> System Memo: Timeline Alignment Critical
[Event Trigger: Heroine Arrival – Aria Lindell]
[Main Questline Re-engagement: 78%]
[Note: "Don't say we didn't warn you."]
Initiating Plot Stabilization in 3... 2... 1…
BEEP.
---
Seraphine had just finished dealing with the emotional landmine that was Duke Lysander and her first cup of post-trauma tea when the palace walls rippled.
Yes. Rippled.
Like reality was a computer desktop wallpaper being forcibly changed mid-download.
"Oh, hell no," she whispered.
The chandelier flickered. A gong sounded that hadn't been touched in centuries. Outside, roses bloomed in fast-forward, birds harmonized in a major key, and the maids started humming in sync.
Seraphine groaned, slapping her forehead.
"She's here."
---
A Heroine in High Definition
Aria Lindell, "Commoner with a Heart of Gold" and Official Heroine of the Otome Game Crimson Courtship Chronicles, had arrived.
She was beautiful, of course. All heroine imports came with a sparkly gloss. Her auburn curls bounced like they were coded with real physics. Her eyes shimmered with innocence, trauma, and unlockable affection points. Her entrance was accompanied by glitter particles and a slow-motion twirl.
Seraphine watched from the upper balcony, sipping tea like it was poison.
"I give it two hours before she crashes into a nobleman, exposes corruption, or inspires a revolutionary uprising by smiling."
---
Cutscene Activated: Meet-Cute Disaster Imminent
The grand ballroom was hosting some kind of brunch diplomacy nonsense when the Heroine was introduced.
"This is Miss Aria Lindell," said the palace steward, puffing up like a goose. "Daughter of Baron Lindell. Newly arrived from the countryside."
Aria curtsied like a loading screen.
Cue: gasps from nobles. Cue: scorn from jealous ladies. Cue: immediate fixation from the male leads.
Caelan's head tilted. Lysander blinked.
Seraphine snorted into her tea.
And then, exactly on cue—
Aria tripped on absolutely nothing and flew forward.
Straight into Caelan's arms.
---
The Worst Route Restart in History
> System Alert: Heroine Route Re-engaged
[Affection Status: Prince Caelan - +15]
[Event: First Touch – UNLOCKED]
[Special Reward: "BGM Change - Sparkly Romance Theme #3"]
Soft piano music filtered in from nowhere.
Caelan caught her, of course. His expression unreadable, brows furrowed, eyes locked on hers.
Aria blinked up at him with teary awe.
"Y-Your Highness… I… I'm so sorry!"
"It's nothing," he said smoothly, setting her gently on her feet.
Lysander's jaw clenched.
Seraphine stood frozen in the upper gallery, hands twitching. The System text was aggressively pinging her like a clingy ex.
> [Would you like to react? Y/N]
[Suggested Response: Jealous Rage or Elegant Snark]
"Option C: Emotional Dissociation," she muttered.
---
The Prince Looks Up
For a second, Caelan's gaze flicked away from the heroine.
Upward. To the balcony.
To her.
There was something unreadable in his eyes.
Seraphine took a slow sip.
He turned back to Aria without a word.
Of course he did.
---
Backstage Breakdown
Later, in the dressing chamber that doubled as her Emotional Recovery Safe Zone™, Seraphine threw her fan across the room.
"That walking wish fulfillment is about to ruin everything I've glitched into place!"
"You do realize you're the villainess, yes?" remarked the System mildly.
"Correction. I'm a reformed villainess with unfinished trauma arcs and two emotionally unstable love interests. There is no room in this code for sparkles and healing arcs!"
> System Note: Aria Lindell is not your enemy.
"Tell that to the prince's libido."
---
Aria's POV (Because the System Said So)
> [Perspective Shift: Heroine - Aria Lindell]
[Loading…]
Aria's Journal – Day 1
I've finally arrived at the Royal Palace!
It's beautiful beyond words. Everyone is so elegant.
The Crown Prince caught me when I fell. I'm not sure what I did to deserve such kindness, but my heart is fluttering.
…Except I can't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. Coldly. Like I was a bug on a shoe.
I hope I didn't offend anyone. Especially not Lady Seraphine Noir. She looked…
Sad.
I wonder what her story is.
---
A Moment with Lysander
Later that evening, Seraphine found herself walking the garden paths with Lysander. Neither said much at first. The moon was full, casting silver light across the rosebushes.
"She's here," he said eventually.
"Yes."
"She's lovely."
"Like a heavily modded expansion pack."
He chuckled. "You're jealous."
"Of someone with cheat codes and plot armor? Never."
He stopped walking. "And yet…"
Seraphine met his gaze. "I know what she is, Lysander. I wrote her. Or… the first version of her."
"And do you hate her for that?"
She looked away. "No. I hate what she's going to cost me."
---
Endgame Unlocking
> System Update: Main Heroine Fully Integrated
[New Route Options Available: 5]
[Warning: Love Triangle Destabilizing]
[Player Notes: Choose wisely. Only one ending is canon.]
"May the odds glitch ever in your favor."
Seraphine exhaled.
The real game had finally started.
---
END OF CHAPTER