(Fourth Realm – Kingdom of New Chin)
The first thought that crossed Claudete's mind as she opened her eyes was that something was terribly wrong.
The golden ceiling, the red silk curtains swaying softly with the breeze, and the intense scent of incense in the air… None of it was familiar.
She tried to sit up, but her body felt heavy, as if she were trapped in something that didn't belong to her. Then, she realized: this wasn't her house—nor was this her body.
Claudete: (thinking) Wait… what are these clothes? Why are my hands so small?
Looking around, she noticed several women surrounding her—maids, she assumed. Some were whispering to each other, while others stared at her with a mix of shock and disdain.
The murmurs of the servants filled the room.
Maid 1: (disdainfully) Poor girl.
Maid 2: (angrily) She rejected the Imperial Secretary's son. She deserved this!
Maid 1: (shocked) She rejected Leo?!
Maid 2: (cruelly) Yes, to marry a man who kills women…
A chill ran down Claudete's spine. A man who kills women? Who were they talking about?
Before she could process the situation, Maid 2 picked up a knife and stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.
Maid 2: (smiling maliciously) I'm going to leave a lovely mark on your body.
Maid 1: (worried) What does this have to do with you?
Suddenly, something inside Claudete awakened. Her survival instinct screamed louder than her confusion. If she let that woman get near, she might end up dead before even understanding what was happening.
With a cold expression and a voice steadier than she expected, she interrupted the maid.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (firmly) Claudete, wake up!
The maids exchanged confused glances.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (slowly rising) Why haven't I been served breakfast yet?
Her authoritative tone made the maids hesitate.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (looking directly at Maid 2) I don't pay you to stand around doing nothing. Beheading extras costs me nothing.
A deafening silence followed. Maid 2 froze in place, gripping the knife tightly.
Maid 2: (stammering) But… weren't you dead?!
Claudete blinked. So that's the problem. They thought Mi-Suk was dead… but now she was standing, speaking as if nothing had happened.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (with an ironic smile) No! I was just sleeping.
Maid 2: (desperate) But you were dead!
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (narrowing her eyes) Was it you who killed me?
The woman stepped back, swallowing hard.
Maid 2: (losing color) W-what… what's going on?!
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (firmly) I don't know what's happening here, but I am not who you think I am. Leave me alone!
The maids took a few steps back, still frightened. Claudete realized she needed to keep control of the situation, or she might end up actually dead.
She took a deep breath and remembered all the villains from the dramas she had watched. If she wanted to survive, she had to act like someone untouchable.
With an indifferent look, she crossed her arms and leaned back into the bed.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (mocking) Surprised that I'm alive? Get used to it. Death doesn't want me, and I don't want it either.
The maids swallowed nervously.
Maid 1: (bowing her head) A thousand apologies, my lady.
Maid 2: (hesitant) Yes… of course.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (staring directly at Maid 2) You.
The woman trembled.
Maid 2: (gulping) Y-yes, my lady?
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (slowly smiling) Put that knife away. If I needed someone to bleed, I'd have a warrior do it. You don't have the skill.
The maid widened her eyes and quickly lowered her head.
Maid 2: (nervous) Y-yes, my lady… as you wish.
As soon as the maids left, Claudete collapsed back onto the bed, taking a deep breath.
Claudete: (thinking) Dear God, what the hell is going on?!
She looked at her delicate hands and the luxurious room around her. There was no doubt. She was trapped inside Mi-Suk's body.
And worst of all?
Mi-Suk was the wife of a man who supposedly killed his women.
Claudete: (muttering) Vide, I swear I'll kill you when I get back to that ridiculous place!
(Moments Later – Tea Room)
Walking through the luxurious corridor, her curious eyes analyzed every detail. Embroidered carpets, screens decorated with delicate paintings, and paper lanterns casting a soft glow on the walls. Everything was absurdly beautiful, yet carried an oppressive atmosphere.
The tea room was silent, except for the soft clinking of porcelain as the housekeeper served Claudete—or rather, Mi-Suk—another cup. But, unlike what the old woman expected, the newly "resurrected" lady did not seem frightened or frail.
On the contrary.
Claudete observed everything around her with a sharp gaze, absorbing every detail like a hunter studying its territory.
Housekeeper: (hesitant) My lady… It is truly a miracle that you are alive.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (with an ironic smirk) I know, right? Death looked at me and said, "not today."
The housekeeper blinked, confused by such an unusual response. Mi-Suk had always been delicate, sweet… But the woman before her felt different.
Housekeeper: (trying to remain polite) My lady, you have suffered greatly. Everyone believed that—
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (interrupting) Poisoned, blah blah blah. I got that part.
The old woman frowned slightly.
Housekeeper: (suspicious) My lady doesn't seem very shaken by all of this…
Claudete sighed and placed the cup down.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (bored) Look, I just came back from the "dead," right? So instead of wasting time talking about the past, why don't you tell me something useful? Like, for example, where I can get some decent food?
The housekeeper blinked again, completely speechless.
Housekeeper: (hesitant) Well… I can have a feast prepared if you wish…
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (satisfied) Great! Because, dear Lord, this body feels so weak it's like it never ate properly.
The housekeeper swallowed hard.
Housekeeper: (murmuring) Indeed… my lady does seem a bit… different…
Claudete rolled her eyes.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (impatient) Look, just answer me one thing: who tried to kill me? Because I'd love to return the favor.
The old woman's eyes widened.
Housekeeper: (nervous) My lady! You mustn't say such things…
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (raising an eyebrow) Why not? Isn't "an eye for an eye" the rule around here?
Housekeeper: (sighing) The world isn't that simple…
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (smirking) What a shame. I wish it was.
She stood up with a sigh, feeling Mi-Suk's frail body protest against the movement.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (grumbling) I definitely need to strengthen this body. I can't get revenge if I pass out along the way.
The housekeeper simply watched her, growing more and more perplexed.
As Claudete walked through the corridor, something strange dawned on her.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (thinking) So this girl was so insignificant that no one cared about her before she got married?
Claudete had never been sentimental. She didn't care about Mi-Suk or feel sorry for her. But if this woman had lived her life being treated like a shadow, then her fate had truly been pathetic.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (thinking) Well… tough luck for her. Because now, this body is mine—and I won't be anyone's shadow.