Arianna paid no mind to Bachus' words as she went to sleep that night. As far as she was concerned, he was just a disgusting old man who fooled her family into thinking he was wise so that they would let him leech off their generosity. As such, she allowed herself to almost completely forget about his supposed threat as she bathed in rose-scented water, changed into her silken nightgown, and laid down in her huge bed, letting its warm softness lull her into a peaceful slumber.
Her waking the next morning was far less peaceful. As the sun started to rise and she slowly came back to consciousness, the pampered princess was hit by several foreign sensations all at one - aches and pains all over her body, something itchy scratching her all over, a gnawing hunger in her stomach, and several awful smells filled her nose. Groaning in both discomfort and disorientation, Arianna forced her eyes open and tried to sit up, having difficulty as she realized she wasn't in her bed. Looking around as she became fully awake, she tried to figure out what was going on and was shocked by the sight by greeted her.
Arianna was in what appeared to be a barn, several horses and cows staring dispassionately at her from their stables, looking more interested in the large pile of hay that she was lying partially submerged in. More concerning than Arianna's surroundings, however, was the state she was in - instead of her nightgown, she was dressed only in a rough spun dress that frankly looked more like a sack with neck and limb holes cut into it. Furthermore, he carefully combed hair was a ragged and wild mess, and worse, her entire body was coated in dirt and filth, especially her hands and bare feet, leaving her a stinking mess.
"Wh-what is this?!" Arianna exclaimed, stumbling to her feet and looking around in a panic, "Where am I? Who put me here? And why am I dressed like this?!"
In response, a laugh rang out behind her. Spinning around, Arianna found Bachus standing nearby, smirking at her.
"Thou were warned," the wizard sneered, "For too long, thou hast used the luck of thine birth into a high rank to cruelly reign over those less fortunate. Now, thou are the unfortunate one, stripped of rank, privilege, power and wealth. Thou shalt live as the most base of commoners, and only once thou hast learned humility shall ye be returned to thine former place."
"This is madness!" Arianna snarled, "I refuse to live as some beggar. I don't know how you managed to kidnap me and bring me out here, but all I have to do is return to the castle, and then I'll have you hunted down and flogged!"
"Fool!" Bachus bellowed, "Thou think ye were merely physically brought here and placed in this state? Thou were transformed by mine own magic to have a different role in life. Thee and me are the only ones left who remember the existence of Princess Arianna of Magica. As far as all others are concerned, thou hast always been been nothing but a homeless peasant girl, and that is how thou shalt be treated, until thine curse is broken, as I have proclaimed to thee."
"That... that's nonsense!" Arianna said, trying to fight down panic and refusing to believe the wizard's words.
"Thou shalt see soon enough, girl," Bachus said, "Now, I suggest thou be on thine way. The farmer who owns this barn will not take kindly to finding a beggar slumbering here. And in any case, thou should hurry to the village if thou wish to gather enough coin to pay for this day's meals."
With another laugh, the wizard vanished in a flash of light, leaving the disheveled former princess alone in her shock.