High arched ceilings with frescoed murals, gleaming candelabras that hangs from golden chains, and a long oakwood table that could sit two dozen people—though only three did so tonight—made House Archwingg's dining hall an opulent space.
Claire (now Seraphyne Archwingg) tried not to appear overly preoccupied as she watched the flickering candlelight dance off crystal goblets and polished silverware. The imported red wine swirled in her glass like velvet, the buttered carrots were delicately seasoned with thyme, and the roasted duck on her plate was tender.
Her appetite, however, was far from constant.
This was dinner with her parents—the Lord and Lady of Ashmille County. The largest and wealthiest county in the Empire of Truvania, known for its thriving ports, complex trade routes, and its influence in noble circles. In the novel The Villainess' Ever After, Ashmille was always painted as a jewel of commerce and elegance. Sitting here now, Claire had to admit—the book hadn't exaggerated.
She was Seraphyne Archwingg, the only daughter of Duke Thalor Archwingg and Duchess Ilyra Archwingg. The darling of the court. A living image of grace, charm, and wealth.
And none of this felt real.
"I trust the meal is to your liking, Sera?" her father asked, slicing neatly into his duck with a surgeon's precision.
Claire blinked back to the present. "Yes, Father. The cook outdid themselves tonight."
"Good," Thalor said with a satisfied nod, dabbing the corner of his mouth with a monogrammed napkin. "Ashmille must always reflect refinement, even in the smallest details."
Across the table, her mother, Duchess Ilyra, regarded her with elegant composure. "You've been quieter than usual, my dear. Is something troubling you?"
Seraphyne offered a demure smile and shook her head. "Not at all. I was just… lost in thought."
That wasn't a lie.
In truth, her thoughts were spiraling.
This was the world of The Villainess' Ever After, the novel she'd been reading before her death. A beloved series with twists, palace intrigue, and a protagonist with a hidden dark side. Claire had always loved the genre. But she never thought she'd wake up inside it—let alone in the body of its golden-haired heroine.
She cut into a carrot delicately, forcing her hand to remain graceful even as her mind churned.
In the novel, Seraphyne had started just like this—adored, beautiful, and betrothed to the Crown Prince. But once the supposed villainess, Lady Ellise Viremont, began showing signs of "redemption," the tide turned. Seraphyne, unable to cope with the prince's shifting affections and the court's growing fascination with Ellise's transformation, spiraled into jealousy. Subtle at first—snide remarks, backhanded compliments—but soon she devolved into manipulation, schemes, and even attempted public humiliation.
Ellise, on the other hand, became everything the kingdom admired: composed, clever, wronged but rising. By the end of Volume III, the readers—and the characters—saw Ellise as the true protagonist.
Claire hadn't finished the book. But she knew enough to realize that Seraphyne lost more than just her fiancé. She lost her dignity, her status, and her name.
And now... she was Seraphyne.
She refused to let that happen.
"Seraphyne," her father began again, his tone formal and measured. "You are of age now. The Emperor has given his blessing for your engagement to proceed. The Crown Prince will begin formal visitation next month. We must start preparations."
Claire straightened in her chair, folding her hands neatly on her lap. She was used to hearing this part—betrothal, alliances, duty. Her mind kept playing the phrases like familiar beats in a song.
She looked at her father with polite attentiveness. "Of course, Father. I'll do whatever is necessary for the family and the Empire."
Thalor nodded approvingly. "Good girl. Your match to the Crown Prince is essential. Ashmille will soon solidify its influence in the capital. The eyes of the Empire are upon you."
No pressure, Claire thought wryly.
She took another sip of wine and let the flavor distract her. Her father droned on about negotiations, schedules, dowries—details she knew Seraphyne would have absorbed with poised interest.
Meanwhile, Claire's mind returned to the central question: How do I avoid the heroine's fall from grace?
It had taken her the whole night to figure it out. But now the solution was clear.
Seraphyne only turned sour because she tried to compete with Ellise. She grew jealous, possessive, and obsessed with keeping the Crown Prince's attention—something Claire had zero interest in doing. The answer wasn't to outshine Ellise. It wasn't to rewrite the story entirely.
It was to let it play out as written.
Because even in the novel, Seraphyne was the protagonist.
The title was The Villainess' Ever After, sure, but Seraphyne was never replaced in the narrative. She remained central to the conflict, a necessary counterweight. If Claire simply didn't fall apart—if she maintained the elegant, beloved Seraphyne image—she could glide through the story untouched.
All she had to do was stay in character. No jealousy. No petty schemes. No fits of rage in front of the court.
Let Ellise do her redemption arc.
Let the Crown Prince waver.
Let the readers swoon over the villainess.
Claire didn't care.
I don't need to steal the spotlight. I already have the crown.
"—you'll be expected to attend the mid-winter royal banquet," her father continued, pulling her out of her reverie. "It will be the first event at which you appear publicly beside the Crown Prince. You'll wear the Archwingg sapphire set."
"Yes, Father," Claire said with a smile. Her voice was soft, melodic—the perfect noble daughter.
"And make sure you don't spend so much time in the library again," her mother added gently. "Too many books dull the social senses. A lady must sparkle in conversation."
Claire gave a practiced laugh. "Of course, Mother. I'll be the perfect gem."
And this time, she meant it.
She would sparkle, smile, and say all the right things.
She would play Seraphyne Archwingg exactly as written—angelic, elegant, and untouchable. Let the court whisper. Let Ellise shine if she wanted.
Claire wasn't going to break character. Not now. Not ever.
Because this was still her story.