The Villain's Possession

"How unfortunate. It seems you can no longer function without me."

I gave the stubborn blades of my electric fan a nudge to make it spin.

"Come on. You can do it," I mumbled.

After a few more attempts, it finally spun smoothly. A satisfied smile tugged at my lips as I stood up, fixing my skirt briefly before grabbing my phone from the coffee table. The screen lit up to the web novel page I have been reading.

The Red Lily of the Valley.

It was quite interesting at first. The female lead was a strong and intelligent princess, who knew how to stand her ground. The male lead was a capable and powerful duke, who was always proud of the princess as he stood by her side. After the female lead was finally crowned queen, I thought she would be taking the final steps towards the happy ending.

But why did everything go wrong?

A hidden villain—a tyrant king from a rival kingdom—emerged. War erupted and chaos consumed the court. And then, in a twist nobody expected... the male lead was killed off. 

Readers were obviously outraged.

Many dropped the book, unable to stomach the sudden brutality. Those who stayed thought maybe the tyrant king would become the new male lead.

But no... It wasn't the case at all.

The tyrant king showed the female lead no mercy. When he conquered the kingdom, the female lead was executed in her bed—barely able to give a fight. The once-glorious royal palace of Ruvanny was burned to ashes and the tyrant king ruled supreme.

It wasn't the historical romance I'd signed up for. It felt more like a memoir of an ill-fated woman in a historical tragedy. 

I flopped back onto the sofa and stared blankly at the ceiling.

As I lay there, I held my phone above me and scrolled down to the comment section. In the past, many people would have commented before me. However, for the past month, I have consistently been the first and only person to comment on the chapters.

I sighed heavily and began typing.

"Author, are you okay? Did something happen to you? If there's anything wrong, please tell us."

After hitting submit, I placed the phone on my chest and closed my eye.

"Author, please," I whispered into the stillness. "If you find a way to change the story, I'll be supporting you."

The faint warmth and soft weight of my phone pressed against my chest felt comforting. Seconds passed and the familiar hum of the electric fan faded as my eyelids grew heavy. 

In the darkness, a low chorus of voices began echoing in my head. It was layered and unsynchronized as if multiple people were speaking the same words in a hundred different ways.

[ Actor found. ]

[ Searching compatible roles. ]

[ Match found. ]

[ Calibrating world. ]

[ Error. Resources insufficient. ]

[ Initiating recalibration. ]

[ Error. Resources insufficient. ]

[ Initiating recalibration. ]

[ Recalibration complete. ]

[ Beginning transfer. ]

[ Transfer successful. ]

[ Welcome to The Red Lily of the Valley. ]

[ Wake up, Sorina Valin. ]

"Wake up, Sorina Valin."

I flinched slightly at the clearer and louder voice.

What was that?

My eyelids fluttered open, and I exhaled softly, blinking at the unfamiliar room around me.

Morning light spilled through tall windows framed by thick, velvet curtains. The air carried a faint floral scent, and the furniture was carved with intricate designs.

Beneath me, the bed was far too luxurious—plush and layered with silken sheets. This wasn't my home. This wasn't my sofa I'd been lying on just moments ago.

I sat up slowly, my fingers grazing the bedding that was too smooth to belong to anything I could afford. My gaze swept across the room until it landed on a figure standing near the bed—the only figure that looked familiar.

Brother?

I examined his figure from head to toe. He looked different... yet so similar. His tailored coat glimmered with gold embroidery, and his polished boots reflected the light. He looked as arrogant than ever, but... he doesn't resemble my brother who had just been to prison.

What is going on?

He tilted his head, his amber eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you gawking at, Sorina? Stop wasting time and get ready for breakfast."

My lips parted, but no sound came out. I pressed a hand to my throat, my breath catching. Again. Again. Just a gasp came out. My voice—it was gone.

No, no, no. no. What is happening?

"What are you doing? You're not deaf," he added sharply when I didn't respond, "so don't pretend you didn't hear me."

He turned on his heel, heading for the door. "Dress her up and bring her to the dining hall. If she's late again, I'll hold you all accountable," he added before disappearing through the doorway.

Wait! Brother! What's going on?

I crawled onto bed, eyes wide as I attempted to call him. However, despite my efforts, no sound came out of me.

No! Please don't leave! I don't understand!

The door clicked shut, leaving me alone with the maids standing along the wall. Their eyes darted to me nervously before one of them stepped forward.

"Princess Sorina, please rise," she said softly, reaching out to me.

I instinctively pulled away, shaking my head, confusion knotting my thoughts. Princess? I gestured frantically toward the door.

No, no... I don't like this joke. Please call my brother back!

"Your Highness," another maid said, as she held my arm, "Prince Augustin only wishes for you to be on time for breakfast. The Queen Dowager is already displeased."

Queen Dowager? Augustin? What joke is this? Who on earth are they?

I pushed the maids away in frustration and anxiety. My brother! Call him back! Stop this joke, please! I don't like this!

My hands moved to convey my distress, but none of the maids seemed to understand.

As I struggled to make sense of it all, something flickered into view before me—a faint, purple hologram shimmering in the air.

[ Caution: The actor should be mindful of her actions. Repercussions of being deemed insane can be perilous. ]

I froze, staring at the words as they slowly faded into nothing.

... What?