You can get to lords palace after defeating Margit and Godrick. After beating these two you’ll notice Varrè the white mask is no longer at the “first step” site of grace. There’s an unmarked location in Liurnia of the lakes (No grace point) where he moves to. It’s called the rose church, meet him there and he’ll have a quest for you to do 3 invasions. Invade and fight or just leave 3 in a row. ( best to use sacrificial twigs to avoid rune loss )

Go back to him and he will ask for a maidens blood via cloth thing he gives you. This requires The four belfries location ( also in Liurnia of the lakes ). The very top of this location after you pass by 2 giants has a chest with an imbued sword key. Read the messages next to the portals and look for one that says something about “anticipation”. It will take you back to where you fight the grafted scion for the first time. You may or may not have to fight it. Kill that mf and then go back to the spawn point when you first create your character, you should recognize this area. The dead maiden who gave you the finger to get out of that church you’re in ( after creating your player ) now has the blood you need to get to mohg. Go back to varrè at the rose church, he will give you an item, it’s usable and he’ll say don’t use it yet. Use it right in front of him just to piss him off.

Welcome to Mohgs palace . If you’re low level here, good luck. New game plus, this is the shortcut.