"Kneel in front of me."
Estelle Thaleia Xaviera, Lady Vienna, addressed the crown prince. She was only stalking him a few months ago until she read the contents of the book "The Princess and her Happy Ever After."
She was once known across the kingdom as the Crown Prince's stalker; that was her routine until she read the book that the attractive mysterious man handed her; it seemed weird to get gifts from a stranger on the street.
The book was enjoyable at first, but she soon realized how things had ended out.
The story was almost like a replica of her life, as if someone had written the entire flow of her life from beginning to end.
Of course, the lady was completely taken aback. But it was the part where she had to portray the villain that stumped her the most! She can't help but feel her blood boil as she feels offended. She should've been the female protagonist!
Lady Vienna faces a horrible end in the book, as she is assassinated by the crown prince. She spent her entire life harassing Princess Avelina, stalking the crown prince, and finally attempting to murder the Princess on the eve of their wedding.
She'd read a thousand such stories before. But she never comes across anything remotely resembling being a villain!
Is it good fortune or bad luck that she knows her future? It's bad luck for her, but she'll take advantage of it.
She couldn't help but take advantage of the male lead's vulnerability in front of her at this time. What a 180-degree turn of events. He's completely reliant on her. "Kneel," I said.
Prince Mathias, the Crown Prince, gazed at her as if she had gone insane. "Lady Vienna, I'm a prince, and you're just Duke Xaviera's daughter-"
JUST a daughter?
She laughed madly, as if she was losing her mind, or rather, her sanity because she discovered she was merely a villainess. She doesn't have to think twice about killing him now that he's revealed his real colors. "I am Lady Vienna," she declared firmly, interrupting him.
She may only be the daughter of a duke, but she has far more power than that at the moment. She's well aware of her value, and she's using it against him.
"This is crazy," Prince Mathias chuckled. "Are you truly the lady I knew...Estelle? You used to like me, didn't you?"
Hearing that name come out of his mouth made her cringe. Her tummy used to be churning with butterflies, but not longer.
"Yes, I used to...but what a horrible past that must have been for me..."
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes After all, it doesn't seem like being called a Villainess is such a horrible thing. It's past time for her to take action. Lady Vienna whirled around, casting a venomous gaze at the crown prince. "Get out of here; I don't have time to spend."
She watched him leave her study, clenching his teeth in rage.
She can't get the words of the mystery man who gave her the book out of her head. "You should not burn the book now; it is not the correct time."
She must take advantage of the time limit now that the crown prince and her female lead's marriage is only 10 months away.
Yes, if the events depicted in the story were to occur. But in the last several days, she's broken through that barrier and altered the story's flow.
She seized the book in her hands, smirking. She threw the book on the firewood and smiled as flames enveloped it, consuming it until all that was left were ashes.
Is it worth fighting for if she's going to die anyway? Don't worry, she'll do her best. It's time to make a difference in her life. She'll make her own if she can. Her ideas are working, and all she has to do now is wait for the results.
Duke Raziel Valen Donovan, the villain. According to the book, before the crown prince and her female lead’s wedding, the female lead would be killed and the empire would be in chaos, Duke Raziel would initiate a coup d’etat to kill all the nobles, including her.
And that is her problem. She managed to be killed in the hands of the crown prince, how about in the hands of the villain?
She needs to find Dillon. The key to her plans. It’s time to test if her plans worked. And any minute now, Duke Raziel would appear.
But hours have passed and he’s still not appearing. Is he late?
“Ehem.” She heard a clearing of the throat. Speaking of the devil.
Turning around, she didn’t see the duke, but instead it was his personal knight, Titus, his bright silver hair and purple eyes gleaming through the sunlight. “Please excuse me, my lady, but a letter just arrived. It has the Duke Donovan’s eagle seal.” He said.
Handing her the note, she read it.
Dear Lady Vienna 'Estelle' Thaleia Xaviera of the Duchy of Creneia. I, Duke Raziel Valen Donovan, from the Duchy of Xynnar, wish to ask for your hand in marriage.
Details should be discussed within these next few days as I am also waiting for Duke Xaviera's reply.
However, in the meantime, I would like to get to know my lady better. I would like to meet you in the famous coffee shop in the capital city, Moressley. Pardon me for the rush, but I can't wait to meet my future Duchess.
Truly Yours,
Duke Raziel Valen Donovan
Duchy of Xynnar
He had his signature at the end. Lady Vienna reread it again and felt like vomiting in disgust. What the hell is this man spouting some nonsense? Asking for her hand in marriage?
Was it a prank? A game he wants me to participate in? The lady laughed at the thought, feeling like she was losing her mind. She never remembered that the villain would propose to her from the book.
Wasn’t he supposed to be killing all the nobles and head over heels for the female lead?
But why is he sending a letter and asking for marriage? She thought to herself.
Then it hit her. Everything is making sense now.
Everything is not going as the book says because her plan is working..it was all her doing. From visiting the Rogue Guild, meeting the female lead, and talking with the crown prince. All her actions changed the flow of the story. And now, Duke Raziel is chasing after her.
“My lady, Duke Raziel is here again.” Announced her maid, Roxy.
She rolled her eyes, laying on her bed. "Tell him I’m sick.”
Her Knight, Titus appeared with a box in his hands. "My lady, the duke sent you gifts.”
She shook her head no, “Throw that away.”
Roxy then came running to her, catching her breath. “My lady, the Duke, is by the door.”
She stood up at that. What?
Just in time, there was a loud bang on the door and it opened, revealing Duke Raziel.
She stood frozen and glared at her maid for letting him in. “I apologize, my lady, the Duke was demanding to see you.” Bowed her maid, clearly scared of what she’ll do.
She sighed. How persistent!
Duke Raziel approached her, leaning to her but she pushed him away.
“What are you doing here in my room? An unmarried man is not allowed to be in a lady’s room!" She yelled.
She could feel Duke Raziel smirking behind his worn mask. “That’s why I came here, Lady Vienna. Once you agree to my proposal, we will be a married couple. I told you, I’ll chase you to death. Aren't you too tired to say no to me?"
She wanted to avoid him as much as possible, but how could she when he always appears everywhere?
“You won’t get to say no to me, Lady Vienna. Not to me.”
Lady Vienna was strong, but before she knew it, she couldn't escape Duke Raziel's grasp. This is only the beginning. An endless beginning of Lady Vienna’s fate.