The ballroom was a sparkling death trap.
A thousand candles floated in the air, flickering above noble sons and daughters, each draped in silk and powdered in politics. Strings played. Wine flowed. And at the center of it all stood Prince Caelan Ravencourt—the man my past self had written to be both devastatingly handsome and emotionally unavailable.
Which, to be fair, was exactly my type… back when I wasn't wearing a corset and heels.
I teetered at the top of the marble stairs, clutching the rail like a lifeline.
Every eye turned toward me. Whispers rose.
"Is that Lady Seraphine?"
"She wasn't invited, was she?"
"She looks… different."
"She looks—fabulous."
Damn right I did.
I had no clue how I got into this gown, but it shimmered like moonlight and screamed, 'I'm here to ruin someone's night.'
The system must've auto-equipped me or something.
> [System Notification]
✨ "Mission 1: Slap the Heroine with Elegance"
Objective: Create a dramatic confrontation
Time Limit: 15 minutes
Reward: 300 Drama Points
Bonus: +50 for public execution (not literal… probably)
I scanned the crowd.
There she was.
Lady Aria Solenne—my story's original heroine.
Golden curls. Dainty gloves. The purest smile 400 chapters of innocence could buy.
She was chatting sweetly with the prince, like she didn't know she was scheduled to steal my fiancé and destroy my social standing.
Oh wait—she didn't.
Because I wrote her that way.
And now, I had to slap her.
---
I took a breath, tossed my curls (thanks, System), and descended the stairs like I owned the empire. Each step echoed across the room. The music slowed. Conversations hushed.
Prince Caelan looked up.
Our eyes locked.
He frowned. Not angry—curious.
"Lady Seraphine," he said, tone cool. "I wasn't aware you were… invited."
Neither was I, Your Highness, but your AI overlord says I have to humiliate your girlfriend or I'll get deleted.
"Your Highness," I purred, shocking even myself. "Surely you didn't think a little engagement scandal would keep me away from my own party."
"It's not your party."
"Isn't it?"
I turned toward Aria. Her smile trembled, like she sensed a thunderstorm behind my lashes. She curtsied, polite and pure.
"Lady Seraphine," she said gently, "I hope there's no misunderstanding. The prince and I—"
> [System Alert]
Drama Level: Low
Action Required: ✋ SLAP HER
Style Tip: Use backhand. Maximum elegance.
I hesitated.
She looked so kind.
She didn't deserve a slap.
But I didn't deserve to die twice.
So I raised my gloved hand—slowly, regally—and—
—
SLAP.
A gasp echoed.
The music stopped.
Someone dropped a wine glass.
Aria clutched her cheek, tears already forming.
The prince stepped forward, eyes darkening. "What do you think you're doing?"
I blinked.
I needed a speech. Something villainess-y. Something fabulous.
"Teaching her," I said, "to speak only when spoken to."
Oh my god. That was horrible.
Why did that sound so good out loud?!
> [System Update]
🎉 Mission Complete!
Drama Points: +300
Bonus: Public Scene Achieved! +50
Next Mission: "Accidentally" Fall into the Prince's Arms
No. No, I am not doing that.
> [System Reminder]
✨ Fabulous Survival Depends on Your Compliance.
The prince looked ready to throw me out himself.
His jaw clenched. His hand twitched near his sword hilt.
I realized, too late, that in my own story... this moment triggered Seraphine's downfall.
I'd changed the dialogue. The scene.
But the tension was the same.
Then Aria stepped in.
"Please," she whispered, clutching his arm, "don't punish her. She's… clearly upset."
What.
No. That's not how this goes.
She's supposed to cry, run out, and become the innocent flower that blooms into heroine status!
Why was she defending me?
---
> [System Message]
💬 "Host has altered the timeline. Beware of Butterfly Effects."
New Route Unlocked: CHAOTIC PRINCE PATH
Great.
Absolutely peachy.
The prince narrowed his eyes, but the drama was already spreading like perfume through the noble crowd. I heard someone say, "What a comeback!" and another whisper, "Seraphine's back from the dead!"
I curtsied, half out of instinct, half out of panic.
And tripped.
Heels.
Long gown.
Sudden panic-curtsey.
I stumbled forward with all the grace of a dying swan—
And landed face-first into the prince's chest.
Silence.
> [System Update]
💖 Mission: "Fall Into His Arms" – Completed!
+250 Romance Points
+30 Prince Fluster Value
I slowly looked up at him.
Caelan's face was frozen.
For once, not cold—confused. Slightly pink.
Maybe he was blushing?
Maybe I hit my head harder than I thought in that tree.
---
The orchestra started up again, awkwardly. Nobles began to murmur and drift away, sensing the scandal had passed—for now.
"Get. Off. Me," Caelan said slowly.
"Of course, Your Highness," I said sweetly, pushing off his chest and regaining my balance. "Next time, you could catch me more gently."
> [System Alert]
New Mission Available: Steal a Dance with the Prince
Bonus: Make him jealous
---
I was in hell.
A satin-covered, chandelier-lit hell full of judgmental nobles, hot men, and impossible tasks.
But I was alive.
I had Drama Points.
And I had just slapped the heroine and fallen on a prince.
This was either the start of my second chance at life…
Or my most glamorous downfall yet.
Either way, I'd walk it in heels.
---
END OF CHAPTER