[Chapter TWO]
The once yellow system tab suddenly popped up, resembling the ones typically seen in interactive games. Its partial transparent glow and 3d aspect gave it an otherworldly quality, making it seem almost unreal. But what truly unsettled me was how it floated in front of me, oscillating ever so slightly while no one else seemed aware of its presence. Then words had made an appearance:
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"You've encountered Crown Prince:
Mikhail Whitmore!
A respected and distinguished figure among the noble provision and the common people in the nation of Velmoria. His swordsmanship and revered style of diplomacy alongside leadership and divine light magic has made him well recognized in the Great Continent and beyond. Not to mention, his stunning looks and gracious demeanor have made him one of the most sought for."
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Mikhail Whitmore. The name struck an unexpected chord, just like "Seraphine" had earlier. I knew it from somewhere, but no matter how hard I tried to recall it, I couldn't place a finger on it.
And, with the information provided, one thing was certain— I had been transported into another world, or perhaps even swapped into someone else's life. And this world.. I recognized it. But from where? The questions that I had asked myself had left me with a lost and muddled feeling.
Then I noticed the smaller line of text beneath the introduction:
lˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Relationship Bar: 2%"
If I had to guess, that meant my relationship level with him was at a pitiful.. 2%. Given the cold, unreadable look on his face, it wasn't too surprising. He didn't seem too fond of me, and to be honest, I wasn't inclined to suck up to him given that bitter taste of the inferiority complex that he was giving off. Still, an uneasy sensation gnawed at my chest, something more intricate than simple discomfort.
"She's not saying anything." Mikhail's voice hissed as it cut through and interrupted my thoughts, sharp with irritation. He ran a hand through his thick black hair, his expression darkening. "Did she go mute in the process or something?" I think I heard a scoff escape his lips.
A woman stepped forward, still kneeling, and wearing the uniform of a maid's.
Her ash-gray hair was pinned into a neat bun, her hazel eyes sharp despite the fine lines and wrinkles that decorated parts of her face. She carried herself with quiet authority, the kind that made it seem like she was definitely of a higher rank than the others around her.
"Her Highness' vocal cords were damaged," the maid explained, her voice firm and unshaking. "The imperial healer advised against speaking to prevent further strain. Please forgive her."
"Headmaid Gloria" The system tab had pointed out as it jumped in the space once again, and then swerved back into the air, vanishing.
The prince didn't spare a glance at the maid, clearly marking the difference in the hierarchy. And, what a bold and fierce look he had on, almost like the look of a tiger who harbored the bloodlust of his enemy.
It made me wonder what sort of indifference he had out for me. His callousness was so displayable, it was almost laughable. The system must've lied, because nothing about him seemed ever so "gracious".
"Issue a discreet letter to the Montclair Duchy and let them know that the marriage will be postponed until my fiancée recovers," He then gave me another distant and frigid look, "If her voice doesn't come back in due time, tell them she's no longer eligible to have her hand taken in marriage." Mikhail spoke with coldness and authoritative tone. He turned around and headed towards the doors.
"Yes, your highness." The Headmaid firmly said without faltering. Although, the look in her eyes seemed hesitant and gritty.
As soon as he left, the doors had closed. And then, there was the apprehensive silence befalling the room once again. But then, that one girl, with the dark blue hair, caught my attention once more as the sunlight hit her face. Her glimmering red eyes, so alluring— yet disturbing. Something about her felt so off. Perhaps because of how charming she was, but it felt like it was something different.
"Lilian Hart" The system chimed in again.
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You've encountered ???:
Lilian Hart!
...
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How eerie, no information whatsoever was given. It's like this system was playing tricks on me. But the name Lillian Hart was already enough as memories had flashed back of a certain book. This realization had given me a clearer understanding of where I am, and who I am.
..
Seraphine Montclair, was who I was. And I'm inside of the novel, "Lilian's Secret"
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Lilian's Secret wasn't a popular novel, but it was definitely a hidden gem.
The story was about Lilian, the abused maid who served the cruel and ill-tempered Seraphine Montclair who wedded the Crown Prince Mikhail. The status gave Seraphine the ability to act as unruly and lavish as she wanted.
But then, by some chance, Lilian was found to be of a longed Saintess by the Holy Lands, a land that was strongly associated with all the nations in the Great Continent as divine beings and power was something to keep strong ties to as it served as a way to legitimize strength and peace.
Several eligible bachelors have seeked out Lilian in an instant —such as Archduke Lucian, a handsome work of art, whose character attributes that I can't remember, played as the role of second male lead. But I do remember when reading his parts, it was always eye-prying because of how an interesting of a person he was. It was a shame that he also died in the end, somehow.
But then, Lilian and Mikhail had found love and affection in one another, leading to Seraphine being cast out at some point. With her anger and deplorable envy that consumed her, she set out to destroy Lilian in such cliche and desperate ways, thus leading her to easily meet her end. Then, the story was left on a forever hiatus after the chapter of her execution.
Though, the hiatus was assumed to be an ending because the villainess of the story was executed, Lilian's secret of being a Saintess was revealed, and love was happily found— so forth, the end.
Though with this "ending", it wasn't accepted by many readers. The story had dropped in ratings as soon as the hiatus had never been updated because everyone had assumed it was the end of it. Perhaps the writer had forgotten to title the chapter as "The end" and there were epilogues to come. If so, truly an unsatisfying conclusion.
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And knowing that I was reborn as Seraphine, the despicable villainess of this novel, I knew that I cannot and will not accept this ending either.