When I opened my eyes, I immediately knew something was wrong. For one, I was lying in a bed so luxurious it made mine look like a bargain bin reject. The canopy above me was draped in sheer silk, and the mattress beneath me felt like it had been stuffed with clouds. And two, I definitely didn't own this kind of lavish furniture back home. My entire bedroom could probably fit in this space twice over.
"What the—" I began, only to stop short as my voice came out sharper and more refined than I was used to. Startled, I pushed the embroidered covers aside, and that's when I noticed the weight on my chest and the unfamiliar sensation of silky fabric brushing against my skin. My hands stilled as I caught sight of my reflection in the ornate, full-length mirror across the room.
Long, luminous blonde hair cascaded over my shoulders, framing a face I recognized instantly. My sharp blue eyes glinted with a regal, almost intimidating aura. My features were a perfect combination of elegance and fierceness, like someone who could silence a room with a glance. I'd seen this face before—on the cover of Revenge of the Fallen Villainess.
"Oh, no. Oh, no no no no no!" I scrambled out of bed, clutching the silk nightgown I wore as if it might somehow ground me in reality. "This can't be real. I'm not… I can't be Sera Vandren!"
But no amount of denial was going to change the truth. One moment, I'd been at home, curled up with the novel and its ridiculous drama, and the next thing I knew, I was waking up as the villainess. The Sera Vandren. The girl who was fated to have a terrible ending. Betrayed, exiled, humiliated. Not to mention, a massive target for all the heroines in the story.
No, absolutely not. That cannot happen. Screw this plot, screw the author of the novel, and screw the heroines! I'm rewriting my fate.
For now, I had one advantage: this was still the beginning of the story, before the infamous classroom scene where Sera ruins her reputation by making a dramatic entrance and declaring her superiority. "Yeah, no way," I muttered. "Not happening. I am not gathering any attention to myself."
A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I called, trying to keep my voice steady.
The door opened, and a maid entered, bowing deeply. "Good morning, Lady Sera," she greeted softly. "Today is your first day at the magic academy. Your mother has assigned me to assist you with putting on your uniform."
"What?" My first instinct was to refuse outright. The thought of someone else dressing me felt ridiculous. "Oh, uh, that won't be necessary. I can handle it myself."
The maid's eyebrows rose ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Sera Vandren—the real one—would never dress herself. She had a small army of servants for that.
"Are you sure, my lady?" she asked cautiously. "You seem… different this morning. Should I summon a physician?"
I mentally smacked myself. Of course, my sudden shift in behavior would raise suspicion. If I wanted to avoid unnecessary attention, I couldn't act too out of character. Straightening my posture, I narrowed my eyes at her, channeling the haughty demeanor Sera was known for.
"Just leave the uniform on the bed," I said coolly. "Don't make me repeat myself."
The maid flinched at my sharper tone. "O-of course, Lady Sera." She quickly placed the uniform on the bed and bowed again before retreating toward the door. "Your mother will be waiting for you downstairs."
When the door clicked shut, I let out a heavy sigh. God, what had my life come to? Couldn't whatever god or goddess stuck me here have at least waited until I finished reading the book? I didn't even know how the story ended.
Turning to the bed, I eyed the uniform with a mixture of dread and curiosity. If I was going to blend in, I had to look the part.
The uniform was stunning—if unnecessarily elaborate. It consisted of a long, military-style white jacket adorned with gold embroidery and structured shoulders, complete with intricate buttons and chains. The high collar added an air of authority, while black and red accents on the chest emphasized the overall regal design. Beneath the jacket was a skirt-like drape edged with golden patterns, paired with slim white trousers for practicality. The knee-high black leather boots were polished to perfection, accented with gold buckles. A black bow adorned the back of the ensemble, paired with a crown-like headpiece that rested neatly on the bed.
I sighed again, slipping into the uniform with more effort than I expected. Once I was fully dressed, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The girl staring back looked every inch the cold, untouchable noble. It was unnerving, but I had to admit—it suited me.
And Sera Vandren was definitely a beauty. The kind of beauty that turned heads, commanded attention, and made people hesitate before speaking. A beauty that came with high expectations and an even higher price.
"Well," I muttered, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair out of my face, "here's to day one of surviving this nightmare."
Squaring my shoulders, I walked to the door, bracing myself for whatever chaos awaited me downstairs. Or at least, I tried to brace myself. As it turned out, no amount of mental preparation was enough.
The moment I descended the grand staircase, a whirlwind of silk and perfume enveloped me. Before I could react, I was pulled into a crushing embrace, my face unceremoniously smothered against the soft fabric of an ornate dress.
"Sera~!" a voice cooed with overwhelming enthusiasm. "You don't look too excited! Weren't you waiting for this day? Your first day at the magic academy?"
Oh, right. I'd forgotten about her. Sera's mother—Lady Eleanor Vandren. A paragon of beauty and grace in public, but an unapologetically doting mother behind closed doors. And by "doting," I meant smothering.
I tried to pull back, but Eleanor's arms were locked around me with a vice-like grip. "Mother," I managed, my voice muffled against her chest, "I can't—breathe—"
"Nonsense!" she said, laughing melodiously as she finally released me. "You've always loved my hugs, darling." She stepped back, her emerald-green eyes sparkling with adoration as she examined me. "Oh, just look at you! So grown up and so beautiful. The academy won't know what hit them."
I forced a smile, struggling to maintain composure under her gaze. Eleanor Vandren was stunning, with flowing auburn hair that glimmered like molten gold and a figure that radiated elegance. She looked more like an older sister than a mother, but her suffocating affection was impossible to mistake.
"Thank you, Mother," I said, smoothing my jacket. "But it's just a school day. Nothing extraordinary."
Her expression shifted to one of exaggerated offense. "Just a school day? Sera, darling, this is the magic academy! The place where noble heirs and heiresses shine brightest! Where you'll build connections, showcase your talents, and—" She paused dramatically, lowering her voice. "—where you might even meet your future fiancé."
Oh, no. Not this.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I said quickly. "I'd like to focus on my studies first."
She clapped her hands together, her face lighting up. "How responsible of you! Of course, studies come first. But don't forget to charm your classmates, darling. It's important to leave a strong impression."
Yes, because being a model noble wasn't intimidating enough without the added pressure of finding a fiancé. I resisted the urge to groan and instead nodded politely. "I'll do my best."
Eleanor beamed, placing a hand over her heart as if I'd just declared her the best mother in the kingdom. "That's my girl. Now, come along. Breakfast is waiting, and your father wants to wish you luck before you leave."
As she led me toward the dining hall, I couldn't help but think about the original Sera Vandren. No wonder she had turned out so insufferable. Between her mother's relentless doting and the constant pressure to be perfect, anyone would develop a superiority complex.
Well, not this time. I wasn't going to let their expectations—or the plot of this cursed novel—dictate my life. Whatever the academy had in store for me, I would face it my way.
One step at a time.
For now, a noble's breakfast sure was tasty.