The rain fell like a curse upon the palace.
Cold. Relentless. Unforgiving.
It soaked her white wedding dress, turning it heavy, dragging her down as if the world itself wanted her to kneel.
But she refused.
Even now.
Even as chains cut into her wrists.
Even as soldiers surrounded her.
Even as the man she once loved stood before her… looking at her like she was nothing.
Her lips trembled, but her voice did not.
"…Why?"
Silence.
The wind howled through the courtyard of the royal palace, carrying the whispers of nobles and servants gathered to witness her fall.
The Queen.
No—former Queen.
A discarded piece.
The man stepped forward.
Tall. Cold. Untouchable.
The crown prince.
The man she had trusted with her life.
The man who had sworn to love her.
The man who now held her death in his hands.
Crown Prince Adrian looked down at her without emotion.
"You should have stayed obedient."
Her heart cracked.
Not because of his words.
But because of how easily he said them.
"As if…" she laughed softly, her voice breaking, "…as if I ever had a choice."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Behind him, another woman stepped forward.
Elegant. Beautiful. Perfect.
Wearing the red dress meant for a queen.
The real queen.
Lady Seraphina.
The woman who had taken everything from her.
Seraphina's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"You were never meant for this place," she said softly. "You were only… convenient."
Convenient.
A pawn.
A stepping stone.
The truth hit harder than any blade.
Her nails dug into her palms until blood mixed with the rain.
"…So everything was a lie?"
Adrian didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
His silence was enough.
Her laughter echoed through the courtyard.
Broken. Empty. Mad.
"Then kill me."
She lifted her chin.
Proud.
Defiant.
Even in ruin, she would not beg.
"Kill me and remember this moment for the rest of your life."
For the first time, something flickered in Adrian's eyes.
Annoyance.
Or perhaps… something else.
But it disappeared just as quickly.
He raised his hand.
The executioner stepped forward.
A massive man, his blade gleaming under the storm.
Time slowed.
The world blurred.
And suddenly—
Memories flooded her mind.
Every moment.
Every lie.
Every smile that now felt like poison.
If only…
If only she had known.
If only she had seen it sooner.
If only—
The blade rose.
Her heart pounded.
Not in fear.
But in regret.
And rage.
Burning, consuming rage.
"If there is another life…" she whispered, her voice barely audible under the rain,
"I will never love you again."
The blade fell.
—
Darkness.
Silence.
Nothing.
…
…
Then—
A voice.
Cold. Mechanical. Unfamiliar.
[System Activation…]
Her consciousness trembled.
[Conditions met: Host death confirmed.]
[Rebirth protocol initiating…]
What…?
[Target timeline selected.]
[Returning to: Three years before execution.]
Her heart stopped.
Then started again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Impossible.
[Warning: This is your final chance.]
[Survive. Rise. Dominate.]
A surge of light consumed everything.
—
Her eyes snapped open.
Air rushed into her lungs.
Warm.
Alive.
No rain.
No chains.
No blood.
She sat up abruptly, her chest rising and falling violently.
Her hands—
They were clean.
Uninjured.
No shackles.
No wounds.
The room around her was familiar.
Too familiar.
Luxurious curtains.
Golden candlelight.
A mirror reflecting a face she knew too well.
Her breath caught.
"No…"
Her voice trembled.
"This is…"
She stumbled out of bed and ran to the mirror.
Her reflection stared back at her.
Young.
Unbroken.
Alive.
Three years before her death.
Her fingers touched her face, shaking.
"It's real…"
Then—
The memories returned.
The betrayal.
The execution.
Seraphina's smile.
Adrian's cold eyes.
Her expression changed.
Slowly.
From shock…
To something darker.
Colder.
Deadlier.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Not soft.
Not kind.
But terrifying.
"Good."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Then this time…"
She looked at her reflection like it was someone else.
Someone new.
Someone dangerous.
"I'll destroy all of you."
A soft chime echoed in her mind.
[Welcome back, Host.]
[System initialized.]
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…System?"
[Yes.]
[Your tool for domination.]
Silence.
Then—
She laughed.
Low. Controlled. Dangerous.
"Perfect."
Her gaze sharpened.
Focused.
Ruthless.
"Let's begin."