In the novel, I had always wanted to see the glittering lakes and serene seas of Aurelantis for myself . It felt like a dream land—vivid, romantic, and just a little tragic.
But every time that thought crossed my mind, one name would pop into my head : MADLINE FELISTE.
Not because i hated her . Actually….quite the opposite.
Sure, the novel tried to paint her as the villainess —cold, sharp-tongued, arrogant and obsessive at first. The typical noble who cling to male lead and made the her life miserable.
But honestly? anyone who's ever read a web novel in the last ten years knows how this goes.
"This so-called villainess is never the real villain"
And Madline was no exception.
At first, she seemed like your standard spoiled noblewoman, complete with loyal lackeys and a frosty attitude.
But as the story deepened, it became increasingly clear that Madline was the true victim—slandered, gaslighted, and manipulated by the supposed "heroine" everyone was meant to support.
The verbal abuse, malicious rumors, and social isolation all originated from the heroine's camp.
And the male lead? Completely oblivious. ALEXI simply stood there, radiating his tragic male lead energy, never questioning the convenient tears of the seemingly innocent girl before him.
Meanwhile, Madline fought her battles alone.
I still remember the exact moment this realization hit me. It struck hard. I crumpled the corner of the book in frustration—not directed at Madline, but at them.
At those who distorted the narrative. At ALEXI MELVIEW for his silence. At a world that punished a girl whose only crime was loving someone too earnestly.
When Madline finally found her happy ending—with someone who truly saw her worth—it felt like justice served.
I cried when she genuinely smiled for the first time.
"Shadows Over Vireholm" wasn't really a masterpiece, but that part it stayed with me .
Even now, the worn-out book still sits over th shelf,its spine cracked from all the times I flipped to Madline final chapter.
…So why was I getting sentimental over a third-rate novel from my high school days?
Why did it feel like I'd just finished the last page yesterday?
The answer was simple.
Because I was now in Thalassaria.
Not just in spirit or imagination—but physically, literally here.
And not just as a random extra or background character, either.
I had been reincarnated as one of Madlin's "lackeys."
Yeah. One of those fake friends who stood behind her, laughed at the heroine, and got slapped by fate somewhere around chapter 47.
But if there's one thing I know from the novel—it's that Madline wasn't the real villain.
And maybe this time, I could make sure she never had to fight alone.
Or so I thought until mysterious events started to unfold.