The soft clinking of porcelain and the sweet aroma of fruit tea filled the spring garden, but I couldn't focus on any of it. I sat quietly, staring into my teacup, thoughts tangled in disbelief and confusion.
The novel… Bianca…
I was supposed to be a reader. An observer. Not a character in the story.
And yet, there she was—Bianca. The heroine of Fated to Be Loved. Sitting across from me, alive, radiant under the dappled sunlight, her laughter curling through the air like music.
How was I drinking tea with a fictional character?
The novel hadn't even begun. The plot officially started at the Imperial Spring Banquet, which—if I recalled correctly—was still two weeks away. I was ahead of the story.
And for some reason… I was already friends with Bianca.
That wasn't right.
She never had friends in the book.
"Selena, my friend, are you alright?"
Her voice, soft and sincere, broke through my daze. I turned to her, startled, only to find her eyes filled with concern. She reached across the table and gently clasped my hand.
"You've been staring at your teacup for quite a while now."
I blinked, caught off guard by the warmth of her touch. Her hand was real—solid and warm. And so was the furrow of her brow.
"I… I'm fine," I replied, forcing a small smile. "Just a little tired."
Bianca didn't look convinced. "You're quieter than usual today. Are you sure nothing's wrong?"
So she noticed.
I didn't even remember fainting—only waking up in this unfamiliar body, in a life that wasn't mine.
"It's nothing serious," I said gently. "There's no need to worry."
Her frown eased, but only slightly. "If you say so…"
We moved on to lighter topics—simple, silly things. Bianca told me about two swans fighting near the lake at her estate and how her maid ran away, shrieking that it was a bad omen. I laughed—more out of politeness than amusement—but it seemed to please her.
It was strange to see her like this. So expressive. So warm. In the novel, she had always been surrounded by loneliness and silence.
But here, she was sitting beside me. Talking. Laughing. As though we'd known each other for years.
Was I already changing the story?
When it was time for her to leave, she paused for a moment, then reached into the little pouch at her side. She held out a small velvet-wrapped box, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"I saw this at the market yesterday. It reminded me of you. I know how much you like shiny things."
I blinked, surprised—and touched.
"Bianca…"
"It's nothing big," she said quickly. "Just a silly little thing. But I hope you'll like it."
"I'm sure I will. Thank you."
She gave me a bright smile as she turned to go. "I'll write to you soon! Get some rest, alright?"
"I will," I said, watching her retreat down the stone path. "Take care."
The garden fell quiet again—just the soft whisper of the breeze and the birds overhead.
I looked down at the box in my hands and slowly lifted the lid.
Inside was a delicate silver bracelet. The chain was thin as thread, and at the center sat a single crystal charm. When sunlight touched it, the gem shimmered—casting faint rainbows across the table.
It was beautiful.
Simple, but elegant.
And more than anything—it was real.
Bianca had bought it for me.
I slipped it onto my wrist, watching it catch the light. Somehow, this small, thoughtful gift made everything feel more solid. More real.
Like I truly was Selena Valemont.
Like I belonged here.
But I didn't.
Not really.
________________________________________
Dinner that evening was a quiet affair.
My father, Duke Reinor Valemont, sat at the head of the long, polished table, his expression cheerful as always. Beside him, my stepmother, Lady Marcella, offered her usual hollow pleasantries—smiling with lips that never reached her eyes.
Across from me, my younger half-brother, Clain, chattered excitedly about some class project, proudly announcing he'd scored the highest again.
I played my part well—smiling politely, eating slowly, and speaking only when spoken to. It was easier that way.
The real Selena had been loud, confident, always drawing attention. But I couldn't afford to stand out. Not yet.
Later, when I returned to my chambers, Ana—my personal maid—was waiting with a letter in her hands.
"The Duke asked me to bring this to you, my lady," she said with a curtsey, offering the envelope.
I recognized the seal instantly—the golden crest of the Imperial Family.
My heart skipped.
I broke the wax seal and unfolded the letter.
______________________
To Lady Selena Valemont,
You are formally invited to the Imperial Spring Banquet to be held at the Royal Palace in two weeks. As you are soon to come of age, your presence among the noble families of the Empire is expected.
This will mark your official debut into high society.
— Imperial Office of Social Affairs
_______________________________________
So it begins.
The banquet. The place where the real story begins. Where Bianca would meet the male leads for the first time. Where everything—love, jealousy, betrayal—starts to unfold.
Ana spoke again. "The Duke also received a copy, my lady. He said… if you don't feel well enough to attend, he'll inform the palace on your behalf."
I looked up, startled.
"He said you always looked forward to social events. But if you're not ready, he understands."
I stayed quiet, the letter trembling slightly between my fingers.
The real Selena adored balls, banquets, and noble drama. She would've leapt at the chance to debut in front of the entire Empire.
But me?
I wasn't ready.
I didn't know the rules of this world. I didn't know who my allies were… or what dangers hid behind those polished smiles.
But if I refused now, it would raise suspicions. Too many changes too fast, and people might start asking questions.
And if Bianca was going—as she would—then I had to be there too. To watch over her. To protect her, if I could.
"I'll attend," I said softly. "Please tell Father."
Ana smiled, clearly relieved. "Of course, my lady. Right away."
Once she left, I sat down at my desk and lit a candle. I pulled out a notebook I had found tucked inside one of the drawers.
On the first page, I began to write. Names. Observations. Clues.
________________________________________
Bianca – Now my friend.
In the novel, she had none.
Kind. Genuine.
She gifted me a bracelet.
Imperial Banquet – Two weeks away.
The true beginning of the plot.
High risk. Must prepare.
Father – Kind. Protective.
Stepmother – Polite, but distant.
Half-brother Clain – Talkative. Harmless. For now.
________________________________________
I tapped the pen against my chin, thinking.
The real Selena was fiery. Emotional. Bold. I would have to play her role just enough to keep suspicions at bay.
But I didn't need to become her.
I just needed to survive her life.
I added one final note at the bottom of the page:
Blend in, but don't disappear. Observe. Adapt and Survive.
_____________________
Later that night, I slipped beneath the sheets and pulled the blanket up to my chin. My fingers brushed over the crystal charm on my wrist, now glowing faintly under the silver moonlight.
So fragile. So beautiful.
A gift from a girl I was supposed to only read about.
A girl whose fate I might be able to change.
If I could change hers… maybe I could change mine.
I closed my eyes.
I was no longer just a reader.
Now, I was part of the story.
And everything was about to begin.