Chapter 1
I was certain I had died, yet there was a peculiar sensation as if something was holding my bed. Could it be that I didn't die and someone rescued me from that dreadful fate?
As I slowly opened my eyes, the unfamiliar room came into focus, and my confusion deepened. Two maids stood before me, their expressions a blend of concern and disdain.
"Lady Venice, are you alright? Are you hungry?" one of them asked, her voice filled with genuine worry. But something felt off.
"What did you just call me?" I demanded, noticing their shocked expressions.
"L--lady Vanice, what's wrong?" the maid stammered nervously, her eyes darting to her companion, who wore a look of disdain.
"What's my full name?" I pressed, desperate for clarity.
"Vanice Jai Smith, my lady," she replied with a bow, her words leaving me reeling.
V---Vanice? As in Vanice Jai Smith? Oh, damn it!
The absurdity of it all struck me like a lightning bolt. Being mistaken for a character from my favorite novel was beyond belief.
"L--lady, I'm not kidding! Are you really okay?" the maid's concern cut through my disbelief.
"Hahahaha! Are you kidding me?" I scoffed, though inside, I felt like a helpless pawn in a cruel prank. This couldn't be real.
As the maids whispered to each other, their words added to my bewilderment.
"Tsk! Are you still surprised? She always does something crazy like that," one muttered.
The realization hit me like a blow—this wasn't just a case of mistaken identity; this was an utterly incomprehensible reality.
My attention was drawn to the two assistants behind me, who had been casting furtive glances in my direction.
Annoyed, I shot them a glare, tempted to hurl a vase at them if I hadn't been so bewildered and furious. Surreal as it seemed, I felt like a character from my favorite novel, thrust into a fantasy world where I had to fulfill the unaccomplished mission of the person whose body I now inhabited.
No, Philis! Your thoughts are spiraling. Pull yourself together. It's likely just the drugs messing with your mind
As the assistants' eyes widened in shock, I ordered them out with a forceful glare.
"The two of you... GET OUT!"
I huffed in frustration. What kind of servants were they? Aren't they supposed to take care of their lady?
"Lady Vanice, are you okay? Did you get hurt somewhere?"
a concerned voice interrupted my thoughts. I couldn't believe someone was worried about me. I scrutinized her, instinctively assessing his trustworthiness due to my military training.
"Your name?"
"Okane, my lady." Ah, so she's the Okane from the novel.
"Good. You can just call me Vin, and from now on, you're my personal maid, understood?"
she nodded in agreement. It seemed like we could get along well. She struck me as the type of maid who wouldn't betray you as long as you compensated her handsomely. A true "Okane."
"Now, tell me what transpired these past few days,"
Noticing her surprise at my question. Who wouldn't be astonished if Lady Venice suddenly began acting as though she'd lost her memory?
"You caused quite a commotion at the banquet, my lady,"
Okane revealed, gauging my reaction cautiously. Vanice detested feeling wronged, so I could understand why she'd be upset. But for now, I chose to disregard it, focusing instead on the extraordinary predicament I found myself in.
"Why was that?" I probed further. "You became jealous because Lady Jessa was with your fiancé, my lady," Okane disclosed. Ah, Jessa. I seethed inwardly.
Since reading the novel, I'd harbored nothing but contempt for Jessa. "You also had a confrontation with her, which led to Lady Hannah injuring herself," Okane added.
Hannah Smith, 18 years old, and Vanice's younger sister. I could now acknowledge the potential danger I posed to that girl. Hannah secretly admired her sister and knew her well, so she would undoubtedly be taken aback by someone noticing her behaving oddly.
"Just a reminder, my lady, you're still under probation," Okane interjected solemnly.
"How much longer?" I asked calmly, noting his surprise at my composed demeanor despite everything that had transpired today.
Despite Venice's perceived weakness, she remained unfazed by the snide nicknames like "clumsy princess" or "the foolish daughter of the Smith family." I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, enduring such mistreatment.
"You have a week,And tomorrow, you'll need to return to the probation room."
I nodded in response, my thoughts drifting. I recalled the part where Vanice succumbed to depression and drank poison, an act driven by unbearable pain. Initially, I didn't warm up to her character. She possessed intelligence and beauty, yet felt unworthy without her family's recognition. It seemed senseless to me.
Intrigued by the novel's popularity, I purchased it during high school, expecting a clichéd storyline. Surprisingly, many found the characters fascinating, with the exception of Vanice , who everyone despised. This piqued my curiosity—why was she so different?
Vanice Jai Smith, once one of the brightest students in middle school, reveled in learning and exploring new things. Unfazed by the disdain from others, all she craved was her parents' approval.
"She put in maximum effort, yet it still fell short."
Her father, a mafia boss, and her mother, a skilled assassin, epitomized strength and combat expertise, traits Vanice lacked. Refusing to embrace violence, she championed peaceful resolutions, contrasting sharply with her favored sister, Jessa.
Jessa Smith is Vanice's half-sister, a fact that came about due to her mother's mistake. Eventually, their father forgave her and began to accept the truth.
With Jessa's prowess in using a gun, she made a name for herself as a long-range type attacker in their mafia, becoming well-liked by everyone. In contrast, Vanice's presence seemed almost invisible, overshadowed by the constant talk of the mafia at family gatherings. Feeling like an outsider, she quietly immersed herself in her studies, driven to excel.
Her determination led her to take every academic acceleration exam, enabling her to graduate earlier than her peers and pursue diverse courses. In this novel, special exams for advancement or skipping grades are routine, and Venice, blessed with intelligence, made the most of these opportunities.
Venice's life resonated with me, as I too strive to meet expectations and work hard for my family's acknowledgment. However, unlike Heavenhell, our family's dynamics differ.
My family's teachings serve my best interests, while in Venice's case, her efforts go unnoticed despite her dedication.
They unwittingly compelled Venice to mold herself in Jessa's image, believing that by emulating her sister, she could gain their affection.
It's why I personally harbor resentment towards the Smith family.
Focusing on the story, Akone's voice broke me from my reverie. Startled, I smiled and nodded, though I could tell she was still taken aback.
I realized that the novel was released when I was 17 years old, indicating that Earth's advancements were far beyond those here.
"I must be the most knowledgeable person on Earth!" I mused, indulging in a brief moment of self-amusement before shaking off the whimsical notion.
I decided to divert my attention by standing up and stepping towards the full-length mirror to catch a glimpse of my new appearance since joining this world.
"I should shake off these crazy thoughts. "
As I gazed at my reflection, I was taken aback.
"Is this really my face now? You look stunning, Venice!"
My darkhair shimmered in the mirror, perfectly complementing my enigmatic ocean blue eyes, delicate pointed nose, sculpted jawline, and softly radiant fair skin. The sight of my flawless figure left me utterly enchanted.
"Well, well, you cheeky thing! How dare you seek their acknowledgment when you're already so perfect?!"
