The Villainess With White Roses

Chapter 2 - A Plan And A Meal

ANDRELISE

I tap my pen against the wooden desk, staring at the parchment before me. I've drawn up the five major events that set the course of the original novel.

The first event is the awakening of divine powers in Isamara-The Protagonist in the original book-, marking the start of her journey as the Saintess. The last, of course, is the grand wedding between Isamara and the Crown Prince.

If I want to survive—no, if I want to return to my world—I need to make sure these events play out as smoothly as possible. But not too smoothly, of course, since my goal is to avoid the original Andrelise's catastrophic ending.

The wedding... I chew on the end of my quill thoughtfully. If everything goes according to the original story-line, Isamara will marry the Crown Prince, and the story will end.

Could that be the key to my escape? If the story's over, do I get to return to my world? It's a possibility, but... what if it's not? What if I'm stuck here, even after all of this is done?

I let out a sigh, leaning back in my chair.

Overthinking again, aren't I? Still, it's better to overthink than to underprepare.

The first major event—Isamara's divine awakening—isn't for a while, and I have time to prepare. The Royal Ball is the next big milestone, and it's the perfect opportunity for me to position myself well but carefully.

In the original novel, Andrelise loathed Isamara. Of course, there was the whole divine Saintess thing, but it wasn't just that. The original Andrelise fancied the Crown Prince—well, fancied might be too generous a term.

I think it was less about love and more about using him as a way to escape her wretched household. I frown, feeling a pang of sympathy for the original Andrelise.

She was a mess, but who wouldn't be after living under the thumb of the Marquis?

Honestly, I'm not even sure she really liked the Crown Prince. Redheads aren't exactly my type either. And isn't that ironic, considering I'm a redhead myself? But not that kind of redhead—his is more auburn, while mine leans toward a deep, cherry hue.

Still, the original Andrelise wanted him, or rather, she wanted what he represented: freedom. She tried so hard to impress him before Isamara showed up, but it was always a losing game. Even if she hadn't been so desperate, the Crown Prince was destined for Isamara from the start.

And then there's the whole half-sibling thing between the original Andrelise and Isamara. The Marquis is their shared father, though he doesn't know it. And if he ever found out?

Oh, the man would have exploited Isamara beyond belief.

He already used Andrelise like a pawn in his political games—he'd do the same to her if given the chance. That's why I can't let him know. I need to keep the Saintess's true lineage a secret, even if that means keeping my distance from her for a while.

I close my eyes trying to remember what she looked like—Isamara was described as an ethereal beauty, her flowing platinum white blond hair shimmers like moonlight. Her eyes vibrant earth green, warm and inviting, with delicate features and a serene presence, she has an angelic charm that captivates everyone around her.

With a deep breath I open my eyes, I pick up my quill again and circle the first event. That divine awakening... that's where the story truly starts. I have time, but not much. The next few months will be crucial to my plans.

As I'm mulling over the sequence of events, there's a sudden, loud creak as my door swings open. My hand twitches, nearly spilling ink all over my precious notes. I whip my head around to see Hannah, the housekeeper and my maid, standing there, not even bothering to knock.