Welcome?

No one had noticed when I came into the office that day, which was fine, because then no one would notice when I disappeared either.

As soon as I clicked that weird email, the room around me started to shift.

Huh?! An earthquake?!

I tried to stand up to find somewhere safer to hide, but the entire ground was fading away into blackness.

What the hell is going on?!

The computer screen remained glowing, and still, with that strange email on the screen.

“We NEED our Princess back!!”

I leaned in toward the computer screen, it seemed to be the only stable thing in this universe right now. The screen’s pixels started to grow larger and larger, quickly covering me in their pixelated light.

Blinding light surrounded me.

“W...What’s going on?” I said, and it echoed back to me.

The light suddenly turned blue, like the sky. I rubbed my eyes and peered at the colours before me again.

It WAS the sky! I was outside?!

I looked around. The office building was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I could see a rolling field of bright green grass.

The wind blew softly, pushing the grass gently from one direction to another. I watched the grass swaying in the wind for a moment while I tried to figure out what just happened.

Work, then talking to Saki and Yuki, and then the email... The email! Did the email transport me somewhere else?!

I rubbed my head. The bump was still there. Good to know something stayed the same.

I stood up tentatively, unsteady on my feet. I looked down to get my bearings... But to my surprise, I was wearing something totally crazy! A big puffy pink and white dress, with matching pink shiny shoes.

I toppled backwards. What on earth is going on?! Then I realised something else strange, I was missing my glasses! However, I could see just fine.

Was I dreaming? I slapped my face. Ouch. Definitely awake.

The wind blew again. The breeze carried a sweet smell of cake with it. Yum... Cake. My stomach growled.

Oh yeah, guess I hadn’t got a chance to have lunch before... Whatever this is... Happened.

Standing up again and brushed off my gorgeous dress, I started walking toward the smell of delicious cake.

As I walk through the green field, I notice little blue flowers starting to pop up on one side of the field, and little red ones on the other.

I walk towards the red flowers, because I like red more, but more importantly, the smell of cake is stronger in that direction.

Finally, some buildings come into view. I must be getting closer to cake!

Sure enough, a township came into view

I stopped, standing in the little red flowers, on the verge of what looked like a bustling market. The buildings were made of brick, large tan coloured bricks. There was red flag bunting hung up from building to building. Stalls were selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat... And cake!!

The baker’s stall was almost directly opposite where I was standing. A large vanilla strawberry cake was on display... Ohh, I’d so love a slice of that right now...

My stomach growled.

But then I realised, I didn’t have my wallet with me. How was I going to buy a cake without my wallet?!

I groaned.

Unless, I had some money stashed away in this ridiculous dress? I had never worn a dress before, let alone one this fancy.

Where could someone stash money in this thing?! It didn’t have any pockets.

Then a thought came to me, about a shoujo manga I read last month. It was a period drama set in England, and the main character was a court lady who wore a great big dress. She and her friends all stored their purses well... Somewhere out of sight down the neck of their dress.

I took a deep breath and plunged my hand down the front of my dress. Sure enough, nestled in my bra was a purse full of coins. Guess I’m getting cake after all.

Hoping no one saw that, I walked toward the baker’s stall.

“Welcome!” He called out and dipped his head slightly. I bowed back, my dress skirt puffing out slightly. What a friendly place.

“Hello, may I please have a slice of that vanilla cake?” I asked, pointing at the cake. It was even bigger up close. My stomach growled again.

“Anything for you!” The baker said, his grin so large his eyes crinkled. So friendly!

“Ah, how much?” I said. There was no price on the counter-top next to anything, just little scribbles of moons and stars and suns.

“Free!” The baker laughed, as if I said something hilarious.

“W...What? No, I have to pay you, you’ll go broke otherwise!” I objected.

“Ah, you’re as kind as the legend says, Princess. You know, the old wizard spoke of your imminent return, but no one believes that old fool these days.” He beamed at me.

I backed away a little. What was this guy on about? I just wanted some cake...

“Ah, okay... Um... Here!” I fished some coins out of my wallet, and thrust them towards the baker. The 5 golden coins in my hand had pictures of little suns on them.

“What! 5 whole Suns! I couldn’t take these from you, Princess.” The baker said, wringing his hands together.

Princess?! What on earth...

“No, take them, please! Just take them!” I cried, wanting to get out of this situation, and get some food.

“If you insist, thank you, Your Highness.” The baker bowed as he accepted the coins and then handed me a very large slice of vanilla strawberry cake.

I moved away from the baker’s stall, as he stood there still bent over in a bow. What the heck was all that about? Old wizard, 5 Suns, Your Highness, Princess?!

I walked to find a bench to sit on, so I could enjoy my cake, but as soon as I started to lick the cream frosting off the top - I had a strange feeling of being watched.

Sure enough, when I looked up, every person in that market had their eyes on me. The market had gone silent, apart from a few whispers.

“Um...” I said, and everyone gasped.

“O... Okay...” I continued, “What’s going on?”

No one answered, they just continued staring. I could hear their whispers growing louder.

“That’s really her this time, isn’t it?”

“That dress, the hair... Surely it’s her!”

“The Princess famously liked vanilla cake, didn’t she?”

My head was swimming. I just wanted to eat my cake in peace!

I felt a tug on my dress. I looked down. A little girl stood looking up at me with big round eyes.

“Are you... The Pwincess?” She asked me.

“Uh... I’m... Not sure,” I answered, truthfully. There was something seriously odd going on here.

The little girl’s mother clambered forward to grab her, “I am so sorry, Your Highness, please, forgive her impoliteness,” The mother bowed again and again.

“Ah, um...” I started. What do I do?!

Suddenly, I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, making me jump. My cake splattered on the floor.

“Are you kidding me!” I yelled, without thinking.

The crowd gasped again, their eyes fixed behind me.

I turned to see who dared ruin my cake eating experience. A tall guard in shining armor stood behind me, one hand on my shoulder, the other holing a pair of handcuffs. I gulped.

“Listen, girl, we just must be sure you’re who you say you are. There has been a lot of fake princesses around these days. I’ll say, you’re the most convincing yet, but we can’t be sure.” The guard says and pulls me up by my shoulder.

“I think there has been a misunderstanding!” I protest.

“Maybe so,” The guard replies, “But we just need to be sure. I sincerely apologise if it is truly you, Your Highness.”

The guard quickly snaps handcuffs onto me, and leads me with his hand on my shoulder away from the market.

“Stop! Ah! Where are you taking me?!” I yell.

“To the prison, Your Highness,” He responds.