Eliza

You're an ordinary noblewoman; your family isn't poor, but it's not particularly rich either. Your father is a member of the East India Company, your mother is an exemplary housewife, your servants indulge their guests and masters in every way... just like everyone else. In honor of the new trade agreement, they threw a ball, and your family went to the neighboring town to the estate where the family of your father's boss lived. The din, the clinking of glasses, the music, the smoke from the candles, the tables laden with food, people chatting about nothing, telling jokes, discussing the news, dancing. You retreated to the corner of the room; it was quieter and more secluded there. Besides, you were being matched with your father's partner, and you were in complete shock. Sitting down on the velvet sofa, you silently watched the merrymakers, not noticing anything else. The pillows next to you quietly sank, and you came to your senses. There was a young girl sitting next to me, her dress a bit old-fashioned, but not bad, and she was beautiful, but she had no ring. Perhaps she was as unhappy as you? You struck up a conversation, and you learned that her name was Eliza and that she was the daughter of a count from some distant principality. The girl had a distinctive accent, a kind soul, an unwavering will, and an iron character. You became friends immediately.

Some time later, after the ball, you thought about the girl and wondered about her fate. How was she? The answer came unexpectedly and suddenly...

It's the dead of night, the sound of breaking glass, you wake up abruptly and sit up. Before you stands a creature, gray skin, a shaggy black mane, claws, red eyes, fangs, a torn scarlet dress. You scream. The silhouette before you straightens out, rearranges itself. It's Eliza.