In a rush, I jolt up from the mattress and gasp for dear life as I awake from the bizarre dream.
"Goodness..."
I exasperate.
"... what did I just dream about??"
Observing my dim surroundings, I scan the bedroom and notice it's still nighttime. Midnight, to be precise.
'I must be going mental...'
Shaking off the remains of slumber, I untangle the strands of silky hair, thinking about the strangeness of the dream.
I felt odd.
As if, something was about to change. A grave change that would occur differently in the entire story, yet I chose to shake off the eerie feeling.
'I can't believe I had another one. Another bizarre dream like that day. A scene about the novel, but I don't understand why?'
I couldn't help but question the eccentric of it. Could it have been a mere coincidence? Perhaps a warning of an unforeseen future? Was it because I had transmigrated inside the novel, which is an interference with the original storyline?
Who knew.
However, I wouldn't sit around and do nothing. Not after experiencing two different dreams about the novel.
I had to write it down. Jot down the events and useful information that could help me survive in this world.
Quickly, I hop off the mattress and tiptoe my way towards a drawer. A different one from where the hidden gun was a week ago.
Of course, I never revisited the dangerous object for my sanity.
After doing more exploring, I found a small notebook inside it when I had free time to scavenge around alone. I knew the strange notebook would come in handy someday.
Seeing the blue notebook, I took it in my child-size hands before carefully closing the drawer without making a sound.
Sprinting lightly to the bed, I turn on the lamp sitting on the nightstand and sat on the mattress. I open the notebook and skim through the pages, which were surprisingly all empty.
'That's... strange.'
Taking a pen from the nightstand's drawer, I note down details about the story's events. I wrote it down on a random page and not on an obvious spot where anyone could easily read the secrets written inside.
I couldn't let anyone see the valuable information written inside the notebook. It could be risky and could expose me, which are two outcomes I didn't want.
Also, I didn't wish for someone to know and foresee the occurrences that would happen in the future. It would ruin everything for the worse.
After all, the butterfly effect of somebody's choices has consequences, which is not always in a good way. A theory I strongly believe to be entirely true.
In minutes, I finish laying out a timeline for the future events in complete order. I read it to myself without wording anything out loud.
I only wrote down the main events and the details I could remember at the moment.
For example, the minor mentions of their childhood life, the present timeline of when the novel began, and the moment Leonardo's harem became utterly obsessed with him.
Murderous Love begins with a 21-year-old Leonardo being mistreated by his 23-year-old cousin, Maximilian.
Shortly, Leon gets ordered to go on a mission as a 'female' spy to gather information on the Bleu Rosen's business advances.
However, Leon encounters a 22-year-old Raphael when he accidentally bumps into him on his way out of the building. A canon event that would have Raphael fall at first sight with poor Leon.
Months later, Leonardo will meet Raymond and Lucerne at the grand ball for mafia organizations to do shady business. The two of them will be instantly mesmerized by his striking and innocent appearance like any other male lead.
Predictably cheesy, yet the author made it work and intriguing to read.
'Now, for Michael...'
His 12-year-old self becomes smitten by Leon when he sees him sitting alone in the Veilchenblau's garden. The welcoming party they held for the Favio's sole heir. A celebration to their fresh alliance.
Unfortunately, he doesn't get to see Leon much after that because of his busy mafia schedule as the heir. Of course, not after the RedEye's annual function. A few weeks after, Leon had met Raphael.
Taking a moment, I thought of the other grand events that take place throughout the story. The important events for Leonardo's character development and romance with his harem.
The information I didn't care to write down because that was his story. Not Roselyn's, whose body I currently possess.
Right now, I had other priorities to focus on, such as my current survival and the benefits that could help me escape the plot.
"Forgive me, Leonardo, but my life is more important than your love story. I promise to think of you when I figure my shit out."
I whisper to myself, looking around the dim bedroom with caution. Seeing nothing suspicious, I look back at the notebook sitting on the mattress and think.
Childhood wise, there weren't many events or details that were specified in the novel. Just a gist of Leonardo's childhood bringing and trivial details about the male lead's backstory.
Things I didn't really care about for now. Especially when I hadn't made it far into the novel.
"Hmm... what else am I missing? Think woman. Think."
I murmur, scratching the side of my head. However, my calm expression falters when I recall Raphael's strong, vengeful demeanor towards me.
'Ack! Why must your demon face remind me of how complicated you'll make my innocent life become!?'
Sighing in defeat, my hopes and dreams for a good life instantly died as various other things came to mind.
Regardless of the choices or actions I decide to make for the betterment of my sake—Roselyn's present childhood—would technically be a bloody gamble.
I couldn't predict what outcome or effect it may have on the future. Not with a bunch of psychopaths and unhinged living characters, who don't know how to function properly.
Certainly, not with the minimal information about the past.
Then, a sudden realization struck me. The fortunate fact things wouldn't turn out for the worse since the red flags are still children.
"Oh my gosh. This is great."
I gasp in a cheerful, yet quiet tone. If I could, I would be smacking a table from the pure joy taking over my small body.
It truly felt like the heavens were on my side again by giving me such a great opportunity. A golden ticket to meet those psychopaths now, so I could get on their good side before they become more inhumane.
How you may ask?
For starters, it could help me gain something gracious from them. A favor or benefit I could use when the time occurs. Even if it came to be a minor favor.
A great backup plan in case I cannot soften up Raphael's cold heart.
At this, I turn a page to write down some things about the male leads. I wrote their names in fruit code names, which was based on the color of their hair.
[[1] Banana – loathes his father for his mistreatment against him and his deceased mother. A fair man?
Blueberry – could use a good beating. A lowkey yearner.
Apple – mentally ill. There's no helping him. Could almost rival Leon's beauty.
Lime – oddly friendly. Perhaps a potential friend? Or an ally?
Blackberry – a new love interest, who's introduced much later. Has hardly any screen time, yet is very influential. ]
After a thoughtful pause, I wrote another fruit code name that would play a meaningful part in the novel, Maximilian Veilchenblau.
[[2] Eggplant – loyal and reliable to her, but needs major help. Also, too flirty. ]
I wrote his code name down because he was originally a character Roselyn would become associated with in the future storyline. Her partner in crime.
'But... how exactly am I going to encounter them face to face and one by one? It seems nearly impossible especially as a mere child. Our houses hate each other to death.'
It would be a miracle for a peaceful negotiation or a nonviolent encounter to happen. My situation was already crappy to begin with. It would definitely make things more difficult.
'Wait...'
My eyes widen when I realize I forgot something important. Someone in particular.
Ivalo Lakhos.
Michael's future bodyguard and right hand man. The very man who becomes Leonardo's one and only true friend.
How could I forget him? How could I forget such a significant character in the story?
Then again, he was also a new character that'd be introduced much later. At least, where I left off in the novel he was a new additional character.
Of course, the readers who read the story in its original language knew more about his character than readers like me. They knew of the spoilers and how the story would end.
Thanks to those readers, I read some online spoilers they had provided about Ivalo, and most of them loved him. Gaining a huge fanbase online just like the rest of the notorious male leads.
In fact, half of them were hoping he'd be a part of the harem, yet sadly, he didn't become a male lead. Solely written as Leonardo's companion and friend, despite Ivalo being Michael's most trusted man.
A mere side character with immense loyalty. The very person who disliked Raphael from the beginning.
'Huh? Why am I having such a hard time remembering majority of the story and its characters?'
I found it strange that I couldn't remember certain things or characters in the novel. Just like how I couldn't recall Mariana's character even now.
Perhaps I'd recall the story and the others as time went on. I could only hope that'd be the case.
"Now, the thing is... what's going to help me prevent that?"
I whisper, glancing at the place he once stood before mayhem occurred.
[1] Written in her notebook. 📒
[2] Written in her notebook. 📒