'Everyone is born and lives in this world, whether they want to or not.' Aria Wellington, the girl who didn't want to live, found this phrase scribbled in her old book. The ink was faded but the words were as sharp as ever. Her eyes glazed over the dusty pages, feeling a strange kinship with what the original Aria had written.
'In my case, like everyone else, I lived normally, but It doesn't change a fact that I am a stranger in this world.'
"My lady, are you awake?" Aria's maid, Lila, called out from the doorway, her voice piercing the quiet solitude of the room. Aria groaned, pushing herself out of bed. Her eyes were heavy, her body ached, and the thought of another night playing the villainess in this never-ending romance novel was more than she could bear.
"I guess, it is time to visit the imperial palace today, right?"
'Like I said earlier, I am an outsider because somehow, I ended up in this world.'
"Yes, my lady, it is time to date your fiancé, the crown prince," Lila replied with a curtsy, her eyes filled with concern as she noticed Aria's weary demeanor. The sun had barely risen outside, casting a soft glow through the large windows of the opulent room. Aria's heart sank as she realized another day of manipulation and spite awaited her. She had to find a way out, and soon.
"Now rise my lady, I've prepared a bath for you," Lila said gently, trying to coax Aria out of her melancholy. The steaming water beckoned with the scent of lavender and roses, but even that couldn't lift Aria's spirits. She stepped into the tub with a sigh, feeling the warmth seep into her skin. As she sank deeper into the water, her mind swirled with thoughts of escape.
'Since no one has noticed that something has change with me, I figured it might be a good idea to take advantage of this unfortunate situation. Maybe I could find a way to die.'
'Maybe I can die if I play the part of a noble lady named Aria Wellington too well, and the story will end with me as the villainess.'
'But before that, allow me to give you an overview, in this world, there is a Crown Prince, knights who strut around every corner of the streets, some wielders of Holy powers, magic, wizardry or witchcrafts. to put it simply, I was sucked or basically reincarnated into a romance novel that I really loved back in my real world. But instead of being the protagonist who lives happily ever after, I'm the villainess who's destined to die and I think it's my karma since I'm an avid defender of this villainess back home, I always create a long ass comment against hateful comments towards those simple-minded readers who can't appreciate the depth of the villainess.'
'Now, I became the Villainess of this story. The one who is destined to be defeated by the heroine and forgotten. My character is the only daughter of a powerful marquess and the fiancée of the crown prince. Sounds pretty, doesn't it?' Aria mused, her voice echoing in the corners of her mind. She had tried to embrace her new role with dignity, but the weight of it all was suffocating. The thought of living out her days in a narrative that wasn't hers was a prison sentence.
'Again, my name is Aria Wellington.' Aria lost in her thoughts, the water lapping at her chin as she thought of the real Aria. A girl who was misunderstood a lot and someone who craves for validation, a girl who only needs just one hug to break out of character, yet did she ever get it? '
I really pitied her, and I swear I want to prove her worth, but that's not what my concern is because my priority right now is to find a way out of here.'
'And that is to die,' Aria said to herself, her eyes flickering with determination as she stepped out of the bath. Lila helped her into a luxurious dress made of velvet and silk, the color of deepest night. It was adorned with shimmering jewels that matched the coldness in her eyes.
'God, I look beautiful, it is really something that people back from my world will fantasize about,' Aria said to the reflection in the mirror as Lila finished lacing up the back of her dress. She felt like a doll dressed up for a macabre play she never wanted to be a part of. The gown clung to her body, emphasizing her curves, and the neckline was cut so low it threatened to reveal more than it concealed. It was a stark contrast to the comfortable clothes she used to wear.
'Looking what I look like right now, I guess this what people want to see if they are given the chance to live in a world like this,' Aria thought, her fingers tracing the intricate design of the neckline. The fabric felt heavy, a tangible reminder of the weight of her destined fate. She took a deep breath and allowed Lila to assist her.
'But for me, it's overwhelming and claustrophobic, like a cage made of silk and diamonds...'
"What are you thinking about, My lady?" Lila asked, noticing Aria's distant gaze as she adjusted the hairpin.
'it's uncomfortable being someone else, but if I want to die, I have to play the role to the fullest, and that means doing things I would never do in my real life,' Aria thought to herself. She forced a smile.
"well, I was just thinking about how time passes so slowly," Aria replied, her voice light but her eyes filled with a hint of sadness. Lila nodded sympathetically, not knowing the true extent of her lady's internal turmoil.
"Oh my lady... Are you looking forward to your engagement that much?" Lila asked, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
"I-I wish that is the c-case," Aria stuttered, trying to hide the truth. "But I am just feeling a bit... overwhelmed," she said finally, her voice trailing off. Lila nodded understandingly, placing the final touches to her hair.
'I am scared. There just no way... I could ever bring myself to feel comfortable here.' Aria quiver as she took in her reflection.
'I guess, in order for me to go back to the world I came from, I need to die here. And to die, I need to be hated, despised, and defeated. It's the only way out.'
'But what is this book all about to be exact? Well, in the novel, my fiancé, the crown prince falls in love with Gaia, the daughter of an Earl. Their super cliche love story eventually blossom and they eventually marry. Gaia becomes the Empress, and Aria, who loved the crown prince dearly and envied Gaia... suffers a mental breakdown and was consumed by envy and rage. She will do anything to destroy their happiness, including betrayal, manipulation, and even murder. But in the end, she's the one who ends up being defeated, humiliated, and sentenced to death by none other than her beloved fiancé.' Aria's heart ached at the thought of her impending fate. 'What do you expect from a villainess? Her only purpose was to serve as the obstacle for the main protagonists to overcome in exchange for a cheesy happily ever after, lol!'
'Luckily I was put in the part where Aria' s bullying was a bit mild, maybe? And well, fucked that storyline, I will die so might as well give them a bit of a run for their money,' Aria thought to herself, her eyes hardening with a vengeful laugh like a crazy witch's cackle.
"God, your really are hopeless." A voice echoed in Aria's mind, the words sending a shiver down her spine making her snap out from looking like she's about to plot something. there she met a pair of blue eyes, eyes that has only one person that owned it, the crown prince. Aria quickly composed herself, "Your Highness," she said with a forced smile.
It's her first time to meet him since she's only got in this body about a day ago, but she's read the novel enough to know his character like the back of her hand. His blonde hair shone under the chandeliers, and his piercing blue eyes bore into her soul. He looked at her with a mix of curiosity and disdain, the same way he had looked at her in every encounter in the book.
"Your late today, Lady Wellington," the crown prince said, his tone a blend of boredom and accusation. Aria felt her cheeks heat up, a mix of embarrassment and irritation. She knew she was the villainess, but she hadn't expected that the prince she loathed from her reading experience was so damn attractive.
"My apologies. It's a splendid afternoon, your highness. I wouldn't want to keep you waiting," Aria replied, her voice steady despite the chaos in her thoughts. she bowed her head slightly, playing the part she was given to the best of her ability. 'Gawd! Is this how to do a proper curtsy?' she thought, feeling ridiculous.
"Well, it is too late for that, make it fast and catch up," the crown prince said dismissively before turning to leave. Aria's heart sank as she watched him go ahead.
'What an Assh*le!' Aria thought as she followed him. Her steps were slow and deliberate, each one feeling heavier than the last. She could feel the weight of the crown prince's dismissal like a boulder on her shoulders.
'But he's not wrong. I need to catch up to die, and to get out of here.'
The prince entered the carriage without offering his hand, leaving Aria to scramble in with as much grace as she could muster.
'Wow! I can't believe this, what a very Gentlemanly behavior!' she thought with a roll of her eyes as she enters the carriage with a forced smile.
She sat in front of him, the velvet cushions muffling her sigh of resignation. The carriage ride to the imperial palace was silent, the only sound being the rhythmic clop of the horses' hooves against the cobblestone streets. Aria studied the prince from the corner of her eye, his sharp jawline and high cheekbones carving a regal silhouette in the dim carriage light. His profile was a masterpiece, but the coldness that radiated from him was palpable. Oblivious to her scrutiny, the crown prince noticed a change with Aria's behavior. Normally, Aria would sit beside the prince and would cling to him, showering him with affection.
'I guess, it's my lucky day,' he thought, not knowing the truth.
The carriage was filled with silenced, Aria casually looks outside the window, watching the people passing by. She wished she could join them, live a simple life without the burden of being the villainess. The crown prince, noticing her detachment, cleared his throat to break the silence. "Oh my, is there something bothering to a lady like you?" He said with a smirk, expecting Aria to fawn over him as usual.
"Just wanted to die," Aria replied with a shrug, her voice devoid of any emotion. She had rehearsed what she will say in her mind a thousand times, but the words blurted out recklessly. The crown prince's smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing at the uncharacteristic response. He leaned closer, intrigued by the sudden change in his usually docile fiancée.
"that's new," the crown prince said, his voice filled with curiosity. Aria felt a jolt of panic. Did she just mess up her role? But she couldn't take it back now. She had to play it cool.
"I mean just wanted to dye my hair, Your Highness," Aria corrected herself quickly, her voice a little too high-pitched. The crown prince raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. He was used to Aria's whims, but something about her today was... different.
'Well, that was close,' she thought, mentally slapping herself. She couldn't afford to give herself away so early on.
"Do as you please, because you can never look good with any color," the crown prince said with a smirk, his words cutting deeper than Aria expected. She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to snap back at him. Instead, she nodded demurely, keeping her eyes on the passing scenery outside. 'what an assh*le!'
The carriage pulled up to the grand entrance of the imperial palace, and Aria stepped out with as much grace as she could muster. Her heart raced as she took in the grandeur of her surroundings. This wasn't her world, and she was painfully aware of it.
'Just you wait, Prince Charming, I'll give you a taste of your own medicine,' Aria thought as she followed the prince through the grand corridors of the imperial palace. Her mind raced with ideas of how she could speed up her fate without giving away her true intentions.
"Oh Aria! I mean lady Aria! You look absolutely radiant today!" The words of a young lady dressed in a pastel dress echoed through the grand hallway of the imperial palace. Aria forced a smile, recognizing the voice of the heroine, Gaia, daughter of the Earl. Gaia was everything Aria wasn't; sweet, kind, and loved by everyone. It was a stark contrast to the coldness of her own heart.
"Hello, lady Gaia," Aria greeted her with the usual expression of Aria Wellington, the villainess, plastered on her face. Inside, she was seething with empathy. Gaia had everything Aria didn't have: the love of the crown prince, the adoration of the court, and the freedom to live without the burden of playing a predetermined role.
"Thankfully, the tea is still warm, please have a seat, my lady." Gaia said with a warm smile, gesturing to the velvet chair next to her. Aria sat down gracefully, her eyes scanning the room for any potential escape routes or weapons she could use to hasten her demise. The palace was as she remembered from the novel, filled with grandeur and opulence that seemed to mock her simple desires.
"Gaia, stop speaking to her so formally. We're all friends here," the crown prince said, taking a seat beside Gaia. '
Wow! Am I the Fiancée or the third wheel?' Aria thought with a bitter smile. She watched as Gaia's cheeks flushed pink, and she cast her eyes down shyly. The heroine was playing her role to a T, and Aria couldn't help but feel a twinge of cringe.
"Isn't that right, Aria?" The crown prince said, turning to look at her with a glint in his eyes. Aria's stomach twisted at the sound of her name on his lips.
'Well, here is another overview by yours truly, Aria! As you can see, Gaia is also a noble lady and the reason why we all became childhood friends was because of our fathers' friendship. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. This friendship will be the key for my downfall, or so the novel goes.'
Aria thought with a sneer, sipping her tea. This is the moment for Aria to humiliate Gaia, but she feels too tired to stir up drama. The tea tastes bitter in her mouth, a symbol of her fate.
"It's fine, Your Highness. We are all friends here," Aria says through gritted teeth, her eyes not leaving Gaia's innocent face.
"That is why, could you pour me another cup of tea, your highness?" Aria's voice is sweet, yet sarcastic, and the crown prince can't help but feel a little irritated.
"Cold tea tastes bitter, doesn't it?" She adds with a smirk; she's challenging the crown prince.
"Didn't you learn how to pour yourself a tea, Lady Wellington?" The crown prince said coldly, his eyes narrowing at Aria's request. The room felt suffocating, and Aria could feel the weight of gazes on her. "Or is something wrong with your hands today?"
"My lady allow me to pour your tea," Gaia said, her eyes wide with concern as she took the teapot and about to fill Aria's cup.
"No lady Gaia, let the prince do it," Aria said with a sugary smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"It's his duty as a future king to serve his subjects, isn't it?" The room went tense as everyone watched the unfolding drama. Gaia's hands trembled slightly, but she stepped back, allowing the prince to be the center of attention.
"My bad, I thought you said we were all friends, your highness," Aria said sweetly, her eyes never leaving the prince's. She knew this was a power play, but she couldn't resist poking the bear.
'He won't be able to argue with me anyways.'
The crown prince's jaw clenched, and for a moment, she saw the glimpse of anger in his eyes that the book had so often described. He took the teapot with a snarl, filling her cup with a jerky motion that sloshed tea onto the fine china saucer. 'Kill me already!' Aria thought, her smile never wavering.
The tea was indeed hot, almost scalding her tongue, but she took a sip with a nod of satisfaction. "Much better," she said, placing the cup down with a gentle clink.
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, and she felt a thrill of victory. If she had to live in this world, she might as well enjoy the chaos she could create.
"You-", "To pour a tea for your friend, that's a very noble of you, Nathan," Gaia said quickly, using the crown prince's name to cut through the tension. He glared at Aria but took a deep breath before turning to Gaia with a forced smile. "Well then, let me pour you also a cup," he said, filling her cup with the same precision he lacked earlier.
'Wow! Just wow!' Aria thought, watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and horror.
'What do you expect, Gaia look so pure and upstanding to the point that no one dislikes her, no matter what she does.' The tea party was a minefield of unspoken tension, and Aria was the one holding the detonator. She knew that her actions could lead to a dramatic turn of events, but she didn't care. Her only goal was to find a way to die and escape this tormented existence.
"Yow, are you all having a tea party without me?" A jovial voice boomed through the tense air, breaking the awkward silence. Aria's eyes widened as she recognized the voice. It was the hero of the story, the knight who would eventually save Gaia from Aria's clutches. The knight, Sir Kieran, walked in with a charming smile that seemed to light up the room. His eyes fell on Aria, and she felt a sudden jolt of nervousness. In the novel, he was the one who discovered her true colors and was instrumental in her downfall.
"Oh you're here, Sir Kieran," the crown prince said, his eyes flicking to Aria for a moment before turning his attention to the knight. Aria felt her heart race as the knight approached, his eyes scanning the room with a friendly gaze that settled on her with a hint of curiosity.
"Lady Gaia, nice to see you," Sir Kieran said with a wink. on the other hand, Aria knew that in this world, he was her enemy, destined to bring her down. but she can't deny that the young knight also look good, like the prince.
'What's with this world and their attractive men?' she thought to herself.
'If this is a romcom novel I would create a harem, ehehehe!' But she quickly pushes that thought aside.
"Thank you, Sir Kieran," Gaia replied. Meanwhile, Aria was secretly observing him. You cannot blame her, just like the prince, sir Kieran is tall, has a sharp feature, a deep black hair, and eyes as dark as the night that can see through anyone's soul. In the novel, he was the hero, the one who protected the damsel in distress, Gaia, and he was the one who would bring about Aria's downfall since he holds hate towards those who hurt the people he loves.
'Why I'm feeling afraid? This is it Aria, you can die faster if he hates you!' she thought, trying to convince herself.
"Yo're back already?" The prince said, his tone filled with sarcasm. "Yup! I'll be staying in the capital for a while, so expect to see more of me," Kieran replied with a grin that could melt glaciers. Aria felt a shiver run down her spine. 'This is going to be interesting,' she thought.
additional information; Kieran Eckhart, the duke Eckhart eldest son, but he is better known as the "Dragon Slayer of the North". His reputation proceeds him, and his arrival at the imperial capital was met with whispers and gossip.
"Your Highness, LadyGaia." Kieran said with a charming smile, ignoring Aria.
"It's an honor to join you all," he added, taking a seat next to the prince. The tension in the room spiked again, and Aria felt like a bomb was about to explode.
'Great, now I really have two men to deal with, both destined to bring my life to ruin,' she mused internally, her gaze flickering between the two of them.
'However, they're ignoring me as expected, the villainess,' Aria thought to herself as she observed the two men. The crown prince's eyes flicked towards her with annoyance, while Kieran remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in her mind. 'Maybe it's time to stir the pot a little more.'
"Aren't you going to greet me, sir Kieran?" Aria said, her voice dripping with honeyed sarcasm. She knew he didn't have to acknowledge her, but she couldn't resist poking the dragon. His eyes met hers, and she felt a shiver of fear. They were so dark, so intense, like twin pools of midnight.
"Oh where are my manners," Kieran said with a mocking smile, his eyes never leaving Aria's. "My apologies Lady Wellington," he nodded, his voice cold and devoid of warmth.
"You're as beautiful as ever, Aria," Kieran said, his voice filled with a hint of challenge. Aria felt her cheeks heat up, not from embarrassment but from the effort of maintaining her composure. She had to play this right.
"It's a splendid afternoon, sir Kieran. How was your journey?" Aria responded with a forced smile, her heart racing as she felt his gaze bore into her. She knew she had to be careful around him. In the novel, Kieran was the one who uncovered her true intentions and played a pivotal role in her demise.
"Ah, it was just a typical journey," Kieran said, his tone light but his eyes remained sharp. "But I must say, the loneliness was worthwhile," he added, winking at Gaia. Aria's jaw clenched.
'yuck! I can't believe he's flirting with her in front of the prince!' she thought with irritation. But she knew that this was part of the script she was in. In the novel, Kieran and Gaia had a bit of a flirty friendship, but Kieran is just a side love interest.
'Anyways, the crown prince can't conceal his emotions for long. I can see it in his eyes, the jealousy is real,' Aria thought, her mind racing with the potential drama she could create. She took a sip of her tea, her eyes never leaving Kieran.
"Oh so you mean there is someone in here that made the loneliness worthwhile?" Aria said, her voice dripping with sweetness that could make a saint cringe. She knew she was poking the bear, but she couldn't help herself. The crown prince's eyes narrowed at the implication, and she knew his hand clench into a fist under the table.
"Indeed, but let's change the topic, lady Aria, I keep asking you to just call me Kieran," Kieran said, his smile never leaving his face. His eyes glinted with a challenge that Aria couldn't help but notice.
"How could I possibly do that, as the crown prince's Fiancée, I should always be proper," Aria said with a sugary smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She watched as the prince's grip tightened on his teacup, his knuckles turning white.
'Keep it up, darling, you're just making my job easier,' she thought smugly. 'He is probably furious I emphasized the word "FIANCEE" in front of his beloved Gaia.'
"There are many eyes around us Nathan," Gaia said, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to defuse the situation. Aria felt a twinge of pity for the girl. In the novel, Gaia was just like a saint, always trying to keep the peace, even when she was the one being wronged.
"Let's not ruin the mood, shall we?"
"I don't have to worry about what others think of me." Crown prince Nathan replied coldly, his eyes never leaving Aria's. His words hung in the air, a clear warning to both Aria and Kieran. Aria felt a thrill of excitement. She had successfully stirred the pot.
'It's strange, how my words could cut deeper than a sword,' Aria mused internally. The room was now a cauldron of unspoken tension, the kind that could boil over at any moment. She had to admit, she was enjoying the thrill of pushing everyone's buttons, especially the crown prince's. 'I am sorry to the real Aria, but this is just too entertaining,' she thought with a wicked smile.
'This is only the beginning, Aria,' she told herself.
'I need to keep pushing, keep playing this game, and maybe, just maybe, I can die and go back to my world.'