So this is how me, Kim Min Chul, a 32-year-old office worker, was reincarnated into the body of the villainess called Seleria Elyndra Lioran. One minute I was worrying about whether my leftover lunch had gone bad, the next I was staring at silk sheets, wearing a gown that probably cost more than my entire apartment, and wondering why my reflection looked like it had been Photoshopped for a fantasy calendar. Honestly, if someone had told me last week that my life would suddenly involve noble titles, servants, and obsessive love interests, I would've laughed… and probably spilled my coffee on the floor.
An hour later… How did I end up in this situation?
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands, still not entirely convinced this was real. One wrong step, and I could die just like the original Seleria. One wrong word, one misjudged glance, one miscalculated social interaction — and boom. Gone. Poof. Canonically dead.
But then I remembered something crucial. The female lead was supposed to appear in high society a month from now, but she would be seen in the market tomorrow. That's my opening. I just needed to get there, meet her first, befriend her, and subtly steer her into marrying the Duke. And then? A happy life for me without dying. Hahaha. Kim Min Chul, you're brilliant.
My scheming thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Miss, the Duke is inviting you for dinner tonight. The young master will also be present," the maid said politely.
I froze. Young master? That could only be Darius Altar Lioran — sub male lead of Red Spider Lily. Nice, but teasing, always teasing, and in the original story, dead a year before Seleria's end, obsessed with the female lead and dying protecting her. Fantastic.
"I'm coming," I said aloud, regaining my composure. Internally, I was already thinking about how to survive the dinner and collect information for my master plan.
After a quick wardrobe change into something elegant but practical, I walked to the study, joining my father, Duke Alaric Dorian Lioran, and my older brother. They were in the middle of a discussion about attending a banquet held by the imperial family.
"We shouldn't go," my father said carefully. "That bastard will be there, and the whole Empire knows seleria is obsessed with him. It's better if you stay home."
"Attending is expected," my brother replied. "We can't let appearances slip, and it's only proper to show our respect."
I let my gown sweep across the floor and stepped in. "Oh! Isn't this my Duke-obsessed sister finally ?" I teased lightly. My father raised an eyebrow, and my brother smirked, clearly amused by my sudden boldness.
Dinner was filled with careful conversation. I smiled and joked with the servants I liked, and when Darius arrived, leaning casually against the doorway with his familiar smirk, I greeted him warmly.
"Ah, Seleria," he said, tilting his head. "Still alive and well right."
I returned his smirk. "Darius, persistent as ever." And that was it. I wasn't worried; because in the original story he genuinely cared about seleria.
By the end of dinner, I had been thinking about it…
"I'm going to annul the engagement with Duke Dravencort," I said suddenly, firm but calm.
Both my father and brother froze, staring at me in shock.
"Are you still sick?" my father asked cautiously.
"No," I replied, shaking my head, finally feeling in control of my own voice and decisions.
"Then… did you find yourself a lover?" my brother asked, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Both of them leaned forward, anticipation written all over their faces.
I paused, took a deep breath, and in my own mind "off course not I don't even like the duke so why should I marry him he is the male lead but again I can't tell them this with me not responding quickly the will probably think I have a lover"
How the f*ck did I end up in this situation?