In the kingdom of Esclairk…
A female voice echoed through the room and traveled to Celestine's ears. She slowly opened her pretty blue eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar environment.
It was a lavish room but had lost its charm. The furniture was old, very behind the trend of the modern world.
"Miss"
"You finally woke up!"
Celestine's gaze followed that trembling voice, and she saw a brown-haired girl beside her. She had tears in her eyes and was wearing a maid's uniform.
"I was so scared when Miss Beatrice pushed you into the water!"
Celestine lifted her head from the soft pillow, sat straight, and narrowed her eyes.
"What did you call me earlier?" She asked.
"Celestine!" The maid furrowed her brows and answered in a timid voice.
"Is everything okay, miss?"
Celestine's eyes widened, and strange memories flashed before her eyes. The constant abuse on her body that she never experienced brought tears into her eyes.
It was then she realized her soul had transmigrated into a side character's body from the novel she last read.
"The Accidental Ruler"
Celestine Lancaster was Duke Edmund Lancaster's illegitimate daughter. Her mother was a maid who died soon after Celestine's birth.
She was abused by her family all the time, and her stepmother spread bad rumors about her throughout the kingdom of Esclairk. Celestine was a side character created only for the Duke of North, Athan Kingsley. He was also the emperor's younger brother.
Her family forced Celestine into a marriage with Athan Kingsley and because of those bad rumors about her, Athan never paid her any attention.
Her abusive family was involved in some illegal business, and when the emperor found out, he decided to ban the Lancaster family from the kingdom of Esclairk.
Celestine's family forced her to poison the emperor and the empress. After the emperor's death, Athan Kingsley became the new emperor and investigated his brother's death.
The investigation soon found a connection between the emperor's death and the Lancaster family. Celestine's family blamed Celestine saying she did everything for the empress's position.
Athan Kingsley killed his wife and later married his childhood friend in the story, the main heroine of the novel.
I thought I was dead…how come I woke up in Celestine's body?
My real name is Cherry, and I'm a high-skilled assassin from the modern world. During a mission, my closest friend betrayed me and took my life.
What a tragic death just like Celestine!
"I hope this is not a dream!" Celestine murmured.
She got out of the bed and rushed over to the mirror. Her eyes were stunned to see her reflection of exquisite beauty.
Rosy cheeks, blonde golden hair, pretty blue eyes, and big feather-like lashes. The only flaw in her was her thin body.
I have really become Celestine Lancaster from the novel. So this is my second chance at life, right?
Suddenly, the door opened, and Beatrice, Duke Edmund's legitimate daughter, entered Celestine's room.
"Oh my!" Her voice filled the room.
Unlike Celestine, she was well-dressed and covered in jwelery. Her red hair was shining as if she just came out of the spa and her hazel eyes were viciously beautiful.
"Are you in pain, sister?" A devilish smile glinted on Beatrice's lips.
"I shouldn't have pushed you so hard." She scoffed.
Beatrice had abused Celestine with her mother throughout the story. Ugh…why did I become Celestine of all characters?
According to the novel, my death is confirmed in the hands of Athan Kingsley.
No, I must change my tragic fate.
Will a princess who has lost her mind be considered a threat?
Let's put on a show!
"Could you push me again, sister?" Celestine opened her mouth.
"Huh?" Beatrice was confused.
"I want you to push me into the water again. It was so fun." Celestine uttered the words like a five-year-old child.
Beatrice stepped back.
"What's wrong with you?" She shouted.
Celestine blinked her eyes twice and smiled brightly.
The maid stepped forward, rubbing her fingers anxiously.
"Miss Celestine has been acting strange since she opened her eyes." Her worried tone explained.
Beatrice bit her bottom lip in tension.
"I think Miss Celestine has lost her mind after she fell into the pond!" The maid courageously muttered.
This maid had made my work a lot easier.
Beatrice sucked in a deep breath.
"I need to tell mother and father." Her feet stormed out of the room in a rush.
As soon as Beatrice left, Celestine faced the maid and asked her name.
"Did you also forget my name, miss?" The maid tightly grabbed Celestine's palm and mumbled.
She's so emotional, but I need an ally.
"Tell me your name, please!" Celestine requested in a pure voice.
The maid touched her drenched cheeks and brushed through her tears.
"I am Mimi."
"Nice to meet you, Mimi." Celestine flashed another wide smile.
This is so embarrassing!
*Sigh
Now Mimi will help me with the information.
First, I have to find out what's happening in the story now.
"Mimi"
"Yes, miss?"
Celestine clutched either side of her simple peach dress with no expensive embroidery and squirmed her body.
"Ahm…did I receive any marriage proposals?"
"Yes, miss."
"You're getting married next week with Athan Kingsley."
Am I already at that stage?
Damn!
Celestine started jumping like a child.
"Why are you jumping like that, miss?" Mimi was startled.
Celestine stopped, and her fingers tucked her golden loose strands behind her ear. She was pretending to be shy even though the word never existed in her previous life.
"I am happy, Mimi."
"I am getting married."
"You know what that means?" Celestine crossed her hands behind her waist and muttered softly.
"No, miss!"
Celestine slowly walked over to Mimi.
"It means I can play with my handsome husband all day." She giggled.
"Play?" Mimi fell from the sky.
She was convinced that Celestine had really lost her mind. Her miss was no longer a woman but a child.
Unexpectedly, a white transparent screen appeared above Mimi's head.
Huh? What is this screen?
There was only one thing written on the board in black bold letters.
"Welcome to The Accidental Ruler novel. You will receive five destiny stones to alter the events in the original story. If you cannot change the event, you will return to the beginning of the event for which you used your stone. Each time you fail, you will lose one stone; if you succeed, you will gain one. Be mindful not to deplete your stones; otherwise, you will be trapped in the darkness indefinitely."
What the hell?
What is the meaning of all this?