Kaelith ducked under a blade as she flipped a page. She didn't bother to look up from her book as her sword sliced cleanly through the man's throat. Her blade shimmered with red light, a dark energy pulsing like a heartbeat around the steel. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a blast of demonic energy that knocked out five men.
A few steps away, Valryx fended off two soldiers and shouted over the sounds of clashing steel and screams.
— I know your romance novel is interesting, but… can you stop for just one minute and help me?! —
Kaelith let out a sigh and snapped her book closed. She sprinted towards Valryx, jumped, and — spiraling midair — connected her blade to both bodies. As they dropped behind her in perfect synchronicity, she opened the book and went back to gluing her eyes to the pages.
— Why can't our life be more like this book? Everything seems so simple, and —
She was cut off by an enemy trying to backstab her. She twisted, broke his arm, and let her sword pierce through his ribs. Then, she simply turned to the next page.
— Do you ever think about how easy our lives would be if we were some noble heiress with no cares and infinite riches? —
Valryx cut a man's head off and wiped the blood that had stained her cheek. She was a powerful demon, and under Kaelith's wing, she had become proficient with the sword.
— Not really. A demon could never be a noble anyways. —
She said that while staring blankly at her friend: Kaelith, the Dark Mage. The only swordmaster able to wield demonic powers — and instead of helping her fight… she was completely hooked reading. Only someone like Kaelith could do that.
Valryx chuckled at the thought.
— Well, if I was a rich heiress I wouldn't be a villainess. Who would choose to spend their time with petty schemes to win over some prince and hurt the heroine, when they could live a luxurious, relaxing life surrounded by servants and food? This week we literally had to fight for a loaf of bread. —
Valryx didn't reply again — she was too busy dealing with three men double her size. Kaelith rolled her eyes and channeled a dark force through her sword that sent the offenders flying.
— Thank you, I was struggling with those — muttered Valryx before turning to look at her.
— Don't mention it —
But Kaelith didn't bother to glance up as she replied. Her eyebrows were furrowed and her piercing red eyes were focused on the written lines.
— Okay fine, tell me what just happened in that book that's got you looking more angry than at any point fighting these soldiers. —
— She's about to drink poisoned tea! — Kaelith snapped. She let out a dark shadow from two fingertips that engulfed a whole group of soldiers.
Valryx stared in disbelief. No matter how many battles they had fought together, her friend's power would always amaze her.
— The villainess finally died — Kaelith continued.
— You sound kind of upset. Isn't it a good thing? —
— I guess. I just think it was kind of dumb. —
A whistle through the air that neither of them noticed. The stray arrow, seemingly meant for no one, clashed against a sword. It flew — unluckily and incredibly — and redirected toward Kaelith.
— Huh? —
She looked down at the arrow in her chest. It had gone straight through her heart. Her eyes met Valryx's horror.
— Kaelith! No! —
The book slipped from her hand, and her sword followed with a loud clang. The battlefield went silent.
The Dark Mage had finally fallen. Her knees buckled.
What a dumb way to die, she thought to herself.
The world turned to black as her eyes closed one last time...
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Until light filtered once again through her lashes.
Kaelith gasped and instinctively reached for her chest — where the arrow had struck her a moment ago. But instead of a gaping wound, she found herself clutching a delicate silk dress.
She looked at her hands: skin soft and unbruised, as if they'd never done any work in their life. Those weren't her calloused and scarred hands. And when long, wavy locks of silver hair fell beautifully, draping over her shoulders — she confirmed it.
That wasn't her body.
— What the hell?! —
She shot upright and gawked in awe at the space she was in. The room smelled like flowers and vanilla. The bed beneath her was an absurd monument to comfort — draped in gauzy canopies, trimmed with gold thread, and so stuffed with embroidered pillows she nearly drowned in them.
Everything gleamed: from the polished marble floors to the gilded vanity mirror across the room.
Kaelith meant to stand up and look at her reflection, but a pain shot through her body at the attempt. She recognized the feeling as the aftermath of poison. Her new body was dainty and frail. Weak.
She cursed not having her toned, strong swordmaster body. Then, she panicked.
Sitting in a meditative position, she quickly clasped her hands together and focused. A surge of demonic energy flowed steadily through her body, healing any remains of the poison and easing her down.
Kaelith let out a sigh of relief.
— My force is connected to my soul. Even in a different body... it's still the same. That also means the soul of whoever owned this body is completely gone. —
With renewed strength, she walked to the mirror. One of the most beautiful women she had ever seen looked back at her.
Long and luscious silver hair. Violet eyes. Sharp features. Rosy cheeks. She let her hands carefully trace her face, her fingers slowly flowing through her hair.
In her past life, she had never seen a noble lady, but she was certain this was how they looked — like a beautiful flower sheltered from the perils of the world.
Kaelith's body, by contrast, was covered in scars from hard battles and harsh training. It was toned and tanned from long hours fighting under the sun. Her hair was pitch black, tangled, and always tied up. She missed herself.
Her red eyes had been replaced. Yet eyes reflect the soul.
She could see the turmoil — her troubled self — in them, which gave her a bit of solace.
— A noblewoman would most definitely never have these eyes. —
A silver tray rested on a table in the center of the room, topped with untouched tea and a half-eaten cake, like the room had been frozen mid-scene.
She knew what was going on, but thought it was too crazy to believe.
Kaelith knew that certain rituals could make evil spirits take over a body, but there were no traces of the previous soul, and no evidence of sacrificial sigils.
Moreover, she recognized the body.
— Did I seriously just transmigrate into the villainess's body? —
Kaelith didn't have time to snap out of her confusion. The bedroom door burst open — a maid with a worried expression carrying a glass of water stepped in, only to drop it on the floor when she saw her.
— Lady Seraphina is awake! —
A wave of maids burst in.
— Quick, call the doctor! —
— My lady, are you okay?! —
Screams filled the room. Not the usual horrified ones Kaelith was used to, but the people lunged at her all the same.
— So I was right. I'm in Seraphina Wisteria's body. But how, and why, did I end up inside the novel? —
Her train of thought was interrupted as she was forcefully dragged back to the bed by the maids.
A doctor came rushing in seconds later. He crouched next to Kaelith and took out a small medicine flask.
— My lady, I have to check your pulse to monitor the poison's progress, and you need to drink this medicine. —
— Of course. I remember Seraphina died after drinking poisoned tea. I must've died at the same time, and my soul somehow took over her body before it withered with her soul. —
Kaelith nodded lightly. She was about to grab the medicine flask when a maid hurried to do it for her.
— I can't believe noblewomen even get fed. —
It made her a bit uncomfortable to have to sip the medicine from the golden spoon the maid pressed to her lips.
— My lady, please stretch your arm so I can check the pulse. —
Kaelith did as she was told — until she realized that if the doctor found out the fragile heiress had completely healed from the poison… it would be too suspicious.
She was still trying to figure out what was going on. If people started suspecting something was off with Seraphina, it would only complicate things.
— Okay Kaelith, calm down. It's okay. You got this. —
When the doctor pressed his fingertips carefully to her wrist, she focused all her energy on her heartbeat. She slowed it down and made it weak.
— Please work! —
The doctor's complexion shifted to concern, and Kaelith started to panic.
— Oh no no no — what if I slowed it down so much he thinks I'm dying?! Or worse! He finds it impossible and suspicious and has me executed for taking over the lady's body?! —
She closed her eyes and caught her breath until the doctor finally spoke again.
— The pulse is weak and very slow… but this is understandable after ingesting such a potent potion. It is a miracle the lady is alive. I'll return to check on her later. With rest and medicine, she should be back in full health soon. —
Kaelith let out a relieved sigh. She'd dodged a tragic end.
One of the maids must've noticed her relief, because tears started welling up in her eyes as she cried out.
— My lady was so afraid! We have failed you! How could poison ever get in your tea?! We deserve to be punished, my lady! —
The maids all dropped to their knees, repeating apologies and begging for punishment.
— That's right. The novel mentioned a masked man that sneaked into the kitchen and poisoned the tea. But why? When reading, I thought it might've been under the order of Prince Lucien — angry that Seraphina made the heroine's life miserable. Still, I cannot know for certain. The maids are definitely innocent though. —
Kaelith let out a soft smile as she spoke.
— It is alright, everyone. I know of your innocence. You can all stand. Thank you for your concern. —
She almost forgot she was in the body of the petty, arrogant, selfish, cruel Seraphina — until she saw the shocked expressions of everyone around her.
— ...Shit. I got it wrong. Seraphina would've never responded like this. Quick, I have to fix this! —
— I know I have been harsh with you all in the past, but after a near-death experience, I feel like a changed person and only wish to treat others kindly... —
Their expressions only grew more shocked. And concerned.
— My lady, you have to rest. We will come tomorrow after you've had a good night's sleep. —
— Do they now think I've gone mad? Great. I can use the poison as an excuse for lost memories and any strange behavior. —
After tucking her in, feeding her medicine, and making sure she was absolutely comfortable and safe, the maids left the bedroom.
Kaelith stared at the tall ceiling, lost in thought.
She was in a bed. An actual one. Not a makeshift pile of hay on a stone floor. She was covered by soft, warm blankets that felt delightful against her skin — nothing like the cold dirt or spiky straw she was used to. The feathered pillow engulfed her head, almost lullabying her to sleep.
Valryx and her had never experienced such luxury. Hell, no one she knew had. The mercenaries, soldiers, orphans, and villagers could never have dreamed of this.
Kaelith had a melancholic look.
— I hope Valryx won't miss me too much. I'm sure she'll be fine on her own. —
In the blink of an eye, her life had completely changed. But there was no use dwelling on the past.
This body was a chance for her to live a comfortable life without worries. And that made her happy.
But before enjoying its perks, she had a problem to face:
— I should figure out who wants Seraphina dead. If I intend to live a privileged wonderful life as her, I need to make sure no one tries to end it. —