Immediately the cottage returned her to the mansion and Amaris led her to her new room, she declined the offer to undress out of her bloodied dress and choss to sink at the edge of the queen-sized bed.
The maidservants took it has her way of grieving her father's painful demise and didn't bother her. But, it was just her and her thoughts instead.
Realization dawned on her...
This wasn't a dream, neither was it an act...
This was real...
She just encountered fifth Empyrean King get murdered by Grant Castiglione and it wasn't a drill.
His blood spilled on her. His headless body landed by her foot.
The novel began right before Grant Castiglione murdered her father. Which meant she was in Episode One.
What happens after? She thought deeper, digging for a memory of Grant Castiglione's fiancée and her fate. But, there was none. The author did not mention Grant getting engaged not to speak of getting married. And even if she did it was definitely brief.
So, what now? She takes on the role of an invisible character who doesn't even get any screen time?
She collapsed back on her bed, digging further.
If there was no memory of Grant Castiglione's fiancée, does that mean their engagement got cancelled or...
She jerked back up to a sitting position.
What if he killed her?
There was a possibility. He killed her own father due to some silly deal what more her?
A knock interrupted the train of her thoughts.
"Come in..." she drawled, physically drained.
Liora stepped in, now in a casual lilac tunic-like gown. "My Lady," she began, coming to stan before her. "I apologise for the interruption but you have a duty to perform by tomorrow."
Daphne frowned. "What duty?"
She hesitated, clearing her throat. "You—You need to go to Grant Castiglione mansion and hand out the invitation for the late King."
Her frown deepened. "Make me understand."
"It is a policy."
"Yes, exactly. Which I need to understand better."
"Grant Castiglione is the Governor of the Five Empyrean Cities."
"I'm aware."
"He is the highest rank position in the Five Empyrean Cities and he needs to be handed the invitation by himself from a family—"
"So, what sort of stupid policy is that? Didn't he kill my father?"
Liora lowered her head. "Y-yes."
"So, why do I have to give him an invitation to be at his funeral? Shouldn't he be wanted for murder or something?"
"I'm afraid that's not how it works, My Lady."
"Because he is your husband-to-be." A voice interrupted. High-pitched.
A woman, dressed in a teal ball gown walked into the room that had its door left ajar. She walked up to us, signaling for Loira to leave the room. Loira bows and walked out of the room.
She had a noticeable silver eyes. Her hair tied up in a French bun.
Who is this again? she thought. Failing to recognize the face.
"Either he was killed by him or not, you still need to go and invite him yourself out of respect for the man you are to wed."
Her tone was harsh which made her understand that whoever she was, she wasn't on a good term with Daphne. Maybe she was her step mother?
"Also, you'll take a gift along with you to deliver on my behalf."
A gift? Didn't he kill her husband?
She eyed Daphne. "Go to bed early. You are leaving for Governor's mansion as early as possible. He leaves for an important meeting in Astrelle by noon."
She offered a small nod and watched as she sauntered out gracefully.
Just great, she thought. She had witnessed fifth Empyrean King, who happened to be her father, getting murdered. Now, she had to face her greatest enemy, fucking Grant Castiglione.
She had had a ridiculous dream that night after the maids cleaned her up and put her to bed. In the dream, she managed to escape the webtoon world she is trapped in, returning to her real world but, she got followed by Grant Castiglione, who chased her down the street, past honking vehicles, until he claimed her head. She jolts awake, gasping and sweating, hand wrapping her neck to confirm if her head was still intact, unlike in the dream.
Her maids arrived and got her dressed. The dress is a lavish, floor-length ball gown in shades of pink and cream/white.
It had an off-the-shoulder neckline adorned with lace and floral details, possibly roses. The skirt is very full and appears to have multiple ruffled tiers and a combination of smooth and pleated fabric. There were also large bows and floral embellishments on the skirt and bodice.
The dresses are just as sketched in the novel. Absolutely glamorous.
But, she was set on her way to Grant Castiglione.
As the cottage crawled its way towards his mansion, she had silently hoped she returned back to the real world at that moment. Or she wakes up from a dream or whatever it was. Yet, a part of her wanted to meet him and see if he really was as the author had written or it was an exaggeration and he wasn't exactly like that in reality.
The carriage man helped her off the carriage as soon as they arrived Grant Castiglione's mansion. The mansion caused her to gasp wordlessly. She was finally seeing the infamous mansion? The one every lips spoke about in the Five Empyrean Cities. The mansion where people visiting it became an achievement.
That house is an incredibly ornate, dark-colored mansion.
It had a very grand design with a multi-tiered roofline. The exterior is dominated by a rich, dark color.
The property includes a large, well-manicured circular driveway for cottages, leading up to a central staircase and entrance. The grounds are lush with neatly trimmed hedges, trees, and sculpted lawns, all enclosed by a decorative black and gold wrought-iron fence and gates in the foreground.
It was a wonder. Two women are stationed by the door, clad in dark green and white maidservants uniform. They had their head bowed as Daphne ascended the stairs leading to the entrance.
"His Lordship awaits you." They say in unison, jerking the double doors open and ushering her in.
She hesitated but she stepped in, greeted by the massive, golden chandelier hanging low in the center of what seemed like the waiting room. She had only seen the sketch of the area once in the novel. It had a single black four-seater couch, two single seater and a center table by the center, ready to serve waiting visitors their desired refreshments.
A long staircase, forming an S shape leads to the second floor.
Daphne turned to the maidservants that received her, who still had their heads bowed slightly at her. "I can sit here and wait for him."
"He is receiving visitors in his studies today, Ny Lady."
Daphne frowned.
She nods and let's them guide her up the stairs to the second floor.
As they ascended the steps, it clicked to her that she is being taken to meet Grant Castiglione. After seeing him through sketches for months now, she'd be seeing his reality.
Her stomach twisted at the thought.
When they finally reached the second floor, they turned a corner before arriving at a room with heavy double doors.
One of the ladies knock on the heavy doors, waiting patiently for a response until one came.
"Come on in." She heard his voice call from within.
Daphne's heart pounded as the maids jerked the door open, ushering her in.
She stepped in, bowing gently as she did. The door shut close behind her.
"Who are you?" Was what his husky voice asked.
She raised her head slowly, eyes setting on a scowling Grant Castiglione. The devil she had always hated through her screens and through the sheets of her novel.