The cobblestone streets of Rome shimmered under the midday sun, a stark contrast to the chilling darkness that enveloped Cheon's soul. She was no longer Cheon, the girl who had perished in a car accident, a wish granted by a cruel fate that had finally freed her from the relentless abuse of her parents. Now, she was Rudbeckia de Borgia, a name whispered with both awe and fear throughout the Italian peninsula.

Rudbeckia, the villainess of the novel "The Death of the Villainess," a story she had devoured in her past life. A woman known for her beauty, her grace, and her ruthless ambition. A woman destined to meet a gruesome end at the hands of her own husband, Izek Van Omerta, the Duke of the North.

The irony was not lost on Cheon. She had always been drawn to stories of strong female characters, yearning for a life where she could be someone other than the victim. Yet, here she was, trapped in the body of a woman whose life was a tapestry woven with cruelty and deceit.

The Borgia family, a name synonymous with power and intrigue, had adopted her as their own. Pope Alexander VI, the head of the family, had taken her under his wing, showering her with affection and lavish gifts. Yet, the affection was a gilded cage, a facade that concealed a web of manipulation and control.

"Ruby, my dear," the Pope's voice boomed, a mixture of affection and command. "Your brother Enzo has informed me of your reluctance to accept this new proposal. I understand your apprehension, but this marriage is vital for our family's political standing."

Rudbeckia, or Ruby as she was now called, met the Pope's gaze with a forced smile. "Of course, Father. I will do as you see fit."

The truth was, she was terrified. The thought of marrying Izek Van Omerta, a man she knew only from the pages of the novel, sent shivers down her spine. She knew his reputation, a ruthless and ambitious Duke, a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

"It's not even been two months since the last marriage was broken," Enzo Borgia, her adopted brother, protested. His face was etched with concern, a rare sight in the Borgia household.

"Enzo, this is for the best," the Pope insisted. "The Duke of the North is a powerful ally. This marriage will secure our position and ensure our continued prosperity."

The Pope's words were a hollow echo in Rudbeckia's ears. She had read the novel, she knew the ending. This marriage was not a political alliance, it was a death sentence.

That night, as Rudbeckia lay in her opulent bedchamber, the weight of her fate pressed down on her. The whispers of the novel, the image of Izek, a cold, calculating man with eyes that held the glint of a predator, haunted her dreams.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, revealing the silhouette of Caesar Borgia, her other adopted brother. He was a man of immense power and ambition, a ruthless warrior who commanded respect and fear in equal measure.

"Ruby," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I know you're not happy about this marriage."

Rudbeckia forced a smile. "I'm just a bit nervous, brother. It's a big step."

Caesar's eyes, sharp and piercing, held a hint of something else. "I know you're afraid. Izek is a dangerous man, but I'm here to protect you."

"I appreciate that, brother," Rudbeckia said, her voice trembling.

Caesar stepped closer, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. "Don't worry, Ruby. I won't let anything happen to you."

His touch was cold, almost predatory. Rudbeckia felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew the truth about Caesar, the dark secrets that lurked beneath his charming facade. He was a man who played a dangerous game, a game that could easily turn deadly.

"I'm going to miss you," Caesar said, his voice a low growl. "I'm going to be lonely without you."

His words were a veiled threat, a promise of violence and control. Rudbeckia knew she was trapped in a web of deceit and danger, a web woven by the Borgias, a family that valued power above all else.

"I'll be back to visit," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Caesar's grip tightened on her cheek. "You'll be safe in the North, Ruby. I promise."

His words were a chilling reassurance, a promise that held the weight of a threat. The night before her wedding, Rudbeckia knew she was not just a pawn in a political game, but a sacrifice, a pawn in a game of life and death.

The frigid air of the North slapped Rudbeckia in the face as she stepped off the ship, a stark contrast to the sun-drenched warmth of Rome. She shivered, not just from the cold, but from the icy grip of fear that had tightened around her heart. This was it, the North, the land of her doom, the place where the original Rudbeckia had met her end.

Caesar, his face a mask of concern, had kissed her forehead in a farewell that felt more like a threat. "Be careful, Ruby," he had whispered, his voice a chilling caress. "Don't forget what I told you."

Rudbeckia had forced a smile, her heart pounding against her ribs. She knew what he meant. He had warned her about Izek, about the dangers that lurked in the North, about the price of disobedience. She was a pawn in a game of power, a sacrifice in a war she didn't understand.

The escort, a burly man with a face weathered by the harsh climate, led her through the snow-covered streets to the Duke's mansion. Every step she took sent a shiver down her spine. The North was a land of ice and snow, a place where legends whispered of monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows.

The mansion was a fortress of stone and steel, a testament to the Duke's power and wealth. It was a place of cold grandeur, a stark contrast to the warmth of the Borgia palace. Rudbeckia felt a chill run down her spine as she stepped inside, the air thick with the scent of pine and the faintest hint of something else, something dangerous.

The escort led her to her room, a spacious chamber with a fireplace that roared with a comforting warmth. Rudbeckia sank into a plush armchair, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She was finally safe, at least for now.

The days that followed were a blur of introductions and social obligations. Rudbeckia met Izek's sister, Aleanor, a woman of icy beauty and sharp intelligence. Aleanor was a formidable presence, her eyes holding a glint of steel that made Rudbeckia's heart skip a beat. She remembered the novel, how the original Rudbeckia had driven Aleanor to despair, ultimately leading to her death. A shiver of fear ran down her spine. She had to be careful, she had to win Aleanor's trust.

She also met Freya Furiana, the heroine of the novel, a woman of fiery spirit and unwavering determination. Freya was a force of nature, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. Rudbeckia knew that Freya was the key to her survival. She had to win Freya's favor, to make her an ally, to ensure that she didn't become the villain of this story.

The months that followed were a whirlwind of social engagements and political maneuvering. Rudbeckia played her role flawlessly, the perfect wife, the dutiful daughter-in-law. She learned to navigate the icy waters of the North, to charm the powerful and to disarm the wary. She softened Izek's heart, a feat that the original Rudbeckia had never achieved. She forged a bond with Aleanor, a bond that was both fragile and strong. She became Freya's confidante, her friend.

Rudbeckia believed she had finally found her place, a place where she could be someone other than the victim, a place where she could control her own destiny. But then, the unthinkable happened.

At a tea party she had hosted, Freya collapsed, her face contorted in pain. The poison, a slow-acting toxin, had been slipped into her tea. Freya, her voice weak and trembling, accused Rudbeckia, claiming that she had been the one who had poisoned her.

Rudbeckia stared at Freya, her mind reeling. She had never touched the tea, she had never even considered harming Freya. She had been so careful, so meticulous, so determined to change the course of the story. But now, she was trapped in a web of deceit, a web woven by someone who had mastered the art of manipulation.

The truth was, Rudbeckia had never truly escaped the shadow of the Borgias. She had traded one cage for another, one web of control for another. And now, she was facing the ultimate betrayal, a betrayal that threatened to unravel everything she had worked so hard to achieve.

The poison had been a carefully crafted trap, a trap designed to destroy her, to paint her as the villain of this story. And the one who had set the trap was someone she thought she could trust, someone she had believed was her friend.

The icy grip of fear tightened around Rudbeckia's heart. She was trapped in a game of power, a game where the stakes were life and death. And this time, she was not sure she could win.