I looked proudly at my books lined up on the bookstore shelves.
Maybe this was the best part about being an author, seeing your own stories out there for everyone to read.
As my eyes wandered over each title, they landed on my greatest disappointment: my very first novel, The Goddess's Flower.
I'd been so young when I wrote that book, swept up in the trends of the time. The male lead was a psychotic prince, and the heroine…a naïve, constantly crying village girl.
I still couldn't believe that book was still being sold.
After grabbing the books I actually wanted, I headed home. I'd bought a place close to the bookstore so I could walk there whenever I pleased. Never underestimate a bookworm!
Everything felt perfectly normal. Nothing seemed out of place. I was just going to head home after shopping and keep working on my new novel.
And then -just like every cliché scene from a transmigration story- I got hit by a truck.
Yeah. A TRUCK!!
I wasn't even in the middle of the street, I was walking on the sidewalk! Its headlights practically screamed, "I am the light of death!"
I probably don't need to say it, but...it hurt..a lot.
But I didn't even have time to react to the pain. Everything happened so fast.
I died so quickly.
Maybe that was the end of my life. Or maybe…not.
Darkness swallowed me whole and then light returned.
When I opened my eyes, it felt like I'd just woken from a deep sleep. My body didn't hurt at all.
…Don't tell me I've actually transmigrated?! Honestly, with all the isekai anime and webtoons I'd consumed, I wouldn't even be surprised.
I looked around. This wasn't my room. And it definitely wasn't a hospital.
There was only one thing I needed to check.
I jumped out of bed and ran to a mirror.
The first thing I noticed were the bright red eyes staring back at me. Combined with my unnaturally pale skin, I looked straight-up like a vampire.
And then there was my hair, white mixed with silver. I was a completely different person.
Yep. Not my body. Different world. No doubt about it.
"Wow… She's actually gorgeous!"
I was in love, with my own reflection.
As I admired the beautiful face in the mirror, a sharp headache struck. Memories that weren't mine crashed into my mind.
It felt like my brain had split into two halves: one holding my own memories, the other filled with the life of this body's original owner.
Now I knew this world's language, I knew this girl's entire life. And…something about it felt familiar.
Heather Federline...Red eyes, silver hair, a noble's daughter, obsessed with the prince-
...
Wait. NO WAY!
I froze, staring at the girl in the mirror again. "You…I mean, I…am HER?!"
A knock on the door interrupted my panic. A maid walked in, speaking as she approached.
"My lady, it's time to wake up. Your lessons begin in one hou-"
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw my pale expression and rushed to my side.
"My lady, are you all right? You look so pale!"
Great. Just great. I'd transmigratet into the villainess from my own first novel-the one with the terrible ending.
I forced a calm expression so I wouldn't freak her out even more.
"Pale? This is just how I always look."
"I-I'm so sorry, my lady! I didn't mean to insult you! Please, spare me!"
She actually dropped to her knees, terrified.
Heather Federline, the original owner of this body had been a terrible person.
She bullied the weak, faked kindness around the strong, and generally made everyone's lives miserable. Even her own servants feared her.
No wonder this poor girl was scared out of her mind.
"It's fine. You're forgiven. You can get up now."
"E-Excuse me?" She lifted her gaze, wide-eyed. "You're…not going to punish me?"
"I wouldn't punish someone over something so small."
"Th-thank you, my lady! You won't regret this!" She stood, bowing deeply, eyes red like she was holding back tears.
Honestly, if I were her, I probably would be crying right now.
"What was your name again?" A quick search through Heather's memories told me she hadn't even bothered to remember her personal maid's name.
Unbelievable.
"Sara, my lady."
"All right, Sara. Let's get along from now on, okay?" I smiled warmly.
She blinked at me, stunned. "I-I'm sorry, what?"
"I'm apologizing. For the way I treated you before. I'd like us to get along. Will you forgive me?"
"M-My lady, you shouldn't say such things to someone as lowly as me!"
She was panicking, and honestly, I couldn't blame her. Nobles apologizing to commoner servants? Completely unheard of.
"No, I mean it. I've decided to turn over a new leaf. I want to make up for my past mistakes."
She hesitated, then closed her eyes tight and bowed. "Th-then… I'll proudly serve by your side, my lady!"
~
Digging through Heather's memories, I pieced together the situation.
It was still early in the story.
Classes at the Royal Academy had started two months ago, and the first term break was in a month.
Even though I lived in the dorms, I had a private room, being rich had its perks!
Over the past two months, Heather had been relentlessly bullying Tiana, the heroine.
At first, the male leads ignored it. But lately, Tiana's gentle, calm nature had won them over, and they'd started defending her.
That's when Heather true to her awful personality, had escalated her schemes.
Thankfully, the plot hadn't reached that part yet.
If I just stayed out of the heroine's and the male leads' way, everything would be fine.
Or at least… I hoped so.
Sara helped me get ready for school.
Honestly, I felt like a five-year-old being dressed by their mom, but hey, perks of being rich!
As I walked toward class, I mulled things over.
In the original story, Heather tried to kill Tiana at one point…and was killed by the second male lead instead.
I really needed to stay away from him. Who wants to hang out with their future murderer, anyway?
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Don't ignore me!"
Someone was shouting. A fight? Not my problem.
I forced myself not to look back. As much as I loved watching drama, I had more important things to focus on.
But then...someone grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
"You're still ignoring me? Didn't your family teach you to show some respect?"
I finally turned around to face the guy holding my arm. What was with this bad-boy attitude?
And of course it had to be him.
Charles Exeter, the marquis's son. Secretly in love with the heroine. Black hair, green eyes-annoyingly handsome.
Oh, and a master swordsman. Which, yeah…was exactly how he'd kill Heather in the future.
Hearing myself speak, I wanted to slap my own mouth. "Wow, hearing that from you is rich. Don't you know you're supposed to address me properly?"
Great. Brilliant. Why was I provoking him?! Getting on his bad side was the last thing I wanted.
"Hah. Why should I show respect to someone like you? I only respect people who deserve it." He smirked mockingly.
Ouch. He wasn't wrong about Heather…but I wasn't her and I wasn't about to let him talk to me like that.
"Oh, I see. Then I'll do the same." He blinked, confused. I glanced at the hand gripping my arm. "Now…are you going to let go, or do I have to bite you?"