Lyra Etheridge, a modern-day psychologist, wakes up in the body of Aris Devereux, a villainess in a popular web novel she once skimmed out of boredom. In the novel, Aris is a shallow and envious aristocrat destined to face ruin for tormenting the st...
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting the garden in a golden twilight, Aris remained frozen by the fountain, the weight of the Duke's words heavy on her heart. His approval, though fleeting and cryptic, had stirred something deep within her—an unsettling mix of fear and hope.
For years, she had craved his acknowledgment, doing everything the old Aris would to earn his favor. But now, in this new life, with a different perspective and resolve, his attention felt more like a double-edged sword. Would he use her to advance his ambitions, or was there something more hidden beneath his cold exterior?
The chill in the air prompted her to turn back towards the manor. The Duke's words still echoed in her mind: "You've changed." Was it praise or a veiled threat? Her fingers grazed the smooth marble of the fountain as she walked away, her thoughts tangled.
When she returned to the grand entrance, a figure blocked her path—Lord Alistair Blackthorn, the Duke's closest advisor. His reputation for cunning strategies and ruthless ambition preceded him, making him both feared and respected in the noble circles.
"Lady Aris," Alistair greeted with a sharp smile, his dark cloak billowing in the evening breeze. His piercing gaze swept over her, calculating. "It's rare to see you out here alone."
Aris stiffened. "Lord Alistair, I didn't expect to see you here this late."
He chuckled softly, the sound unsettling. "I never rest, my lady. There's always work to be done for the Duke." His smile grew, a hint of malice in his eyes. "And for the kingdom."
Aris felt a shiver creep down her spine. There was something about Lord Alistair that always put her on edge. He had a way of seeing through people, as if he could read their thoughts and predict their every move. It was unsettling, especially now when she was still navigating this new life.
"What brings you here tonight, Lord Alistair?" Aris asked, keeping her voice calm.
"I merely wished to ensure your safety. The garden can be a dangerous place at night, even for someone as capable as you," he said smoothly, though his words felt like a warning.
Aris forced a smile. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm perfectly fine."
"Of course," Alistair replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But I must say, Lady Aris, you've changed quite a bit since... your return. It's almost as if you're an entirely different person."
Aris's heart skipped a beat. Could he know? Was he suspecting something about her reincarnation?
"I've had time to reflect," she replied cautiously. "And I no longer wish to be tied down by the expectations of others."
"Is that so?" Alistair's gaze lingered on her, sharp and probing. "The Duke has noticed your... transformation as well. He's watching closely."
Aris tensed, unsure of where this conversation was headed. Was Alistair testing her loyalty to the Duke? Or was he hinting at something more dangerous? She couldn't afford to slip up now.
"I'm well aware of the Duke's watchful eye," she said, meeting his gaze with steady resolve. "And I intend to earn his trust."
Alistair's smile didn't waver, but there was something cold and calculating in his eyes. "I see. Well, Lady Aris, I hope your new path leads you to success. After all, we wouldn't want you to make the same mistakes... as before."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Aris clenched her fists, refusing to let his thinly veiled threat shake her. The old Aris might have cowered before him, but she was no longer that person.
"I'll be careful," she replied evenly, her voice firm. "I have no intention of repeating the past."
Alistair's smile widened, his expression almost amused. "Good. Very good." With that, he turned and strode away, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow.
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Aris watched him go, her heart racing. Lord Alistair was dangerous, that much was clear. But the question that gnawed at her was whether he was merely testing her, or if he knew more than he let on. Could he sense the truth of her reincarnation? Or was he simply trying to manipulate her for his own purposes?
As she stepped back inside the manor, the warm light of the chandeliers greeted her, but the weight of the conversation lingered like a shadow in her mind.
She had changed—there was no denying that. But the threads of her old life were still tightly woven into the fabric of this one, and untangling them was proving more difficult than she anticipated.
The Duke's words. Alistair's veiled threats. The whispers of her former life, still echoing in her thoughts.
Aris had chosen to break free from the fate that had once bound her, but she knew now more than ever that it wouldn't be easy. The forces around her—the Duke, Alistair, Helena—they all had their own agendas, and she would have to tread carefully if she wanted to carve out a new path for herself.
As she made her way to her chambers, Aris resolved to stay vigilant. The world around her was shifting, and she couldn't afford to be swept away by its current. She had to take control of her destiny, no matter the cost.
For the first time in her life—or perhaps her second—Aris felt the weight of her choices bearing down on her.
But she was no longer the villainess, bound to the whims of fate. She was something else now—something stronger, something free.
