Chapter 1
Born To Seduce, Doomed To Be A Villainess
Author: DrawiAfterDark
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Hi everyone. Let me introduce myself: I am a reincarnated reader. Yes, let’s get straight to the point. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about this type of scenario: an office girl walking down the street when, BOOM!!!... surprise, transmigration!.
Believe me, although it reeks of absurdity, in my current case: “That’s right, I am the chosen one.” As for my instant death... let’s just skip that gruesome part to preserve the mental peace of everyone involved.
Very trendy in recent years: a character gets transported into a book, becomes the villainess, retains memories of the plot, and alters the outcome. Yes, that is precisely the case here. I’m sure you’re all so “surprised”, right? Not everyone in this world is lucky enough to end up with such a wondrous life. 🙂
- Now, Evelyn Celeste Montclair, pull yourself together this instant. Remember, this is a royal banquet, not your bedroom where you can just wander around with that dreamy look on your face...
You heard that title just now, didn’t you? That is my name: the noble young lady of the Ducal House of Montclair. And the extremely radiant, regal woman with honey-gold hair who just spoke up to correct me is Her Grace, Duchess Vivienne Isabelle Montclair, my “in-book” biological mother.
In my old world, I was an orphan, so having a stunningly beautiful mother leaves me feeling a bit lightheaded. The only thing is, she is rather strict and places high value on social standing, though she is, after all, top-tier nobility in this empire.
Where I am standing right now is the grand hall of the royal palace, where a grand ball celebrating the Crown Prince’s 22nd birthday is underway.
As expected of imperial grandeur, everything around here looks as though it has been plated in gold, dazzling enough to blind a person. Exquisite delicacies, opulent gowns, high-born aristocratic etiquette... honestly, I had to work very hard to keep my neck from turning every which way continuously. If I were caught displaying unrefined behavior, I would earn a glare sharp enough to burn my face off from my lady mother.
- Young Lady Montclair is truly exquisite and charming. Ever since her 18th coming-of-age ceremony a few months ago, her presence seems to have grown far more noble with each passing day. She is indeed worthy of the status of future Crown Princess of our Aurelian Empire.
The Countess of Ashford, a close ally of my family, walked over with a bright smile to offer her praise. Her arrival and enthusiastic compliments quickly turned me into the center of attention. As the crowd of nobles gathered around, the main moment of the evening arrived.
- Announcing His Imperial Majesty Cassian Aurelius Ainsworth, Her Imperial Majesty Helena Seraphine Ainsworth, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Adrian Lucien Ainsworth, and His Imperial Highness Second Prince Damian Percival Ainsworth!
All the guests in the hall performed a solemn, formal bow. I unconsciously found myself swept along, executing it flawlessly.
Truth be told, all these royal etiquette routines are overwhelmingly suffocating. Ever since my transmigration, following the pivotal moment when the villainess Evelyn survived a near-fatal illness, I have had to utilize every ounce of my willpower and intellect to keep pace with the plot line to survive safely. Fortunately, thanks to my solid pre-existing knowledge and memories, integrating into the imperial high society didn’t take too much time.
- Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, and Your Royal Highnesses. It is an absolute honor for our family to be present here today to celebrate this important milestone with Crown Prince Adrian. Congratulations, Your Highness!
My father, Duke Alistair Edmund Montclair, a tall man in his late forties with dark blonde hair sprinkled with threads of silver, stepped confidently toward the center, cheerfully offering his greetings to the royal family. In response to that warm hospitality, Emperor Cassian directed his steel-gray eyes, carrying a rare warmth, toward him and answered politely:
- It has been a long time, Ali. Having you and your family present today is already a wonderful gift to this royal house. Now, Adrian, express your gratitude to your future in-laws.
Following his imperial father’s command, a tall figure from behind quickly stepped forward:
- Greetings, Lord Duke, Duchess Montclair, Lady Evelyn, and Master Theodore. Thank you all for gracing this event with your presence.
Oh dear Lord, our male lead has arrived. Crown Prince Adrian, the dream bachelor of countless young maidens, is my future husband?
Just look at this sculpted, exquisitely handsome face. And that tall, broad-shouldered, muscular physique tucked away beneath his royal attire. Best of all are those endlessly long, straight, impeccably trim legs, the kind that makes even an exceptionally tall girl like me look up. Just two words: “Pure perfection.”
Um, let’s pause the handsome-guy obsession for a second. The issue we need to focus on has made its appearance. I am currently the villainess in the original storyline. As Adrian’s official fiancée, I hold all the wealth and status. Cruelly, however, according to the proper progression, he won’t fall in love with me; instead, he will fall for the original female lead.
If played strictly according to the original plot, I would end up harming them out of jealousy and subsequently pay a heavy price through severe punishment.
- And now, a special performance dedicated to the Crown Prince’s birthday. Representing the top students of the Valerian Royal Academy of Magic and Martial Arts, and a guest of honor to His Highness Adrian, Lady Clara Bell shall perform a song.
Speak of the devil and she shall appear; the female lead of our story has stepped up. A young woman with soft, long silver hair and delicate porcelain skin slowly captured the attention of the entire grand hall as she stepped onto the performance stage and released a heavenly singing voice.
Predictably, my handsome future husband is listening attentively with rapt fascination. It wasn’t until he met my icy glare that he reluctantly pulled himself back a bit, albeit unwillingly.
Let me tell you the very first top-secret detail I discovered recently. That female lead on the stage isn’t holy or innocent like in the original work at all.
Clara Bell is also a reincarnated reader, happily enjoying the happy-ending plot line while waiting for the right moment to effortlessly snatch everything away from the villainess, me.
How did I figure it out so fast, you ask? Just listen to what she’s singing up there: it’s a cover of “If We Hold On Together,” modified to fit the royal court vibe. 🙂
