Royal Ascension: TheLady's rebirth

Sierra Shyne

I woke up to the sound of an unfamiliar voice, soft and insistent, tugging at the edges of my mind. My eyes fluttered open, but it was only after a moment that I realized I was no longer lying in the bed of my small apartment. The air around me felt thick, opulent. More specifically heavy with the scent of roses and something metallic, like the faint tang of iron.

My head spun.

I could have sworn I had just closed my eyes moments ago, lying in bed, cursing my life. One moment, I was Sierra Shyne, a woman with no more dreams than surviving her dead-end job.

Then... nothing.

A darkness.

Now, I was in an extravagant, golden-draped room, soft sunlight filtering through tall windows that looked like they belonged in a palace. The sheets I was wrapped in shimmered with threads of gold. I jolted upright, my breath hitching. The room... the room was far too large, too rich, and—

I froze.

I wasn't alone.

A woman in an elegant gown, her dark hair pulled into an intricate updo, stood by the window, her back to me. She turned slowly, as though sensing my attention, and then it hit me like a thousand bricks.

I wasn't alone in this room. I wasn't alone in this body.

I was staring at my reflection. Or rather, her reflection.

I wasn't Sierra Shyne anymore. I was Angelica D'Alathra.

The name rang through my mind with a deep sense of dread, but I didn't understand why. I tried to move my mouth, but the words got caught in my throat. It was like my new body wasn't entirely mine yet, and the voice that came out was foreign, high-pitched, and full of mockery.

"Good morning, my Lady," the woman before me said, her voice a syrupy sweetness that was laced with something darker. "I trust you slept well?"

My hands shot up to my face, trembling. The smooth skin, the shape of my features... They were nothing like what I was used to. This wasn't my body. This wasn't me.

I shot a glance around the room, and everything in it screamed wealth—rich velvets, golden candlesticks, and intricate tapestries that I could not name. The walls seemed to breathe an air of authority. Yet, beneath all of it, a sense of unease lingered, as if I didn't belong in this world.

Who was I? What had happened? Why was I here?

"Don't worry, Lady Angelica," the woman said again, her eyes glittering with something I couldn't quite place. "Your father will be in soon. He's waiting for you."

The world outside seemed... distant. I tried to remember my life, but all I could feel was a thick fog smothering any trace of my past self. Panic started to rise, but before I could react, the woman snapped her fingers, and a servant in a dark robe appeared beside her, holding a golden mirror. I tried to avoid looking at it, but my eyes betrayed me.

I gazed at the face staring back at me...a face that was undeniably beautiful, with sharp cheekbones, dark eyes, and a posture that screamed nobility. The eyes... they weren't mine. They held a coldness, a cruel edge that sent a shiver down my spine.

Angelica D'Alathra.

The name clawed its way into my mind, filling in the empty spaces I didn't want to explore. Angelica was a noblewoman, yes, but she was also known as the villainess. A spoiled, arrogant woman who was destined to be nothing more than a pawn in a deadly game of court politics.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. The body I had taken over wasn't just any noblewoman. I had taken over the body of a character from a story—a story where Angelica D'Alathra was meant to die.

And I was stuck in it.

The panic almost overwhelmed me, but then I heard a sharp knock on the door.

"Lady Angelica," a deep, commanding voice called out. It sounded like it was filled with authority, and I instantly tensed. My heart hammered in my chest as the door opened to reveal a tall, imposing figure dressed in royal blue and silver armor. His face was a mask of indifference, but his sharp features and piercing blue eyes held an intensity that immediately made me uneasy.

Prince Alistair D'Alathra.

The prince.

The crown prince. The same prince who, in the story, was destined to kill Angelica—my new self.

A cold chill swept over me as I met his gaze. His eyes narrowed as they fell on me, scanning my every move. A flicker of something—disgust, maybe?—crossed his face, but it was so brief that I wondered if I had imagined it.

"Lady Angelica," he said again, voice tight and controlled. "Your presence is required in the council chambers. There are matters of state that need your attention."

My breath hitched. I tried to summon the courage to respond, but I realized something. I had no idea how Angelica was supposed to behave. Was I supposed to be kind? Or cruel? Was I supposed to follow the script of the villainess I knew—or did I get a chance to rewrite it?

Before I could react, he turned to leave, his heavy cloak sweeping behind him.

I should have said something. I should have done something. But instead, I stood there, frozen, unable to move or speak.

Just as the door clicked shut behind him, I felt it. A presence, a voice, inside my mind.

System Activation: Reincarnation Protocol Initialized. Your mission: Avoid death flags and rewrite your fate.

A soft beep followed, and a small, translucent screen appeared in the corner of my vision. I had no idea how I understood it, but the words were clear:

Objective: Avoid the Death Flags of Lady Angelica D'Alathra. Manipulate royal politics to survive. Build relationships with key figures. Special rewards unlocked upon success.

I couldn't believe what I was reading. A system? In this world? And what the hell was I supposed to do with this?

How could I possibly navigate this maze of political intrigue, magic, and death flags? I barely understood the rules of the world I had just entered. And now, I had to play the part of a villainess, rewrite my fate, and... survive.

A knot of panic twisted in my stomach as I heard footsteps approaching again. But this time, they were different. Lighter.

The door opened, and before I could react, a voice cut through the tension, a whisper barely audible.

"Lady Angelica... You're going to need more than a golden ticket to survive."

It was the voice of the prince's most trusted adviser. The one everyone warned Angelica to fear.