The Plan for Survival

As Soo-young, now Princess Lexzandra, sits in her lavish bed, she contemplates her dire situation. Her head still aches, a dull reminder of her collision with the car, but the pain is overshadowed by the enormity of her new reality.

She is Lexzandra, the villainess princess from the novel she once read. 

She's seventeen years old and knows from the novel that she dies at the age of nineteen. This gives her barely two years to change her fate, but she is painfully aware that her chances of survival diminish drastically after the next year.

"Alright, Soo-young, think," she murmurs to herself, her eyes scanning the fancy patterns on the ceiling as if they might offer some divine inspiration. "I have less than two years, but realistically, only one year to make a significant change."

The memories she's inherited from Lexzandra flood her mind. She recalls the disdainful glances, the cruel laughter, and the scorn she received from her family and the court. Lexzandra had been the embodiment of a spoiled, vindictive princess, unloved by her family and feared by her subjects.

Her behavior had isolated her, making her an easy target for the male lead's anger.The memory of Nikolai, the male lead, flashes vividly. She sees his piercing forest green eyes, always cold and disdainful when they look at her. She feels the sting of his sharp words, the judgment in his gaze.

"Nicholas… he despises me," she muses. "I'll end up executed by the male lead when I turn nineteen. I need a plan."

"I also need to stay away from Ivelianna and her love interests," Soo-young decides, fidgeting with the lace on her dress. "They're the main characters, and any involvement with them could lead to my downfall." She sighs, thinking of how intertwined her life was with theirs in the novel. Avoiding them would be easier said than done.

Her debutante ball, an event she's dreading, is in three months. In the novel, it wasn't held because Lexzandra was such an outcast that no one wanted to attend.

But now, Soo-young realizes that the ball is an opportunity. If she can make a good impression there, it might be the first step in mending her reputation.

According to Lexzandra's memories, the debutante ball will play a crucial element and will turn the events around. 

"I need to start by winning over the people who despise me," she muses. "The staff, the nobles, even my own family."

She sits up and begins to pace the room, the plush carpet muffling her steps. The memories keep flooding in, unbidden but clear.

She sees herself—Lexzandra—throwing tantrums, berating servants, manipulating those around her. The people she has wronged, their faces etched with fear or anger, haunt her.

"I was awful to them," she realizes with a pang of guilt. "If I want to survive, I have to change their perception of me."

Soo-young stops by the mirror, staring at the reflection that is both hers and not hers. Lexzandra's striking features stare back: sharp, regal, yet hardened by years of arrogance and spite.

"This is my chance to start fresh," she tells herself. "I need to mend the relationships Lexzandra has damaged."

Her thoughts drift to her family. Her father, the king, a stern man with little time for his troublesome daughter. Her elder brother, who is more aloof and dismissive.

The younger sibling, Auden, who looks at her with a mix of fear and hope, perhaps the only one who still holds a sliver of love for her.

"Father and my elder brother… They're key," she concludes. "I need to earn their trust. If I'm respectful and dutiful, they might eventually come around. But it won't be easy."

She recalls Lexzandra's many outbursts, the times she has interrupted important meetings, demanding attention and throwing fits when she doesn't get her way. "I have to show them I've changed. Actions speak louder than words," she thinks.

Thinking of the public, she feels a pang of anxiety. Lexzandra's reputation among the common people is tarnished. She remembers the disdainful whispers, the wary looks. "They see me as a spoiled, selfish princess," she acknowledges. "I need to change that image."

Her gaze falls on the bookshelf filled with thick volumes of history, politics, and literature. She realizes how little Lexzandra has cared for these subjects. "I need to learn," she resolves. "Understand this world better, its politics and its people. I'll read, listen to advisors, and adapt."

The palace staff come to mind next. Soo-young remembers Elara's gentle care, her unwavering loyalty despite the harsh treatment she often received. "Elara deserves better," she thinks, feeling guilty. "I need to strengthen our bond. Having her by my side will be invaluable."

Soo-young knows she needs allies within the court. "There must be people here who are open to my change," she thinks. "I need to find them, build alliances. It's a political game, and I need to play it smart."

Sitting down at her writing desk, she pulls out a piece of parchment and begins to draft her plan. "I'll keep a journal," she decides. "Document my progress, my thoughts. It'll help me stay focused."

As she writes, a sense of determination fills her. "I won't be the villainess doomed to die," she vows. "I'll be a princess who survives and thrives." She writes the sentence on the first page of the journal as a reminder whenever she will feel down.

A knock on the door interrupts her thoughts. It is Elara, her face filled with concern. "Princess, are you feeling better?" she asks softly.

Soo-young nods. "Yes, Elara. Thank you for everything. I… I want to apologize for how I've treated you in the past. I'm truly sorry."

Elara's eyes widens in surprise. The princess has always been demanding, often cruel, and Elara has borne the brunt of her tantrums more times than she can count.

Yet, despite it all, Elara has always cared deeply for her charge, hoping against hope that Lexzandra would one day see the error of her ways.

For a moment, Elara is too stunned to speak. The words hang in the air, almost surreal in their sincerity.

She has spent years enduring Lexzandra's sharp tongue and unreasonable demands, never expecting an apology, let alone such a heartfelt one. Elara blinks, trying to process the transformation she sees before her.

Could this truly be the same princess who once mocked and belittled her?

Tears prick at the corners of Elara's eyes as she studies Lexzandra's face. There is no sign of the usual haughty disdain, only earnestness and regret.

"Thank you, Princess," Elara finally manages to say, her voice trembling. "Your well-being is all that matters."

Elara's heart swells with a mixture of disbelief and joy. Seeing this change, hearing the princess's apology, feels like a long-awaited miracle.

"Oh! I brought you food, Princess."

The maid places the tray on a small table beside the bed, her eyes averted. Soo-young's gaze falls on the food, and she immediately notices its lackluster appearance—bland, hastily prepared, and devoid of any care.

Her initial reaction is one of disappointment and frustration. In her previous life, even in her struggles, Soo-young had always managed to find some comfort in the meals she had. The contrast here is stark and disheartening.

'This is what they serve the princess?' she thinks to herself, a mix of incredulity and sympathy swirling in her mind. 'No wonder Lexzandra threw tantrums. This food looks like it was prepared without any effort or thought.'

As she takes a reluctant bite, the blandness of the food only deepens her discontent.

"Is this what they usually serve?"

Elara hesitates, clearly taken aback by the princess's sudden interest in something she had always taken for granted. "Yes, Your Highness," she replies softly. "The cooks do what they can with the limited resources we have."

Soo-young frowns. "Limited resources? In the royal palace?"

Elara sighs, her face showing signs of frustration and fatigue. "Yes, Your Highness. The resources allocated to your quarters have been decreasing steadily over the years. The head maid mentioned that the budget for the princess's palace is often overlooked or cut."

"Elara," Soo-young begins again, "how many people are actually serving in this part of the palace?"

Elara shifts uncomfortably. "Not many, Your Highness. The staff is minimal, and those who are here often have to juggle multiple roles. few of them don't even bother to work."

Soo-young thinks deeply, pondering that it's more serious than she thought.

Elara glances around nervously before speaking in a low voice. "Your Highness, the head maid mentioned that it might have something to do with Lady Irina, who manages the internal affairs of the palace.She oversees all the allocations and distributions."

"Lady Irina?" Soo-young's interest piques. "Why would she do that?"

Elara shifts uncomfortably. "I don't know the exact reasons, Your Highness. But Lady Irina is known to be a very powerful and influential woman. She doesn't seem to like you very much."

"I see," Soo-young says slowly. "We need to do something about this. But first, I need to understand exactly what's happening here. Can you arrange for me to meet the staff who works here?"

Elara's eyes widens in surprise. "You want to meet the staff, Your Highness?"

"Yes," Soo-young replies firmly. "I need to know what's going on. If Lady Irina is behind this, we need to find a way to counter her influence. But I can't do that without understanding the situation better."

Elara nods, though she looks uncertain. "I'll arrange it, Your Highness. But please be careful. Lady Irina is very powerful, and she has many allies. The Crown Prince highly values her."

"I understand," Soo-young says, her mind already formulating a plan.