I don’t even know how I got here. One moment I was in my father’s palace, and the next, I’m sitting here, desperately trying to force a smile that looks more like a grimace. My face is as pale as a ghost, but I’m doing my best to look pleasant.

In front of me sits the crown prince of Valkathra—a man so ridiculously handsome he looks like he stepped off a Greek statue. His eyes are green like overzealous garden peas, and his hair is as black as a coal miner's laundry. But don’t let that fool you; his gaze is colder than an ice cube in the Arctic.

He’s staring at me as if I were a particularly annoying insect he’s trying to ignore, gripping his sword like he’s one step away from slicing the air. I gulp, realizing my grand escape plan was about as effective as trying to outrun a cheetah on roller skates.

I should have just stayed at my father’s palace.

His icy voice cuts through the awkward silence, “What is it, Dame Dazzle?”

Dame Dazzle.

The name sounds so absurd coming from him, I almost snort. It’s like hearing a professional wrestler call you “Fluffy Bunny.” My ears are turning red, and my face feels like it’s hosting its own personal sauna.

I stammer, “I... Your Highness... I...”

“You don’t want to marry me, the crown prince of Valkathra?”

 Nope! Not even a little bit! I’d rather marry a dragon that breathes fire at me!

I plaster on my most radiant, if not slightly pained, smile. “Oh, no, Prince. It’s not that. I absolutely adore you. I want to marry you.”

Biggest fib ever!

So, how did I end up here, in the prince’s top-secret garden, where intruders are rumored to be turned into garden gnomes? I’m surrounded by herbal tea and cakes, but no amount of sugar can sweeten his frosty demeanor.

What’s my crime? I don’t even belong in this world. Yes, you heard me right.

I’m not from here.

Let’s rewind sometime in the back to get the full, laughably awkward story.

...***************...

Let me tell you my story. My original body—my real self—probably died. I remember it vividly: lying on my deathbed, the struggle against pneumonia that spiraled into sepsis, and then, the organs just giving up one by one. It was like my body decided to throw in the towel and call it a day.

The next thing I remember was falling through an endless void of darkness, with a disembodied voice echoing around me, fragmentary and unclear. I heard snatches of phrases like, "You need to..." and "Your..." and "You are..." before everything went black again.

When I finally opened my eyes, I was greeted by a room that was the polar opposite of my grandma's shabby old room—more like twice the size of her entire house.

I found myself in a luxurious bed, with a ceiling adorned by an elaborate chandelier and flowery patterns in a language I couldn’t recognize. On either side of the bed were matching lamps, and the windows were draped in green curtains that framed a view I couldn’t see. A chaise lounge was nestled beside the bed, and a pink chaise sat nearby.

The room featured a grand oval mirror decorated with intricate henna-like patterns, and next to it stood a golden door that looked straight out of a children's storybook, like a gateway to a magical realm.I swung my feet off the bed and onto the floor, only to feel as if I were stepping onto a cloud. The floor beneath me was so beautifully polished and gleaming that it almost seemed to glow. It was like walking on a layer of cotton candy—soft and surreal.

I was stunned to find myself standing on my own feet. I remembered that, due to organ failure, I had been paralyzed and unable to walk. The shock almost brought tears to my eyes, but then my gaze landed on the large mirror. My eyes widened in disbelief.

 Aren’t mirrors supposed to reflect your own image?

Instead, I saw a woman with red hair staring back at me. I reached out to touch my face, which felt smooth and porcelain. As I backed away in shock, I tripped over the mattress and fell to the floor with a loud thud, knocking over the lamp on the bedside table.

Suddenly, a group of women appeared, dressed in black gowns with aprons and bonnets. They exclaimed in unison, “Princess!”

I was too stunned to process their words, still fixated on the unfamiliar figure in the mirror. The maids gently helped me to my feet and guided me back into the bed.

Where am I? I thought I’d won some kind of lottery from that scratch-off coupon I got at the department store.

Where am I? And what’s with these outfits? And why are they calling me a princess?

Overwhelmed by the shock, my vision began to blur, and I fainted once more. As darkness closed in, panic set in.

 No! I don’t want to die. What’s happening? My head is spinning. Oh no, not again!

...***************...

When I woke up again, I was back in that same room, completely alone. No one was around.

“Where the hell am I?”

“Where is everyone?”

“Did the villagers sell me to a cursed kingdom so they could sacrifice me?”

My mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. The room, the mirror, the mysterious “princess” title—it all felt like a bizarre, nightmarish twist that defied any logic I knew.

I pushed myself out of bed, my legs still trembling, and made my way to the door. When I opened it, I was startled to see two guards stationed outside, their uniforms crisp and their expressions serious.

"Princess, are you okay?" one of them asked, his voice laced with concern.

"What happened?" the other guard chimed in, his eyes scanning me with a mix of curiosity and worry.

I blinked, trying to process their words. Princess? It was clear now that something had gone terribly wrong. I had to figure out where I was and what had happened. But for now, all I could manage was a stunned, “I… I’m fine. I think I just need to understand what’s going on.”

The guards exchanged glances, and one stepped forward. “If you need anything, just let us know. We’re here to help.”

As they backed away, I took a deep breath and looked around the lavish hallway, trying to steady my racing thoughts. This place, this situation—nothing made sense. But for now, I had to find answers and figure out how I’d ended up here, in this strange new reality.

The first shocker is that my appearance has completely changed. I now sport a mane of bloody red hair—lighter at the forehead, darker at the ends, like a reverse ombré gone wild. And my eyes? They're a striking golden, like someone decided to put snake eyes in a disco ball. They shine so brightly that the sun practically shouts, "Back off!" when I step outside.

The second surprise is the "princess" tag. Apparently, I’m a princess somewhere, and my name is... well, I’m still working on that.

As I’m grappling with these revelations, I hear a soft, persistent voice calling, “Meredia?” It’s like a broken record. I try to ignore it and keep walking, but the voice keeps dogging me.

Finally, I turn around and spot a middle-aged woman who is somehow both elegant and motherly. Her smile could probably charm a grumpy cat. She approaches, takes my hands in hers, and says, “Meredia, where are you going? You aren’t even responding to your mother.”

So, it turns out I’m Meredia. The owner of this body is apparently a princess, and this warm, charming woman is my mother. I guess I’m now royalty, complete with a new name and a fabulous hairdo. What a way to start a new life!

I couldn’t let her know I wasn’t her real daughter. “Mother, I—”

Suddenly, it felt like a video reel had started playing in my mind, and it was excruciating. Flashing images surged through my head, each one more vivid and painful than the last.

“Ahhh!” I screamed as I collapsed onto the floor.

The woman rushed to my side, her face etched with panic. “Meredia! What happened? What’s wrong, my child? Guards! Call the doctor! Help!”

The pain was like a drumbeat pounding in my skull, accompanied by a relentless parade of images. Faces! So many faces! A girl playing with her toys, her mother dressing her up, her beaming smile as she sat on her father's shoulders.

The most piercing memory was her listening in on her family's conversations, hidden just behind the door.

I finally understood. These weren’t just random images—they were the memories of the real owner of this body: Meredia. Her life, her experiences, all flooding into my consciousness. It was overwhelming, but it was clear: these were Meredia's memories.

...****************...

I woke up a few hours later, overwhelmed by the flood of Meredia's memories now lodged in my head.

Meredia Seraphine Valtoria is the daughter of Duke Oberon of Solterra. She is incredibly beautiful, but her intellect leaves much to be desired. Despite being adored by her family—her father, the Duke, her mother, and her brothers—they are constantly frustrated by her lack of practicality and wisdom in the matters of the palace and dukedom.

One night, Meredia overheard her family discussing their worries about her future and their reputation. Unable to bear the thought of being a burden, she attempted to end her life with poison but when it didn't work she sliced ulnar arteries.

So here I am, not reborn but transmigrated into her body.

And then, it hit me—this wasn’t just about adapting to a new life. But more than that.

As I lay there, trying to make sense of my new reality, a distant memory surfaced. When I was a child, my grandma used to feed me fantastical stories. She dreamed of becoming an author and often recited fairytales to me—stories of beautiful, impoverished women and princes who fell in love, overcoming villains to live happily ever after.

You might wonder how this relates to me.

Yes, the plot thickens: I—Meredia—was actually the wife of the villain. But here’s where it gets hilariously absurd: Meredia’s story didn’t even make it into the fairytales my grandma used to tell. She just popped up at the end as a last-minute cameo, like a surprise guest at the villain’s going-away party, to deliver a final lesson on karma.

And get this—Meredia didn’t die of something mundane like sickness, old age, or childbirth. Nope! She was done by her monstrous husband, the villain himself. Talk about an unwelcome plot twist! It’s like being cast in a soap opera and finding out you’re the one who gets killed off in the most dramatic way possible.

I scratched my head furiously, sobbing dramatically. Why, God? Why do I have to die in every life?

Of course, I couldn’t let out a full-blown cry because Meredia’s mom, who was more like a concerned guardian than a comforting figure, was snoozing beside me. She’d decided to camp out next to me, fearing my head might explode like a firework.

Why talk behind your daughter's back if you care so much?

I gave her a side-eye as I clambered out of bed and made my way to the window. Peeking out from this palace, which felt like a luxurious prison with extra steps, I had to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Looking out of the window, I saw nothing but darkness. The wind rustled the curtains, making them flutter like they were auditioning for a part in a dramatic play. It was so peaceful, it made me yearn for the chaos of the modern world.

Wait, modern world? This place is like a fantasyland straight out of Grandma's bedtime stories!

I felt like yelling up to the universe, "WHY, GRANDMA? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO KILL MEREDIA? WHY, OH WHY, MOTHER OF MY FATHER? WHAT DID SHE EVER DO TO YOU? WAS IT FOR THE PLOT TWIST? WAAAAAAHAAAAAAA!"

Honestly, it’s like my life’s turned into a soap opera, and I’m stuck in the middle of a really bad season finale.

And, of course, just when I was about to unleash a full-on dramatic breakdown, Meredia's mother woke up.

"Meredia? Are you okay?"

I turned to her, quickly swapping my poker face for a bright, exaggerated smile. I guess I’ll need to get used to this; Meredia's default mode seems to be grinning like she's perpetually in a toothpaste commercial.

I guess I’ll need to get used to this; Meredia's default mode seems to be grinning like she's perpetually in a toothpaste commercial.

"I'm fine, Mother," I replied, my face hurting from the effort of maintaining the smile. "Just enjoying the night breeze."

She smiled back, relieved, and settled down again.

Great. Now I have to pretend to be a constantly cheerful princess while figuring out how to survive in a story where I’m destined to die a horrible death.

Awesome. Just awesome.

...****************...

Once my mother fell back to sleep, I returned to the window, feeling the confines of this palace pressing down on me. It was starting to feel like a gilded cage. I needed a plan to avoid Meredia’s tragic fate.

“Alright, think,” I muttered to myself. “How do I avoid becoming a Villain Bait?”

First things first: avoid the villain at all costs. Check. Second: get smarter or at least pretend to be. I could manage that. Surely I could outwit a few nobles.

I left my bed, leaving the sleeping beauty of my mother behind. As I ventured out of my room, I was immediately confronted by the two guards stationed outside. Why did I need guards when no one else did? Was this some kind of overprotective security measure?

The left guard, startled to see me, asked, “Lady Meredia, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I plastered my most charming smile. “Yes, thank you for asking.”

The right guard chimed in, “Do you need anything?”

“Ah, yes…” I began, putting on my best dramatic flair. “I’d like to visit the library.”

I didn’t actually know where the library was, so I needed their help.

“Ah, I’m feeling so faint,” I continued, dramatically placing the back of my hand on my forehead. “Could you take me there, or I might faint!”

The guards exchanged baffled looks, their jaws almost hitting the floor. They stared at me as if I’d just asked them for the secrets of the universe.

“Lady, you mean the library? Are you sure?” one of the guards asked, blinking as if I’d just asked for a unicorn.

I kept my clueless smile and nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir.”

The other guard shot a look at his partner and then back at me. “The library—the place with all the books?”

I nodded again, my smile stretching.

Their faces were a mix of astonishment and panic, like I’d requested a dragon ride. My grin turned into a full-on “I’m about to perform magic” beam. “Sir, is something wrong?”

Guard 1, looking concerned, asked, “Lady, are you sure you’re feeling okay? Do you still have a fever?”

“No, sir. I’m perfectly fine,” I assured them.

Guard 2, clearly flustered, muttered, “Lady, you and the library never come in same—”

Before he could finish, Guard 1 elbowed him so hard he tumbled to the ground, groaning like he’d been hit by a boulder.

Guard 1 quickly waved his hand. “Forgive him, lady. He’s just a new recruit and hasn’t yet learned that you never mention the library in your presence.”

Ah, it all made sense now. Meredia, known as the “Dazzle Dame” or “Lady Lush,” had about as much chance of going to the library as I had of finding a magic wand. Clearly, I’d stumbled into some unspoken palace rule.

To avoid any further confusion, I dramatically sighed, “Ah, the tireless sirs of Solterra. I’ve come to realize I don’t want to be a burden to my dear kingdom anymore.”

"I want to prove myself useful for my kingdom," I declared with a few strategically shed crocodile tears, making my eyes as doe-like as possible. If there were a “Pick Me” contest in the modern world, I'd win hands down.

"I... I... Thank you all for taking care of me all my life. I want to do something for Solterra and for all of you."

The young and overly sentimental guards were immediately moved. The one on the floor began sobbing—whether it was from the speech or the bruises, I couldn’t quite tell.

The first guard's eyes turned into a dramatic anime-cat look, melting with emotion. "Oh my god, our princess grew up so fast."

"I remember seeing her in the garden all day, not caring about anything in the world," he continued, sniffling. "I thought she would never be useful to our kingdom, but you proved everyone wrong."

The sobbing guard added, “I always knew the princess was more than just beauty.”

This was beyond embarrassing. Meredia's reputation was a wild mix of controversy and sympathy. I smiled, realizing their reactions were genuine. They really wanted Meredia to improve.

“Escort me to the library, please,” I said, still playing the role of the newfound noble.

He wiped his tears, regaining his composure. “Yes, princess. Whatever you say.”

The guard straightened up, his sniffles reduced to occasional hiccups. The other guard, who had somehow managed to roll himself upright, gave a heroic nod and motioned for me to follow.

As we made our way through the palace, I couldn’t help but notice the guards' dramatic gestures and expressions. They seemed to be treating me like I’d just won the Nobel Prize, rather than simply asking for directions.

We passed ornate tapestries and glittering chandeliers, and it felt like I was starring in a royal parade. I tried to keep up my serious demeanor, but it was difficult when the guard leading me dramatically swung open every door like he was revealing the secret to eternal life.

When we finally arrived at the library, I was amazed to find it was even more magnificent than I'd imagined. Rows and rows of books—some of which I hoped were more interesting than the melodrama I’d just witnessed.

As the guard opened the door with a flourish, he said, "Here you are, Princess. The library of Solterra, the heart of knowledge and wisdom!"

I peered inside, trying to look impressed. "Thank you, sirs. You’ve been most helpful. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to start my journey to becoming the kingdom's greatest scholar."

The guards nodded vigorously, like bobblehead dolls. "If you need anything, Princess, anything at all, just let us know. We’ll be here, guarding the door, waiting to cry with pride."

With that, they left, and I was finally alone. I let out a relieved sigh and wandered inside. This library was like a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Or at least, I hoped it was.

I picked a random book, opened it, and found myself staring at the ancient text. Perfect. It was time to start my new role as the most educated princess in history—one who was also skilled in dodging villains and, hopefully, avoiding any more melodramatic guard reactions.