Y/N had always been a bookworm, especially when it came to fantasy novels. She would often find solace in the world of The Dark Crown, a story of a powerful and tragic villain—Park Jimin, the Duke of Valenmoor. In the kingdom, Jimin was feared by all, a cold and ruthless figure with a dark past. He was the villain in every sense of the word, and the heroine, a courageous young noblewoman, was destined to defeat him in the end. Yet, despite knowing the inevitable fate of the story, Y/N found herself unable to fully embrace the heroine’s victory, not when Jimin's pain and vulnerability were so apparent beneath his fierce exterior.

Jimin’s tragic backstory, his cruel upbringing, and the betrayals he suffered shaped him into the feared Duke he was. But Y/N, who had read the book countless times, felt something more for him. She saw the man buried beneath the villain’s mask—a man who had lost everything and was fighting simply to survive. Despite knowing his fate, she wished things could be different, that perhaps there was a way for Jimin to be redeemed, to escape the tragic ending that awaited him.

One night, after another long evening of rereading her favorite scenes, Y/N finds herself growing drowsy, her mind wandering with thoughts of the characters in the story. As she drifts off to sleep, she feels a strange, almost surreal sensation wash over her. The next thing she knows, she’s no longer in her room.

Y/N wakes up in a dense, mist-covered forest, disoriented and alarmed. The world around her is unfamiliar, with towering trees and an eerie quiet that only serves to heighten her anxiety. The realization hits her slowly, like a creeping wave of disbelief—she is no longer in her world. She has somehow been transported into The Dark Crown. The world she thought was fictional is now her reality. But how? Why? And, most importantly, what is she supposed to do now that she’s here?

As Y/N navigates through the dense forest, trying to make sense of her situation, she hears the sound of approaching footsteps. Panic sets in as she tries to hide, instinctively ducking behind a tree. When the figures come into view, she sees that they are soldiers—armed and vigilant, with a clear purpose. Their attire is unmistakable, adorned with the insignia of the Duke of Valenmoor. It’s then that Y/N realizes she’s in the heart of the Duke’s domain.

The soldiers don’t immediately notice her, but as she shifts her position, one of them spots her. He raises his sword, commanding her to come forward. With no other option, Y/N does as instructed, heart pounding in her chest. She tries to explain that she’s lost, but the soldiers take her captive, leading her through the thick forest toward the Duke’s castle. The air is thick with tension as they approach the imposing structure, its dark, gothic architecture a constant reminder that this is not the peaceful, comforting world she left behind.

Y/N’s mind races as she is brought into the castle, passing through corridors that are cold and grandiose. The atmosphere is oppressive, with heavy tapestries on the walls depicting the kingdom’s past wars, victories, and the rise of the Duke. She’s led to a large chamber where the Duke himself stands, his back to her. As the soldiers announce her arrival, he turns, his eyes locking onto hers.

It’s Jimin.

The man she had read about for so long, the villain she had once admired, now stands before her in the flesh. He is just as darkly handsome as she imagined—tall, commanding, and exuding an air of cold detachment. His eyes, deep and unreadable, scan her with an intensity that sends a shiver down her spine. She tries to steady her breath, but the sight of him leaves her speechless, the reality of the situation dawning on her. He’s no longer a character in a book. He’s here, in front of her, and she has no idea how to navigate the tension between them.

Jimin’s voice, low and chilling, cuts through the silence as he asks the soldiers why she’s here. They explain that she was found near his border, claiming to be a lost traveler. Jimin, ever the enigma, watches her closely, his gaze assessing and sharp. He’s intrigued, perhaps even suspicious, but he doesn’t immediately react with anger or aggression. Instead, he gestures for the soldiers to leave the room, leaving him alone with Y/N.

In the eerie quiet of the chamber, Jimin’s voice once again fills the space. “You’re not from here, are you?” he asks, his tone seemingly casual, but with an underlying intensity that makes her heart race.

Y/N hesitates. How can she explain to him that she’s not from this world at all? That she’s been reincarnated into the very story he is supposed to be the villain of? The words catch in her throat, and she simply nods, trying to maintain her composure. “I’m… not from here,” she finally admits, keeping her answer vague, afraid that saying too much might draw suspicion.

Jimin’s eyes narrow as if he’s trying to read her, searching for any hidden motives or contradictions. He steps closer, and Y/N feels the air grow heavier with every inch. His presence is overwhelming, as if he’s trying to intimidate her, but she senses something else beneath the surface—a quiet sadness that lingers in his gaze. The more she looks at him, the more she sees beyond the ruthless Duke. She sees the man who has been betrayed by those he trusted, who has suffered unimaginable losses, and who now stands at the edge of the very fate she knows he cannot escape.

And yet, Y/N can’t help but feel a surge of empathy toward him. She knows how his story unfolds. She knows how it ends—tragically, painfully—but she refuses to accept it. This is her chance. The knowledge she holds gives her a unique opportunity: to rewrite his fate, to save him from the inevitable destruction that looms over him.

But in a world where destiny is written in blood and power, altering the course of events is never without consequence. As Y/N finds herself drawn closer to Jimin, her heart conflicted, she must grapple with the truth: Can love truly change a villain’s fate? Or will her attempts to save him only lead to greater disaster? In this new world, Y/N must navigate a dangerous game of power, fate, and love, where every decision could reshape the future—not just for herself, but for the kingdom and the man she has come to love.

Y/N's eyes fluttered open, her mind immediately registering the disorienting sensation of being somewhere completely unfamiliar. She sat up quickly, pushing her disheveled hair out of her face, and stared around in panic. She was in the middle of a thick, foggy forest, her heart pounding as she tried to process what was happening.

This is not real, she thought, her breath catching in her throat. I must still be asleep, right?

Her hand instinctively reached for her phone in her pocket, but it wasn’t there. She checked her surroundings, her pulse quickening. The only thing she could hear was the distant rustle of the leaves, and the only thing in her vision was the strange, almost medieval world she was surrounded by. The trees towered above her, their twisted limbs forming eerie shapes in the fog.

Okay, no way. This can’t be happening. She rubbed her temples, trying to will her surroundings back into familiarity, but nothing changed. Her mind flashed back to the novel she had been reading, The Dark Crown, her favorite book. She knew the world, the characters, the plot like the back of her hand. But how was she here?

I must’ve fallen asleep while reading, she thought, trying to steady her breathing. I’m still in my room... this is just a dream.

But as she looked around again, her heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t a dream. She could feel the ground beneath her, smell the damp earth, hear the distant voices on the wind.

Then the sound of footsteps reached her ears. Her eyes widened. She wasn’t alone.

Think, Y/N, she urged herself. This is real. You're really here.

Without thinking, she instinctively ducked behind a thick tree trunk and held her breath. The voices grew louder, and soon, a group of soldiers appeared, armed with swords and carrying torches. Their faces were hard, eyes sharp and searching the mist with suspicion.

Stay calm, Y/N told herself. Don’t get caught.

She clutched the tree tighter, her pulse in her throat. Her mind raced with questions. Why am I here? How did I get here? And why do I feel like I’ve stepped right into the world of The Dark Crown?

As the soldiers passed, one of them glanced in her direction. She froze. They were close, but they kept moving. Y/N exhaled slowly, her breath shaky. She needed to get out of there. She couldn’t risk being discovered—especially not in a world where she had no idea how the rules worked.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the soldiers passed, and she dared to peek out. The dark outline of a castle loomed ahead. Her heart sank as she recognized the silhouette of Duke Jimin’s Castle. It was unmistakable. The same castle she had read about countless times in the novel, the same place where Jimin, the dark and tragic Duke, resided.

No, no, no. This can’t be real, she thought, her hands trembling. This is a dream, a nightmare. I must’ve hit my head or something.

But the more she thought about it, the more she realized: This is real. I’m inside the world of the book.

She had to think fast. Jimin. The Duke of Valenmoor. The villain. The man whose heart had been broken, whose power had led to betrayal and loss. Y/N knew his story better than her own. The tragedy that followed him. His fall. But none of that mattered now—she was here, and she needed to figure out how to get back.

But then… something else crept into her mind. What if I could change his fate?

The soldiers rounded a corner, forcing Y/N to move quickly again. She couldn’t linger in the forest, not with them so close. She dashed toward the open field leading to the castle, her heart hammering in her chest.

As she neared the castle gates, she was stopped by another group of soldiers who quickly encircled her. One of them, a tall, lean man with sharp features, stepped forward. His eyes scanned her, clearly suspicious.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

Y/N’s mind raced for an explanation. What do I say? I’m from another world? They’ll think I’m crazy.

“I’m lost,” she said, her voice faltering. “I… I don’t know how I got here.”

The soldier eyed her carefully. “Lost? You don’t look like you belong here.”

“I don’t,” she said quickly, realizing that honesty might get her further than any lie. “I don’t know how I got here, but I’m not from your world.”

The soldier’s expression shifted to one of amusement. “You’re a strange one,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter. The Duke will want to speak with you.”

The Duke? Jimin? The thought made her stomach drop.

Before she could protest, the soldiers began guiding her into the castle. She had no choice but to follow them, her heart racing with both fear and curiosity.

The inside of the castle was grand—too grand, almost suffocating in its opulence. Thick tapestries adorned the walls, each depicting a battle or a conquest. The air smelled of incense, a heavy perfume that lingered in the stone corridors. They led her through several hallways before finally arriving at the massive doors of a grand hall.

The doors swung open, revealing the Duke standing in the middle of the room. He was tall, his dark hair falling just above his shoulders. His cloak was black, the fabric flowing with an almost ethereal quality, and his presence alone was enough to make the air feel thicker.

Y/N’s breath caught in her throat. This is him. Jimin.

His gaze was immediately on her, as if he could sense her every thought. There was no warmth in his eyes, only cold calculation.

The soldier who had led her into the castle bowed slightly. “My lord, we found this woman near the border. She claims to be lost.”

Jimin’s eyes narrowed as he looked Y/N over. “Lost?” he repeated, his voice dark and smooth. “You’re in my lands, yet you claim to be lost?”

Y/N’s heart raced. This is it. Don’t mess this up, Y/N. Think.

“I don’t know how I got here,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “But I promise you, I don’t want trouble. I just… I don’t know how to go back.”

Jimin studied her for a moment, his gaze intense. There was something in his eyes, a flicker of interest that Y/N couldn’t quite place. He wasn’t like the cruel, heartless villain the book had painted. There was more to him—something deeper, something she couldn’t fully understand.

“You will stay here,” Jimin said finally, his voice firm. “Until we figure out how you ended up in my kingdom.”

Y/N nodded, grateful for the opportunity to stay out of immediate danger. But there was something else bubbling beneath the surface—a strange sense of curiosity toward Jimin, a feeling she couldn’t quite shake. She didn’t trust him completely, not yet, but something told her that he wasn’t the monster the world thought him to be.

As the soldiers turned to leave, Jimin’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. There was an unreadable expression on his face.

What is he thinking? Y/N wondered. Does he see me as just another stranger, or is there something else?

Jimin turned away without a word, his cloak sweeping behind him. Y/N couldn’t help but feel the weight of his presence even as he walked away.

The days passed in a blur of confusion and uncertainty for Y/N. She spent most of her time within the cold, stone walls of the Duke's castle, still struggling to come to terms with her bizarre situation. Every room she entered felt too large, too overwhelming, like she was constantly being swallowed by the world she had somehow fallen into.

Her quarters were modest—a simple room with a small bed, a desk, and a window that overlooked the castle courtyard. The view was beautiful, but it only reminded her of how small she felt in this foreign land. She longed for the comfort of her own world, the familiarity of her family, her old life. But that seemed impossible now.

How did I even get here? she wondered again, lying back on her bed one afternoon. What do I do now?

Despite the overwhelming sense of being lost, Y/N couldn’t deny the flicker of curiosity that had slowly begun to build inside her. The Duke—Jimin—wasn't the villain she had imagined. His cold demeanor and tragic backstory were far more complicated than the book had led her to believe.

But what am I supposed to do about it? she thought, staring up at the ceiling. Am I supposed to change his fate? If I even can?

The book had never given her any clear answers about how to alter the future. But in the silence of the castle, with nothing else to do but think, she had convinced herself that she had to try. She couldn’t let the tragic ending the story promised unfold. Not if she could do something about it.

A knock at her door broke her train of thought, and Y/N quickly sat up, wiping a hand over her face.

“Come in,” she called, bracing herself.

The door opened, and one of the soldiers from earlier stepped inside. “Lady Y/N,” he greeted her, his voice formal but not unkind. “The Duke requests your presence in the main hall.”

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat. Jimin? Why?

She stood quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to compose herself. “The Duke wishes to see me?”

The soldier nodded. “Indeed, my lady. Please, follow me.”

As she followed him through the winding corridors, her nerves started to tighten. The castle had a way of making her feel small, insignificant. The walls seemed to close in on her with every step she took toward the Duke. She had no idea what Jimin wanted, but she couldn’t deny the growing sense of tension in the air whenever they interacted.

Finally, they arrived at the main hall, the massive doors looming before her. The soldier knocked, and after a brief moment, Jimin's voice came from the other side.

“Enter.”

The doors creaked open, and Y/N stepped inside, immediately noticing Jimin standing near a grand fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back. His back was straight, posture perfect, but she could sense the subtle shift in his presence, the way he seemed to be waiting for her.

“Lady Y/N,” he greeted her without turning, his voice as smooth and rich as ever. “I trust you’ve been settling in.”

Y/N nodded, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. “Yes, my lord. It’s... it’s been a lot to take in, but I’m managing.”

Jimin turned to face her then, his gaze intense as it settled on her. He looked as commanding as ever, his dark cloak trailing around his shoulders like a shadow. But there was something different about his gaze today. It wasn’t the usual cold, detached look that she had grown accustomed to. No, today there was something else—something almost... curious.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, his lips quirking up slightly in what almost seemed like an attempt at a smile. It was fleeting, barely noticeable, but it made her heart flutter nonetheless.

Y/N cleared her throat, trying to steady herself. “Why did you want to see me, my lord?”

Jimin’s eyes flickered as if considering his words. Then, he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “I’ve been thinking.”

Y/N’s breath caught, and she quickly reminded herself to stay calm. Why would he be thinking about me?

“I’ve allowed you to stay here, but I’m curious,” Jimin continued, his voice low and filled with an edge of amusement. “You claim to be from another world, but I can’t help but wonder... why you came here.”

Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the question. Why did I come here? It wasn’t as if she had planned any of this. But she knew she couldn’t tell him the truth. Not yet.

“I told you already,” she said carefully, her voice steady despite the pounding in her chest. “I don’t know how I ended up here. I—I wasn’t planning to be here. I didn’t choose it.”

Jimin watched her, his eyes narrowing slightly as if searching for a hint of dishonesty. “Hmm. I see.” He seemed to consider her words for a moment before taking a few steps toward her. “Tell me, Lady Y/N... if you truly are from another world, what do you plan to do now?”

Y/N swallowed hard. What do I plan to do?

The truth was, she didn’t know. But she couldn’t just sit around and wait for things to play out. Not when she had the chance to change Jimin’s future.

“I... I don’t know,” she admitted quietly. “But I’m not here to cause trouble. I just want to understand what’s going on.”

Jimin’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second, his lips curling into a more genuine smile. It was rare for him, she could tell, but there was something in his eyes now that made her wonder if he wasn’t as detached as he let on.

“Understand?” he repeated, tilting his head slightly. “I’m afraid this kingdom isn’t one you can just understand, Lady Y/N.”

Y/N frowned, feeling the weight of his words. “I know. But I still want to try. I... I want to help.”

Jimin paused, studying her with a quiet intensity. He was clearly intrigued, but whether he believed her or was just playing along, Y/N couldn’t tell.

“You wish to help?” he asked slowly, his tone laced with something like amusement. “How exactly do you plan to help?”

Y/N felt her resolve strengthen. “I don’t know yet. But I’ll find a way. If I can change things, I will.”

For a long moment, Jimin said nothing, his eyes locked on hers as if weighing her every word. There was a strange, unreadable expression on his face, but for the first time since meeting him, Y/N didn’t feel like he was a mere stranger. She could feel the shift in their dynamic—a tension building between them that hadn’t been there before.

“I’ll be watching you closely, Lady Y/N,” he said softly, almost thoughtfully. “You’re far more interesting than I anticipated.”

The words sent a chill through her, but there was no denying the strange sense of anticipation building inside her. Jimin wasn’t the villain she had read about in the book. Not yet, at least. But the way he watched her now, there was something more.

Maybe he can change, too. If I can show him that there’s another way.

“Thank you, my lord,” Y/N said, bowing her head respectfully. “I won’t disappoint you.”

As she turned to leave, she felt his gaze follow her, the weight of his eyes almost tangible. She wasn’t sure what to make of the Duke anymore—his cold exterior, the flickers of something else hidden beneath. But one thing was certain: the journey she had found herself on had only just begun.