A Clash of Worlds

"God forbid," Seraphina whispered, her voice trembling with fear, her eyes locked with the equally terrified woman beside her. They shared a mutual horror, their widened eyes reflecting their shared dread.

The door suddenly swung open, and a group of imposing guards barged into the room. They were formidable, their size and strength capable of extinguishing the fragile life of the woman beside her with a single, effortless motion. They held spears that could easily lay waste to an entire village.

"Lord Damian!" one of the soldiers proclaimed in a booming voice that resonated through the small space. The room fell into an abrupt silence, the earlier whispers, voices, and noises dissipating into thin air.

Following the commanding voice, another man walked in gracefully. He bent down as the doorframe was too short for his tall built.

Seraphina's jaw dropped as she laid eyes on him. Could this be Lord Damian? The man she had read about in the book, whose beauty was described with such fervor?

His features were sharp and striking, leaving her momentarily breathless. His chiseled jawline accentuated his allure, while his piercing blue eyes seemed to penetrate deep into her soul. His jet-black hair was impeccably styled, further enhancing his dangerous and irresistible aura.

'This is how exactly Lord Damian was described in the book... ' Her thoughts wandered as her trails at his body from head to toe.

Lord Damian had been described as a tall, muscular figure with broad shoulders that seemed capable of bearing any burden. And standing there in person, he truly embodied that description, making the room feel small in comparison to his presence. If Seraphina didn't have her conscience, she might have found herself falling in love with Damian right then and there. But she couldn't forget the darkness that was introduced with him.

"Seraphina Rose. How lovely to meet you," Damian's lips formed her name, sending a shiver down her spine. It wasn't her exact name, yet it held a power over her, stirring something deep within her.

"L-Lord Damian? Damian?" Sera stammered, her eyes still wide with shock.

She couldn't help but be taken aback by his presence. The villain she had once gawked at in the pages of the book now stood before her, his penetrating blue eyes seeming to peer into her very soul.

"Hmm..." Damian's lips curved into a smile as he looked down at her. "Please, leave us alone," he commanded, his voice carrying authority.

The guards and the petite woman obediently exited the room, leaving Seraphina alone with Damian. She stood there, frozen in place, her hands hanging limply at her sides, while Damian's cold gaze bore into her. She couldn't help but feel small in comparison to the vastness of the room and the formidable man before her.

"Why is this happening?" she silently questioned her fate, feeling a momentary weakness and uncertainty. It had been a long time since she had felt anything less than strong and fierce.

"Why do you look so scared, princess?" Damian's commanding and captivating voice filled the room. He took a deliberate step forward, attempting to close the distance between them.

Seraphina's eyes widened, and instinctively, she took a step back. This couldn't be happening! Her thoughts were in disarray, her appearance disheveled, and she felt as if everything around her was falling apart, a chaotic mess she never wanted to find herself in.

"W-what?" she stuttered, her throat feeling dry as Damian's proximity sent a wave of unease through her. She furrowed her brow at the nickname he had bestowed upon her so quickly, questioning his intentions.

"You were so brave in asking for a conversation with me. But now, you seem to want me gone. Please, tell me if that's what you desire. I'll leave you alone in an instant. But..." he paused, his voice trailing off.

"B-but what?" she whispered, her mind spinning with questions. She silently cursed the original owner of her body, wondering why she had invited Damian into her life and what her true intentions were. And most importantly, in which part of the story had she found herself?

"But if you're not asking me to leave, then I shall stay. And I shall relish every moment in your presence," his voice held a challenge as he declared his intent. With his piercing blue eyes still fixed on her, he settled into the nearest chair.

His voice seemed to reverberate throughout the room, echoing in her ears. She was at a loss for words because she didn't know where she truly stood. His unwavering gaze remained locked on her as he sat comfortably, observing her with no hint of hesitation. He took in every aspect of her being, appreciating her unique essence.

In that moment, she saw a flawless and fearless soul reflected in his eyes. The piercing coldness of his blue gaze held dedication and strength. It left her breathless, unsure of what would unfold next.

"Marry me," Seraphina's statement came out as a demand, surprising Damian. He stared at her, his brows furrowing in disbelief.

"What?" His frown deepened, clearly taken aback by her unexpected proposition.

"Marry me, Lord Damian. Don't you find me attractive?" she asked boldly, determined to see this through.

Her question caught Damian off guard. Seraphina had spent time analyzing the story and calculating her position within it. With Lucian's absence, she believed Damian could be her ticket to escape. If she truly found herself inside the book, things could take a dangerously adventurous turn.

Damian remained silent, his expression turning into a smirk.

"Do you even understand what you're asking?" he questioned, his voice laden with astonishment, his sharp eyes searching for answers within her very existence.

"I believe I do, Lord Damian," she replied confidently.

"Seraphina, have you considered how the kingdom would react if I were to marry the daughter of my greatest enemy?" Damian's words puzzled Sera. After all, she had just woken up from a brutal death. Whatever reality she was facing, her quick wits compelled her to understand and gain the upper hand. Even if this was a dream, she refused to let things unfold without her comprehension. She was destined to have the upper hand.

"Well, my request remains the same. Will you marry me... or not?" she reiterated, determined to take control of her destiny.

Damian's eyes took on a playful gleam, something that caught Seraphina off guard.

She couldn't help but feel a mix of intrigue and uncertainty as she listened to his response.

"If you're so sure about it, I'll give you twenty hours to think it over. Seek advice from your dear friend, Kara. She may know what's best for you. Exactly twenty hours, nothing more, nothing less. Sleep on it, princess," he whispered, punctuating his words with a wink, before turning his back to her.

The unexpected gesture made Seraphina's head spin. Her mind became consumed by the image of his playful smirk and the way it danced upon his lips. She found herself momentarily breathless, lost in the whirlwind of emotions that his departure left behind.

As Damian walked away, his towering figure blocked her entire field of vision. With each step he took, the air seemed to return to her lungs, as if a weight had been lifted.

Just as she was trying to collect her thoughts, Kara rushed into the room, panting heavily and appearing visibly bothered.

"What the hell were you thinking?! Sera, snap out of it! You can't do this! You know that!" Kara shook Seraphina, gripping her shoulders tightly.

Seraphina, in that moment, was lost in a whirlwind of confusion. She didn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation she had gotten herself into. All she knew was that she wanted to escape from meeting Lucian. But where was Lucian now? Why had Damian come to meet her? What was going on?

So many questions flooded her mind, one after another, overwhelming her thoughts.

"Sera, look at me!" Kara demanded, her voice filled with urgency and concern.

"The other side of the kingdom is dangerous for us... for civilians... for people without power... It's not--"

"What? No power?" Seraphina interrupted, her disbelief evident in her voice.

Kara frowned at Seraphina's naivety. "You know this! They are powerful! They want us dead!"

Seraphina shook her head, struggling to accept what she was hearing. "Just leave me alone, please."

"What? Why? You were dead just a while ago, Sera. Are you sure you're alright?" Kara asked, her worry deepening.

"I am," Seraphina replied, her expression distant and lost.

Seeing Seraphina's state, Kara reluctantly left her alone, closing the wooden door behind her. Seraphina was left standing in the room, filled with confusion and a sense of unease.

Unable to find solace in her surroundings, she began pacing back and forth, her mind racing with unanswered questions and uncertainty. And in that moment of stress and turmoil, she resorted to what many people do—talking to herself.

"This... this can't be happening. I have so many questions, I need so many answers. Where do I go-" Her words caught in her throat as her eyes landed on something that could potentially hold the answers she sought: the quills.

Seraphina's heart raced as she held the quills in her hands, feeling the weight of anticipation and hope. This could be her key to understanding the situation she found herself in, to unraveling the mysteries that surrounded her.

With trembling fingers, she carefully unfolded the papers and began reading the words that were meticulously inscribed on them. Each line, each sentence held the potential to reveal a piece of the puzzle, to provide insight into the world she had been thrust into.

As her eyes scanned the pages, her breath hitched, and her pulse quickened. The words she read seemed to defy logic and reason, painting a picture that was both thrilling and terrifying. She couldn't believe what she was reading, the revelations that unfolded before her eyes.

"Heavens no! This can't be happening!" Seraphina's mind screamed, the weight of the situation crashing down on her. The truth she discovered threatened to upend everything she thought she knew. But she couldn't stop there. With a mix of fear and determination, she turned to the next page, hungry for more information, desperate for answers.