wake up in villain's body

Chapter 1

She opened her eyes to light.

Not the sharp white of a hospital, but something warmer. Gold-edged curtains stirred softly beside tall windows. The ceiling above her was carved with unfamiliar patterns, elegant and old. The bed beneath her was too soft, too wide.

This was not her room.

Before she could move, a sharp breath cut through the silence.

“My lady!”

A maid stood frozen near the bed, eyes wide as if she had seen a ghost. Then she ran.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway. Voices followed. Panic. Relief. Orders barked without hesitation.

Elina closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again. The room didn’t disappear.

So this wasn’t a dream.

The door burst open.

A man strode in, tall, broad-shouldered, his presence filling the room like a drawn blade. Silver-streaked dark hair, sharp eyes that softened the instant they landed on her.

“Elina.”

His voice broke.

He crossed the room in long strides and stopped at her bedside, as if afraid to touch her.

“You’re awake,” he said, almost to himself. “You’re fine. You’re alive.”

She watched him carefully. His hands trembled before he clenched them behind his back.

“I promise you,” he said quickly, “everything will be fine now. You won’t suffer again. I will arrange your marriage with the Crown Prince. You don’t need to hurt yourself anymore.”

Her mind be like

Marriage?

Crown Prince?

The words hit her one by one, refusing to connect.

Her throat felt dry. “Who… are you?”

The room went silent.

The man stared at her, shock flickering across his face. Behind him, a doctor stepped forward, brows knitting together.

“She may have struck her head,” the doctor said carefully. “ it looks like Memory loss .”

“My name?” Elina asked again, testing the sound of her own voice.

“You are Lady Elina Ardent,” the maid said softly, almost afraid. “Daughter of Duke Kaelen Ardent.”

Doctor. Duke. Ardent.

Her heart sank.

Those names were not unfamiliar.

They were identical to the novel her roommate used to read aloud late at night.

The duke turned sharply. “Leave us.”

The doctor hesitated, then stepped closer. “My lord, it would be best to let her rest for now. We can speak outside. U should come too ”

The duke looked at Elina again he doesn't want to leave her side ,

. Her eyes were open, calm, but distant. Not the frantic gaze he had seen before.

“…Very well,” he said quietly.

He turned back to her. “Rest. I’ll return soon.”

The door closed behind them.

Silence settled in the room.

Elina stared at the ceiling.

Then the memories came.

A narrow room filled with noise.

Sweat-soaked practice clothes.

Bruises she laughed off.

Endless auditions where she was told to wait, to try again, to be patient.

The role she had almost given up on.

The call that changed everything.

She remembered laughing, celebrating with her friends.

The ones who hugged her too tightly. The one who smiled the widest.

a old voice

" If you die… I’ll become the next star."

The words echoed in her mind like poison.

Her fingers curled into the sheets.

How stupid.

How weak.

She had trusted them. Believed in shared dreams. Believed effort was enough.

Her chest burned with anger, sharp and cold.

She opened her eyes.

In

A villain’s body.

A new life.

“…A second chance? ” she murmured.

This time, she wouldn’t live desperately.

This time, she would live long.

And she would live on her own terms.

Outside the room, the doctor lowered his voice.

“It’s a miracle she woke up at all,” he said. “To be honest, I feared she never would. Perhaps the temple’s blessing truly worked.”

The duke exhaled, tension draining from his shoulders.

“Her memory loss,” the doctor continued, “is not a serious concern. But you must ensure she never harms herself again. Miracles do not repeat.”

“I understand,” the duke said firmly.

Relief spread through him like warmth.

If marriage would protect her… then he would make it happen.

He turned away, resolve settling in his expression.

“I will speak to His Majesty,” he said

. “A direct request from House Ardent cannot be ignored. ”

Without another glance back at the door, the duke left for the palace.

For his daughter’s future.

For his daughter's happyness .

For make sure she don't hurt herself again

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