I stared blankly at them as I took my seat, noticing their obvious displeasure upon seeing me. But it didn't faze me. I don't give a damn about these people.

Now that I realized I've been reincarnated here and can't die because of the casualties, I planned on getting away from here and from them.

I have no intention of getting involved with them. I'll just wait until I grow old and die. I could also die from illness or an accident. Whatever.

I don't want to live in a place that would remind me of him. Of my greatest love that... fell down.

I heard a loud cough from an old man. I shifted my gaze to him, still unfazed. He stared at me intently.

“You, my ungrateful child. Thanks for making a scandal at the main palace, and now I have to deal with these issues,” he said with utmost sarcasm. I remained staring at him.

He smirked with annoyance and hissed right after. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you. You were never this silent and calm. Is this because you just discovered that your fiancé wants to break off your engagement?” he asked.

I sighed. Well, that's totally fine. It would make me happier. I still don't know who I am in this story, so I don't know how I will react.

But if what he's saying is true, it's a relief for me. I'll just live my life out here alone, until I die. No problem for me.

I still had no reaction, just staring at them. He was annoyed with me. I know. But I chose not to speak. He asked the guy beside him, who he just called, “Sean.”

“Check my daughter’s condition,” he ordered firmly. The man, who looked like a doctor, nodded before approaching me.

Sean. His name sounds familiar.

He placed his hand on my forehead. I just stared at them like nothing. Lifeless and uncaring.

Later on, he faked a scoff in his professional way as he told the old man about my condition. “The Madame is completely fine. There’s no need to worry about her physical health, but Duke Eléftheros, I suggest that we should check her... mental condition,” he almost whispered the last words.

I heard the old man's loud snort. I just stared at him as I watched him raise his brows at me with disgust. “You’re so pitiful. I told you that don’t let your love for that man, reign over you. Now, look where that got you,”

“I don’t want to have a daughter who has mental disorders. Fix yourself. Stop giving me more problems,” he said and left our table.

The doctor remained standing beside me. He hasn't said a word. I don't need his presence either. I stood up and was about to leave.

“As much as I hated you, I cannot leave you unchecked. I think this is your karma for hurting Innocence,” he said coldly. I didn't speak.

They’re just fictional characters, anyway. And as I heard him say those words, I just realized something about him.

So, he is Sean Riel Halves. The famous young doctor who has fallen in love with the female lead. But because he can’t have her, he ended himself hanging due to depression.

Huh. What a great way to die. If only I were in his place so I could die immediately.

I nodded at his words about my karma. I know. I think this really is my karma. Part of what he said... hurt me.

But, I shook my thoughts out. I must focus on my plan about getting away from them. So that my life here will end quietly but full of longing.

I left the place. I didn't look back at him and silently walked away. It was only a matter of time before I reached a field full of blossoming flowers.

I stopped. I was struck by the feeling of waterdrops above my head.

It was... raining. In a field full of flowers.

I was scared to admit that this scene... is familiar. So familiar that the flashed memories in my mind started to play like a recorded tape in a loop.

“Please take care of yourself,” Mikael said as he handed me his umbrella. I was fazed by the moment. I was dancing in the garden full of flowers under the rain. He saw me.

But, I fell in love at first sight. He was the same. We clicked. We fell in love with each other. We included ourselves in our future and plans.

“What is that?” I asked him. He chuckled a little. He turned to me before placing the book on the small table. “It might cringe you that your boyfriend is a fan of fantasy romance novels,” he laughed.

I immediately shook my head. I'm a fan of it too! “No, Mikael! I find it cute!” I said immediately. He nodded before kissing my forehead. “I’m a writer. I wrote a story with my favorite genre and it was inspired by you,” he said sweetly.

I was happy about it because I found it romantic. Imagine. A man putting you as the subject of his story. It's cute! So, when he published his work, I was the first one who read it.

I was the first to read it. I was the first to enjoy it, and I was the first to be his supporter.

His story became my favorite. I read it countless times.

Eventually, he proposed to me. We planned on marrying each other. I was at my happiest moment.

But then, things really must have to go on their own ways.

Because the day our wedding was supposed to be held, he... died. On the very day we were supposed to get married. It was a tragedy for me. I couldn't eat or sleep properly because I couldn't accept it.

I only lived right after because I was seeking my end. Two years later, I was shot dead in an ambush. I thought it was over.

But, no. I woke up in this place that would remind me greatly of him. The place where he built his imagination because of me.

I wobbled. I sat down in the mud and fell onto the cold ground.

I still don't know who I am here. But as soon as a man covered in black clothes approached me with an umbrella in his hands... I think I just got the answer.

Deja vú.

Halaya Xye Riguel was reincarnated as Malaya Eléftheros.

I am the... villainess.

Warm tears streamed down my cheeks. I didn't want to cry, but the man in front of me was telling me I should, on behalf of his silence.

I was still sitting in the mud, but my gaze was fixed on him. His face showed nothing but pure seriousness. He looked like... Mikael.

Not really. But he had my man's resemblance. The only difference was that he possessed a defined beauty.

I heard him sigh as he shifted to look at me. He eyed me blankly. He offered me his umbrella. He was holding it, and now he was drenched in the rain too.

I bowed my head. He's not my Mikael. I should remind myself of this. I can't lose my mind just because of my feelings.

I heard someone shout from behind us. A maid was calling out my name, obviously looking for me. I shook my head. The man noticed it. He lowered the umbrella over me, knowing I didn't want to show myself to others.

I smiled humorlessly. What was he doing? “You should get yourself under that thing,” I said, pointing to the umbrella he was holding. He didn't say anything. “You shouldn't care about me. Please, don't think I'm just a crazy woman crying over her lost love,” I added.

He remained staring at me seriously. He looked at me intensely as he said, “My chosen Muryō is not crazy. If you’re crying because you feel lost, then please consider my words. You did not lose them. They’re the ones who lost you,” he said coldly.

“The Crown Prince had just lost the greatest Crown Princess, he could ever have,”

I froze. It was a matter of the moment when I realized what he had just said. So, he thinks I'm grieving because of that? Because of the Crown Prince?

Well, I'm Malaya Eléftheros now. Everyone thinks I'm breaking down because of the Crown Prince, when in fact right now, I don't really care.

I've read this multiple times. This panel. I've read it countless times because it's the part I wanted. I'm not the woman who would simp for the main leads. Mikael knew that. He knew I had a crazy admiration for the villains. That's why Malaya's thoughts also had their own page.

So, right now, this man in front of me is not directly related to Malaya. I don't know who he is. But he told me I'm his chosen Muryō. It's familiar. But I didn't read it in this part.

Has the sequence of the story changed?

I wept my tears away. I looked at him seriously too. It was still raining. But somehow, I saw amusement flicker in his eyes. I asked him.

“Please let me know who you are. I’m... ” I paused. I stared at him resolutely. “ ...I’m Malaya Eléftheros. The daughter of Duke Eléftheros. I, on behalf of my father, hereby order you to reveal your identity to me,” I told him.

It's a bit informal. Especially since I was still sitting in the mud. He just looked at me like it was nothing. He looked like he expected my outburst.

I slowly stood up and brushed my hair with my own hands. He did the same. He was still holding the umbrella above my head. I was about to speak again but he beat me to it.

“I have marked you, my chosen Muryō. We will meet at another time. It's a shame but I do not yet have a name. So, please think of one for me... Master,” he whispered.

I remained staring at him. I was reminiscing about the greatest things I must remember about Malaya. And when he called me his Master, I just came to that point.

Everyone hates me here. No one likes me. They all think I'm the embodiment of destruction. But... Malaya had one loyal knight who stayed by her side until the end. Even after her death.

Is it him? Surely, I think he is.

“Madame Eléftheros!” The woman who had been searching for me shouted again. I turned to look in her direction and saw her running towards me with a white blanket.

I looked back to where the man had been standing, but he was gone. Now I was holding the... umbrella. I pursed my lips when I remembered... Mikael.

It was like this. Mikael handed me his umbrella so that he could meet me at another time. The guy told me that we would meet each other again. It exhausts me to think that they both have a resemblance to each other.

“Oh my, Madame! You're soaking wet in the rain!” the woman said worriedly. I nodded my head and wrapped the blanket around myself. I immediately felt the warmth that enveloped me.

She escorted me to my room. She left after I told her to get me some food.

While I was looking at myself in the mirror, I felt nothing but intense... hatred.

Watching my reflection as I trimmed my long ginger-colored hair, I felt nothing but satisfaction.

Now that I have the futile role in this story, I don't think running away would be easy. My role here is the root of all the negative deeds. Destruction, jealousy, envy, and... killing intent.

In all the things I will do, there is only one who remained by my side. It was Malaya's loyal knight who had fallen in love with her and was destined to die for his Madame.

But, I don't want that. I will run away after I successfully pull myself out from everyone. I don't want to involve other people.

That way, I could live alone and wait until I die. I will forget Mikael. And after my very dead end, I will see him in the place they called paradise in the afterlife.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock. I watched the gorgeous Malaya with her short hair and smiled. She looked innocent and pure. Like she wasn't the mastermind behind everything.

“Madame, here is— ” I heard the maid gasp. After that, she started to become hysterical.

“Madame Eléftheros! What did you do?! Oh my!” She approached me with trembling hands. She touched the trimmed hair as her lips shook with fear.

I turned away from her. I saw her glance at the discarded hair and I saw her repeatedly gulp.

Well, I know the reason.

Duke Eléftheros loves his daughter's hair because it is the only remnant of his deceased wife. He strictly told anyone, especially his daughter, to take care of the hair so much. He wanted it long to the extent that Malaya let it grow until it reached her knees.

But, because I am Malaya now, I will have my way. I will make them hate me so much that they will disown me and then, I will escape. That's it.

Matter of time, I heard heavy footsteps coming from outside. Soon, I heard the voice I had been waiting for.

Duke Eléftheros' voice thundered inside the room as he approached me with eyes drowning in wrath.

“Malaya! Have you really gone crazy? What did you do?!”

I was unbothered. Duke Eléftheros lost his composure as he kneeled down to gather the trimmed hair. There were people outside. I don't know who they are. Sean, the doctor, was also looking at me.

A few gasped upon seeing my short hair. I watched the people outside as my father started bombarding me with questions.

“Are you out of your mind?! What’s wrong with you, Malaya? Are you seeking attention, again?!” he said angrily. I sighed as I roamed my eyes at the people outside.

The noble ladies were here. Smirking and clearly having fun in my situation.

I sighed. What? Attention? I don't care about that. Let them have it.

I don't want them to ask and bother me by my sudden disappearance. I want them to be the reason why I leave. I don't want them to be shocked by my sudden departure.

I heaved a sigh. Even though some nobles were here, I don't give a damn. Let them think that Malaya doesn't want to please them anymore.

“I trimmed my hair because it's too long, Duke Eléftheros.” I said nonchalantly. He froze and turned to me angrily. It seemed like my answer had struck a nerve.

“What?!— For that reason why you did that? It’s your mother’s hair, Malaya!” he yelled. I remained serious. Oh. He's asking me if I'm crazy when obviously, he's the one who's out of his mind. Why doesn't he let his wife rest in peace?

Sean calmed him down. The doctor stole a glance from me as he made my father relax. “Please do understand Duke Eléftheros that your daughter is suffering from depression. As we observed, it has been two weeks since she has been like this,” he said.

“It's not an enough reason to do this, Sean! She was always obedient! Now that her fiancé wants to end their engagement, she is acting like this! Do you think I don't know she's just doing this to keep their wedding going?” he exclaimed.

I looked at them all listlessly. Really? He thinks I'm that kind of hurt to do that? Can't I just not like the hair for a reason I want to forget?

Mikael is the reason why I cut Malaya's hair. I don't want to be here, and to stop myself from thinking about him... I should cut the memories that bound me to him.

I cleared my throat.

An old man, invalidating his daughter's feelings to prove his unworthy opinions. A doctor told everyone about my condition so that my name would be tainted. So unprofessional. And then, the noble ladies who wanted to bring me... down.

Malaya. Poor you. Everyone here is against you. Mikael really had made you feel unloved and unworthy. What a nice reason to seek... vengeance.

Let's run away together, while they're suffering from their own intense guilt and karma. No matter how badly written you are for their happy endings, they don't have the right to treat you like this.

Without you, without me rather. They can't live happily ever after.

“Duke Eléftheros,” I said tersely. They all looked at me with a curious expression. This was the second time I hadn't called him "father." “I want to be alone. Please, make your way out.” I pointed to the door.

I heard their sympathetic gasps when they heard me. But still, they all bowed their heads as if my gaze was setting them on fire.

He hissed angrily. “I don't know what to do with you anymore, Malaya! You will be grounded here for a month. I will not listen to your explanations regarding this. You've gone too far,” he said.

I nodded and pointed to the door again. I looked at them without any reaction.

I looked at each of them, and my gaze lingered on Sean. He was eyeing me coldly, but his stares weren't even enough to send shivers down my spine.

I spoke. “Yeah. You can do things as you please. And, regarding what you have told me about the broken engagement... ” I trailed off. I stared intently at the old man.

“I don't care about that. Or the Crown Prince. So please, don't brag about that thing in front of me. It's unpleasant to hear.” I said seriously.

I heard the Duke's fake scoff. He immediately retorted. “Stop pretending. Everyone knows how crazy obsessed you are with the Crown Prince. Your words aren't enough to fool us. It can't deceive everyone.”

I sighed. Ah. This is a big problem.

Malaya used to follow that guy and make cat fights with everyone who made a move on her fiancé. If I say I don't care about that guy, I know it'll be hard to believe.

Ah. I'm already lazy, and I have so much more to do. Can't I just escape here peacefully?

They all left silently one by one. Before I could close the door, Sean's gaze was directly pointed at me. I scoffed at him. He sighed and followed the others out.

I heard him explain why I was acting that way. I don't care. I don't need to clear my name.

I fixed myself and looked down. The ladies were now preparing to leave. I heard that they were here to see how I was doing. Duke Eléftheros thanked them for their concerns.

I adjusted the hood I had taken from the bed. If only he knew that those b-tches were just wanting to break me down, I don't know how he would react.

Even though he doesn't like me as his daughter, he still cares about his reputation. It's also the reason why he let his daughter fall hopelessly for the Prince, because Duke Eléftheros wanted more power.

I escaped from the House of the Eléftheros by jumping out the window. I landed safely even though my room was on the second floor.

I checked the black mark on my right wrist. It was a black tattoo. A symbol of a... bird was etched there.

The creature was all black and looked like a phoenix.

I remembered the man who handed me his umbrella. I was determined to find him. I want to know... him.

Maybe he can help me.

I also have the confidence that... he was the only one who stayed with me until the end. I need to find him. Before the sun rises, I should be able to find him.

To ask for his help, and to ask him about the... mark.