(Lina)
The last thing I remembered was the screeching sound of metal against metal as my car ran off the highway. One second, I was driving home, my mind on the quiet apartment waiting for me, and the next, everything went black.
I didn't expect to wake up again.
Yet here I am, eyes blinking open to find myself lying in a bed that feels too soft, too plush to be real. Silk sheets. The room is enormous, with high ceilings, gold chandeliers, and walls lined with fancy tapestries. A wardrobe that could fit ten of me looms against the far wall, and a vanity catches my reflection in its mirror.
I sit up, heart pounding, patting my body. "What the hell…?" I mutter under my breath. Something's off. Way off. I don't feel like myself. My skin's softer, my hands smaller, delicate even.
Panic surges through me as I fling the covers back and stare down at legs that aren't mine. Gone is the muscle I built up over years of military training. Instead, I look... fragile. Too small to be me. I scramble out of bed, my hands shaking, trying to process what the hell is going on.
Suddenly, a bright light flashes in front of me, and I stumble back. A translucent screen appears, floating in the air.
Welcome, User Lina Carter, to the Princess System. You have been successfully reincarnated as Princess Isabella of Rivendale. Please complete your daily missions to accumulate rewards.
"What the—!" I barely get the words out before a scream rips from my throat. This isn't my body. None of this is real. It can't be!
My scream echoes through the massive room, and within seconds, the door slams open. Two guards in shining armor rush in, swords drawn, looking like they're ready to take down an army.
"Your Highness!" One of them shouts. "Princess Isabella, are you alright?"
I freeze, my heart nearly stopping. Princess? What are they talking about?
The guards tear through the room, checking under the bed and behind curtains, like they expect to find someone trying to kill me. But I can't focus on them. All I can do is stand there, watching them destroy the room, too stunned to move.
"Who's in here? Who threatened you, Princess?" The other guard demands, his grip tight on his sword's hilt.
"I—uh…" My mind races, trying to come up with something. Anything. "It—it was a spider!" I blurt out. "A really big spider. I killed it."
The guards exchange a confused glance, but they relax. "A spider? Very well, Your Highness," One of them says slowly, bowing before the two of them leave the room. "Call us if you need anything."
The door clicks shut, and I collapse back onto the bed. My mind's spinning. Princess Isabella? Reincarnated? None of this makes any sense.
I force myself to my feet and stumble over to the vanity. My reflection stares back at me—wide dark eyes, soft skin, long silky black hair. This isn't me. This is someone else entirely.
"What the hell is going on?" I whisper to the stranger in the mirror.
Ding!
The system screen flashes again, floating in front of me.
Princess Isabella of Rivendale. Recently deceased due to mistreatment by her husband, Prince Nicholas Henry.
My blood runs cold. "What?"
The system continues, cold and emotionless.
Prince Nicholas was in love with another woman, Lady Elara of Arinthia. Isabella took her own life after years of emotional abuse and neglect. Congratulations, you've inherited her life.
My hands clench into fists. Mistreatment? He cheated on her, abused her, drove her to end her life? I start pacing, my mind racing. If this prince thinks he can treat me—treat her—like that, he's got another thing coming.
"I'm not Princess Isabella," I mutter, a grin spreading across my face. "I'm Lina Carter. I'm not some weak little girl who'll just roll over. If this prince thinks he's going to keep walking all over me, he's in for a surprise."
The system dings again, but this time, I can't help but laugh when I see the message.
Mission: Survive in the royal court. Reward: 100 gold coins.
"Oh, I'm going to do a lot more than survive."
A few days later.
I've settled into this whole princess thing a little more. The palace staff is starting to notice the change. They say I'm different now. More demanding. Less meek. Let them think what they want. I have bigger things to worry about.
Like Nicholas and his little side piece, Lady Elara.
I find them one afternoon, tucked away in the garden, all cozy, whispering sweet nothings and making out like teenagers. I cross my arms, watching them until Nicholas finally looks up, startled. He jumps back like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and Elara pulls away, her face going pale.
"Isabella," Nicholas stammers. "This isn't what it looks like."
I raise an eyebrow, more amused than angry. "Really? Because it looks like exactly what it is."
He opens his mouth, probably to give me some excuse, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand. "Save it, Nicholas. I don't care." I step closer, my eyes gleaming with mischief. "I think you two are perfect for each other."
Elara looks at me, confused. "You… you do?"
"Absolutely. You're both entitled, selfish, and frankly, kind of boring. But…" I lean in, smiling sweetly. "If you want me to stay out of your little affair, it's going to cost you."
Nicholas frowns, his face hardening. "What are you talking about?"
I shrug, keeping my tone light. "Oh, I don't know… maybe a few thousand gold coins. Every time I see you two together, I'll just need a little compensation for the trauma." I pause, my voice turning mocking. "It's tough being a wronged wife, you know."
His jaw clenches, and Elara gasps. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, I'm dead serious," I reply, grinning. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some shopping to do. Don't forget to send the gold."
As I walk away, I can't help but laugh to myself. If this is my new life, I might as well enjoy it—and I'm going to make sure Nicholas and his mistress pay for every single second.