Wandering halls, Chanced Upon the White-Haired Beauty

Azalea Caldwell and Cedar Rylan, the main leads of the angsty romance novel I read recently, 'Beyond the Shattered Embrace'.

"No doubt it's that" I said, lost in thoughts.

"What?" Cedar said, he was standing beside me.

We were in Azalea's bedroom, she was being checked upon by the physician.

"N.. nothing" I replied with an awkward smile.

The physician checked Azalea's pulse, who was on the bed, telling Cedar to calm down.

"Her Grace is in a good health your Grace, since she is with a child she must have strained herself" the physician turned to Cesar and spoke.

"I would recommend to not be too harsh on yourself Your Grace" the physician said to Azalea.

She's pregnant?!

I was shocked. The story in the book ended without any hint of the leads having children.

Cader sat beside Azalea, who was half-laying on the bed and said, "You heard him. Stop overexerting yourself. I can't let my wife and child be harm's way"

Wow... classic male lead behavior.

I smiled and nodded, watching the two.

Suddenly, it hit me—

I'm actually in a novel?!!! And on second thought no human would have those facial features like the two, just look at the red eyes?!! Am I dumb? I didn't even think about it before!!!

I was screaming in my head.

"I… I'll leave you two alone!" I said and hurriedly left the room.

Cedar asked, turning to Azalea. "What happened to her?"

"What?" Azalea said in confusion.

"She has always been strange, but she's even stranger today" Cedar said.

"She's still a child. Let her be." Azalea replied.

"A child, you say? Ha! Only a child would make such childish decisions." Cedar said with annoyance as he pressed one hand on his forehead.

"Cedar, you should respect Elowen. I'm sure she has her reasons. Don't worry, we'll make sure she's not hurt" Azalea reassured him.

After leaving Azalea and Cedar behind, I hurried down the corridor. My heart was racing, not only from the physical exertion but from the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind.

How on earth did I end up here?

The oranate large hallways were so confusing so I asked a maid to lead me to my room.

I didn't time travel or whatsoever. I was inside the very pages of a story I had read several times.

I swung the door shut behind me, leaning my back against it. The room, with its lavish décor and polished wood furniture was beautiful.

But who is Elowen? I don't remember reading about such character. Azalea called Cedar my brother but He did not have a sibling in the novel.

Or am I..not in that novel afterall? But I can't be wrong, although I read a lot of novels, there were only a few that I genuinely liked and read again and again.

No doubt the characters had the same personalities and features as the people I just met. Plus this isn't even in the story, I came here after the original story was complete.

Oh God, what am I to do now? Live here? But it's not like I can exit or anything. This is so confusing!!! Sob sob sob.

And so, I spent the whole day sighing and sobbing internally.

A week passed.

I ate and slept, barely stepped outside, and slowly got used to that routine in a week. Maids actually treated me as if I was sick cause I never left my room.

All I have to do is eat, sleep and wear pretty dresses, who wouldn't love such leisurely life? Could it be that I died and this is heaven? I'm finally in heaven not having to get up early, cook or clean before I have to leave for work. This is so peaceful.

I thought as I laid on my bed full of smiles. Although the smile lasted only for a second.

I don't even remember how I lived though. Where did I work? Why was I living alone? What about my parents? If I remember moments with my family I would definitely wanna go back even more right?

I sigh and keep staring at the ceiling until I suddenly stand up and tell myself.

"This won't do! Whatever it is, I can't give up on life!!!"

I've always been the overthinking type but I won't waste my time overthinking stuff today! Let's leave that to some other day!!

I stood up and decided to go out. Thinking how I've never once seen this place only being stuck in a room. I would treat this like a trip.

As I step out of my room I saw two maids carrying laundry.

They greeted me as they went past me.

I walked through the grand hallways with intimidating opulence, and noticed how it was rather noisy.

In the hallways, maids had towering arrangements of fresh flowers in their arms, the vibrant petals leaving a faint trail of scent as they went past me after stopping and greeting me.

A footman paused to adjust a tilted frame on the wall, ensuring it hung perfectly straight before moving on with a polished silver tray.

As I went down the stairs of the grand foyer the hustle only rose.

I noticed one maid fumbled with a tray of candles, earning a sharp reprimand from the housekeeper. She muttered an apology before darting away, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

A young boy carrying a bundle of velvet drapes stumbled slightly, but a passing butler steadied him with a quick nod, not breaking stride.

A thought drifted to my mind;

They're alive.

Roaming around the manor I entered the dining area. The clink of silverware echoed as a young maid laid out rows of polished cutlery, aligning them with precision.

Cooks darted in and out with trays of pastries and elaborate confections.

No matter how much I think, it wasn't like this the last time I stepped out of my room. Was there a special occasion today?

They're also setting tableware for more than three people, when only the main leads and me...or only the main leads eat here.

I tapped a maid on the shoulder. She was arranging flowers on the dining table, and the moment I tapped her shoulder she spoke, "can't you see I'm busy-"

The moment she turned she shut her mouth not knowing it was me. Her eyes widened.

I smiled awkwardly and said, "Sorry for disturbing you, but is there a special occasion by any chance?"

She looked too nervous now, as if the person who was speaking earlier was a different being.

"I- Miss...I mean my lady, it's...it.." she finally spoke but was called by the head maid so she ran away after apologizing and giving a deep bow.

Am I that scary?

I sighed and looked for another person to answer my question.

I grabbed two maids passing by and asked again if there was a special occasion.

The maids looked at eachother and blushed.

One maid said, "My lady, since it's a grand occasion, you have been preparing for weeks now"

The other maid followed, "You must be really happy, the day's almost there"

The two looked at me and then eachother and giggled before leaving me.

Grand day? Happy? Ok, but what is it exactly? Is it my birthday?

I sighed again thinking how these people can't talk with a straight tongue, make it understandable at least?

After roaming around some more, I came across a big door. I swung it open out of curiosity. It seemed like a drawing room, it was lavish, with plush sofas, tall windows, and walls lined with gilded frames and rich wallpaper.

I stepped in and looked left and right, to admire the beautiful room. I went near the window, it was a huge window. I stood there was looked outside to notice how it was busy outside as well, servants were in a frenzy, trying to work as fast and precisely as possible.

What's the occasion actually?

I turned away from the window, the soft light still dancing across my vision. As my gaze swept back to the room, I froze.

For a moment, I thought the gleaming white sofa was empty—but then I saw it, the faintest shift of movement. A man laid there with his eyes closed, his hair blending so perfectly with the white velvet covers that he had been invisible at first glance. Also, he was wearing a white poet shirt, slightly crumpled, and dark, fitted trousers blending effortlessly into the velvet of the sofa, making him almost invisible at first glance. His stillness was unsettling, his pale features so striking they seemed almost unreal.

What?what?what?!!

I gulped trying to tiptoe outside the room, before this person could know of my presence. Suddenly, something grabbed my wrist, or rather 'someone' grabbed it.

I was so nervous to look back as I gulped, but the person didn't wait and walked in front of me.

I was still looking at the floor, too nervous and scared to look up.

Wasn't he just sleeping? Why so fast? What if he thinks I'm a pervert? I was just wandering around though? No,no,no...stay..stay calm.. isn't this supposed to be my house?

As I was lost in thought he spoke, his voice laced with irritation, the words almost snarled through gritted teeth, "Well, well, look who it is. My lovely fiancée, trying to sneak off without a word."

At the word 'fiancée' my gaze snapped upwards to meet his.

I had looked up at the mention of 'fiancée,' but what I saw left me momentarily speechless. His eyes—dark and deep, like polished onyx—stood in stark contrast to his snow-white hair, creating a striking, almost surreal appearance.

It took me a moment to pull myself back together. I jerked away my hand from his grip as I quickly regained my composure. I cleared my thoughts, forcing them back into focus, and then, with a shaky breath, I blurted out, "What fiancée?"

"Ha!" A strange, almost amused look flickered across his face, before his brows furrowed in irritation.

"Hey" he snapped, his voice rising with disbelief, "I'm telling you, I'm not some toy to be played with!"

His gaze darkened as he stepped closer, "How dare you? Aren't you obsessed with that cousin of yours? why the hell are you trying to marry me? Huh? If you think you can use me as you please, you can forget about that. That's never happening."

I also frowned at his words.

What nonsense is he spouting?

I was trying to leave as soon as possible but this struck a nerve. I spoke without realizing, frustrated, "No one wants to marry you either! I just met you, why do you keep talking like that? Do you think I can't talk back?!"

He raised an eyebrow, and let out a sarcastic laugh before saying, "Oh? Then why go to such lengths, using your connections to get an imperial decree for marrying me?"

I opened my mouth to retort—"You—"—but his words hit me like a thunderbolt.

Imperial decree? For Marrying him?

I froze, my eyes widening as my mind tried to process his accusation.

I gulped audibly, slowly pointing to myself, then to him, my voice shaky as I stammered,

"I… I'm going to… marry you?"