In brightly lit fields, young women were sowing seeds. Their faces were glowing, even though their hands and feet were covered in dirt and sweat was beading on their foreheads.

  Among them, one woman in particular caught the eye: her jade-green eyes shone with unwavering determination.

  “Miss, it's time!” one of the women called out with a cheerful smile.

  “Oh, already? I was so absorbed that I didn't notice the time passing! I must leave you now, but I'll see you soon!”

  “Thank you once again for your assistance, Miss!”

  The young woman gave them one last friendly smile, then walked away with a delicate step.

  Even today, it had been a day of hard work. However, their smiles... Their smiles constantly inspire me to redouble my efforts.

  She soon returned to her home: a modest dwelling surrounded by a well-kept garden where bright red roses bloomed. From the outside, it looked old and dilapidated, but inside it was clean and decorated with elegance and warmth.

  Bathroom.

  Enveloped in a bubble bath, the young woman sighed contentedly, a serene smile on her face.

  “Haaa~... After so much hard work, nothing is more pleasant than a nice hot bath.”

  She closed her eyes, letting herself be lulled by the warmth. Her body gradually relaxed, her skin glowed in the soft light, and her long, flaming red hair floated in the air as her head rested on the edge of the bathtub.

  Fifteen minutes later.

  “Waaaah!” she cried, jumping up. “How long have I been in there? Oh dear, I must hurry!”

  She jumped out of the water, wrapped herself in a towel, ran to her room, and put on a blue patterned dress, her hair still wet.

  “Oh no, Father must already be waiting for me for lunch!”

  She rushed to the dining room, out of breath. Her father was already seated, and dinner had been served.

  “You're right on time, my daughter!” he said with a kind smile.

  He was an elderly man with silver hair and beard, his face marked by age but filled with infinite tenderness.

  “Take a seat.”

  “Thank you, Father... and I'm sorry I'm late,” she whispered, lowering her head.

  “There's no need to apologize, my dear daughter. It's no big deal.”

  “All right, Father...”

  “Shall we begin?”

  They began dinner in a relaxed atmosphere, punctuated by smiles, until her father's voice became more serious.

  “Lyssandra, my daughter... I have something important to tell you.”

  “Yes? What is it?”

  He put down his cutlery and slowly raised his head. His gaze was somber.

  This is the first time I've seen Father in this state... What could he possibly have to tell me that's so serious?

  “I've received a letter from the King.”

  “What does it say?”

  “He... he wants to arrange a marriage.”

  “What?! A marriage? With whom? For what reason?”

  “He claims that this union will erase the mistakes of our name and that the infamy of our family will be purified...”

  “I must admit that I am not very happy about it... But if this marriage can save us, then I agree to accept it.”

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  “I am proud of you, my daughter. You don't have to sacrifice yourself like this...”

  “No, Father. If this is our only chance... then I will gladly do it.”

  “Thank you... However, one thing concerns me...”

  “What is it?”

  “The man you are to marry is none other than... Kael Dravenwald.”

  A cold shiver ran down Lyssandra's spine. Her face drained of color.

  This information brought me back to reality with a harsh jolt.

  It had been about two weeks since I had become aware of a world that did not belong to me.

  On the outside, I was Lyssandra Valenheart, the daughter of a nobleman who had lost his status.

  In truth, I was Elyn, a woman from a different universe.

  That peaceful month had almost made me forget I was stuck in a work of fiction.

  I knew the story.

  I knew the ending.

  And I was aware of one thing: my death would come in six months.

  Perhaps my mind wanted to forget this fate and simply enjoy the time I had left... But in reality, I already knew: I had never really forgotten.

  Kael Dravenwald. A sinister, proud, cold, and merciless man. Feared by all.

  As far as I could remember, he wasn't just any nobleman. His family didn't fit into the conventional hierarchy.

  The Dravenwalds were different: they were directly related to the king, shrouded in mystery and fog. The original story contained very little information about them.

  There was no denying that Kael Dravenwald would contribute to the fall of the kingdom.

  And this damn king wants me to marry this guy? He must be crazy!

  “Are you all right, my daughter?” asked her father, concerned.

  “Yes... It's nothing...”

  “If you don't like this marriage, I can mention it to the King...”

  “No, Father. Please don't. I don't want to cause you any more trouble.”

  Grinmar Valenheart... Lyssandra's father. A truly loving father. He genuinely cares about his daughter.

  I knew almost nothing about this Lyssandra, except that she came from a family that had lost its prestige... and that she only had six months to live.

  A minor character barely mentioned in the book.

  I never imagined she had any connection to Kael... Perhaps marrying this man would be an asset. A chance for survival. And perhaps... to restore the reputation of our family name.

  “Don't worry, Father. Even though it's this man... I accept the marriage.”

  “My child... I... I don’t know what to say,” he said, his eyes filled with tears.

  The rest of the day passed too quickly. My father told me that I had to go to the Dravenwald estate the following afternoon.

  It was a restless night. I tossed and turned in bed until dawn, unable to sleep.

  And finally, the long-awaited moment arrived.

  I had put on my most elegant dress. My luggage was already packed. A carriage was parked in front of our house.

  My father stood there, in front of the door. And in front of me... a sumptuous black carriage, drawn by two black stallions with majestic manes. Surprisingly well dressed, the coachman wore a mask that completely covered his face.

  The villagers surrounded me to say their goodbyes. While some shed tears, others wished me happiness and strength.

  My father held me in his arms for a long moment, trembling with sadness, before I climbed into the carriage.

  Two hours later.

  Through the window, I gazed at the panorama unfolding before me until we entered isolated regions. The atmosphere grew gloomy. Crows cawed among the branches.

  We passed through a black gate, then the carriage stopped.

  The coachman opened the door for me without a word.

  Before me stood a huge mansion... Dark, seemingly neglected. It looked like a haunted house.

  You've got to be kidding me... Am I going to live in this? Just looking at the facade gives me the creeps.

  The coachman led me to the front door and opened it for me.

  CRIIIC

  A large chandelier sparkled from the ceiling, the floor was covered in polished marble, and the walls were decorated with gold. A vast staircase covered in red stood before me.

  It seemed like a dream. The interior and exterior... two worlds apart.

  However, one detail was troubling.

  The mansion seemed... empty.

  No one was there to welcome me. Not even Kael.

  I turned to address the coachman... but he had disappeared.

  What?!

  A heavy silence fell.

  I opened the door, panicked... However, outside, there was nothing left. No traces. As if they had never been there.

  I slowly closed the door.

  I swallowed.

  Progressing alone in this huge mansion.

  It's already too late to turn back, my dear...