_saintrose

Beatrice Da Ville was meant to be the villainess. Arrogant, cruel, and doomed to die. But when a 21st-century woman wakes up in her body, she refuses to meet that fate.

Avoiding execution should have been simple: keep her head down, stay out of trouble, and let the story run its course. But the world refuses to let her disappear. The nobles are always whispering about her, the royal family won’t leave her alone, and worst of all—the cold, calculating Crown Prince keeps watching her like he knows she’s up to something.

But the deeper she gets entangled in the kingdom’s growing tensions, the more she realizes something terrifying. This story was never just about the heroine and villainess. And if she’s not careful, she won’t just die. She’ll play right into the ending that was always meant for her.

If the script won’t let her live, then she’ll just have to rewrite it herself.

The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script

The morning sun was soft on her windows, but Beatrice felt none of its warmth.

Francois was already in her chambers by the time she sat up, a tray in his hands and Elisha darting playfully between his boots. He set the tray on the table beside her bed and offered a crooked smile.

"If you don't eat, you'll faint before the king finishes his first sentence."

"That's optimistic," Beatrice murmured.

"No," he said, sitting at the edge of her bed. "That's strategy."

She let him feed her a bite of toast, though she barely tasted it. Elisha pawed at the hem of her blanket, then leapt onto the sheets, promptly claiming Francois' lap like it was a throne. He gave the kitten an exaggerated scowl.

"She's always known where the real power lies," Beatrice said faintly.

He sobered after a moment. "The king and queen made their decision. It will be announced before sundown."

"You know what it is?" Beatrice looked up sharply.

Chapter 100