"Who are you?" she asked the woman in the mirror but the words echoed back at the exact same time and her mouth moved in perfect sync with the stranger's
She stepped closer until their faces nearly touched the glass
She raised her hand, so did the reflection
She touched her cheek gently then pinched it hard enough to hurt her and leave a small red mark
"Aw—!"
Her voice felt real her pain felt real everything felt too real to be a dream
Her eyes locked onto the reflection again.... wide amethyst eyes with long white lashes that curled like snowflakes frozen mid-fall
She blinked once then twice then a dozen more like maybe the mirror would change its mind and show her something different
"Strange... this can't be"
The sound of tearing metal and then... nothing.
She died.
And now she was here
Her legs began to tremble until she dropped to the ground softly like her body finally caught up to the shock
"My Thia... and my two little boys..."
She remembered it clearly.
Her voice cracked as she whispered their names, and her arms wrapped around her knees as tears streamed over.
"I don't know how I can go back... I'm dead"
The grief held her like a wave pulling her under but then...
A soft sound, like a bubble popping.
She blinked through her tears and saw a floating purple screen appear right in front of her.
[ Greetings New Player, please give us your name to start ]
"What... new player? What do you mean...?"
[ This is the rule of the game. We need your profile name to proceed ]
She couldn't make sense of it.
What kind of cruel afterlife was this
A game?
But some strange instinct told her to go along with it, at least for now
"...Seira"
[ Processing... Please wait... ]
She stayed on the floor staring at the glowing text with wide confused eyes
Nothing about this made sense and yet it felt so solid so... programme
[ Three players have joined ]
[ Identity: Unknown ]
[ Would you like to read the gameplay tutorial? ]
She hesitated but curiosity tugged at her harder than fear
She gave a small nod without speaking
[ Welcome to the otome game 'Hearts of the Alora' where players are randomly assigned roles. Complete tasks to earn points — whether EXP, mana, equipment, or affection. ]
[ Players are free to make choices, but failure to complete tasks may result in consequences... with consequences that can impact your character or the entire game world ]
"Otome? Game?? What—"
The name "Hearts of Alora" felt vaguely familiar; she must have seen it somewhere.
She'd skimmed the game description... never expecting to actually wake up inside it.
Did that mean she was a character now?
Which one?
Was she a heroine?
A villainess?
A background extra?
She didn't even know the rules.
[ Would you like a tutorial for your first task? ]
She wiped her eyes.
She didn't want to cry anymore.
Whatever this was it was better than drowning in the pain of what she lost.
"I want to figure this out on my own. Just give me the basic information
[ Okay ]
Then the floating screen changed its format.
[ Always check your stamina. You only have 10 points per day. That means you can interact with only two characters at most. You're free to scroll and explore anywhere, but if your stamina hits zero or it gets past 10 p.m., you'll be teleported to a random house. The calendar will show you schedules, events, and character birthdays... including your own. Speaking of which, when is your birthday? ]
"March 28."
[ Got it. Now let's move on to another area. ]
Seira tried to open the door, but it wouldn't open.
[ Opps.... sorry, you can't go out in that dress. You need to change your clothes first. ]
She sighed and headed to the wardrobe room... and what she saw made her gasp.
Rows and rows of stunning dresses shimmered before her, like something out of a royal dream.
Elegant ball gowns, embroidered cloaks, soft flowing robes.
She reached out to touch them... only for her hand to pass through like they were made of dreams.
"Wonderful," she muttered.
[ Some dresses are only available at higher levels or with more EXP. ]
"I'm starting to hate this game. It's already getting complicated."
Only two dresses were actually wearable.
One was a forest-green gown with gold embroidery and a full, flowing skirt... definitely medieval-inspired.
The other was a soft off-white gown paired with a loose blue robe, detailed with golden accents.
Both were beautiful, but it was daytime, so she chose the green one.
It fit her surprisingly well and made her silver hair shine even more.
She still wished there was something purple to match her amethyst eyes, but it looked like those kinds of outfits were still locked.
[ Valerie Goldenstein's Ultimate Mission: Influence the Kingdom of Azure ]
[ Current Influence: 0% ]
[Now that you're ready, let's go to the hall.]
"It's been so long since I last played an otome game," she whispered, staring at the floating text.
"But I don't remember them ever being this detailed... or this realistic or this is confusing."
Valerie followed the purple text, walking with an awkward elegance that didn't feel like her own.
Her green doll shoes with hills echoed in the wide, marbled hallway, her silvery white hair flowing behind her like a flag announcing royalty.
When they arrived, another line of text appeared floating in the air.
[Hallway Area Unlocked:
Invite a character to a Tea Party (Consumes 5 Stamina)
Host a Banquet with 3 Characters (Consumes 10 Stamina)
*Note: Social events may unlock secret routes, affection boosts, or scandal.]
She narrowed her eyes.
"Well, I'm assuming these characters just freeze like mannequins if I don't interact with them."
[Incorrect. All characters live independently. They move around, interact, and react to events. However, only player-triggered interactions activate route paths.]
"Oh, great. So they all have free will... but still need me to unlock their tragic backstories."
No reply.
The screen blinked out as she was guided into the next room.
An enormous palace kitchen glowing warm with a firelight.
Copper pots chimed gently.
A savory aroma filled the air.
Then... movement.
An older woman in a worn chef's coat turned. Her eyes widened in pure alarm.
"Lady Valerie…" she said breathlessly.
Valerie blinked.
The woman's hands trembled around a ladle.
She looked one twitch away from dropping everything and bolting out the back door.
"Why does she look terrified of me?" Valerie murmured.
[It's not advisable to speak your thoughts out loud]
She froze.
Right.
No one else could see the screen.
To them, she was just talking to herself.
Like a noble lunatic.
The tension thickened.
[New Mission:
YELL at the chef to earn 10 EXP.
(This will progress the Dominance Route and unlock the fear-based obedience system.)]