Warmth. That's the first thing I feel. Warm, heavy air pressing against my skin like sunlight after a long winter. Then... softness. Sheets.
I open my eyes to find myself staring at a canopy of embroidered silk. It's pink. Bright, shimmering pink. The kind of color that looks expensive but makes you question your life choices.
"This can't be heaven," I mutter. "Heaven would have better taste."
[Welcome back to the world of the living, Host!]
The voice is far too cheerful for my current state of confusion. I glance around, half expecting to see someone standing by the bed. There's no one—just the empty room and the faint sparkle of gold light hanging in the air.
"Oh good," I sigh. "You're still here. I was afraid I hallucinated you before dying."
[Not a hallucination! I'm your official guide to villainous excellence.]
I rub my temple. "Right. Because that's perfectly normal."
I really did become a villainess.
The air shimmers again, and a small glowing orb bobs in front of me. Not a screen, thankfully—just light.
[System at your service! You may call me... hmm. What's something villainous? Oh! The Magnificent One? The Wickedly Helpful Assistant?]
I stare. "How about something shorter. Like... Nero."
Reminds me of my cat.
[I am no cat!!]
"Hahaha, I know. Cats don't talk."
I sit up slowly. My body feels different—lighter, stronger. I glance at my hands. Smooth skin. No IV scars. No shaking. My fingers don't ache when I move them. For the first time in my life, I feel healthy. Whole.
"Well," I murmur. "That's new."
[High-grade body detected! You're currently residing in the form of Lady Seraphina Vale, the Duke's only daughter. Age twenty. Temper: volatile. Reputation: terrible. You're perfect!]
"Terrible reputation?"
Why, I wonder.
[You slapped a prince last week. Twice.]
I blink. "...must have been for a good reason."
[Yeah, he tried grabbing your skirt.]
"Yup. Definitely a good reason. I like her already. Well—me, I guess."
The orb spins like it's nodding.
[Your goal is simple: live freely, gain power, and fully embrace your role as the villainess you've always admired—to become the perfect Villainess.]
"Do I have to kill anyone?"
[Only if they deserve it.]
I grin faintly. "I'll try to avoid it, then. Just because I'm a villainess doesn't mean I want to kill people."
[It's your choice.]
The room's tall windows spill sunlight onto the floor, glinting off polished marble and ornate furniture. It's too grand, too elegant—exactly the kind of place someone like "Lady Seraphina" would belong.
Still, there's a strange calm in me. I remember the pain, the blood, the betrayal—but here, it feels far away. Distant. Like something that happened to someone else.
"Alright, Nero," I say, pushing the silk blankets aside. "Where do we start? What was she like? Her friends, her dislikes—give me everything."
I try to sound casual, but I can't hide the excitement in my tone.
[Host, you're strange.]
"Hm?"
[You're taking this so easily. I figured most humans would panic after seeing a floating talking orb in their face.]
"Well, I'm not most people. And I wished for it, so why would I panic?"
I've read enough books about reincarnation to know what this is. Unreal or not... I kind of love it.
Nero stays quiet for a moment before speaking again.
[Since you're fine, let's begin. We start with confidence, posture, and possibly breakfast. You've been unconscious for three days.]
"Three days?" I touch my hair and find it a mess. "I die, get reincarnated, and the first thing you tell me is that I've missed breakfast for three days?"
[You also missed a duel challenge. But don't worry! I'm sure they'll reschedule once they realize you're alive again.]
I freeze. "Duel? What duel?"
[Something about you insulting a nobleman's mother. You have quite the track record, Lady Seraphina.]
I groan. "Fantastic. I've been alive for five minutes and I already have enemies."
[See? You're a natural.]
Despite myself, I laugh—a real one this time. Low, genuine, a sound I barely recognize.
"I sound pretty," I gasp in awe. "Now I wonder how I look."
[Of course you do. And you also look pretty. Well... beautiful, actually.]