Sonal_Suresh

Upon awakening, Hope Williamson found herself transmigrated into a world teeming with strangers, devoid of all familiarity she once held dear. Previously an ordinary high school student, she cherished her wonderful and beautiful family and friends. However, following a weekday when she was hanging out with her companions, she succumbed to unconsciousness after being struck by a car. The subsequent memory she retained was that of awakening as the daughter of a duke.

Woke up as Duke's daughter

As Hope turned, she saw a tall man wearing a mask silently sit beside her. He didn't speak at first, merely gazing at the sky as if lost in thought.

Even with the mask, his presence was striking. His golden eyes glowed faintly under the moonlight, their intensity making her feel as if he could see through her very soul.

Hope blinked, caught off guard. "Pardon?"

The man tilted his head slightly. "Are you sad that the Crown Prince chose your sister?"

Her irritation flared. "And may I know who the gentleman is before he makes assumptions about my feelings?"

The man chuckled. "Just an outsider… here to celebrate a friend's birthday."

Hope narrowed her eyes. "So, he's a friend of Caelum?" she thought. "But there was no mention of him in the plot…"

The masked man observed her quietly before speaking again. "Your expression… Are you afraid of him?"

She had no intention of entertaining this cryptic conversation any longer. Rising to her feet, she dusted off her dress. "Sorry, but I need to leave. My family is waiting inside."

As she turned, her eyes caught a glint of red. His hand—hidden partially under his sleeve—was bleeding.

She hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Tsk, what a hassle." Pulling out a handkerchief, she knelt and swiftly wrapped it around his wound.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How unexpected."

Hope tightened the knot with more force than necessary. "Don't misunderstand. I'm doing this for myself. I'm already a villain in people's eyes—if they see me leaving a bleeding man alone, they'll have one more reason to condemn me."

The man chuckled, his deep laughter echoing in the night air.

Then, with an amused tilt of his head, he murmured, "You know… your eyes are similar to mine."

But before she could question him, he simply smiled beneath his mask. "Nothing."

Hope clicked her tongue and turned away. "Weirdo." She left quickly, ensuring no one would see her slipping back into the palace.

However, just as she was about to enter, a firm grip caught her wrist.

She turned to find Regas staring at her, his expression unreadable.

"Where were you?" His sharp eyes flickered downward, noticing a faint stain on her sleeve. His brows furrowed. "Is that blood? What happened?"

Hope yanked her wrist away. "Why do you care?" she snapped, shoving past him.

Regas stood there, unmoving, watching her walk away. His sister had never spoken to him like that before.

"What changed?" he murmured to himself.

Back at the Duke's mansion, Hope was heading toward her room when a soft voice called from behind.

She turned to see Selene standing there, her delicate face filled with hesitation.

Hope forced a neutral expression. "Yes, Selene?"

Selene lowered her gaze. "Sister, I know how much you like the Crown Prince… but when he asked me to dance, I couldn't say no."

Hope barely restrained a sigh. "You don't have to worry about me. You can accept his love. I don't like him anymore."

Selene's eyes widened in shock. "Please don't say it like that! I know how much you love him… how much you've always loved him!"

Hope stared at her, feeling a headache forming. "What's wrong with this woman? Even though I told her directly that I don't like him anymore, she refuses to believe it?"

Selene's eyes filled with tears. "I—"

But before she could finish, an angry voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

A teenage boy stormed into the hallway, his sharp features twisted in anger.

Chapter 5