The Villianess's Redemption (HYUNJIN ff) ✓

2. The Unthinkable Happens

Chapter 2: The Unthinkable Happens
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Y/Ns pov
"Good morning, Lady Isabella," she said with a curtsy. "I hope you slept well."

My breath caught in my throat. Lady Isabella? My favorite character from "The Duchess of Avenia";was Lady Eliza, the heroine. But Lady Isabella—she was the villainess, cunning and deceitful. This had to be a mistake.

"I... yes, thank you," I managed to reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

The maid, whose name I vaguely recalled from the novel as Mary, approached the bed with a smile. "I'll help you get ready, my lady. You have a tea party with Lady Rosellia this morning."

As Mary assisted me with my morning routine, I couldn't shake the surreal feeling. The brush of the hairbrush against my scalp, the weight of the period-appropriate dress, the intricate lacing of the corset—it all felt too real to be a dream. My mind raced as I tried to recall the plot of the novel, the intricate web of relationships and events that made up Lady Isabella's story.

After Mary finished, she curtsied once more and left me alone. I stood in front of the ornate mirror, staring at the reflection of a face I knew from countless hours of reading. Long, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and an expression that could be both charming and ruthless. Lady Isabella's face was mine now.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising panic. How did this happen? And more importantly, how was I going to navigate this new reality?

As I paced the room, fragments of the novel's plot flitted through my mind. Lady Isabella was the daughter of a powerful noble family, known for her beauty and cunning. She had a brother, Lord Leeknow, who was arrogant and power-hungry, yet deeply protective of her. Her closest ally was Lady Rosellia, a haughty and jealous woman who despised Lady Eliza.

Just as I was lost in thought, Mary returned, her expression polite but firm. "Lady Rosellia has arrived, my lady."

I nodded, trying to steady my nerves. "Thank you, Mary."

With as much grace as I could muster, I made my way to the garden where the tea party was set up. The garden was as beautiful as I had imagined, with blooming flowers and manicured hedges. Lady Rosellia was already seated, her posture perfect, her expression a mask of arrogance.

"Isabella," she greeted me with a tight smile. "You're late."

I forced a smile in return, taking a seat across from her. "My apologies, Rosellia. I was... preoccupied."

Rosellia waved a hand dismissively. "No matter. We have much to discuss."

As the tea was poured, Rosellia's expression shifted to one of barely concealed malice. "Have you heard about the grand ball that's coming up? Lady Eliza will be there, of course, basking in all the attention as usual."

I nodded, my heart sinking. I knew where this conversation was headed. In the novel, this was the scene where Rosellia and Isabella plotted to humiliate Lady Eliza at the ball, a pivotal moment in the story.

"We must ensure that Lady Eliza's evening is... memorable," Rosellia continued, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I have a plan that will leave her in tears."

I swallowed hard, the memory of that scene clear in my mind. In the novel, their plan succeeded, causing Eliza great distress and further cementing Isabella's role as the villainess. But now, faced with the reality of playing that part, I felt a wave of reluctance.

"Rosellia," I began cautiously, "perhaps we shouldn't be so cruel. Lady Eliza hasn't done anything to deserve such treatment."

Rosellia's eyes narrowed, her expression hardening. "What are you saying, Isabella? This isn't like you."