Chapter 4

"No way! This is not happening!" I said to myself while looking at the mirror. 

Why is the reflection on the mirror different? 

Her eyes, were glistening purple, sculpted upon her creamy face like dazzling amethyst. Strands of molten gold tumbled out of her scalp, cascading down her back like a waterfall. Lips as red as roses, crystal white teeth, hourglass-shaped body. This girl is the perfect cover for FHM magazine or she could be the next Victoria Secret Angel! Hold on, her appearance is similar to the character design of Valeria Falsen that I drew for Callista's novel.

I looked away from the mirror because I feel like it is sucking my sanity away. Where am I? Why am I in this place? This doesn't look like the hotel that I booked online. My knees feel weak. I felt dizzy all of a sudden. Everything went blank.

"Ah" I muttered when a cold hand lightly pressed my forehead. 

"Good thing you're awake now" 

As I slowly opened my eyes, I felt so helpless. I'm still in this room and an unknown man is watching over me. 

"I told you Valeria. Zion won't love you back" 

He looks gloomy but on the other hand, I also felt the sincerity in his words. Wait, Did he just call me Valeria? He mentioned the name Zion as well. No, Eschia. The way of your reasoning is illogical! 

"Uhm. Who is Zion? Is he the Crown Prince?" 

"Yes. What happened to you Val? Why are you asking me things that we already know?" 

His answer sent chills to my spine. My hypothesis is right?! However,  the probability that you'll be transmigrated into the world of the novel is 0%. I repeat, 0%!  What. The. Heck!

"Br-Brother.... I-I w-want to be alone first" 

Yeah, I know this man now. There's no reason for me to be scared. I am the one who made all of the character designs so there's no way I won't recognize him. What's bugging me is why and how did I come to this world!

"Sure. But please eat your meal" he points to the tray on my bedside table "You're not eating properly for the past 3 days" he added.

"Yes, Brother. Thanks for your concern" I tried to smile back at him so he won't give me that pitiful look. 

"Of course, I am your Brother"

I looked at his back when he left the room together followed by the maids.

I'm touched. Is this the feeling of having a brother from the same mother? He's so different from Kuya Leo. 

Now let's ponder on these things : 

*What's this novel all about?

Sincerely Cassiopeia is about the diary of a girl named Cassiopeia. People call her "The Flower Bud of Veluven" because of her emanating beauty, kindness and [insert all of the good qualities that a female lead could possess only because she is the protagonist]. The whole novel was told in her point of view. Unfortunately, there is only one ending for Valeria: Death. 

I realized, that I am in a hellish world and  I will die eventually. Yeah, death is inevitable but I don't want to die foolishly! 

So the saying "You become the person you swore to destroy" is true? Nah! I won't stoop on Hana's level.

Hold on a second, I am Eschia, not Valeria! I could change my fate! Yes, that's the solution! Callista, forgive me if I will change the course of events in your novel. I hope you'll understand my situation. I don't want more drama in my life. 

But how will I achieve that? I don't know.  Should I  live a quiet life? Avoid scandals? Staying away from tea parties, banquets, and social gatherings? Not a doable option though since Valeria's family is included in the top influential families in the Empire. I think I'm going crazy!

The continuous knocks followed by the voice of a certain person caught my attention.

"Miss, This is Anna" 

"Come in" I replied 

A young woman dressed in maid clothing came. Maybe she's my personal maid because I also saw her when Frederick visited me earlier.

"Miss, It is already time for your dinner. Should I bring your meal now?" 

I didn't notice that it is already evening because I am thinking of contingency plans that I should do for me to survive in this world. 

"No.  I'll join them in the dining room. Wait there, I'll change my outfit"  I ordered 

"Miss, I'll help you change" the maid demanded

At first, I was irritated but I realized that she was doing her job.  The lady's maid would assist with dressing and undressing. She would lay out the clothing and accessories required during the day for the all activities taking place. Damn. These nobles are spoiled brats!  

Contingency Plan # 1

Do not be involved in any scandals. Live a healthy, peaceful life.

"First, I want to apologize for all of the scandalous actions that I did in the past. Rest assured that I will avoid doing something that might tarnish the name of this house" I said while I entered the dining hall 

"I'm glad to hear that honey. Now, please take your seat! I told the chef to cook your favorite food!"  Hugo, Valeria's father said. He's in mid-forties, has jet black hair which inherited by his sons.  But the truth is, it was just the author's preference. Another thing to mention is Valeria got her eyes from him. 

"Yes, Val! You have to eat more, you look like a walking stick!"  There's only person who gave that nickname to Valeria. Meet Gael, her second brother which is the Empire's Greatest Tactician earning him the position of being one of the commanders of the Imperial Army.

Arg. He gave me a bowl of pottage, a large serving of wild boar and wine?  Sure, I'll take the wine but this serving is too much!

"I told you, women have different appetites from men. Look at Valeria's expression" said Frederick, the oldest child of this house, Crown's Prince Private Secretary slash Best Friend. 

I'm thankful that he took that wild boar away but why did he replace it with a big bowl of salad? I want that pottage though!

"Hey! What are you doing? That's the reason why your sister doesn't want to eat dinner with us! Honey, don't mind your brothers, just eat what you want" 

Great thing that Hugo is here. 

"Father, where is Mother?" I asked. 

I want to see Azalea. Valeria's Mother. When I was creating the character designs for Valeria, Azalea, and the Empress, my best friend gave me full freedom to do whatever I want to. As a novice artist, it is a pleasure to see your artworks alive. 

"Didn't you remember Honey? Your mother is sick so she can't eat with us" 

"Oh. What happened to Mother?" 

"At first, she complained to me that she always feels dizzy, then a week later, she can't get up from her bed. She's also vomiting when maids try to feed her. These past few days she became more irritable, depressed. Honestly, I don't want to see your Mother in that condition, I will take her pain if I could"  he confessed

"What did the doctors say?"

They are still finding the cause of her sickness. How about you honey, do you feel the same symptoms just like your Mom?" 

I shook my head I can't reply immediately because I'm chewing a small chunk of this wild boar. I also researched about the etiquette of nobilities so my illustrations will be on par with the novel's theme. If I'm a commoner, I will have a big bite of this. When I finished chewing,  I told him that I'm totally fine.

"That's a relief, Honey. Right now, the doctors are still investigating this mysterious sickness that is affecting women and children" 

"So, Men have immunity to this  'sickness'?" 

"We still don't know. As of today, no men were affected by that disease" 

Hmmmm. I never heard of this before. Whether it is a viral or bacterial infection, it is impossible that men will be immune. Should I just keep quiet about this and do nothing? If I did, Azalea will die. I can't remain silent knowing that I have the knowledge and abilities to save lives. I'm not a doctor but still, maybe I could contribute crucial information. 

"Don't worry Honey, I won't let you and your mother die" 

This family. I wished for this. The concern that they have for Valeria makes me envy her. Plus, the love story between Hugo and Azalea. Ah, I've decided. I will protect this family. I'll make this novel less dramatic!

During the dinner, I can't help but think about the "mysterious sickness" that Hugo told me. 

The symptoms are :

*nausea 
*vomiting 
*muscle weakness 
*depression 
*irritability 
*loss of appetite 

If I think about this, those symptoms are similar to...

Oh no....

The maid earlier.... She..