PROLOGUE

The words of a random voice echoed in my mind like a haunting refrain: "You cannot change FATE. Doing that will not work." Despite my desperate attempts to alter the inevitable outcome, I knew deep down that my efforts were futile.

Why is it always those seeking a peaceful life are thrust into the chaos of destiny? The burning question echoed within me as I grappled with the cruel reality unfolding before my eyes.

"WE SHOULD RETREAT, SEREIA! THE FIRE IS SPREADING ALL OVER," my brother urged, but the desperation in my heart refused to accept such a course of action.

"NO! WE CANNOT LEAVE THEM ALONE HERE, SEBASTIAN!" WE WERE DOING WELL... WE WERE...

"FATHER AND MOTHER ARE DEAD, SEREIA! WE SHOULD RETREAT IMMEDIATELY!" Sebastian's voice cut through my resistance, forcing me to confront the harsh truth.

I couldn't accept my powerlessness in the face of fate. "Let my soul burn along with them! Let go of me!" I struggled against Sebastian's grasp, my frustration and grief manifesting in a desperate attempt to rewrite the story.

"I will not FORGIVE MYSELF IF YOU EVER DIE IN FRONT OF ME SEREIA! SO DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT LEAVING ME!" He said, accompanied by tears that made me cry even more.

All I ever asked for is to have a happy life...

Why is fate so cruel to me?

"SEREIA!" My eyes snapped open at the urgent call, finding Sebastian in the room, who looked relieved as he sat down.

A dream?

"The maids are worried because you're having cold sweats. I also checked your temperature. You don't seem to have a fever either—" His words were interrupted by the sudden entrance of our father.

"Sereia!" Father's voice was carried with a bit of worry and urgency as he hurried to my bed, with Mother following, concern etched across her face.

I couldn't help but hug him tightly.

"I dreamt of you and Mother dying. The manor was on fire, all people were dying, and Sebastian was carrying me and—" My voice faltered as tears streamed down my face.

"They said negative dreams will be positive after waking up." Mother approached me, caressing my head.

"Your father and all the people here are strong enough to be defeated. Right, Sebastian?" My brother looked at me, giving a reassuring smile.

"You shouldn't worry about that, Sereia. Besides, no one in this kingdom will dare to harm us." But Sebastian is wrong. This family's bloodline is destined to be burned to ashes.

And the only one who will continue the bloodline is me. The villainess in the famous novel, LILY'S POND.

It was a tragedy novel I read when I was 15. It talks about the villainess, Sereia Hawthorne, who is destined to have a tragic life.

Sereia was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. The second child of the influential family, Hawthorne.

Though her brother, Sebastian, survived the fire, his safety was short-lived, as the Imperial order sentenced him to death for allegedly attempting to harm his own family.

Which I object. He wasn't the one who killed his parents, but a mere maid who merely followed a command from the Royal Palace.

To prevent the Hawthorne family from gaining power, the King decided to exterminate them, sparing only Sereia, the Grand Duke's daughter. The one who is destined to marry the Crown Prince upon reaching eighteen.

The Hawthorne family wasn't in favor of the idea. The Duke feared that Sereia would become a chess piece of the higher-ups, so they decided to move their daughter away.

But Sereia didn't want to, so they had no choice but to keep her away from the palace.

And I became the Grand Duke's daughter.

I was happy being a CEO in my past life. I remember being so busy with the paperwork that I didn't have enough sleep. I'm not sure whether I died, but when I woke up, everything seemed strange.

It took me a while to remember what this novel is all about. All I ever wanted was to wake up in this dream.

But then things changed as time passed by. I decided to adapt and accept the love of people. It was warm and different from the luxury I had back then.

Although I liked my family back there, this family treated me warmly. And they still manage to have time just to take care of the two of us.

Sometimes I often wonder..

If they found out that I'm not their daughter but a mere reincarnated woman, will they disown me?

And when I tell them the truth, will they believe me?

"I will cut the head of whoever gets in our way." Sebastian's eyes were full of rage as if he's imagining a future event.

"That's enough, Sebastian. We all know that you're still improving your swordsmanship," Father said, teasing my brother.

"Is my Sereia okay now?" Mother asked with a smile on her face.

"If yes, would you like to come down and have our breakfast? It'll be cold if we don't eat." I smiled as I nodded.

I cannot let this family die.

Not when they treated me so nicely.

They're the only family I have.

So, in order to save them from the future chaos, I have to act the role of the villain.

I will not let anyone kill this family. Even if I have to fight FATE.

"Father, can you do me a favor?" As a child of the Hawthorne family, I also bear a responsibility.

"What does my Sereia need?" I smiled widely as I answered.

"I want to meet the Crown Prince." The room started to fill with silence as his smile slightly faded away.

"Why do you want to meet the Crown Prince?" I know this will be my biggest regret, but if I...

"I heard about the Royal Family's marriage proposal. Two years from now, and I'll be an actual adult. So, Father, I agree to marry the prince." I am determined.

But I'm not going to be a mere pawn.

"Can I decline that favor, sweetie? That's a very serious request." But I just smiled.

"I know you're worried about me, Father." The war will start soon, and they have to prepare.

"I also think this is the best choice. Don't you think it's better for me to know the Crown Prince better and maybe—" Kill him after.

"If I know him and get along with him, then don't you think it's a win-win?"

"But marrying someone you don't like is—" I cut Sebastian off as I looked at my mother.

"Mother, we both know that they want to marry into the Hawthorne duchy because of our knights, right? The war will begin one year from now, and the Hawthorne family is more influential than anyone in the tree hierarchy. In that case, we are a threat to the Royal Family."

"Not marrying the prince is rejecting the Imperial order. And disobeying the Imperial is being an enemy. Therefore, we should obey them to gain more power and support from other nobles."

"No one will ever lay a hand on me. I promise." But Sebastian glared at me as if he's very displeased with the idea.

I cannot blame him. Because after all, he really did a good job taking care of me.

And moreover, he's against any type of marriage if my name is involved with it.