It's been a week since I've been trapped in this fantasy world. I couldn't believe it at first and I've tried everything to wake myself up. I even tried to harm myself, but my maid caught me, so now I'm being scolded by the Duke.
"Tell me, Sierra, what madness drove you to such an act?" the Duke began. "I can scarce think of a reason that would compel you to such a horrid act."
In my week here, I've learned that my name is Sierra, the second daughter of Duke Sibal Castillo. My sister, Soleil Castillo, is engaged to the Crown Prince of Avengard Kingdom, but is also secretly dating the Marquess's heir, Elios Schmidt. I've become her accomplice, helping her sneak out to meet her lover every night. Heaven help us all if the royal family were to uncover this treason. It was exactly like the book I'd purchased.
"Are you even attending to my words, young lady?" The Duke's sharp voice made me snapped out of my thoughts.
Everyone knew his reputation as a mad dog on the battlefield, but the man before me was only a soft and generous widowed father. Yes, Sierra and Soleil's mother passed away from an unknown illness.
"I'm sorry, Papa." The last word still felt awkward on my tongue. I've tried to practice, but I just can't get used to it.
"As you are not yet prepared to share your reason, I shall not force the matter," his tone softening slightly. "But you will have guards at your door, and your maids will be increased to watch over you, lest you again attempt a dangerous act."
"Yes, Papa," was all I could say. How could I explain that I was just a simple girl from the modern time, desperate to escape this fantasy world? Before I could open the door, the Duke called me again. He walked toward me and gently held my hand.
"I know well that you are enduring a difficult time, my dear. But I beg of you, do not harm yourself again, because it would break this old man's heart. You and your sister are my dearest pride and joy. I desire only that good things should befall you both."
I could see the pain in the Duke's eyes. He must have been so worried when he found out about my reckless behavior. But this was all foreign to me, and I didn't know how to respond.
"I'm sorry. I will never do it again." Of course I wouldn't do it again. Attempting to harm myself once had made me realize that this isn't a dream. I'm really going to die if I do something stupid again. As soon as I got out of the Duke's office, I wanted to go straight to my room to do more brainstorming. But Soleil suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"What mischief have you made this time, sister?" she asked with her voice light and teasing. "The poor maids speak of you as if you are possessed."
I bit my tongue to keep me from saying something I would regret.
Mischief? You're the one committing the biggest betrayal in the kingdom!
"You have been strangely quiet since that night," she continued while her sapphire eyes studying me. "Did you have another of your bad dreams?" She must have been talking about the night I first arrived in this world.
"I'm just not feeling well, Soleil. Please excuse me."
Soleil just pouted, as if disappointed that I wasn't entertaining her questions.
"Very well, sister. I shall send a footman when it is time for supper. Take your ease until then."
I just gave her a curt nod and proceeded on my way. While I'm still here, I think I need to practice their way of speaking, because they might get suspicious if I sounded different.
"Mary, could you find me a book concerning the kingdom's language and deliver it to my room?"
"Yes, my lady. It shall be done at once." She replied with a perfectly straight spine and a curtsy that bespoke years of training.
One thing I like about this world is having people at my beck and call, whom I can order whenever and whatever I want. As someone who grew up doing everything on her own to survive, this life isn't so bad.
As I entered my room, my eyes fell on my reflection in the full-size mirror. I still couldn't get used to this face. The old me had mid-length brown hair, dark brown eyes, and olive skin. I wasn't ugly, but I wasn't the prettiest either.
But this girl staring back at me was a goddess. Her red hair was shining like a burning phoenix under the sun, while her sapphire eyes were like the blue flames of a fire. Why wasn't she the protagonist when she looked like this?
Come to think of it, Soleil, with her angelic appearance was the heroine of the book, while Sierra was like a goddess who would punish those who betrayed her. I think this explained why she wasn't the main character. I had only read ten chapters, and Sierra was never mentioned.
What was her part in the story?
If only I had read the whole book. Then, at least, I would know the purpose of this character and the story's ending. What if I just wait until the finale? Would that be enough to send me back to the real world?
But every story has twists and turns, and what if the ending isn't as happy as it seems? What if the prince finds out about Soleil's betrayal and punishes our family? Will we be beheaded? Exiled to a secluded island?
My head swam with all the different ways this could go wrong. I can't afford to have a tragic ending. I know from my previous attempt to harm myself that the pain here is real. I'm not some invincible protagonist with plot armor.
My thoughts circled endlessly. It's not a romantic adventure. It's a life-or-death situation masquerading as a fairytale, and I'm trapped in the body of a supporting character whose role is a complete mystery.
I needed a plan, a physical map of this world's treacherous possibilities. I scrambled to the ornate cabinet, searching for a pen and paper. My fingers brushed against a small, flat object, and I pulled it out. It was a book. Not a thick, leather-bound tome, but a small crimson-red journal, almost the exact same color as Sierra's hair. I opened it to the first page. The handwriting was neat, elegant... and terrifying.
December 14th.
I abhor my hair. They speak of it as a cursed inheritance, and that I shall find my rest long before my years, just as our mother.
A cold knot formed in my stomach as I gently closed the journal. Its heavy crimson cover was a contrast to the vulnerable words within. How could such a beautiful girl have been tormented by such a vicious insult? My fingers brushed against a small, ornate vial tucked behind the journal. I picked it up and examined the strange, colorless liquid inside. What's this? Perfume? Medicine?
"My Lady, may I enter? I have the book you requested."
The bottle slipped from my grasp when I heard Mary's voice from outside the door. It shattered against the plush carpet, and to my horror, a sharp, acrid smell filled the air. The beautiful Persian rug began to melt. Oh my God, that's not medicine. That's poison.
Why did Sierra have this? What could she possibly have needed it for? A horrifying explanation clicked into place. The timid, heartbroken girl writing about her cursed hair and dead mother...she had a dangerous side.
"My lady?" Mary called again, her voice holding a hint of concern.
I snatched a thick tablecloth from a nearby table, my hands trembling as I threw it over the growing stain. "One moment, Mary!" my voice barely steady. I had to think. This world was not just a story, and the character I inhabited was not a carefree second daughter. She was a deeply troubled girl with access to dangerous things, and now, so was I.