OO3.

Chapter 3

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Continuation of the preface...

I HELD my temple tightly as I squeezed my eyes shut in pain. I had a dream—or should I say, a nightmare. I was thrust into a virtual game world and accidentally chose the role of the villainess, who would soon be expelled from the Ducal Palace for her wickedness. It was truly a drastic experience.

"My lady,"

My what?

"Lady Loughsin,"

Agad ko namang ibinuka ang talukap ng aking mga mata nang marinig ko ang apelyido na iyon.

"You fainted, Lady Loughsin. Your knight was patrolling the area when he heard a scream," began the woman, who appeared to be in her mid-30s, speaking to me with formality. She had faint pink hair, a light brown complexion, and wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, suggesting a great deal of stress for reasons I couldn't fathom.

"Natatakot na baka may mangyaring masama sa iyo, agad siyang pumunta sa iyong silid at nakita kang walang malay," she continued, her gaze cold and piercing. Shouldn't she look anxious? Why does her expression not match her words? Her face remained indifferent, her eyes showing no hint of the concern her words suggested.

I roamed my eyes around the room, taking in the sight of the maids with their slouched postures and annoyed expressions. One had her arms crossed, her brows furrowed in irritation, while another's lips were pursed tightly, as if holding back a scowl. They seemed genuinely upset, as if I had disrupted their beauty rest.

Oh right, crap, I almost forgot that Lady Loughsin is an unimportant character in this game. I rolled my eyes, recalling why they treated me with such disdain.

But wait... Why am I acknowledging that I'm this kind of character?! How did I end up in this freakin' game?

"Do you want us to stay here for a while so you can sleep soundly?" one of the maids asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. I was about to respond, but to my surprise, no words came out.

Ano'ng nangyayari? Bakit hindi ako makapag-salita?! I immediately covered my mouth in shock. Suddenly, a holographic image with choices popped up in front of me, and bright, unamusing lights illuminated the room, making it feel like we were on stage performing a drama.

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Choose your answer.

◣ Yes, para naman may silbi kayong lahat dito! ◥

No, thank you. You can now all rest, I'm sorry for the commotion I've made.

Obviously, you want me to be alone when I'm still suffering here? Are you really my maid?!

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I rolled my eyes heavenward when I saw the holograph. Did I really need to do this? How can I possibly speak comfortably if my freedom of speech isn't my own?!

I glanced at the maids in front of me. They were all staring at me, not even blinking, as if waiting anxiously for my response. I had to choose quickly, their unwavering gazes were unsettling, like they were alive but not truly present. It was confusing, right? Yes, it was exactly that.

I heaved a sigh. I didn't have a choice but to press the option I wanted.

"No, thank you. You can now all rest. I'm sorry for the commotion I've made." As I selected the second choice, my mouth moved on its own, and I spoke the words aloud. All of them, including the manservants, were shocked. They couldn't believe someone like me could be kind.

"As you wish, Lady Loughsin. Can we take our leave now?" the woman asked for my permission. I nodded without hesitation. They all bowed to me and left in a single file, almost like a military formation.

As the door closed, the lights turned off.

I was left with my mouth slightly open in surprise. So, I really have to do this? If I entered this game, then where is my original body? Did I die? Chewy... My cat also died. Then he should be here too, right?

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Your life is now extended because of wise choice of words! You're such a remarkable player!

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A holograph popped up suddenly in front of me.

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Will you accept the 5% increase in your life?

• Yes          • No

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Of course, I will accept it. Sino'ng tanga ang hindi tatanggapin iyon? I pressed 'Yes' and watched as the bar indicating my life increased.

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Congratulations! Your lifetime has now increased by 20%! Continue doing good deeds, player!

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Yes, my life is now at 20%.

In the original game, I played as Cecelia, the Goddess, who is engaged to the crown prince. My game went smoothly because she is the main character. However, I've never played as Arthemice before, and I didn't know her system worked like this. I have to increase my lifespan to survive? What happens if it drops to zero percent? Will I die then?

This is so different from Cecelia's path. For her, I just needed to increase the affection of the male characters. Once their love reached one hundred percent, I would marry that man and live happily ever after. How incredibly easy, right? But now, I can't believe I accidentally chose the Villainess. Arthemice is destined to die from starvation if I don't manage her life correctly.

I stared at the holograph that now is slowly fading, my heart's pounding. This is a game where my life is literally on the line. I need to be strategic and cautious. Every choice matters. If I fail, it's not just a game over – it's the end of me.

I needed to navigate Arthemice's path wisely, outsmart those who wished her harm, and find a way to survive in this brutal game world. My journey as the Villainess had just begun.

I heaved a distant sigh.

Gustong-gusto ko itong larong ito, pero ayaw kong pumasok dito... bakit kaya ako napunta rito? Is it because my real life is even worse than being a Villainess in this game? Are they mocking me? Are the Gods mocking me?

I glanced at the large glass window in the corner of my room. Moonlight spilled through the panes, casting a silvery glow on the floor.

Naglakad naman ako patungo sa bintana at tiningnan ang mga bituin at buwan mula rito.  I opened the glass window and was greeted by the wind. It's chilly, but it doesn't matter. I just want to embrace the ambiance of this sight before it stales.

The garden outside is a breathtaking tapestry of colors and fragrances. Delicate flowers in full bloom blanket the ground, their petals glistening in the soft moonlight. The gentle breeze rustles the leaves of ancient trees, their branches swaying gracefully. The scent of jasmine and roses fills the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the rich soil.

How can this beautiful world that I am seeing right now be just a part of the game? It feels surreal.

"Ah..." I tried to speak, but that's the only word that could come out of my mouth.

But, I remembered that I could speak when I first came here, right? Was it because I didn't choose any of the characters before that? So, if I choose to be Cecelia, then the setting will change, right?

I looked at the sky again. Ang ganda-ganda. I still can't believe that I, a battered wife, went to a world like this and accidentally became a villainess.

"You're still awake," a male voice murmured, dripping with an unsettling calm that sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't immediately identify the speaker, but the menace in his tone was unmistakable.

The spotlight flickered to life once more, encapsulating us in a small, suffocating circle of light. The play was beginning again.

"Hindi pa rin ba maayos ang iyong pakiramdam, Lady Arthemice?"

I turned slowly, dreading what I might see. Before me stood the young duke of Loughsin's manor, his expression unreadable yet somehow menacing.

Darious, the sadistic and cruel brother of Arthemice, exuded an aura of pure malice. His cold, piercing eyes held a sinister glint, and a twisted smile played on his lips as if he relished the suffering of others. Tall and imposing, he seemed to tower over everything around him, casting a long, dark shadow that felt almost suffocating. His presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavy, charged with an electric tension that hinted at the darkness within him.

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Communicate with your brother, and choose your answer!

◣ Hindi! Dahil ito sa kakulangan ng mga katulong, they should prioritize my safety, brother! ◥

Can you state the obvious? Do I look better to you?

Brother...

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And now again, the holograph pops out, demanding that I choose my reply to him. Where's my freedom to not respond? If only there were an option to stay silent, I would have chosen it. Hays.

I pressed what I thought would be the nicest answer, and then my current self abruptly acted and spoke what needed to be said.

"Can you state the obvious? Do I look better to you?" This one would do. I didn't like the young Duke in the game anyway. He is obsessed and really annoying, self-centered because he is next in line to take charge of this manor.

I watched as his innocent blue eyes twisted into madness. He grinned devilishly as he sauntered toward me, each step measured and deliberate. The accessories on his clothes clinked together. The one-inch heels of his shoes struck the floor with a resounding echo, amplifying the tension with each step. His eyes seemed to glow, the blue irises illuminated by the moonlight streaming in. The closer he got, the more oppressive his presence became.

He stopped a meter away from me and leaned in, closing the distance until we were mere inches apart.

"How amusing, my sister. They did not call you a villainess for nothing, eh?" he mumbled, gently brushing a strand of my hair and inhaling its scent.

I stood stiffly, paralyzed by his proximity. I couldn't move an inch. All I could do was look away from his face. It wasn't me who was afraid of him... it was Arthemice.

That's right. This body reacts this way because Arthemice is terrified of her brother. She is powerless under his control. As a child of a prostitute, she has no choice but to obey him. That's her character in this game.

I despised her for it—her inability to see her own worth, her dependency on others. Despite her fathers love, she seeks affection from the crown prince, who is engaged to Cecelia. Arthemice is childish and weak-minded, her emotions easily thrown into disarray by the slightest provocation. That's why she became a villainess—a very childish one, driven to darkness by her own insecurities and frailties.

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Oh my! Your brother came to humor you! What will you do?

◣ Push him away. ◥

Gently caress his left cheek.

Slap him.

You can choose your own words to this.

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I clenched my fist when those choices popped up again. Oh really, now I can choose my own words? I smirked at the thought.

Let me choose a better way to assert myself in this game.

I pressed the choice I wanted to make, and as usual, my current body responded accordingly.

I turned to face him directly, my eyes locking onto his with a newfound confidence. Slowly, I raised my hand, and gently caressed his cheek, my touch soft but deliberate. His skin was cold. The tension in the air thickened as he stood frozen, clearly not expecting this.

A sweet smile spread across my lips, a stark contrast to the defiance burning in my eyes. Then, without warning, I let my smile twist into a smirk. His eyes widened in shock, caught off guard by the shift in my demeanor.

In my own world, I may have been a battered wife who didn't fight for her life, but here, I would not be a pushover.

I looked into his ocean-blue eyes intensely. "Oh brother, isn't it wonderful that I am the Villainess and not the Goddess?" I said, the words flowing out without hesitation. I hadn't thought them through, but I knew I would never let myself be trampled again.

He flinched, and my smirk widened. Did he really not expect his once-obedient sister to say such things?

"I-I am going upstairs. Have a good night's sleep!" he stammered, slapping my hand away from his face. He turned his back on me, and I bowed mockingly, noticing how he bit his lower lip in frustration.

I smiled at him one last time as the spotlight turned off and he swung the double doors closed.

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Excellent response! Now your life will be increased by 2%! Congratulations!

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'Only two? How disappointing. Well, it's not half bad at all. Now that my lifespan is extended by 2%, it will be 22%,' I mused, a smirk curling at the corners of my lips.

I gazed again at the door, feeling a thrill of anticipation. I grinned, the sight of his sour face sending a ripple of amusement through me. How deliciously satisfying.

Being a villain isn't really that bad, right?

This is the reason why I accidentally chose the path of the Villainess, isn't it? To correct the wrong choices of my past life.

I would make Arthemice into a true villainess, not the childish one from the game I once played. Because right now, I, Faerie, embrace the darkness. I wanted to be the Villainess.

fin.