In 2024, Los Angeles, Emily Smith had just finished her night shift at the history museum. As a 22-year-old graduate student majoring in history, she had an almost obsessive love for Roman culture.
"It's another quiet night," she muttered to herself as she organized the 13th-century English exhibits. The book in her hand, The Noblewoman's Guide to Medieval Life, had been flipped through countless times.
At this late hour, the museum was empty, with only her present. As she walked to the display of ancient European noblewomen's clothing, a gorgeous blue velvet gown caught her attention. The description on the exhibit plaque read: England, 1250 AD, Noblewoman's Dress.
"How I wish I could travel back to that time," Emily sighed, brushing her glasses. "At least there, there were real knights and princesses."
Suddenly, the lights in the exhibition hall began to flicker. A strange energy emanated from the ancient gown, and the air filled with the scents of lavender and honey.
"What's going on?" Emily took a step back in surprise, but it was too late.
The dazzling light engulfed her, and the world began to spin. She heard ancient chants, as if from a time long past. Her senses faded as she felt her body float through the air.
When Emily finally opened her eyes again, she found herself lying on a soft bed surrounded by unfamiliar stone walls and hanging garments. The candlelight flickered gently, and the air was thick with the scent of foreign spices.
"Where am I?" She tried to sit up but realized she was wearing a nightdress that was nothing like modern clothing.
[Welcome to the Fate Modification System!]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind, causing her to fall off the bed in shock.
"Who's speaking?" Emily looked around the room, but she was alone.
[I am the Fate Modification System, Serial Number 007. Congratulations, Emily Smith, you have successfully traveled to England in the year 1250.]
"Travel through time? This can't be real!" Emily exclaimed, "I must be dreaming."
[This is not a dream. Due to a rift in space-time and your strong desire for the medieval period, you have been transported to this era. More precisely, you now inhabit the body of Emily Smith, the eldest daughter of the Smith family, an unloved noblewoman.]
Emily tried to process this shocking information. She walked to the window and saw the medieval scenery outside: a stone castle, horse-drawn carriages, people dressed in ancient clothing.
"Alright, let's assume I really did travel through time," she took a deep breath. "What am I supposed to do now?"
[That is where I come in. This world has a perfect fate line, but due to some accidents, the plot has gone astray. You need to correct these deviations and set things back on track.]
"What kind of deviation?"
[Let me explain the background of this world…]
The system began explaining the original storyline to Emily. It described a preordained love story: the unloved noblewoman Emily would meet the most powerful Duke of England, Edmund de Montfort, on a full moon night, and they would spend a passionate night together.
Afterward, Emily would become pregnant and be cast out by her family. Five years later, she would return with her son, face many trials, and eventually reconcile with the Duke, who would eventually treat her like a queen.
"Sounds like a medieval version of a CEO romance novel," Emily couldn't help but complain.
[However, because Emily found out about this plan in advance, she unknowingly discovered the Duke, which caused the plot to go off track. Now, this world is in danger of collapse.]
"So, you need me to… do something with that Duke…?" Emily's face turned red.
[To be precise, you need to get the plot back on track. Tonight is the critical full moon night, and there will be a grand banquet at the castle. According to the plan, you will accidentally enter the wrong room after drinking wine that might be laced with aphrodisiac herbs, and then…]
"Wait a minute!" Emily quickly interrupted, "I can't do that! This is absurd!"
[If you don't complete the task, this world will collapse, and you won't be able to return to your original world.]
Emily fell into deep thought. Although the task sounded ridiculous, she really did want to go back. Moreover, if she could experience life in the past, it didn't seem like such an unreasonable thing after all.
"Fine," she finally relented, "But I have conditions. I'll handle this my way."
[What's your plan?]
"Since I'm from the modern world, I'll deal with this problem the modern way," Emily's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Who says I have to follow the exact plot?"
[But…]
"Don't worry," Emily was already organizing her thoughts. "I'll meet the Duke, but how things develop from there will be up to me."
Just then, footsteps echoed outside the door.
"Miss Emily, have you risen?" A gentle voice called out, "The Lady asked me to prepare you for tonight's banquet."
Emily took a deep breath, regaining her composure.
"Come in."
When the maid entered, dressed in simple attire, Emily knew her medieval adventure was about to officially begin.
[System Prompt: Go for it, Emily! Let's create a perfect love story together!]
In her mind, Emily silently responded: I'll create this story my way.
What she didn't know was that this simple task would completely change the course of her life.