Chapter – 02
(2023.04.02)
Her round forehead, full and straight nose bridge, and the silver eyelashes neatly resting beside it trembled slightly.
Soon her closed eyelids opened, and focus returned to her purple pupils.
Although it felt unfamiliar at first, Reneve quickly realized it was a ceiling she knew well.
It was her bedroom in the Marquess of Seiren’s residence, where she had lived before marrying Lucius.
With trembling hands, Reneve touched the back of her neck.
“My neck… it’s still there…”
Feeling its warmth, she blinked repeatedly.
Was that all just a dream?
But the memories—from possessing the body of a villainess in a romance fantasy novel to her eventual death—were far too vivid to be dismissed as a dream.
At first, she had been relieved just to find herself in the body of a nine-year-old child. She believed it was a chance to remove the label of villainess.
But unlike her expectations, she had already been placed in a terrible situation.
Right before her possession, Reneve had pushed her childhood playmate, the daughter of Count Trader, into icy water.
No matter how young she was, it was still an unforgivable and cruel act.
Afterward, the Seiren family only managed to settle the matter with house arrest after handing over a sapphire mine as compensation.
Of course, since it was something the original Reneve had done before her possession, she felt somewhat wronged. But the damage had already been done, and changing people’s prejudiced views of her was far from easy.
So Reneve tried to build a good relationship with Lucius, the original male lead, before the story’s heroine Essika appeared.
All to change the future where she would be executed by Lucius after being blinded by jealousy and ordering Essika’s assassination.
Perhaps her efforts worked.
She became Lucius’s lover, he later became Emperor, she became Empress, and unlike the original story she even gave birth to their adorable son Kael.
For a moment, it seemed she had achieved a happy ending.
But all she had really done was delay her death.
“They say people never truly change…”
Like many reincarnated protagonists in romance fantasy stories, Reneve once believed she could change the future through her own efforts.
But that belief must have been arrogance.
After all, she still met the same ending—her head being cut off.
Whether this was the afterlife or a return to the past…
Whatever the truth was—
It was clear she had reached a turning point.
In the garden of the Seiren estate, where spring flowers bloomed in abundance.
Around a white table at the center sat several noble ladies dressed in colorful gowns.
“Are your preparations going well for the imperial ball in a few days?”
At the remark from one young lady seated at the center, the others showed interest.
Rumors were quietly spreading that the engagement partner of the Third Prince, Lucius, would be announced at this ball.
Since the First Prince was already married and the Second Prince already engaged, marrying Lucius was the only chance to join the imperial family.
Naturally, who would become his fiancée was the hottest topic among unmarried noble ladies.
“I heard the Crown Princess recently invited the Count Trader’s daughter to a tea party.”
“…Is that so?”
The mood quickly sank. If she was a candidate, the others felt they had little chance.
“I heard the Crown Princess invited several other ladies too.”
Like a mother-in-law interviewing potential daughters-in-law.
It was easy to assume Lucius’s fiancée would be chosen from among them.
“Who else received an invitation?”
“I heard Lady Reneve Seiren was invited too.”
Cold smiles appeared on their faces.
The Seiren family protected the empire’s western frontier.
And Reneve was the Marquess’s only daughter.
From the Crown Princess’s perspective, she might prefer the respected frontier family over Count Trader’s household.
Both girls were considered among the most beautiful in the empire.
If the Count’s daughter was like a pure white lily, Reneve was more like a poisonous flower.
White peach blossom versus red peach blossom.
Their differences were not only in appearance.
Their personalities were completely opposite too.
“I heard the Count’s daughter recently did volunteer work at the temple.”
“That must have been difficult. She really is kind-hearted. Unlike Lady Seiren…”
One lady trailed off with a mocking smile. Others nodded knowingly.
A vain villainess.
That had always been Reneve’s reputation.
“By the way, how much longer is Lady Seiren going to keep us waiting?”
As one complained, others followed.
“Inviting people and not even showing herself… her manners are truly lacking.”
Just then, maids entered pushing dessert carts.
Since noble rumors often spread through servants, the ladies immediately fell silent.
The one leading the conversation quickly changed the topic.
“I heard Lady Seiren had a bad cold recently. Perhaps she still isn’t well?”
“That must be why she’s late.”
Standing at a distance and hearing everything, Reneve nodded slightly.
None of their words were wrong.
She had indeed invited them and failed to appear.
In her previous life she tried desperately to change her future and shed her villainess image.
But in the end, none of it saved her.
So she decided she would no longer seek affection from people who would never truly care for her.
Standing before the white table, she looked down at them and spoke:
“Ladies, thank you for accepting my invitation. If you’ve enjoyed yourselves enough, you may now return home.”
Her sudden appearance and immediate dismissal left their smiles frozen awkwardly.
Inviting people only to send them away—how rude.
They exchanged looks of disbelief.
One socially skilled lady quickly smiled and said:
“Lady Seiren, I heard you were very ill recently. You must have pushed yourself to come see us despite not fully recovering, correct?”
Another joined in:
“That must be it. You probably couldn’t cancel the tea party so suddenly.”
The others reluctantly nodded.
“Thank you for your concern. Thanks to that, I’ve fully recovered.”
But Reneve’s answer only darkened their expressions.
It was essentially a slap in the face to their attempt to cover for her.
“Then everyone—if you’ve eaten and enjoyed yourselves, the exit is that way.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Reneve turned around.
Watching her walk away gracefully, the ladies opened and closed their mouths like goldfish.
“Unbelievable! How rude!”
“I’m leaving. I refuse to endure this humiliation.”
Ignoring their irritated voices behind her, Reneve walked calmly through the garden.
Do as you wish.
These were the same women who had once flocked around her like fish when she was Empress.
They had flattered her and asked for favors.
Even now, they came not because they liked her, but because they thought she might become Lucius’s future wife.
Whether by their own will or family pressure, they were more interested in benefits than in Reneve herself.
Today, she declared her separation from such people.
Starting now.
On a black-and-white checkered floor, a pair of expensive shoes walked confidently.
The Emperor and Empress sat upon their golden throne watching nobles dance at the imperial ball.
“Your Majesty, I have something to report.”
The chamberlain whispered something into the Emperor’s ear.
The Emperor frowned.
“Your Majesty?”
The Empress examined his expression.
After gripping his wine glass tightly, the Emperor rubbed his brow.
“Let him enter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon after, a tall man entered the great hall.
A black uniform embroidered with gold thread.
An unusual outfit rarely seen in the Paradium Empire.
“Oh my… who is that?”
“I’ve never seen him before.”
Heads turned as he walked past.
“Wait… I recognize that emblem. That’s the Bashker imperial crest.”
At that, the noise died down.
The Paradium Empire did not have a good impression of Bashker.
They were known as fierce, aggressive barbarians.
And the man was most likely their emperor—Ikar Bashker.
The nobles parted like the Red Sea, stepping aside.
Though afraid of provoking him, many noblewomen still admired his appearance.
Their gazes traveled from his powerful thighs, to his firm hips, his muscular torso, and finally to his strikingly handsome face.
“…”
Ignoring all attention, Ikar walked straight toward the Emperor.
The Emperor looked back at him arrogantly.
“Coming alone into enemy territory without guards… quite bold.”
The recently crowned young ruler had no intention of offering a warm welcome.
Though Bashker was expanding rapidly, it still did not surpass the long-established Paradium Empire.
“Nice to meet you.”
Ikar gave a slight nod.
Though etiquette might favor the stronger nation, this young conqueror showed no such courtesy.
“Hah… nice to meet you as well.”
The Emperor laughed dryly, clearly displeased.
The Empress quickly stood.
“This does not seem like the right place for serious discussion. Shall we move to the reception room?”
“That is fine.”
Ikar nodded slightly.
The Emperor reluctantly rose.
