Chapter 1: Reincarnation is a scam

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Pain.

Not the sharp, dramatic kind from an execution or a carriage accident. No, this was the dull, throbbing pain of waking up too early after a long night of suffering. Like an obnoxious alarm blaring in my skull, demanding I return to consciousness when I'd much rather stay dead.

…Wait.

Dead?

My eyes flew open. My breath caught in my throat. I expected—what? Darkness? The void? The comforting embrace of nothingness? Instead, I was greeted by an absurdly ornate ceiling, hand-painted with golden vines and delicate roses.

This wasn't my dingy apartment. This wasn't even Earth.

Memories slammed into me like a poorly written fantasy novel.

My name is Evelina Aurelius.

I am the villainess of "Fated Hearts."

And I was supposed to die.

I sucked in a breath, trying to calm the whirlwind in my head. Slowly, I turned my gaze to my hands—small, delicate, completely unscarred. My fingers, once calloused from typing on a keyboard for long hours, were now soft and pale. I clenched them into fists. My heart pounded against my ribs.

I knew this body.

This was before my downfall.

I scrambled out of bed, tripping over the heavy, expensive silk sheets, and staggered toward the massive, gold-trimmed mirror on the wall.

A face stared back at me.

Not the exhausted, overworked office worker I remembered. No dark circles, no caffeine-fueled dead eyes. Instead, a stunning girl with icy silver hair cascading down her back, piercing violet eyes, and skin so flawless it looked painted.

She was beautiful in a way that screamed, "rich, noble, and probably evil."

Because she was.

Because she was me.

"Oh… oh, hell no."

I stumbled back, gripping the edge of the dresser as panic slammed into me. This wasn't some vague dream. The weight of my body, the cold floor beneath my bare feet, the scent of perfume in the air—everything felt real.

I had reincarnated.

As the villainess.

In the exact moment before my life turned into a complete disaster.

And if I remembered correctly…

My head snapped toward the window, where the morning sun was rising. Today was the start of the Academy Year.

Where the game's heroine, Seraphina du Lys, would enter the stage.

Where the game's male leads would fall for her charm.

Where I, Lady Evelina, would begin my villain arc and doom myself to exile or execution.

I exhaled slowly, gripping my temples.

Okay. Okay. Breathe.

At least I had knowledge of the story.

And if I knew what was coming…

Then I could change everything.

This time, I refuse to be the villainess who loses.

This time—

I'll steal the heroine's fate instead.

---

My hands trembled as I braced myself against the dresser. Stay calm, Evelina.

This wasn't a dream. It wasn't a cruel trick. It was real.

I had reincarnated as Lady Evelina Aurelius, the most notorious villainess in "Fated Hearts." And today was the beginning of the Royal Academy arc, the moment the game's heroine, Seraphina du Lys, would appear and charm every single male lead meant to be hers.

And I?

I was doomed.

In every single route, I had exactly two endings:

Exile: If I merely harassed Seraphina, I'd be thrown into a nunnery or abandoned in some war-torn wasteland.

Execution: If I really pissed off the male leads, I'd get a public beheading for treason.

Neither of those sounded fun.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to recall every detail. What was my crime? What got me killed?

Oh, right. Being a jealous, raging noble brat.

Lady Evelina was originally a horrible person in the game. She bullied Seraphina for being a commoner, mocked her at every opportunity, and actively tried to sabotage her reputation. She even slapped the girl in the infamous ballroom scene, which was basically her death flag speedrun.

Then, of course, the male leads got involved.

Prince Cassius, the cold and untouchable heir to the throne.

My fiancé. Well, technically, ex-fiancé, since he was supposed to dump me for Seraphina in front of the entire academy.

In the game, I publicly humiliated Seraphina, and Cassius, in all his self-righteous glory, broke our engagement and exiled me on the spot.

Duke Adrian Everhart, the brooding noble with a tragic past.

Another love interest for Seraphina. Also hated me.

He literally said, "You're a disgrace to noble society," before helping destroy my family's reputation.

Leon Valcrest, the Knight Commander and paragon of justice.

Thought I was a rotten aristocrat who needed to be punished.

Once said, "If you were a man, I'd cut you down myself." (I took that personally.)

Elias Fontaine, the playful genius mage.

Didn't care much about me but helped get me executed anyway.

Betrayed me in the bad endings by testifying against me.

So, to summarize:

Every important man in this kingdom either hated me, betrayed me, or actively wanted me dead.

I groaned, rubbing my temples. No wonder I lost.

If I did nothing, fate would drag me down the same doomed path.

But if I tried to fight the script, I might make it worse.

I needed a plan.

Step 1: Don't engage.

The original Evelina constantly chased after Cassius, acting like a clingy, possessive noble brat. That made him hate her faster.

I would do the exact opposite.

Step 2: Avoid Seraphina at all costs.

No conflict = no villainess reputation.

If I didn't bully her, there was no reason for the male leads to defend her against me.

Step 3: Secure an escape route.

If everything still went south, I needed a backup plan.

Alright. This was good.

For now, I just needed to lay low and survive the first day.

Simple, right?

Right?

---

I took a slow, deep breath.

Everything was fine.

I had a plan.

Step 1: Don't engage with Cassius. If I could get him to quietly break off our engagement without humiliating me, I wouldn't become the bitter ex-fiancée who harassed Seraphina.

Step 2: Avoid Seraphina at all costs. No bullying meant no villainess reputation.

Step 3: Secure an escape route in case things go to hell.

Simple, right?

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror.

A flawless villainess stared back at me.

Silver hair, cold violet eyes, sharp aristocratic features. Even without speaking, I looked like someone who would casually order a servant to be flogged for bringing cold tea.

…Yeah. This was going to be hard.

But I wasn't the Evelina from before.

I straightened my posture, adjusting the silk ribbons of my nightgown. My room was silent, aside from the faint rustling of curtains. Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, the sun had barely risen over the Aurelius estate.

Any minute now—

Knock, knock.

Ah. There it was.

"Milady." A familiar voice rang from the door. "It's time to prepare for the Academy."

Marianne, my personal maid.

Loyal to my mother. A spy. A professional at sniffing out weaknesses.

I schooled my features, adopting Evelina's usual haughty tone. "Enter."

The heavy mahogany doors opened, revealing Marianne's sharp blue eyes and perfect posture. She carried a neatly folded academy uniform, her expression neutral—but calculating.

If I acted too different, she would notice immediately.

"Good morning, my lady," she said smoothly.

I nodded, watching her movements. She studied me as well.

I knew what she was thinking.

Evelina was usually a nightmare in the mornings. Whining, throwing pillows, complaining about the staff's incompetence.

But today? I was calm, composed, and observant.

"…Milady?" Marianne arched a brow. "Shall I prepare your bath?"

"Yes," I replied simply.

No unnecessary complaints. No spoiled noble tantrums.

Marianne's expression didn't change, but I saw the slightest hesitation before she nodded and moved toward the bathroom.

Ah. I had already confused her.

Good.

The less predictable I was, the harder I'd be to manipulate.

---

An Hour Later – The Dining Hall

By the time I entered the grand dining hall, the rest of my family was already seated.

The Aurelius breakfast table was a battlefield.

Father sat at the head of the table, a towering figure of discipline. Duke Hadrian Aurelius, master of commerce, ruthless strategist, and a man who could make lesser nobles weep with a single glance.

Mother sat beside him, icy and elegant, her presence suffocating. Her piercing green eyes immediately flickered toward me, calculating.

And then there was my older brother, Damian, the perfect heir. Unbothered. Effortlessly respected.

None of them actually looked at me—because I was unimportant.

That was fine. I preferred it that way.

I sat down silently, reaching for a cup of tea.

And that's when I felt it.

The pause.

Father's fork stilled.

Mother's gaze flickered.

Damian raised an eyebrow.

I took a slow sip of my tea.

Right. They had noticed.

Because usually, I was an insufferable brat at breakfast. Complaining, demanding, pouting about my engagement to Prince Cassius.

But today?

I was silent, composed, and completely uninterested.

"…You seem uncharacteristically quiet this morning, Evelina," my father finally said.

I set down my cup, tilting my head slightly. "Do I?"

Silence.

Mother's expression remained unreadable. Damian just smirked slightly.

I knew what they were thinking.

Is she sick? Is something wrong? Has she finally realized she's useless?

But no one actually cared enough to ask.

I smiled. "Perhaps I've matured."

Father scoffed. "Doubtful."

Mother simply continued eating.

Damian chuckled. "Now that would be interesting."

I didn't react. I just calmly ate my breakfast like I had no intention of causing problems today.

If they weren't suspicious before, they definitely were now.

But they wouldn't press further. Not yet.

Because in their eyes, I wasn't worth the effort.

And that was fine.

They'd regret it soon enough.

---

The Academy Gates – 30 Minutes Later

The Royal Academy of Lumeria stood before me, a massive gothic structure with towering spires and intricate stained-glass windows. The grand entrance was already flooded with noble children, dressed in pristine uniforms, their laughter and hushed whispers filling the morning air.

I stepped out of the carriage, smoothing my academy uniform—a deep navy coat over a crisp white blouse, paired with a flowing skirt.

As expected, whispers started the moment I arrived.

"Lady Evelina is here…"

"She looks different today."

"She's always been beautiful, but her expression is…"

"Colder? Sharper?"

I ignored them. Evelina was already infamous in the noble circle.

What I didn't expect—

Was the silence that fell as soon as the royal carriage arrived.

The emblem of the Lorian royal family gleamed on the carriage doors. The moment they opened, a tall figure stepped out.

Crown Prince Cassius Lorian.

Golden hair. Piercing blue eyes. A presence that demanded obedience.

He was supposed to be my fiancé.

He was supposed to hate me.

He walked forward—and his gaze locked onto mine.

Sharp. Calculating. Studying me.

And then—

He stopped.

Right in front of me.

The Academy courtyard went dead silent.

I didn't move.

I didn't bow.

I just met his gaze, completely indifferent.

For the first time, Cassius hesitated.

"…Strange." His voice was low, unreadable. "You look different today."

I tilted my head slightly, my voice smooth. "Do I?"

More silence.

Cassius' piercing blue eyes narrowed slightly.

The male leads never paid attention to Evelina this early in the game.

But today—

I had caught his interest.

Damn it.

---

Why is he still looking at me?

Crown Prince Cassius Lorian stood in front of me, hands tucked neatly behind his back, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine with unreadable intensity.

The entire courtyard was silent, dozens of noble students watching with held breaths. Some were eager, expecting to see the usual drama between the villainess and the prince.

I knew what was supposed to happen next.

Cassius would coldly dismiss me. He would make it clear that our engagement was a political necessity, not a real relationship. Then, he'd ignore me completely—until he met Seraphina.

That was the natural flow of the game.

Except—

I had no intention of playing along.

I met his gaze with calm indifference.

Not anger. Not desperation. Just… nothing.

Cassius' sharp brows furrowed ever so slightly. The wind ruffled the edges of his navy academy coat, catching in the golden strands of his hair.

"…Strange," he murmured again.

The watching nobles tensed. This wasn't what they expected. Evelina was supposed to be clinging to him, desperate for his attention.

But I merely tilted my head slightly, expression smooth.

"Do I appear different to you, Your Highness?"

A simple, neutral question.

Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly, as if studying me. "You do."

I offered a small, polite smile. "How odd. I assure you, I am quite the same as I was yesterday."

I wasn't. We both knew that.

For the first time, Cassius hesitated.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

He had prepared himself to tolerate my usual whining, my jealous barbs, my dramatic outbursts. But instead, I was poised, distant, and completely uninterested.

His irritation was subtle but unmistakable.

I fought the urge to smirk. Good. Let him be unsettled.

"…Hmph." Cassius finally exhaled through his nose, stepping back. "Do not cause trouble."

"Of course not," I replied smoothly.

I could feel the stunned gazes of the nobles around us. This was the first time in years that I hadn't forced an interaction with him.

Cassius hesitated again—just for a fraction of a second—before finally turning away.

The royal attendants rushed to follow him, and just like that, he was gone.

The courtyard immediately erupted into whispers.

"What just happened?"

"Why didn't she cling to him?"

"She looks so… composed. It's unnerving."

I exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of silver hair behind my ear.

Good. Let them talk. Let them wonder.

I had just destroyed the first step of my original downfall.

Now, I just had to avoid—

"Lady Evelina?"

A soft, delicate voice rang from behind me.

My stomach dropped.

I turned slowly—

And there she was.

---

The First Meeting with the Heroine

Seraphina du Lys.

The girl fated to be loved by all.

She was standing just a few feet away, looking up at me with gentle golden eyes, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.

Seraphina was smaller than I expected. She had soft, wavy blonde hair, a stark contrast to my cold silver locks. Her uniform fit her perfectly, and she radiated an innocent, delicate presence—like a flower swaying in the wind.

In the game, this was supposed to be the first encounter where I insulted her.

She would introduce herself shyly, and I—the villainess—was meant to sneer at her, mock her for being a commoner, and make a fool of myself.

It was a classic setup.

The noble villainess acting arrogant. The pure-hearted heroine standing strong.

Except.

I wasn't playing that role anymore.

Seraphina smiled sweetly, tilting her head. "It is truly an honor to meet you, Lady Evelina."

Ah. She was expecting hostility.

She was already preparing herself to be the underdog, to be brave against my cruelty.

I studied her for a long moment.

Then, I simply replied, "Ah."

That was it.

Nothing else.

Just a bored, indifferent acknowledgment.

Seraphina blinked, as if she hadn't expected that.

She quickly recovered, smiling again. "I hope we can get along—"

I walked away.

Just turned on my heel and left without another word.

---

Disrupting the Script

The whispers behind me exploded.

"Did… did Lady Evelina just—?"

"She ignored her? Completely?"

"This isn't right—"

"What's happening?"

I smiled to myself.

Seraphina was supposed to gain favor by standing strong against my insults.

But if I didn't engage at all?

If I refused to be the villainess she needed?

Then…

She had no role to play.

I had just broken the first major event of the game.

And judging by the slight tremor in Seraphina's voice behind me—

She knew it too.

---

I walked away from Seraphina with calculated ease, my posture perfect, my expression smooth.

Behind me, the whispers grew louder.

"What just happened?"

"Why did she ignore her?"

"I thought she hated commoners?"

"She's never acted like this before…"

Seraphina was supposed to win favor by being the innocent victim of my bullying.

But if I refused to play my part…

Then who was she standing against?

I smiled to myself.

Let her wonder. Let them all wonder.

I had successfully disrupted the game's script.

The real question now was… what were the consequences?

---

The Academy's Social Battlefield

The Academy wasn't just a place for education. It was a war zone of politics, alliances, and social standing.

Here, students weren't just students.

They were heirs to powerful noble houses, future ministers, military commanders, and royal advisors.

And in this world, social power was everything.

Which was why every noble lady in the Academy courtyard was now staring at me.

A group of finely dressed girls stood together, whispering behind their lace fans.

Lady Clarisse Ivonne, the infamous gossip queen, sat on a marble bench with her friends, her sharp green eyes watching me with open curiosity.

She was the biggest source of scandals in noble society. If you controlled Clarisse, you controlled the rumors.

And right now, she looked intrigued.

A few feet away, Lady Rosalind Ferre, Seraphina's so-called noble "friend," shifted uncomfortably.

She had been betting on Seraphina's rise—but now, she wasn't sure.

Because Evelina, the villainess, had just walked away unbothered.

And power follows those who show no fear.

I realized something then.

By not chasing Cassius, by not reacting to Seraphina, by refusing to play into their script—

I had just become more untouchable than before.

A predator only chases weak prey.

And right now?

I had made myself untouchable.

---

Unwanted Attention

I continued walking toward the Academy's entrance, keeping my expression neutral.

Then—

A shadow moved in front of me.

I barely had time to react before a tall figure stepped into my path.

I stopped.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze.

And met Prince Cassius' piercing blue eyes.

…Again?

The courtyard fell silent once more.

I blinked up at him. What the hell is he doing here?

He was supposed to walk away.

But instead, he stood before me, studying me too intently for my comfort.

Something in his gaze was different.

Like he was… reassessing me.

"…Your Highness?" I said smoothly.

Cassius didn't move.

Then, he asked, "…Who are you?"

I froze.

The question wasn't literal. It wasn't like he had forgotten me. No—this was Cassius admitting, for the first time, that I had completely deviated from what he expected.

Because Evelina wasn't supposed to act like this.

I had broken his understanding of me.

Good.

I offered a small, polite smile.

"I am who I have always been," I replied, my voice soft but unwavering.

Cassius didn't respond immediately.

For the second time today, he hesitated.

Then—

He let out a quiet scoff, as if amused.

"…I see."

And then, he walked away.

This time, the whispers erupted like wildfire.

Because Cassius Lorian, the cold and untouchable crown prince, had actually started a conversation with me.

And even worse—

He had seemed intrigued.

I kept my steps measured as I walked through the Academy doors, but inwardly, I was screaming.

Damn it.

I was supposed to be avoiding attention!

So why was I suddenly more interesting than ever?!

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