The sharp jarring sound tore asunder the silence, dragging her out of sleep. Her lashes parted slowly and she blinked to adjust to the soft golden glow illuminating the room.
She knew that as she regained her consciousness, she felt the full awareness of the surroundings. The mattress she was lying on was impossibly soft, like clouds, and a plush blanket draped over her, whose warmth seeped into her bare skin. That was a very different world from the chill that seemed to linger around her.
Her heart skipped a beat. Bare skin?
She sat up suddenly; the silk cover slid down, revealing the flesh on her. Cheeks flushed, looking down - all she wore underneath the covers were some extremely fine undergarments-a mere brassiere and panties to leave almost nothing to anyone's imagination about the new naked vulnerability she felt inside herself.
The smooth fabric rubbing against the bare skin on her legs and the cool touch of the royal sheets against her were utterly foreign and shocking. Panicked, she clutched the blanket tightly to herself, and the voice interrupted the eerie stillness of the room.
"Ahhh! Where am I?! Her scream echoed through the opulent room, but no one came running in. Breaths came in shallow gasps as her heart pounded out to claw its way from her chest.
"What the fuck!" she muttered, shaking in fear but still trying to believe. Her gaze roved around the room once more, her mind racing to reconcile the space about her.
"This can't be real. I did die," she whispered, her words trembling on her lips as fragmented memories began surfacing.
The rooftop. The biting wind against her skin. The pain, raw and suffocating, after the breakup. "The last thing I remembered was closing my eyes and stepping forward, letting gravity take me."
"But then—darkness. Nothingness."
"And now. here?" she said aloud, her hands clutching the blanket tightly as she struggled to steady herself. "I was supposed to be dead. So how the hell did I end up here."
Her ragged breathing was cut off as something shone in the air before her. A soft chime rang out and she froze, eyes opening wide as a pink, translucent screen materialized before her.
It was floating in mid-air, faintly glowing with a warm glow that seemed to draw at her curiosity. She paused, then leaned forward, her eyes scanning the strange text.
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[System Initialization Complete]
[User Profile Loaded]
Name: Veledriana Monroe
Age: 23
Title: None
Level: 1
Loving Heart: 10%
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[Stats]
Strength: Level 1
Stamina: Level 1
Charm: Level 2
Intelligence: Level 3
Affection Points: 0
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[Quests]
Daily Quest: Smile at someone to increase their affection by 5 points. (Reward: +2 Strength)
Main Quest: Find your destined partner and build a deep connection. (Reward: Title Unlock: [Romance Novice])
Hidden Quest: ??
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Her eyes widened as she read through the strange information.
"Wait. what?!" she blurted, leaning closer to the screen. "I'm 23? I was 19! And I'm supposed to be dead!"
Her mind reeled as realization dawned. "Oh my god. I'm reincarnated. This. this is a system!"
Her lips parted in wonder as memories of her past life returned. She had been a game designer, and just before her untimely death, she'd been working on a romance simulation game with a complex leveling system.
"Exactly like the last game I designed!" she said to herself, her hand brushing against the screen. The screen rippled like water under her touch, reacting to her. "This. this is amazing!"
For the first time since waking, a spark of excitement flickered in her chest. If this world operated on the same mechanics as the game she created, then she might not only survive-but thrive.
But the excitement didn't last long, and she forced her eyes back to the quests.
"Find my destined partner? Build a deep connection? Seriously? This better not be some kind of cosmic joke," she muttered, mixing annoyance with curiosity.
The pink screen blinked and introduced new text:
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 [Tutorial Quest Unlocked]
Objective: Meet your first potential partner.
Time Limit: No Time Limit
Reward: +1 Charm, +10 Affection Points.
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"Well, I guess there's no turning back now," she sighed, throwing the blanket aside and climbing out of bed.
She waved at the pink screen with trembling hands, and it blinked out of existence. Her excitement had overflowed as she flung the blanket aside and stepped off the royal bed.
The cool marble floor gave a shiver along her spine, but she was too hungry to look. She fixed on something: an incredibly tall mirror that took a prominent stand in one corner of the room, the soft-golden light causing the reflective surface to shine.
Coming up closer made her catch her breath.
There she was.
Her silver hair fell like liquid moonlight, a cascade down her back in silky waves. It shimmered when it caught the light, framing her face like a crown of ethereal beauty. Her wide, striking purple eyes sparkled with an otherworldly glow, as if they held secrets of the cosmos.
Her black bra stretched perfectly across her chest, emphasizing curves that seemed sculpted to perfection. The matching black panties clung to her hips, and she flaunted a narrow waistline and long legs. Pale and flawless, her skin sent out a nearly hypnotic allure, soft and smooth as the finest porcelain.
Her hands instinctively followed the outline of her body, filled with disbelief and awe.
"Really? really?" she exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement. She turned this way and that, admiring her reflection from every angle.
Her lips parted in a delighted scream as she hugged herself, spinning in place.
"I'm this fucking beautiful?! Ahh!"
She couldn't help but smile and grinned wildly, her heart pounding in giddy energy. Previously, she was plain ordinary, a person who wouldn't be noticed easily; but now? Now she shone, dazzling, the face of all beauty.
"This. this is madness!" she said under her breath, her voice barely vibrating with excitement.
As she hugged her new self, there came another faint chime ringing that broke her moment. The pink screen popped up once more.
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[Hint:] Your charm stat is tied to your confidence. Keep embracing your beauty!
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"Oh, trust me," she said with a smirk at the screen, flipping her hair. "Confidence won't be an issue."
She turned back toward the mirror one last time. Determination glinted in her violet eyes. If she was to live in this world, she'd do it on her terms—and she'd make damn sure she enjoyed every moment.
She took a deep breath, standing before the mirror one last time. Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a flowing river of light that seemed almost alive. To balance its striking brilliance, she added a pair of elegant glasses. The delicate frames softened her gaze, giving her purple eyes an air of quiet intellect and alluring mystery.
Her outfit, which was picked from the wardrobe she had found earlier, made her appear more prominent. A long black coat with a slight flare at the hem was sleek, having subtle patterns and metallic accents that faintly glistened in the light. It fit her shoulders and waist perfectly, giving a sense of power and sophistication. Underneath, she wore a fitted shirt accentuating her figure and short black panties that gave a daring edge.
With satisfaction as to her appearance, she approached the door. She'd left her excitement and transformed into a quiet determination to confront whatever this world had waiting in store for her.
She left the room and was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of being engulfed in her surroundings. A broad corridor stretched far and wide before her, tall windows shaded with rich velvet curtains spilling warm golden light through their open latticework into the space. Dripping chandeliers shimmered above, while painted works and carved moldings on the walls lined each space.
Her footsteps echoed softly on polished marble as she descended into a grand staircase, where the railing was carved with such intricate patterns of roses and vines.
At the bottom of the stairs, a figure dressed in crisp uniform stood there waiting. The servant is a middle-aged man; he bowed deeply as if greeting her.
"Good morning, Lady Veledriana," he says with practiced grace.
She froze in her mind. Lady Veledriana? She looked about, realizing that the opulent room wasn't for show. She was not at a guesthouse or inn; this was a royal mansion.
"Good. morning," she replied tentatively with a regal tone even to herself.
The servant straightened and smiled. "Your breakfast has been prepared in the dining hall, my lady. Shall I escort you?"
Her thoughts swirled. 'I'm royalty? I'm the owner of this mansion?'
A thrill ran through her as the implications sank in. She wasn't just beautiful in this world—she held power, status, and privilege.
"Lead the way," she said, her voice steady and commanding, slipping effortlessly into the role.
The servant nodded and began walking. As she followed, her lips curved into a small, confident smile. She was starting to like this new life more and more.
As she walked in the grand hall, she was able to feel the weight of the situation settle further into her thoughts. Questions bombarded her mind, making uncertainty gnaw at her very core. Why did I get reincarnated? she thought to herself, the question echoing through her mind like a shadow. There had to be a reason, a purpose, for all this.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as a thought crossed her mind. Wait. can I even ask the system questions?
She remembered the game she had designed in her past life, the one with the talking system. If this world was anything like the mechanics she'd worked with, it was possible.
"Hey, system," she said aloud, testing her theory, "Do you know that I'm not actually Veledriana?"
For an instant, the air rippled and the pink screen that seemed to be a part of her appeared, floating before her. The system voice was soft and neutral, yet immediate in its response.
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["Yes, I know. You were reincarnated because of the heart you have. Veledriana died last night, and you took her place in this body.]
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Veledriana—no, she—stuttered, catching her breath. 'The heart I possess?'
She did not have the chance to ask anything else as the system went on as if anticipating her next question.
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[You were reincarnated into a game called 'Hearts of Dominion.' It was a game of romance and magic, but it was unpopular and ultimately forgotten. However, you hold the key to a greater destiny, given the strength of your heart.]
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The name of the game struck her like lightning. Hearts of Dominion?
She shook her head in disbelief. Unpopular game? And this is my creation!
"Why me?" she whispered out loud. "Why am I selected for this? What does this heart mean?"
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[The heart you have is uniquely powerful, capable of binding multiple souls. It is what allowed you to enter this body and inherit its power. The answers you seek lie within your journey. Complete the quests, grow stronger, and the truth will reveal itself.]
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She stood frozen for a moment, processing the weight of the words from the system.
"Well, this just keeps getting stranger," she muttered, feeling both overwhelmed and intrigued by the mystery unfolding before her. "But. I'm not backing down now."