Her own words came back to haunt her: If I were Valeria, I'd do better.
Lin took a deep breath, steadying herself as the echoes of her panicked cries faded into the ruined chamber. The oppressive weight of realization pressed against her, but she forced herself to think rationally.
This is just a story, she reminded herself, though the cold floor beneath her feet and the faint scent of smoke from her earlier outburst told a different story.
She needed to figure out where she was in the timeline of the novel. She recalled the fragmented memories now etched into her mind the devastation wrought by Valeria, the fear she inspired, the countless enemies she had made. Judging by the reactions of the servants earlier, she surmised that this was the very beginning of Valeria's reign.
Freshly crowned and already loathed.
The enormity of it all made Lin's head spin. Not only had she taken over the body of one of the most hated characters in the story, but she now had to navigate the aftermath of Valeria's tyrannical rise to power. The memory of the servant begging for her life lingered, twisting her gut with unease.
What the hell am I supposed to do? she thought bitterly. There was no easy answer to that question, but for now, there was a more pressing concern.
Her stomach growled, loud enough to echo faintly in the ruined room.
"Great," Lin muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "A dictator's body, but it still gets hungry like a normal person."
But before she could eat, she needed clothes. She glanced down at herself, taking in the luxurious black silk nightgown that clung to her body. It was far too revealing for her comfort, especially considering her situation. Unfortunately, the room was in shambles, with most of its contents destroyed by her earlier magical outburst.
Lin sighed and began searching through the wreckage. Her bare feet crunched against broken glass and splintered wood as she made her way across the massive chamber.
Her gaze fell on a half-shattered mirror lying amidst the debris. She hesitated before crouching down to look at her reflection.
The face staring back at her was stunning but entirely unfamiliar. Valeria's sharp, regal features were a far cry from Lin's own. She had high cheekbones, piercing crimson eyes that almost seemed to glow, and long, inky black hair that tumbled down her back in waves. Her skin was flawless, pale as moonlight, and framed by an air of cold, unapproachable beauty.
But it was the patch on her neck that caught her attention. A small, rectangular sticker was affixed over the gland at the base of her throat.
She touched it hesitantly, recalling enough from the novel to understand its purpose. It was a pheromone blocker, designed to suppress the natural scent of an Alpha. The mere thought of it made her shudder.
The world of the novel, she realized, wasn't just fantasy it was an Omegaverse.
She struggled to recall the details from her initial reading. In this world, people were divided into three primary secondary genders: Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Alphas were dominant, powerful, and often aggressive, while Omegas were the opposite submissive and biologically inclined to bond with Alphas. Betas, meanwhile, were the neutral middle ground, neither affected by nor producing pheromones.
Valeria, as the most feared and powerful Alpha in the empire, had been the epitome of dominance and control.
Lin clenched her fists. It was bad enough to be thrown into a fictional world, but to land in one with such strange dynamics? She could barely process it.
She shook her head and refocused on the task at hand: finding something to wear. After some searching, she discovered a wardrobe that had miraculously survived the destruction. Inside, she found a set of clothing that wasn't overly formal or impractical.
The outfit consisted of tailored black trousers, a crisp white shirt with intricate embroidery, and a fitted military-style jacket adorned with gold accents. It was striking, almost masculine in design, but exuded authority. Lin hesitated before putting it on, but once dressed, she had to admit it suited her—or rather, Valeria's body.
Dressed and somewhat composed, Lin stepped out of the ruined chamber.
The hallways were grand and lined with polished marble, but every servant she passed shrank away from her as though her very presence was a threat. Their fear was palpable, and it made Lin's stomach churn.
Following the faint traces of Valeria's memories, she managed to find her way to the dining hall. It was an opulent room, with high ceilings, gilded walls, and a massive table that could seat dozens. As soon as she entered, a tall man with sharp features and neatly combed dark hair approached her.
"Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeply but without a trace of fear. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the trembling servants bustling about the room.
Lin regarded him cautiously. This must be Valeria's assistant a Beta, if she remembered correctly. He was handsome in a sharp, severe way, with an air of quiet competence that made him stand out.
"I've prepared the day's schedule for your review," he said smoothly. "But first, would you like to eat?"
Before Lin could answer, servants scurried to pull out a chair for her, bowing low as they gestured for her to sit. She obliged, though the sheer extravagance of the table made her feel awkward.
The food arrived quickly: golden croissants, fresh fruit, a selection of cheeses, and an array of pastries that looked almost too beautiful to eat. There was also a steaming pot of tea, accompanied by delicate china cups.
Lin's stomach growled again, and this time, she didn't bother to suppress it. She ate slowly, savoring the rich flavors, though the ever-present stares of the servants made it hard to fully relax.
Her assistant, meanwhile, stood patiently nearby, waiting for her to finish.
"Your Majesty," he said once she set down her teacup, "we must discuss the matter of the prisoners from the kingdom of Lysander."
The name struck a chord, though Lin couldn't immediately place it.
"Let's deal with that later," she said dismissively, focusing instead on finishing her meal.
Her assistant raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "Very well. However, the cost of repairing your chambers will come to approximately six hundred gold pieces. Shall I have the treasury prepare the funds?"
Lin nearly choked on her tea. Six hundred gold pieces? For one room? She sighed and waved a hand. "Fine. Just handle it."
Once breakfast was over, Lin followed the assistant whose name, she finally recalled, was Arlen to the throne room.
It was even grander than the dining hall, with towering pillars, intricate carvings, and a long, crimson carpet leading to the throne. The seat itself was massive, made of black obsidian and adorned with gold accents. Beside it rested a ceremonial scepter, and on a pedestal nearby sat the crown: a gleaming piece of metal studded with blood-red rubies.
Lin hesitated before placing the crown on her head and gripping the scepter. The weight of it felt heavy both literally and metaphorically.
"Present the prisoners," Arlen announced.
One by one, the prisoners were brought into the throne room. Most were gaunt and bruised, their eyes filled with despair. Lin tried to keep her expression neutral, though the sight of them made her uneasy.
But then, one prisoner was brought forward who made her breath catch in her throat.
She was beautiful, even in her disheveled state. Long silver hair framed her delicate face, and her pale blue eyes were filled with a hollow emptiness that made Lin's chest ache.
Lin knew immediately who she was.
Sylphina.
The protagonist of the novel.
Lin's grip on the scepter tightened as she stared at the Omega princess.