The last thing I remembered was the screech of tires and the blinding flash of headlights. A truck—of course it was a truck. Classic isekai setup. I'd laughed about it in web novels, scrolling through endless chapters on my phone during late-night binges. "If only that happened to me," I'd joked to my empty apartment.
Well, universe, joke's on you. Or me. Mostly me.
My eyes snapped open to a canopy of silk drapes, heavy and embroidered with golden threads that shimmered like captured starlight. This wasn't my cramped studio with its leaky ceiling. No, this was... luxurious. Opulent. The kind of room that screamed "fantasy nobility" with a side of impending doom.
I bolted upright, heart pounding. A mirror across the room caught my reflection: long silver hair cascading like moonlight, eyes the color of storm clouds, and a face that was... beautiful? Not my face. Not the plain, overworked office drone I'd been. This was Elara Voss, the villainess side character from Thrones of Eternal Flame, that trashy romantasy web novel I'd dropped after 50 chapters because the plot was too predictable.
"Oh, hell no," I muttered, my voice silky and unfamiliar. In the story, Elara was the arrogant fiancée of Prince Kael, destined to be dumped for the pure-hearted heroine, then executed for treason she didn't commit. Cannon fodder. A plot device to make the male lead look brooding and heroic.
But why me? Why here? As if on cue, a translucent screen flickered into existence before my eyes, glowing with ethereal blue light.
[Eclipse System Activated]
[Host: Elara Voss]
[Mission: Survive and Ascend the Throne]
[Reward: Unlock Shadow Dominion (Level 1)]
[Failure Penalty: Eternal Loop Reset]
A system? Like in those LitRPG novels? I blinked, and the screen expanded.
[Tutorial: You have been reincarnated with knowledge of this world. Use your powers to alter fate. Current Affinity: Shadows – Manipulate darkness for offense, defense, or stealth. Level up by completing quests, defeating enemies, or forging alliances.]
[Starter Quest: Escape the Betrothal Ceremony Unscathed]
[Time Remaining: 2 Hours]
Betrothal ceremony? Right, in the novel, that's where Elara makes a fool of herself, slapping the heroine and sealing her villainess arc. Today was that day.
Panic surged, but so did excitement. If this was my second chance, I wasn't going down without a fight. I swung my legs off the bed, silk nightgown whispering against marble floors. The room was a prison of luxury: velvet cushions, crystal chandeliers, and walls painted with murals of ancient battles. Outside the window, spires of a grand castle pierced the cloudy sky, and below, gardens bloomed with flowers that glowed faintly—mana-infused, no doubt.
A knock echoed at the door. "Lady Elara? It's time to prepare for the ceremony."
The maid's voice. In the novel, she was loyal but clueless. I cleared my throat, channeling my inner haughty noble. "Enter."
The door creaked open, revealing a young woman in a crisp uniform, her eyes downcast. "My lady, the prince awaits. Shall I help with your gown?"
Prince Kael. The grumpy bastard himself. Tall, dark-haired, with eyes like molten gold and a reputation for being as warm as a glacier. Morally gray? Try pitch black. He'd destroyed entire villages in the name of "justice" and had a curse that made him allergic to emotions—or so the lore went.
But in fan forums, readers swooned over him. "He's just misunderstood!" they'd say. Yeah, sure.
I nodded to the maid. "Yes, but make it quick. I have... plans."
As she laced me into a gown of midnight blue velvet, embroidered with silver thorns, I tested the system. Shadow Dominion? I thought, focusing on a corner of the room where light barely reached.
A tendril of darkness uncoiled from the shadows, slithering toward me like a living thing. It wrapped around my finger, cool and weightless. Powerful. This could change everything.
The maid gasped. "My lady? Did you see that?"
I dismissed the shadow with a thought. "Just a trick of the light. Let's go."
The grand hall was a sea of nobility: dresses swirling like colorful storms, murmurs buzzing like bees. At the far end, on a dais throne, sat Prince Kael Thornheart. He was even more striking in person—sharp jawline, broad shoulders armored in black leather, and an aura that screamed "approach at your own risk." His golden eyes scanned the room with bored disdain.
Our eyes met. For a split second, something flickered in his gaze—curiosity? Annoyance? Then it was gone, replaced by that signature scowl.
The ceremony began. The high priest droned on about eternal bonds and royal duties. Elara—original Elara—would have preened, but I stood silent, mind racing. The heroine, Liora, would arrive any moment: the commoner with hidden powers, fated to steal Kael's heart.
There—a commotion at the doors. Liora stumbled in, her simple gown torn, cheeks flushed. "I-I'm sorry, Your Highness! I was attacked on the way here!"
Classic entrance. The crowd gasped. Kael's eyes narrowed, interest piqued.
Original Elara would slap her now, accusing her of lies. But not me.
Instead, I stepped forward, shadows subtly lengthening at my feet. "Attacked? By whom?"
Liora blinked, surprised. Kael's gaze sharpened on me.
"A band of shadow beasts," she whispered. "In the forest."
Shadow beasts? Those weren't in the early chapters. Was the plot already diverging?
Kael stood, his voice a low growl. "Guards, investigate. Lady Elara, you seem... composed."
I met his stare, a smirk tugging my lips. "Why wouldn't I be, Your Highness? Unless you think I'm involved."
Tension crackled. The crowd held its breath.
He leaned closer, voice for my ears only. "Don't test me, fiancée. I know your games."
Enemies already. Perfect.
But as the ceremony resumed, the system pinged.
[Quest Progress: 50% – Avoided Conflict]
[Bonus: Unlocked Ally Scan]
A quick scan revealed Liora's hidden affinity: Light Magic. Potential friend? Or rival?
Little did I know, this was just the beginning. Shadows were stirring, and the throne's forgotten secrets were about to eclipse us all.
To be continued...
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