"Shadows of Fate: Embracing the Villainess's Legacy"

Chapter 1

As my eyes flutter open, I am greeted with a faint chuckle that echoes throughout my mind. Slowly, the darkness that once enveloped my surroundings begins to fade, replaced by vibrant colors and familiar sights of my room. In the corner of my vision, a tall figure stands beside my bedside, his features obscured by the shadows.

"You're awake," his voice is gentle and soothing, like a calming melody. "That's good. Come now, you have classes today." The man's voice sounds familiar, causing a sense of comfort to wash over me. "I'll drive you to your school." With his words, the room fills with warmth and the promise of a new day.

As I gazed out into the darkness, my mind reached for a familiar presence, and without thinking I called out, "Brother?" To my surprise, a warm and pleasant voice responded.

"Yes?" The silhouette of the man turned to reveal my elder brother's familiar figure. He looked down at me with a gentle and warm expression on his face.

I studied him carefully, unsure of how to react or feel in this moment. This man before me was now my brother, but our past had been filled with distance and indifference. A surge of emotions washed over me as memories flooded back, making my expression unreadable to him.

"Ilse..? Are you alright.?"

He looked at me with furrowed brows, his entire face twisting into a mask of worry and concern. Slowly, he leaned down and placed a gentle hand on my head.

His touch snapped me out of my thoughts and I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

"I'm fine.."

My voice was barely above a whisper as I turned my head down, unable to meet his questioning eyes.

But in reality, I was far from fine. How I wished this moment could last forever.

As if responding to my innermost desires, the world around me began to fade into an abyss of darkness, leaving me once again in the void of my mind.

“My lady, it is time to awaken.”

A familiar female voice called out to me, pulling me out from the comforting embrace of oblivion. As I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself in a new room. This time, instead of the silhouette of a man standing by my bedside, it was that of a woman's figure.

“Good morning, my lady..”

I shifted my gaze towards the woman who stood with her head bowed next to me.

"... Good morning, too, L," I replied with a smile.

As I locked my gaze onto her figure, I couldn't help but admire the way she effortlessly pulled off the masculine attire- a male's version of a maid's outfit. My personal servant, or rather, butler, L stood beside me with an air of elegance and poise.

She had always insisted on being my butler instead of a traditional female maid, much to my amusement. "I've already brought your breakfast, my lady," she said softly, her voice smooth like silk.

Following her gaze, I saw a tray placed neatly on the nightstand next to my bed. The inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled my nostrils as I took in the sight before me. A glass of orange juice glistened in the morning light, accompanied by a plate filled with scrumptious pastries- a slice of moist cake, a perfectly crafted sandwich, and a warm muffin. It was a simple yet satisfying spread fit for a queen.

"L, thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I carefully positioned myself at the edge of the bed. My fingers reached for the warm muffin, its sweet aroma wafting towards me.

I took small, deliberate bites, savoring each mouthful as we sat in silence. Memories of my brother and the dream from earlier flooded my mind.

How long had it been since I first arrived in this world? The question struck me suddenly as I reminisced about my past life with my brother.

A month... Yes, it had been a full month now. I slowly lowered my hand, gazing at the half-eaten muffin in my palm, lost in thought.

As I wandered through my thoughts, I failed to notice or hear L calling out for me. Her voice grew louder and more urgent until it snapped me out of my trance.

"My lady."

Her stern yet gentle tone jolted me back to reality and I turned to face her.

"Yes?" My response was barely above a whisper, my voice timid and uncertain.

"His grace, the Duke, is requesting your presence, my lady. He awaits you and your brother." L's head dipped down as she spoke, her voice devoid of emotion.

"I understand..."

I nodded slowly before turning away, my fingers nervously gripping the sheets beside me as I took another bite of my muffin. The warm pastry melted in my mouth, but my mind was elsewhere, wondering what the Duke could possibly want from me. My heart raced with anticipation and trepidation as I made my way towards his chambers.

• • •

"... Elizabeth, you're here. That's good... We can start now."

The name Elizabeth echoes through my mind, a reminder of the life I had before waking up in this unfamiliar world.

I raise my eyes to see two figures sitting across from each other, deep in an intense conversation.

My gaze then shifts to L standing next to me, silently conveying her need to leave the room immediately.

With a nod and a turn, L exits the room, closing the heavy doors behind her.

Alone now with the two males, I take slow steps towards them and settle beside a young man with white hair, seemingly around my age. The air is tense with urgency and purpose as they wait for me to join their discussion.

Upon sitting down, he casted a disgusted and angry glance at me before looking away.

"Now that both of you are all here, it's time to discuss about upcoming birthday party of the crowned prince himself, Arthur Goldheart."

The man in front of us says, his eyes darkening into seriousness.

My lips twitch at the mention of the crowned prince.

... Arthur Goldheart... A familiar yet so distant name...

I thought to myself as I start to wonder where I heard that name from.

Before my train of thoughts could continue any longer, the man in front of us continues his speech.

"Elizabeth, as the future queen and fiancée of Arthur Goldheart, you must need to pick out an extravagant and distinctive gift for his highness..."

As if a bucket of cold water, no, a bucket of cold water with ice in it has been splashed all over me the moment I've heard that I'm engaged to this crowned prince without my knowledge.

... What?