Here's the map of the story, enjoy!

**A CLIP FROM THE FUTURE/ PROLOGUE***

"Kneel before me."

Lady Vienna Estelle Thaleia Xaviera said to the crown prince. It's funny how she was just stalking him a few months ago, not until she read the contents of the book entitled "The Princess and her Happy Ever After.”

She once was known as the Crown Prince’s stalker throughout the kingdom. That was her routine, not until she read the book that the handsome mysterious man gave her. Thinking about it now, it was too strange to receive gifts from a stranger on the street.

At first, the book was a nice read. But later, she saw how things turned out. The story was like a copy of her life, almost like someone was writing the flow of her story, from the start and all the way to the end.

Of course, it shocked the lady to the core. But what baffled her the most was the part where she has to play the villainess part! Feeling offended, she can't help but feel her blood boil. She should have been the female lead!

In the book, Lady Vienna meets her tragic fate as she was killed by the crown prince. She dedicated her whole life to bullying Princess Avelina, stalking the crown prince, and finally meeting her end as she tries to kill the Princess before their wedding day. She had read a thousand stories like this. But she never comes across something like being a villainess!

Is this a gift of fortune that she knows her future, or bad luck? For her, it’s bad luck, but she’s going to take advantage of it.

As the male lead appeared vulnerable in front of her at this moment, she couldn't help but take advantage of it. Oh, how the tables have turned. He’s at her mercy. "I said kneel."

The Crown Prince, Prince Mathias looked at her like she had gone crazy. "Lady Vienna, I'm a prince, you're JUST the daughter of Duke Xaviera-"

JUST a daughter?

She laughed hysterically, feeling like she’s losing her mind, well, she had lost her sanity since she learned she’s just a villainess. Now that he showed his true colors, she does not have to hesitate in killing him. "I AM Lady Vienna." She said firmly, cutting him off.

She may JUST be a daughter of a duke, but right now, she has more than that power. She knows her worth, and she’s using it against him.

Prince Mathias chuckled, "This is outrageous. Are you really the lady I knew...Estelle? You used to like me, didn't you?"

She cringed in disgust, hearing that name coming from his mouth. She used to feel butterflies in her stomach, but not anymore. "Yes, I used to...but what a horrible past that must have been for me..."

Well, well, well... seems like it's not so bad to be labeled as a Villainess after all. It's time for her to make her move. Throwing a hateful glance at the crown prince, Lady Vienna turned around. “Leave, I don’t have time to waste.”

Gritting his teeth in anger, she watched him as he left her study.

She can’t help but remember the words of the mysterious man who gave her the book. "This is not the right time yet. You should not burn the book.”

Now that there are only ten months left before the crown prince and her female lead’s marriage, she has to take advantage of this time limit.

Well sure, if the events in the story were to happen. But these past few days, she broke that barrier and changed the flow of the story.

Smirking, she grabbed the book in her hands. Throwing the book on the firewood, she watched in satisfaction as flames engulfed it, burning it until there were only ashes left.

She’s going to die anyway, Is it worth fighting for? Never mind, she’ll just do her best. It’s time to change her fate. If possible, she’ll create her own. Her plans are working and she’s only waiting for the results now.

Duke Raziel Valen Donovan, the villain. According to the book, before the crown prince and her female lead’s wedding, the female lead would be killed and the empire would be in chaos, Duke Raziel would initiate a coup d’etat to kill all the nobles, including her.

And that is her problem. She managed to be killed in the hands of the crown prince, how about in the hands of the villain?

She needs to find Dillon. The key to her plans. It’s time to test if her plans worked. And any minute now, Duke Raziel would appear.

But hours have passed and he’s still not appearing. Is he late?

“Ehem.” She heard a clearing of the throat. Speaking of the devil.

Turning around, she didn’t see the duke, but instead it was his personal knight, Titus, his bright silver hair and purple eyes gleaming through the sunlight. “Please excuse me, my lady, but a letter just arrived. It has the Duke Donovan’s eagle seal.” He said.

Handing her the note, she read it.

Dear Lady Vienna 'Estelle' Thaleia Xaviera of the Duchy of Creneia. I, Duke Raziel Valen Donovan, from the Duchy of Xynnar, wish to ask for your hand in marriage.

Details should be discussed within these next few days as I am also waiting for Duke Xaviera's reply.

However, for the meantime, I would like to get to know my lady better. I would like to meet you in the famous coffee shop by the capital city, Moressley. Pardon me for the rush, but I can't wait to meet my future Duchess.

Truly Yours,

Duke Raziel Valen Donovan

Duchy of Xynnar

He had his signature at the end. Lady Vienna reread it again and felt like vomiting in disgust. What the hell is this man spouting some nonsense? Asking for her hand in marriage?

Was it a prank? A game he wants me to participate in? The lady laughed at the thought, feeling like she's losing her mind. She never remembered that the villain would propose to her from the book.

Wasn’t he supposed to be killing all the nobles and head over heels for the female lead?

But why is he sending a letter and asking for marriage? She thought to herself.

Then it hit her. Everything is making sense now.

Everything is not going as the books says because her plan is working..it was all her doing. from visiting the Rouge Guild, meeting the female lead, and talking with the crown prince. All her actions changed the flow of the story. And now, Duke Raziel is chasing after her.

“My lady, Duke Raziel is here again.” Announced her maid, Roxy.

She rolled her eyes, laying on her bed. "Tell him I’m sick.”

Her Knight, Titus appeared with a box in his hands. "My lady, the duke sent you gifts.”

She shook her head no, “Throw that away.”

Roxy then came running to her, catching her breath. “My lady, the Duke is by the door.”

She stood up at that. What?

Just in time, there was a loud bang on the door and it opened, revealing Duke Raziel.

She stood frozen and glared at her maid for letting him in. “I apologize, my lady, the Duke was demanding to see you.” Bowed her maid, clearly scared of what she’ll do.

She sighed. How persistent!

Duke Raziel approached her, leaning to her but she pushed him away.

“What are you doing here in my room? An unmarried man is not allowed to be in a lady’s room!" She yelled.

She could feel Duke Raziel smirking behind his worn mask. “That’s why I came here, Lady Vienna. Once you agree to my proposal, we will be a married couple. I told you, I’ll chase you to death. Aren't you too tired to say no to me?"

She wanted to avoid him as much as possible, but how could she when he always appears everywhere?

“You won’t get to say no to me, Lady Vienna. Not to me.”

Lady Vienna was strong, but before she knew it, she couldn't escape Duke Raziel's grasps. This is only the beginning. An endless beginning of Lady Vienna’s fate.

***PRESENT TIME***

"Make way for the Imperial Knights!" Yelled a man with a grand attire. He was the empire's announcer, carrying a glowing light that let his voice echo throughout the Capital city, Moressley. The light was powered by mana, as the kingdom was blessed with numerous amounts of it that almost everything was run by mana.

Even the people, including the commoners, which are at the lowest level of society, had their own manas in their bodies.

People came rushing towards the central point of the city. The sun was already up and the morning light glistened throughout the sky. This was a typical day for the kingdom of Orthosdem Imperium as they await the arrival of their honored knights. It almost felt like there was a festival, with the loud drums and singing and dancing and a variety of food in the stalls.

Such a special day. Surely, the king would not miss the chance to let people celebrate this day with a feast.

Of course, it was thanks to their remarkable knights. They had returned from the battle with a victory on their hands.

"We could have just waited for sir Knight Titus to arrive at your house, my lady." Said a maid named Roxy to her lady despite the huge crowd's noise. She was a typical bubbly girl with brown hair and brown eyes. Together with her lady, they stayed at the back of the crowd to avoid getting from the mess, waiting by their carriage.

"No, I want to see him...." The lady said. She was the daughter of the Duke and Duchess, Lady Vienna "Estelle" Thaleia Xaviera. Growing up as a spoiled and bratty child, she had always thought that she was the female lead, but when a handsome mysterious man gave her a book a few days ago, she learned her whole life was superficial and her fate was already decided in the book. What more, she learned that she was a villainess.

And that is why she can't just keep still.

Opening her carriage's curtains, she watched as the knights appeared with their shining armor, waving at the crowd with a big smile on their faces, some were still, taking pride in being called the heroes of the empire.

Lady Vienna Xaviera scanned her surroundings, her red off-shoulder dress, complimenting her red flowy hair and glimmering green eyes.

This won't do.

Opening her carriage door, she grabbed tightly on her dress and ran out. Her maid Roxy screeched in surprise, asking where she was going. She ignored her, continuing on running towards the crowd.

Amidst the crowd, she heard a voice from afar.  "Is that my lady?" Looking at the source, she saw from the row of the knights marching towards the palace, there he was, her personal knight.

Liutenant Titus Matthan de Vivar, son of the General of the imperial army.

His bright silver hair shone from the light and his purple eyes stared at her, a big smile on his face. The lady smiled at him. "Titus!" She called out, and the crowd broke apart to make way for the lady.

She embraced her knight despite the huge chatter in the background. She knew it was not allowed to break through the boundary and approach the knights as they have to enter the palace first, but the palace guards did not even reprimand her and just let her do what she wanted.

Of course, she's a noble, a daughter of the duke, and close to the emperor, who would dare harass her?

"How'd you manage to see me?" She asked, quite shocked at her knight's eyesight. There were too many people. Titus's eyesight is remarkable.

Her knight chuckled beside her. "You were the only one standing out with your red hair," Titus replied, his deep voice calming her. "I've missed you, my lady."

There were childhood friends, and once the knight, Titus, trained to be a knight, he swore to serve her lady for the rest of his life, despite the fact on how the emperor himself wanted Titus to serve him.

This is because Titus earned the title of "The Nation's Hero" after he managed to save the army from fall and killed the enemies, and overcame the enemy's territory. He was considered their second strongest warrior after his own father, general of the imperial army. After that, he was thrown into escapades here and there, and from their recent voyage, it was him who led the army to victory.

"But you could have waited for me in the carriage, you could have gotten injured from the crowd!" He said to her, a bit worried. Smiling, he smirked at her. "What's the rush? Were you that excited to see me?"

Her eyes then looked around the knights, searching for someone.

"Now, where's the crown prince?" She asked, looking around. It’s not like she’s still obsessed with the crown prince, well she was once obsessed with him before she received the book, but she’s only checking so that she won’t have to encounter the crown prince soon.

"Awe, you just saw me, your own knight, and you're looking for him already?" Titus jokes, gently caressing her red hair and looking her softly in her eyes, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. Silence fell between them before he decided to clear his throat. "The crown prince was injured, he came earlier than us and he's back at the palace's infirmary."

"Good, How about Princess Avelina?" From their recent battle against the Lumen Empire, she knew that they had captured her as she was offered a treaty for the crown prince to marry. She hadn't seen her, but she could tell she's beautiful from the book.

And according to the book, they were supposed to be married by now. But they haven’t met yet. That’s strange…

"How did you know of her, my lady?” Asked Titus. “She's already in the palace.”

“Oh, I just heard earlier.” She lied.

She said goodbye to her knight, glanced at her carriage, and hid amongst the crowd, making sure her maid wouldn't see her escape. Now that the crown prince and female lead’s marriage is late, there’s a chance that the coup d’etat initiated by the villain, Duke Raziel Valen Donovan would start early.

He would kill all the nobles and once that started, then she would be included too as she is also a noble. She has to prevent that. And in order to prevent that, she has to go to the Sylvian Library, located at the southern border, the hometown of Glenarm. It looks like a normal library filled with books and all. But that was only for the show…

Behind the library, there was a secret information guild named "Rouge" owned by Fedel. But the true head of this is a man named Dillon...and he is the key for everything.

The book did not provide not many details as it only mentioned that Lady Vienna from the book used the guild to kill the female lead.

But she wants to meet him not to ask him to kill the female lead, but for another reason...and that is to ask him to kill the villain.

Plus, she has to find the mysterious man who gave her the book. But that should be shrugged off for now. Finding Dillon should be first.

Hastening her steps towards a dark alley, she saw Stellan, her own horse. She had already prepared her horse in advance so that her maid won’t notice she’s gone.

Hopping on her horse, she headed on the southern border. She brought with her precious sword and some gold bars for payment.

I have to hurry before my father's guards find me. She thought.

She used a different route and traveled through hometowns. It took her an hour to reach the southern border.

“Welcome to Sylvian Library. How may I help you?” A masked man greeted them once she reached the said library. Another two masked men appeared, standing close to her and intimidating her.

Oh...she forgot. The book said that all the staff here wore a black mask. It was like their shop’s customs, their shop’s selling point. It looks strange, but people come here for that reason. She stood still. “I need to talk to Dillon.”

The masked men froze.

The one she talked to earlier spoke up, “Can I ask who is that miss? We are only a library.”

“Dillon. Head of Rouge Guild.” She spoke firmly against their lies.

The man stared at her for a minute, reading her face, then nodded, realizing she’s a client. He lunged at her, unsheathing his sword as his red eyes burned holes in her. "How did you know of this place? Who sent you?” His tone was calm, but there was killing intent.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I just heard it from the town."

He gritted his teeth, he pointed at her with his finger. "Liar."

She bit his finger.

The masked man, the masked man grimaced in pain. He pushed her away. "What in the...are you even a lady? What kind of lady bites off people's fingers?"

She ignored his question. "Your master. Now." She commanded. "Before I have truly bitten off all your fingers."

He shook his hand to relieve the pain. There were four masked men surrounding her by now. "This is why I don't want to deal with noble ladies."

The lady chuckled. "Of course. I know you want to push me away here, but I would return again if you don't grant my request. That's how persistent I would be." She warned him.

The other masked man sent a signal to the other three and spoke up, "Then how about you guess which one of us is Dillon here?”