Jincheng City. The Dragon Palace.
Elara Vance woke up in a bed that was larger than her entire apartment in New Seattle. The sheets were made of silk so expensive it felt like sleeping on liquid money.
She sat up, clutching the duvet. Her head pounded with a script-induced migraine.
"Good morning, Young Madam!"
Fifty maids, standing in two perfect rows, bowed simultaneously. They were wearing identical uniforms and terrified expressions.
"..." Elara opened her mouth.
$$...$$
The silence was absolute.
"Young Madam, please choose your outfit!" The Head Maid snapped her fingers.
A rack of clothes rolled in. It contained only two options: a white dress that symbolized "Purity/Victimhood" and a red dress that symbolized "Scheming Villainess."
Elara reached for the red one. Her hand twitched. I like red, her subconscious whispered. Red is the color of racing stripes.
"No!" The Head Maid slapped her hand away. "The Dragon Lord prefers white!"
