Chapter 0 - Prologue

Ella stood firm as she faced Cladis.

Marrying Cladis? Absolutely not! Becoming the Crown Prince's wife? Playing the heroine in a romance tale? I want none of it.

The Ella who once dreamed of a blissful union with Cladis had vanished. Just because she found herself thrust into the role of the main character didn't mean she had to embrace it. As a renowned pastry chef, she'd already lived the life of a protagonist. She'd had her fill of it. Now, all she desired was a tranquil, stress-free existence, far removed from the cutthroat world of the palace.

All she craved was the love of her family and the happiness of those who cherished her. Ella believed that finding contentment with the Duke's family and leading the life of a supportive figure was sufficient.

But Cladis was now seeking reconciliation with her. Why? She had no desire for his advances. Instead of acquiescing to his overtures, Ella made every effort to convey her rejection.

"Ella, please give me another chance. I know I've caused you immense pain. I understand why you now hold me in contempt."

Despite acknowledging the hurt he'd inflicted upon Ella, Cladis refused to relent. His desperation made Ella uneasy, yet she couldn't help but feel sympathy towards him. Cladis sensed this sympathy, which buoyed his hopes.

"I can't fathom a life without you. It's inconceivable."

"Your highness, I can't fathom a life with you."

"I comprehend. Since the incident at the Glass Garden, you've made your sentiments abundantly clear. I know you no longer wish to be with me. But Ella, I refuse to accept that."

Just as Cladis persisted in his pursuit, Ella remained resolute in her refusal to wed him. Cladis acknowledged his misdeeds.

"I never desired that other woman. It never crossed my mind. I'll dedicate myself entirely to persuading you from now on."

"Persuading, you say?"

"Yes, persuading. I'll court you. So you can envision a future with me at your side."

The notion of persuasion followed by courtship struck Ella as absurd. As she scoffed at his proposition, Cladis approached her and enveloped her in a hug.

"Give me one year. Just one year. I'll exert every effort to court you."

Chapter 1: Waking Up In That Place

Act 1. Waking Up In That Place

A bright ray of sunshine streamed through the curtains and danced above Ranhee's eyes, eliciting a smile as she basked in its warmth. However, her reverie was abruptly interrupted by a nagging thought that jolted her upright.

Sunlight?!

Today marked her appearance on a television program, and if she aimed to arrive on time, she needed to be up by at least four o'clock in the morning. Yet, there was no alarm to rouse her from slumber before daybreak, nor had the typically stern-faced Secretary Yoon barged in to ensure she was awake. What was happening?

Perhaps Secretary Yoon had also fallen asleep, a rare occurrence but not impossible. Regardless, Ranhee needed to hasten her preparations.

Pull yourself together, Cha Ranhee!

With a self-deprecating scream echoing in her mind, Ranhee sighed and reluctantly accepted her predicament. She began searching for her cellphone atop the nightstand, only to find... nothing. A strange sense of unfamiliarity washed over her, sending shivers down her spine as she surveyed the room.

This wasn't her home.

Though renowned as a talented pâtissier, Ranhee was far from affluent enough to afford a room of this grandeur. The bed she lay upon surpassed any she had purchased, adorned with meticulously crafted golden poles adorned with red and blue gemstones. The opulence extended to the surrounding furniture, each piece matching the bed in extravagance. As Ranhee mentally tallied the cost of the furnishings, a sense of disgust crept over her.

How much money do you need to squander on this extravagance? Ranhee thought, exasperated by the luxurious surroundings.

With a determined sigh, she rose from the bed.

"Ah!"

Her scream pierced the air as she tumbled to the floor, her balance betraying her. Ranhee, originally standing at five foot eight inches, found herself in a state of shock, now inhabiting a frail, muscle-less body standing at five-foot-two.

Or was it the reverse? Perhaps it was the feeble body she now occupied that couldn't withstand Ranhee's accustomed movements. Confusion and self-pity engulfed her. "Ugh, I must instruct Joonho to intensify my workout regimen..." she mumbled.

Running her hands through her hair, she halted abruptly.

What did I just see? Ranhee pondered, noticing silky purple strands intertwined with her own. Despite the incredulity of her theory, she tentatively tugged at a thread.

"Argh!"

A second scream resounded, betraying her agony.

"Dammit! Is this really my hair? My own hair? What in the world is happening?!" Ranhee cursed, disbelief coursing through her.

Touching her head in disbelief, she searched frantically for a mirror. Locating one, she hurried over and stared at her reflection, rendered speechless. Atop her head cascaded gorgeous purple locks, her emerald eyes wide with disbelief. Her complexion, flawless and pure, invited her touch, revealing a smoothness she had never known.

In shock, Ranhee examined her delicate hands. Once adorned with burn marks and calluses from her years as a pâtissier, they had been transformed. The scars and roughness were gone, replaced by a pristine whiteness that left her awestruck.

What's happening? Have I traveled to a different dimension or something?

The girl in the mirror seemed strangely familiar, her lovely pink hair intermingled with the elegant purple strands, fading into a mysterious dark blue towards the ends.

"I never knew such hair colors existed in this world," Ranhee marveled, running her fingers through the vibrant locks. The reflection mimicked her movements perfectly.

"So... this is me?" she whispered, struck by the realization.

Memories of a character resembling the girl in the mirror flooded her mind, and as she gazed into her emerald eyes and glistening lips, Ranhee found herself further convinced of her theory.

"Luciella?"

The voice that escaped her lips was sweeter than she had imagined, confirming her suspicions. She was now inside a novel she had read before, though she couldn't fathom why she was so certain. As her thoughts raced, a door leading to an adjoining room burst open.

"My, my! Lady, how are you up so early today? What's gotten into you?" Maylin, a plump housemaid, exclaimed.

Ranhee glanced out the window in confusion.

...Early? she thought, realizing the sun was already high in the sky.

It was at least eleven in the morning. Sensing Ranhee's confusion, Maylin guided her to the couch and began washing her face with a warm cloth.

"Well, well, well. I know your brother is returning from his travels, but waking up early won't make him come back sooner!" Maylin chattered. "Even without you waiting for him, he'll bring a gift, my lady. Don't worry."

Maylin's coddling made Ranhee, a 38-year-old woman, feel like a child. Goosebumps prickled her skin as she shot a sideways glare at Maylin, who returned her gaze with surprise.

"My god! Look at those goosebumps! Was the water too cold?" Maylin exclaimed, placing her hand in the water to check the temperature. It was just right for the warm late spring weather, leaving no reason for Luciella to shiver so.

"Are you feeling cold? Do you need to lie down, my lady? I'll fetch Baron Hillis right away!" Maylin's energy seemed boundless, despite her age. To Ranhee, she was simply an annoyingly nosy presence, but she couldn't protest as she was gently ushered back into bed and covered with blankets.

Maylin's concerned expression lingered in Luciella's mind as she fretted over any abnormalities in her condition. Finding none, she decided it was best to fetch Baron Hillis immediately. Before leaving, she sternly warned Luciella, "You must never, EVER, leave your bed, my lady. Do you understand?"

"Yeah," Ranhee replied, unable to disclose the true source of her discomfort to Maylin. It wouldn't make sense for her to understand that a 38-year-old woman now inhabited Luciella's youthful body. Admitting she wanted to deviate from her usual routine would only raise further suspicion.

Alone once more, Ranhee sighed, grappling with the inexplicable situation. Initially dismissing it as a dream, she now felt the lingering pain from when she pulled her hair—it couldn't be dismissed as mere imagination.

Did I die in my sleep? Am I now the girl I envied from the books I've read... no, that doesn't make any sense.

Ranhee halted her thoughts, recognizing the futility of trying to explain the mysterious phenomenon. Just like in her previous world, things often happened without clear explanation.

Just let it go, she reminded herself.

There was no need to dwell on the hows and whys. It was nobody's fault; it just happened.

Reflecting on past tragedies—a sudden loss of her parents while studying abroad, betrayal by a trusted business partner—Ranhee understood that life often dealt inexplicable blows. No amount of regret or contemplation changed the outcome. Her rise to fame as a pâtissier was equally perplexing; she never quite grasped the reasons behind her popularity with the media and the public.

One day, I am going to be hated for no reason.

And that day seemed to have arrived when she found herself in this new world. Redirecting her focus to the luxurious carpet beside the bed, adorned with golden threads embroidered by Luciella's mother, Duchess Constance, Ranhee recalled Luciella's family.

Luciella had parents... yes, I remember now.

Ranhee's eyes widened in realization. She had no clue how to communicate with them, and the prospect felt just as awkward as her initial encounter with Maylin. Yet, to Luciella's parents, she was their beloved daughter, cherished above all. Acting like a stranger to them would surely break their hearts.

Though Ranhee was aware of the importance of acting the part of Luciella, she couldn't shake the deep-seated doubts and insecurities that plagued her from her previous life. The guilt over her parents' death, fueled by self-hatred and blame, had been a constant companion, haunting her every step.

Now faced with loving parents once more, Ranhee felt the familiar urge to flee before she was ensnared by their affectionate gaze. But before she could escape, the situation she dreaded unfolded before her.

"Ella!"

"My baby!"

The duchess's loving cry echoed through the room as she rushed toward her daughter, her hands gently cupping Luciella's cheeks. Ranhee's mind raced, grappling with how to respond to the duchess's worried expression.