That night… sleep was impossible.
Natali—or rather, Gravella—laid her head on the pillow, but her eyelids refused to close.
Everything had happened so fast.
Just a day ago, she was buying chicken and rice from a corner shop. Now, the girl staring back at her from the mirror had orange hair, freckled cheeks, and was… a noble.
And the world this body belonged to… was as beautiful as a fairytale, and just as deadly.
She tossed and turned in bed.
One sentence kept echoing in the back of her mind:
"The Peace Ball — tomorrow night."
She remembered the lines from the novel. That night was when Commander Kaelreth and Gravella first met.
And Gravella's fate began to seal itself.
"This isn't just a story anymore," she whispered to herself.
"This… is my life."
She was burning up. Even the breeze from the open window couldn't cool her down.
She wore a delicate white nightgown.
It had lace on the collar, reached just to her knees, and was made of the thinnest fabric…
She opened the door. The palace was silent.
The only sound echoing through the vast stone walls was the soft tap of her bare footsteps.
The corridors were lined with towering columns, grand paintings on the walls, and silver candelabras…
But Natali's mind was focused on one thing:
If she was here to stay—if she wouldn't die—then she had to survive.
But the footsteps she heard at that moment shattered her thoughts.
"Who's there?"
The voice was deep, authoritative, and cold as ice.
Natali froze in place.
Her heart began pounding uncontrollably.
She recognized that voice.
The steps grew closer.
First, she saw the shadow. Then the man himself.
Clad in black uniform, medals on his shoulders, a broad, muscular frame, and that terrifying aura…
Kaelreth D'Armonte.
Straight out of the pages of the book.
His cold gaze fell on her. For a moment, his eyes lingered on the nightgown.
"It is not appropriate to walk around the palace dressed like this."
Natali held her breath.
This was her executioner.
The man who would sign her death sentence at the end of the book.
And now, he was right in front of her.
Her eyes searched for a place to run, but her body wouldn't move.
She couldn't speak.
Kaelreth furrowed his brows—but his tone wasn't angry. It was more… curious.
"I haven't seen you here before," he said.
"Orange hair is rare in these lands. Are you of Margos bloodline?"
Natali's heart dropped.
Margos…
Yes. According to the book, Gravella was from the Margos family.
She swallowed. Tried to keep her voice calm.
"Yes, sir… I am of Margos lineage.
My name is Gravella. I'm not very familiar with the customs here.
Next time, I will be more careful."
She gently held her skirt and curtsied.
Then turned to leave. She wanted to get away—fast.
But then…
"I hate the Margos bloodline."
It felt like someone tore her lungs out.
Her heart leapt to her throat.
She couldn't respond. Couldn't look back.
She just… ran.
Her white nightgown fluttered like wind against the marble corridors. Her eyes held no tears, but she was frozen inside.
Kaelreth remained where he was.
He didn't take his eyes off her as she fled.
Then, he murmured softly:
"What a strange woman."
He touched his chin.
Orange hair. Freckled cheeks. Green eyes.
And a girl walking alone through palace halls in the dead of night.
For the first time, he had seen a Margos…
And didn't feel like killing them.
The morning… was even quieter than the night.
But inside Natali's head, there was no such thing as silence anymore.
Walking through the palace in a nightgown…
Meeting the terrifying commander…
And those last words:
"I hate the Margos bloodline."
For her, it still felt like last night. But the world had changed.
The body she now inhabited—Gravella's body…
This palace, these rules, this grandeur…
It was all from the pages of a book.
But now—she was in those pages.
When she opened her eyes, she had a slight headache.
The sunlight was seeping through the filtered curtains.
Then came a gentle knock on the door.
"My lady?"
"Are you awake? Your breakfast is ready. Shall we help you get dressed?"
Three young women entered. They wore lavender-colored maid uniforms.
Smiling, they approached with silk garments and pearl hairpins in hand.
"Preparations for the Peace Ball are underway, my lady."
"We must dress you before breakfast."
Reflexively, Natali wanted to say "I'll manage," but stopped herself.
In this world, if someone dressed themselves, they were likely a servant.
So she let them.
They gently removed her nightgown and dressed her in a regal white gown.
The sleeves were sheer, the skirt was layered and flowing.
The waist was embroidered with pearls, and the neckline was elegant yet striking.
They placed a green gemstone necklace around her neck. It caught the light and her eyes like a perfect match.
Natali looked in the mirror.
For a moment, she met her own gaze.
"This may be a novel. But I'm here now.
And this game… could actually be fun."
For the first time, she smiled.
The maids led her to the dining hall.
When the grand gold-plated doors opened, the splendor inside stole her breath.
The table stretched on forever.
Every inch was decorated with porcelain plates, crystal pitchers, lace cloths.
Dozens of breakfast items lay before her:
Freshly caught fish, thinly sliced meats, warm pastries, vegetables soaked in olive oil…
"Wow…" she whispered.
"This is the richest breakfast table I've ever seen in my life."
As she sat and ate, her eyes scanned everything.
The ceiling frescoes, the plate designs, the portraits on the walls.
This life… was Gravella's.
But her story ended in death, for the man she loved.
And Natali had to change that.
"Losing a life like this… just for a man…"
"Was it really worth it, Gravella?"
Later, her maid approached.
"My lady, we've prepared the dresses and jewelry for tonight's Peace Ball.
Would you like to try a few on?"
Natali stood up.
Only one thought crossed her mind:
"Tonight… in the book, the princess meets the commander.
If I get in the way of that encounter… it might be the end of me."
The dressing room was overflowing with gowns.
Shimmering fabrics, glittering stones, puffed skirts…
They all screamed: "Look at me!"
But she didn't want that.
She didn't want to stand out.
Today… she needed to be a shadow.
"I want the simplest dress," she said softly.
"Nothing flashy… but elegant."
After a few trials, she chose a cream-colored, straight-cut gown.
It had a delicate ribbon around the waist, and a modest V neckline.
For jewelry, she wore only a single green stone necklace.
A thin bracelet. One pearl earring.
She was ready.
The sun set.
The grand hall's doors opened.
The ball… had begun.
The moment she stepped inside, the brilliance overwhelmed her.
Glistening chandeliers, embroidered linens, crystal glasses, veils, dancing nobles…
Every inch—was a portrait of royal opulence.
When the guards announced her name at the entrance, all eyes turned toward her:
"From the House of Margos… Gravella Arceline!"
A whisper spread through the crowd.
"That's her?"
"She really has orange hair?"
"Is that what the Margos bloodline looks like?"
Natali—no, Gravella—smiled gracefully.
She exchanged pleasantries with some nobles, engaging just enough.
Not too talkative, not too quiet.
She carried a still, dangerous elegance—like a bubble ready to pop.
Then… the lights, the noise, everything…
Slowed.
The bells chimed.
Someone new entered through the doors.
The guards' voice echoed through the marble palace:
"The proud commander of the battlefield…
The Iron Claw of the North…
Kaelreth D'Armonte!"
Every gaze turned to him.
But his eyes… had already found her.
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