A high-pitched beep echoed again.
Then another.
Then—
[System reboot successful.]
[Welcome back, Seraphina Nightshade.]
[Mission Status: You died. Got framed. Took a major L. We hit the reset button. You are welcome.]
Seraphina gasped as her eyes flew open.
Warm light filtered through sheer rose-pink curtains, the scent of lavender lingering in the air. She sat bolt upright, nearly flinging herself off a plush feather mattress. Her hands clutched silk sheets—clean, soft, not bloodstained. Her wrists? Unchained. No bruises. Her body? Completely un-murdered.
"What the actual hell—?"
[Language, my lady. You are seventeen again. Fresh body, fresh start. Maybe keep this one alive longer, hmm?]
She froze.
The voice was not human—it echoed directly in her brain like a sarcastic whisper coated in glitter and pettiness.
"...System?" she asked slowly, it was the first thing that came to her mind.
[Ding ding. You just unlocked awareness. One of many useful features. Do not worry, you will still be stunning, brilliant, and a greyish character.]
She blinked hard and threw the covers off. Her legs worked. Her reflection in the mirror—still drop-dead gorgeous, still her—but her face was younger. Softer. Untouched by betrayal and bitterness.
"This... This is my room," she whispered. "This was my room when I was seventeen."
[Correct. You have been reset to three years before your original death date aka Execution Day.]
The system's floating blue window expanded in front of her, bright letters glowing like an enchanted threat.
SYSTEM QUEST:
Main Mission:
Avoid execution. Survive past age 20. Do not die stupidly. Again.
Side Quests (Optional):
Slap Lady Arabelle
Expose betrayal
Break Kael's nose (bonus XP)
Rewards:
Unlocked Memory (fragment)
Passive Skill: Emotional Immunity
Hidden Bonus Skill (???)
[Would you like to accept your fate or rewrite it? Choose wisely.]
Seraphina stared at the window, mouth slightly open. Then, she threw her head back and laughed—wild and glorious.
"I was executed like a dog, betrayed by a prince, and now I am in some twisted second-chance video game with snarky commentary?"
[And a killer wardrobe budget. Do not forget that.]
She dragged a hand down her face. "Am I dreaming?"
[Nope. But the trauma-induced deja vu might be messing with your dopamine levels. Would you like a tutorial?]
"No," she muttered, already standing. "I do not need a tutorial. I have lived the damn game once."
Her eyes narrowed at the mirror. A noble's daughter. Betrayed by everyone she trusted. She'd begged for justice last time. This time? She'd make her own.
"Fine," she said. "I'll play your game. But I am not here to survive."
She smiled, slow and cold.
"I am here to win."
Something sparked brightly in her eyes.
[Mood: Activated.]
[Title earned: The Rewritten Villainess]
[Skill unlocked: Intuition Boost Lv.1]
"First things first…" She walked over to the vanity and yanked open the drawer, digging through old trinkets and cosmetics. A hidden compartment popped free—yes, right where she remembered it. She pulled out a small velvet pouch.
Inside? A silver ring embedded with a red gem—the magical tracking charm Arabelle would later accuse her of stealing from the palace treasury.
"Nice try, bitch," Seraphina said sweetly, tucking it into her own hidden stash. "But this time, I am ten steps ahead."
A knock came at the door.
"Lady Seraphina?" came the familiar voice of Mira, her personal maid. "Are you awake? The Duke has requested your presence in the study. It's urgent."
Urgent? Of course it was. If her timeline memory was right, today was—
"Oh gods. Today's the day Arabelle frames me for poisoning the Countess of Lynden at tea."
[Correct. Today is a major turning point. Would you like to activate Plot Divergence Assistance?]
"Yes," she said while opening her closet. "And pass me some black lace while you're at it. If I am going down, I'm going down fabulous."
Fifteen minutes later, Seraphina descended the stairs like she was walking into battle. She wore a dark high-collared dress that hugged her waist and flared dramatically at the skirt. Her golden hair was pulled into a braided crown,
Mira looked terrified and confused. "My lady, are you feeling well? You look... intense."
"Oh, darling. I'm perfectly well," Seraphina replied, pausing at the bottom step. "Tell Father I will be there shortly. I just need to say hello to a dear friend first."
Mira blinked. "Which friend?"
Seraphina smiled like a blade.
"Arabelle Whitmore."