The carriage had taken them to Momo village market, afar from the capital market. Thankfully, she knew the place because she had seen the sketch a few times in the novel.
"Why this far? Why are we not in the capital market?" Daphne asked when the carriage crawled to a stop before Momo village market
"Because, you must not be seen during the mourning of your father, my lady."
Amaris says as she helped Daphne down the carriage.
"This place is far away from the capital hence, a lot of people won't be able to recognize you." Amaris says as she held onto Daphne's grip and led her into the market.
The marketplace was busy but not as busy like it used to be in the capital market. Momo market was a familiar location in the novel since it was where Yiwa often stopped to shop and a lot of other things that mostly took place in the marketplace before it eventually shut down, thanks to Grant Castiglione.
She matched up the wooden stairs that led to the shop, the scent of fabric and rose assaulting her nose the moment she walked into the elite shop.
The shop is lined with fabrics of different colors and patterns. Another door leads to a different section that contained dresses for brunches and nightwears. Daphne stepped into the segment, accessing the section properly for a dress that would fit the mood.
"My Lady, what type of dress do you seek for?"
Daphne turned to Modiste Delara. Of course, she recognized her from the webtoon. The writer had answered in an interview why she had specifically sketched her cheekbone to be so sharp. Those cheekbones could be recognized from miles away.
"Hi," Daphne greeted awkwardly. "Uhm...I need a dress for brunch with a friend."
Delara smiled, her cheekbones sharp enough to pierce through glasses. "I have one that just arrived from Astrelle last night. One moment." She says and excused herself quickly, moving towards the far end.
Few minutes later, she reappeared with a dress, urging Daphne to try it on. Daphne tried it on, checking out herself in the mirror in that section.
The dress looked like a long, flowing gown in a light pink color. It had a square neckline and long, wide sleeves. The dress is decorated with braided trim along the sleeves and neckline, and features a embroidered floral pattern. It is cinched at the waist with a double rope belt that has tassels hanging down.
It was the perfect dress she wanted.
"I love this one." Daphne says, turning to inform Delara but she was nowhere to be found behind her. She moved to the main section to find Amaris but Amaris was not in the main section either. This caused a huge frown on her face.
"Amaris?" She called out, heart pounding. The main section was also too quiet and scanty unlike when she arrived earlier with Amaris. It was empty like an apocalypse happened.
She stepped into another section and when she found it empty again, her heart lurched. "Delara?" She called out.
The section she is in is more secluded and private due to it being nightwears only. It was also a little dark. She heard footsteps from behind her that made her freeze. "W-who is that?"
They didn't reply so, she grabbed the closest thing next to her in which she could use as defense. Her fingers closed around the hanger, anxiety boiling in her stomach.
Was it the point in the webtoon where Grant kills her?
By the time a strong arm grabbed her shoulder, she tried twisting and attacking them with the hanger but they already grabbed her by the waist so, all she could do was throw her legs and scream for help.
One hand held her waist tight while the other closed around her mouth to muffle her screams.
Water gathered in her eyes as she continued thrashing against their grip.
Although, she hated the role she found herself in the novel but she still didn't want to return back to her world because she had no place to go. And also, she didn't want to give Grant Castiglione the satisfaction of killing her again like in the novel.
So, she thrashed with every strength left within her. Finally, she released herself out of their grip and swirled around to attack them with the hanger but before she could lift her hand for the attack, a hand wrapped around her neck from behind and twisted her neck, the world becoming blank instantly.
---
A huge ache in her neck is what Daphne wakes up to. As she tried moving, she realized her hands and legs were tied and her mouth was also sealed with a piece of fabric. The next thing she realized is that she is in a carriage and that... someone is in the carriage with her.
Her eyes widened and her heart skipped when she sees Grant sitting opposite her, engrossed in what seemed like a novel.
His blond hair styled to parted in the center and with perfection, his outfit of waist coat over white shirt making him stand out as always.
His expensive flower-scented perfume assaulting her nose even in her tied up state.
Daphne jerked up, startled by his presence and gazed around her. It was an elite carriage, adorned with plush cushions and gold intricates. She eyed him but she couldn't speak.
Had he been the one that kidnapped her? She struggled against the fabric that tied her down, her muffled protest of, "Let me go, you bastard!" feeling the carriage.
Grant paid no attention, pretending as though she wasn't there. He didn't even offer her a glance.
When the carriage crawled to a stop, he climbs down and pulls her with him. Daphne thrashed even harder as he threw her on his shoulder, climbing up the stairs to the entrance of his mansion.
His staffs did nothing as he takes her up the stairs, stopping by the study room she had visited the previous day, throwing the door open, and setting her down. He untied her legs, untied her hands and untied the fabric that tied her mouth.
Immediately she was free, her hand moved instantly, striking his face at once. His hand slowly rest on his jaw, massaging it from the slap. He wore on two silver rings on his middle and index fingers.
Before she knew what was happening, his hand closed around her neck, her back slammed to the door. His grip around her neck tightened as he closed the space between them.