

This afternoon, as I was exploring the gardens, I came across a small, hidden alcove filled with blooming roses. I sat on a stone bench, the scent of the flowers soothing my troubled mind. I have been given a second chance, but it was a life I didn’t recognize, in a world that felt both enchanting and terrifying.

“Lady Lily?” Anna’s voice called out, breaking me from my reverie. “Your mother is looking for you. It’s time for your lessons.”

I stood up, smoothing the folds of my dress. I had no choice but to move forward, to learn and adapt. With each passing day, I hoped to understand why I had been given this second chance and to find my place in this new world. And maybe, just maybe, I could find the happiness that had eluded me before.