"How foolish!"

Yana screamed. She punched her body pillow twice and banged her head against it. She bit her lower lip in displeasure and let out a deep sigh. Yet again she was disappointed.

Every time she sees a new work with the 'romance' tag in her light novel reading app, she gets excited. She starts expecting something 'new', something different than the trend, but ends up with the usual.

Either the female lead is an immature bird-brain for whom author generally uses the words 'innocent and pure' to actually conceal her 'naivety and witlessness' or a so called strong girl whose ruthless schemes against other people just to take some sort of revenge is excused only because she is the main female lead.

"Can there ever be a normal girl who will be loved by the male lead just because she is good and 'normal'?"

'Host found!'

"What? Who spoke?"

Yana looked around her frantically. She was the only one in her dorm room. It was vacation time so her roommate left to spend the holiday with her family.

The child-like voice spoke again.

'Host registered! Entering the Male lead protection system!'

As soon as the mysterious voice spoke the last word, Yana's vision started to get blurry.

"What the heck? Male lead protection?"

She held her body pillow tightly as her head started to hurt.

She breathed heavily for a few seconds before finally losing consciousness.

'Yana Lan, age 19. Probational phase.'

"Yeah, I know my name and age but I certainly don't remember applying for a job. So what's with the probation?" Yana snorted.

When she opened her eyes, Yana was sitting on a chair in a dark atmosphere with a single illuminating screen in front of her. Her favorite body pillow that soothes both her frustration and insomnia was beside her. The first thought she had was whether she was kidnapped by some shady organization or it was just one well-organized prank but from the way her situation has unfolded till now, she could already relate to the numerous transmigration novels that she read relating to some kind of 'system'.

Whatever it was she decided to deal with it nonchalantly as causing a ruckus even in the most severe situation was not her habit. The most she did was shout and scream dramatically in her head with a serene smile on her face.

'This is Male lead Protection system and you have been chosen suitable as an agent. This is a probation period for the same where you will be given a mission and your success will determine your acceptance. I am your guide system who will be aiding you in the process.'

"So I am supposed to protect male leads by going in their world and winning their love or something?"

'No! But something similar.'

"What do you mean?"

'Your task is to save the male lead from the female lead of that world and find another suitable love for him who will meet certain requirements."

"So can I be possibly be the……the candidate for that 'another love'?"

'No, you cannot."

"What a letdown!" She snickered but her eyes drooped feeling mixed emotions.

Yana loved romance novels since she was young. Even though she cherished the concept of finding true love in those stories, she was well aware that the reality is quite different. It didn't take her much experience or time to understand that but her own parents did a good job to make her into the cynical being she is today. Her parents, like two destined people met and fell in love with each other but time weakened their bond gradually. The end result was an unhealthy divorce due to her father's infidelity and her mother's indifference. She was still loved and tend to but her ideals were shattered. That's why the concept of love became even more precious to her just like how immortality is to a person who fears death, an unachievable lie.

"So what's in it for me?"

'A chance…to create a new world and design your own character and fate.'

'My own fate?' Yana was astonished. Living her fantasy and achieving the impossible, the mere idea thrilled her. Maybe she will be able to create a world not so cruel as her reality, where feelings will be real and everlasting.

"How many missions should I complete…to achieve that reward?"

Yana asked as her eyes became wide with hope but hesitance. It was too good to be real.

'Details about that will be given after you successfully complete your probational mission.'

"What if I fail?"

'You will be returned back to your world with your current memories wiped clean. So do you want to continue?'

It seemed more amusing and easy when protagonists made such a deal with systems in those novels. But real life really do bring variations. It appeared to be an easy decision for an onlooker but whereas question and doubts were going through Yana's mind. She could be putting her life in peril. What if it's just some sort of government funded research and she is their new lab rat? Everything was dubious but something was pushing out the 'ok' from inside her. Was it her reckless hormones due to puberty or just the amusement of enjoying a novel-like trope? They did contribute their parts but the major portion consisted of her new found hope. It scared her. Is it worth the risk?

"Yes…. continue." Yana smiled slightly releasing her face from the tensed expression she carried before. She held the pillow beside her tightly with her right arm and rested her face on it. She might end up regretting if she thought hard again but for now she was satisfied and ready.

"So what should I call you?"

'Anything you like, host.'

"Alright… let's see….your voice is like a child's…so Chibi!"

'As you like.'

*Probation mission: Chester Raymonde, 21 years old*

"No! Not again!"

The screen in front of Yana illuminated the words and drowsiness slowly possessed her. Unlike before the headache didn’t follow which made her utterly grateful. She grabbed onto her pillow and fell asleep with her heart beating fast anticipating the future.

"Eloise! Eloise! Are you okay? Oh my god!"

"Ouch!" Yana felt someone's tight grip on her shoulder which made her shriek in pain. She opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by various middle-aged women sparkling from head to toe. The radiance of their precious jewelries blinded her for a moment. She could feel a big bump on her head which didn't hurt unless touched. The abruptness of being in a new environment shook her. It took a few deep breadths to calm down and get her mind on the track.

She scanned her surroundings discreetly, every part of which screamed, 'luxury'.

She was lying below a huge chandelier made of crystal, cloaked by thin gold-like crust and variety of gems laid spattered on its surface in awe-inspiring patterns.

The Sofa set near her boasted a glimmering leather surface of the best quality and a design that might inspire rich to create a ramp show starring furniture. Every corner of the hall was embedded with the finest luxury the world can offer and gave life to the art of 'sumptuous living'.

'Bloody hell!'

"Madam! Madam! Let me take you to your room."

A woman dressed in a maid-like costume and a proper updo came rushing with a panicked face and supported Yana up.

"What….what happened just now? Why was I on the floor?" Yana inquired.

"You tripped on your brand-new white-lion skinned carpet, Eloise" A women from the crowd answered.

Yana tilted her head down to look at the cause. Her heart wrenched at the thought of animal cruelty and hunting. She was highly fond of animals and was studying to become a veterinarian. She despised those who treated animals as a 'thing' of amusement and didn’t appreciate their right to life. But it seemed like she was now in the body of someone who did.

The maid held Yana's hand and led her to a room located at the end of the corridor outside the main hall. The ladies bid her farewell with the best wishes for her health.

"You can leave now, I want to rest for a bit."

"Al…alright Madam! I am sorry. I will remove that ca…carpet right away."

The woman spoke skittishly while her eyes remained on the floor and left as soon as she could.

Yana let out a huge sigh and gazed at the huge diamond that sat on the ring finger of her left hand.

'Bloody hell! I am married!'

As she admired her platinum bracelet, Yana caught the glimpse of an apparition at the corner of her right eye. She turned her head to see a huge mirror and her mouth sprung open.

"An old lady??" She shrieked.

"Chibi! What the hell happened! I look….old and…. mature."

'I will explain you the mission no-'

"You should have done it before sending me here. All you did was tell me someone's name and age."

Apparent wrinkles encircled the eyes and embellished the corner of her lips. Even the flawless makeup and considerable skin care couldn’t repulse the aging factor. Her body was probably in her forties.

'Respected host, don’t be angry. Missions are explained after hosts enters the concerned worlds. It's the process.'

"Tch….whatever! Start explaining."

'This is a world based on a novel called 'True love prevails'. It's ab-'

"LOL! What stupid name!"

'Dear host! Do not interrupt me when I am explaining the mission or else I might end up forgetting some useful information!'

"Aren't you a system? A software? It should all be coded. How can you forget?"

'I am not aware! You should focus on your mission for now. Every minute is precious.'

"Yes..yes. Speak!"

'This story is about a poor girl named Mary Lin who falls in love with a rich boy Chester Raymonde and together they overcome all the hardships and live happily ever after. Your mission is to make sure Chester doesn't fall in love with her and find another suitable love for him. The content of the novel will be now transmitted to your memory.'

"What the heck!? Is this novel written by a middle schooler or what? It is such a cringey plotline. But I don’t understand. It's a 'happily ever after' once they defeat the evil mom-in law character, why does the male lead need saving at all?"

'That is because the real problems for him starts from the point where the novel end. Chester gets disowned by his family for choosing Mary Lin and loses his source of finance. Due to not being able to pay for his college, he couldn't graduate and had to work low-paying jobs to get by. Chester tries to start his own business but due to second male lead Will's influence his business fails leaving a huge debt behind. Mary Lin and Chester breaks up soon, following which she marries Will and Chester goes into chronic depression regretting meeting her.'

"Shit just went from 0 to 100! Will was his best friend since childhood! How can he do that for a girl? And Mary Lin, that sneaky bitch…..left him as soon as he lost everything. No doubt why evil mother called her a gold-digger from the very start."

'Wait a minute!'

An important question suddenly waved through Yana's mind. Whose body did she possess? Eloise was what she was called before which is the real name of the 'old witch', a term coined by Chester Raymonde for his mother and the main antagonist of this novel. Yana chuckled slightly and a guileful smile adorned her mature face.

"Things just got interesting!"

Eloise Raymonde was a brute character draped in haughtiness who looked down upon everyone. She single handedly took care of the Raymonde industries and raised her only son in a strict manner as the next heir of the conglomerate. She never compromised on anything and always pursued the best of the best, whether it was just a little table lamp or her future daughter-in law. She was a character made to be scorned upon. When she got to know about Mary Lin, she made countless efforts to obviate her from Chester's life. From ridding Mary's father of his job to buying off their house, she created enough conditions to force them into leave the city but every time they were saved by either Chester or Will. But somehow at the end of the novel, Chester manages to convince his grandfather about Mary Lin who then helped him stand against his mother and date Mary Lin freely.

"Yeah right! Chibi! What about the Grandfather Raymonde? He didn't help his grandson while he was being disowned?"

'Male lead's grandfather didn't wield any real power in Raymonde industries. The final authority about everything lies with Eloise Raymonde at the end of the day.'

"Wow! That means at the end of the novel, Eloise never got defeated. She just gave up on her son and discarded the only imperfection in her life. That’s ruthless yet badass at the same time. What about the next heir of the Raymonde industries? Chester was her only son."

'She adopted a child for that.'

"I am impressed." If a person like Eloise existed in her world, Yana would have been her die-hard fan.

"It's going to be tougher than I thought. If a woman like Eloise couldn't separate Mary from Chester than how can I? Tchtch…..by the way Chibi at what stage am I inside the novel?"

'Mary Lin's first day at college is three days later, that is when the story starts.'

"Oh good!"

All of a sudden, a blue screen appeared in front of Yana and started hovering around in the air. It carried some sort of statistic.

'Host, this is the stat window. It will show the male lead's affection towards his prospective love. Once the affection towards the female lead crosses 90, mission will be deemed a failure.'

Currently, the affection bar towards Mary Lin lied at 0. It gave Yana yet some liberation to breathe lazy. She tilted her neck backwards resting against the flossy headboard.

*Knock Knock*

"Come in!"

"Madam, The young master just came home." The old maid spoke.

"Alright!"

'Already time for battle? I didn’t even have any time to rest, Sad!'