Part 1 : Realization

BANG!

.

.

.

The sound of a loud noise resounded in my ears... memories of my life flashed through my mind.

As the pouring sound of rain intensified, tears welled up from my lifeless face, mixing with the droplets of rain.

Why did this happen to me?

As I lifelessly struggled, a voice then resounded through my ears, as my soul started drifting away.

"Do you want another chance?"

Muddleheaded, I could only faintly answer in my heart, tears flowing out my eyes.

Yes... please...

----------------------------

"Young Miss! Young Miss Airene!!!"

...What? Who is that?

Unfamiliar to whom the voice belonged to, I slowly opened my eyes as I wondered towards why my body felt so weak yet alive. I snapped out of my daze and scanned the surrounding area. Surrounded by luxurious decor and furnishings, I realized that the place I was in... was utterly unfamiliar to me.

Tilting my head to my left, I saw the owner of the foreign voice I'd heard. A western maid with long blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, stood there seemingly pale. But her pale face didn't reduce her beauty, it just gave it a different charm.

I then glanced to my right as my gaze fell upon another beautiful woman. The woman was adorned with a beautiful and simple dress, but tears filled the woman's eyes and a worried complexion could be seen. Next to her, stood an elegant young boy who smiled at me with a calm face. Looking at him, I couldn't help but feel that something was... off about him.

"Darling! I'm glad you're alright!"

The elegant, teary woman held me tight to her embrace.

The woman had hazel brown hair with navy blue eyes... she was mezmerizing. More so than the other one.

So... was I supposed to be this Airene person? I was confused to who she was or who I was, aren't I already dead? More importantly, how... did I die?

So as to asess the situation, I spoke, my hoarse.

"Who... are you? No, Who am I...?"

Have I reincarnated... with my memories?

The lady and the woman along with the young boy widely opened their eyes in disbelief. They then exclaimed that I suffered from a concussion when I tripped and fell on the way to greet the prince.

It was a relief that the doctor said that it was only a light concussion, they said.

The elegant lady then gently held my hand and spoke to me with a soft, yet sorrow voice.

"Airene, I am your mother." She bitterly said.

My name is Rosemarie Audrey Roselle. Your name is Airene Annelise Roselle."

She embraced me yet again as she spoke.

"Airene, we... need to talk."

She excused the maids and then we had a bit of a chat. But, I kept pondering as her name... no my name, seemed... familiar?

But I temporarily decided to shrug it off since the current me had never met her before.

According to what she said, my current identity is the sole daughter of the Roselle household, a high ranking aristocrat in this country.

My father who is the Duke, was busy at the Imperial Palace, so he couldn't come and my 'mother' said he was sobbing worriedly on the phone.

I was also told that I am currently 5 years of age and the boy accompanying my mother is the second prince of this country. He presented me with his name, "Andrew Duschtria Acuole."

And so, we talked a little about social statuses, country affairs, etc, etc.

...Maybe it was better to just stay silent and slowly get to know the situation as I get used to this world. Since my 'mother's explanation is exactly like the lecturers in my previous world.

In short, this is basically like a school lecture! Even if I'm used to it, I think it's unnecessary for me to listen extensively as I had quite the impressive memory and  understanding.

But as my mother kept on speaking, I could only plaster a smile on my face and listen quietly.

***

2 hours had finally passed and my mother left the room after she patted my head and finished what she was conveying.

The only ones left was this prince named Andrew and I. But rather than his identity, I was more curious of what I looked like. And so, I approached the closest mirror, brushing past Andrew to reach the full body mirror.

Wow!

I was beautiful! The ojou-sama type of beaut! That hazel brown fluffy hair, accompanied by those Ruby red eyes, just... wow!

Then I glanced to the prince and silently observed his face. Amazing...! He was a bishounen as well!

That dark blue hair with those emerald green eyes. I felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing it.

Then I came to a realization.

Wait! Don't we look like the characters of that otome game I used to play?! Since my name and looks match like...

Villainess!!!

I believe her name was Airene Annelise Roselle and she was engaged to prince Andrew due to a family arrangement.

I pondered for a bit and came to a conclusion.

....

I've been reborn/reincarnated as the villainess in an otome game!!!

Damn it! just like in those stupid novels!

And furthermore, the villainess dies in every route she's in! Ahhhh I had wished it were a bad dream! I tried pinching and slapping my cheeks, but it wasn't working! As I tried to run away from reality, I heard the voice of the prince, He chuckled as he said some vague things, but since I was lost in thought, I couldn't really pay attention.

The eerie thing was, he was smiling really suspiciously.

He's not fooling anyone though.

Since I have ever played this game, I know the very fact that this person is a crafty one. Even if he is but a child.

In short, the smile is completely synthetic.

So I returned the smile and said,

"Pardon me, but what exactly do you mean by engagement?"

since I heard that he said some fragments about an engagement before but I didn't pay attention to what he was saying.

"We are engaged now." He smiled.

Wait, I didn't even give it my consent! But looks like everything had been decided. This must be an arranged marriage!

I could only stay baffled in silence since the escalation of this game is something unfavorable for me... no, for the original me.

...Oh SHIT! I'll be dead by the guillotine!!!

good bye second world (ಥ ͜ʖಥ)!

The prince saw my hilarious expression and lightly chuckled.

If the old Airene were to changr her personality and relationships, I don't think she would die... that's it! Let's just befriend all of them! Since this isn't a pre-determined world, it would be completely logical to say that my actions, will be like the butterfly effect. Causing ripples and distorting the outcome, my fate.

"Pardon me, but I'll be taking my leave. Thank you for your agreement."

The prince stood up, bowed, then walked towards the door.

Still muddleheaded, I unwittingly stopped him.

"Wait!"

I shouted.

He stopped by his tracks and turned his back to face me.

"Oh, what's the matter?" He asked, a smile still plastered on his face.

"I-I didn't quite catch how old you are, so...?" I stuttered, baffled towards why I did what I had done.

"I'm six a year older than you".

H

e answered with a chuckle.

So young! And yet, he's like that...?

Wait, if I could become friends with him then supposedly, I wouldn't get killed... right? Though I still find it hard to accept the fact that a six year old could act in that sort of demeanor, I couldn't complain since my soul entering a body in a game I used to play is obviously weirder.

I huffed my chest and inhaled before asking him another question.

"Umm.. can we still cancel the engage-"

"No."

Homerun!!!

He deflected my question so quickly without even letting me finish, all while putting that smiling facade of his.

A moment of awkward silence ensued before he finally left, smirking. Then, I let out a sigh and my veins popped out... It was my first day here and I already had a two faced serpent as a fiancé.

My knees weak, I knelt to the floor. Clenching my fists, I banged the floor.

'god damn it!'

...But it would be more beneficial to have good relationships with the capture targets here. Since they all seemed fun to be with (interactions with heroine) and I didn't have many friends in my old life.

"It should be fun.."

I thought.

Or maybe not.

•Extra: From Andrew's perspective.

Looking at her dumbfounded expression, I chuckled. She was a beauty, this fiancè of mine. She seemed to be quite different from the rumours though. I had expected to get rid of her later on but... it seems that I could make an exception.

What kind of lady especially one of a high ranking aristocrat could speak in that sort of demeanor to nobility. Even asking to cancel an engagement to a prince she had acknowledged a second ago. I chuckled and gazed towards the window with a devilish smirk.

Since she lost her memories and composure, it should be fun.

And so, we exchanged letters and It was personally amusing reading them. We've then decided to meet again next Tuesday. Then... should I go there earlier?