Calista shifted to her right as her breathing became steadier and her consciousness crept in. Her eyelids flutter open and squint against the light that was too bright for her eyes.
There's a brief moment of disorientation as she slowly sits up and feels the soft material underneath her. She was in that state for a minute before the events that happened before she passed out dawned on her.
Calista heaves a sigh and then glances at the place she was in.
Instead of the worn-out exterior that she somehow got used to, it was now turned into a rather luxurious room.
The room exuded an air of elegance and luxury. There are tall arched windows draped with rich velvet curtains that were set aside for the sun rays to pass through the tall windows.
On the ceiling, a crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling. The walls were ornate wooden furnishings where an intricately carved vanity, a towering wardrobe, and a plush chaise lounge were placed.
A rose scent lingered in the air that came from the roses placed inside a vase that was placed on a nearby table.
The bed on which she was lying was a grand canopy bed that stood at the center with silken sheets and intricate embroidery for royalty.
Observing the place she was in made Calista think that she was in another dream completely different from the ones she had woken up in in this world, but she knew deep down that she was not dreaming without even inflicting pain on her body.
She was really inside the novel and possessed a villainess's body.
Although Calista Vermilion is only a minor villain, she still has a big impact on the story as a figure that inflicted a complicated childhood on the heroine.
She was just one of the reasons why the story progressed in an eventful way and made the heroine and hero's relationship stronger.
However, now that she is possessing Calista Vermilion's body, she can't just accept that destiny.
She has to change it.
Calista had her hands pressed on her head as she was thinking deeply while sitting up when she was interrupted when a soft knock was heard from the door.
She immediately shifted her eyes to the door, and panic immediately rose inside her.
Her breathing hitched, but she realized that she should stay calm, but on the other hand, she should feel alarm since she was in an unfamiliar place. That would be a much more natural reaction.
Calista didn't mask her nervousness and let her true emotions out.
When the door opened, a woman dressed in a black tailored dress with a crisp white apron tied neatly at the waist.
The woman was carrying a small basin full of fresh water with a small towel.
Noticing her awake, the woman gasped before bowing respectfully.
"My lady, you're awake. Good timing! I was about to clean you up. How about we go to the bathroom to have a proper bath?" The woman asked in a warm and lively voice.
Calista's nervousness lessened as she stared at the woman's natural actions, as if she and Calista had already known each other for a long time, as if Calista just didn't appear out of nowhere.
Seeing her lack of reaction, the woman tilted her head and asked, "My lady? Are you okay? Oh—are you perhaps hungry? You can eat before we take a bath. How about that?"
Calista frowns before looking down at herself. She realized that she was still in the worn-out dress that she was wearing in the orphanage.
She paused before opening her mouth reluctantly, "Uhmm...I will wash first."
The woman's expression brightened up as she clapped her hands together. "As you wish! Let's get you washed up, my lady. My name is Emma. You can call me Emmy if you want." Emmy winked her eyes at her as she said that.
A smile appeared on Calista's face because of the infectious smile from the maid as she was guided to the bathroom to wash up.
....
Calista stared at her reflection in the mirror as Emmy combed her silver hair behind her with a somber expression on her face.
Noticing her gaze from the mirror, Emmy tried to smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Calista looked back at when Emmy started acting that way. It was probably when she saw spots that were black mixed with blue and purple color on her stomach.
It was probably the bruises she got from the punch from the headmistress of the orphanage.
It was also the first time she saw that she had bruises on her stomach. Looking at the black bruises in her skin made her realize that the headmistress really didn't hold back her strength.
The bruises are still fresh, and a slight pressure on her stomach can inflict pain on her. Emmy seems also aware of that; that's why she was very cautious while washing her up.
When they went out of the bathroom, Emmy dressed her in a simple yet elegant dress made of soft lavender fabric that flowed lightly to her ankles. Its neckline is modest, and the loose sleeves balance comfort with a quiet, regal charm.
Calista can tell that such a dress was made of high-quality fabric from the way it clings softly to her skin.
She stared at her appearance in the mirror and realized once again how gorgeous this body that she has is.
It was now bright and neat, which made her beauty stand out more. Her silver hair with a lavender undertone was neatly combed and was styled in a loose, low braid adorned with a thin lavender ribbon woven through and tying it at the end. Soft strands of her hair were also framing her face for a touch of natural elegance.
She stared at her awe-struck appearance, her teal eyes wide and full of awe.
"You look like the goddess of the moon, Selene, my lady. Your silver hair flowed softly with a luminous glow as moonbeams descended from the heavens, just like how books portrayed the goddess," Emmy said with a smile on her face as they stared at Calista's appearance in the mirror.
Calista's face turned flush at the compliment. She doesn't know who the goddess Emmy was talking about, but the thought of her being compared to a goddess is a huge compliment.
"Thank you," she whispers under her breath.
"You're welcome. I'm just telling a fact," Emmy responded with a smile.
"By the way, His Grace, the duke, will have dinner with you," Emmy started.
"Dinner?" Calista asked as she shifted her gaze at the window and saw the sky turning into a color mixed with burnt orange, deep gold, and soft pink melting into purple and indigo.
She didn't notice how time passed by so quickly while they were dressing up.
"Yes. The duke wanted to spend some time with you," Emmy replied.
Noticing the hesitance and nervousness on her, Emmy placed her hand softly on Calista's shoulder and said in a gentle tone, "Don't be nervous, my lady. The duke is not someone you should feel nervous with. He's your father."
That's the point! I'm not his daughter!
Calista pushed aside her thought and mustered up a smile before nodding her head.
"That's right. He's my father."
She tried to manipulate herself to mask her true emotions.