THE VILLAIN AWAKEN

The door creaked open.

I stiffened instantly, my heart racing as two figures entered the room. One is a middle-aged woman dressed in a plain brown gown, her hair tied tightly back. The other is a young maid with her head lowered, hands clasped nervously before her.

"Lady Arielle is awake", the older women said calmly.

The name struck me like a blow.

Lady Arielle.

For a brief moment, my mind went blank.

Then reality settled heavily on my chest.

There was no denying it anymore. I was no longer June - not the girl from the modern world who read novels to escape boredom and stress.

I am Arielle valencrest.

The villainess.

The same Arielle who was feared, despised and eventually executed in the novel crown of Ashes.

I swallowed, forcing my breathing to remain steady. Panicking would only make things worse.

"How are you feeling my lady?" the older woman asked, stepping closer to the bed. Her face flicked over my face, lingering just long enough to notice my confusion.

I hesitated. I searched my memories -both mine and the ones that did not belong to me. Arielle had been sharp - tongued and cruel, especially to servants. Acting too kind would raise suspicious. Acting too harsh might provoke hostility.

"I.... feel weak", I replied carefully.

It was the safest answer.

The woman nodded once." that is to be expected. The mana fever nearly claimed your life. It is miracle you survived"

Mana fever.

The words echoed ominously in my mind. I vividly remembered now - this incident had been mentioned briefly in the novel. Arielle had attempted to force her magic to awaken, driven by jealousy and desperation. Instead, she collapsed earning ridicules and distrust.

The maids eyes widened. My lady, you were unconscious for three days. We feared you would never wake ".

Three days.

My fingers curled slowly into the bedsheets. Time had passed without me, without Arielle . The story had begun moving on its own, just as it had in the novel.

I woke too late, damn it, but not too late. I thought.

"Leave ", I said.

The command surprised, because I wasn't the rude type but Arielle is.

The maids froze,"my lady?"

"I wish to be alone ",I repeated, firmer now, wondering if the maid is deaf.

The older woman studied me again -longer this time. Well, obviously I felt the weight of that gaze, sharp and searching,as though the woman were looking for cracks in a mask I had only just began to wear.

Finally, she bowed " As you wish".

The door closed.

Silence returned, thick and pressing.

I exhaled slowly, my breath unsteady.

I started pacing around the room, thinking of a plan or solution." well, at least I know you fate".

Footsteps echoed faintly outside the room, heavier now, more deliberate. I racked my brain for names, which was supplied effortlessly

The Duke of valencrest.

Arielle father.

And somehow beyond him, moving clear with each passing moment.

Kaelion Thorne.

I straightened.

Fear still lingered, but it no longer rules me.