Chapter 1

PROLOGUE

Everything was perfect. I didn't mind that the one-bedroom basement apartment was only the size of a bathroom in my previous home. And the fact I would have to get a job to support myself sometime soon was also not an issue. Everything was perfect because I had finally escaped from that h*llish house I used to call "home." I had finally gained my freedom. I could've been perfectly happy for the rest of my life with just that alone. But it wouldn't last.

"I'm pretty sure I told you to live quietly, like a mouse, without making any fuss; so quiet not even your breathing could be heard," he spoke. His glare, filled with hatred, was focused on me as if he was looking at some hideous bug. I kept my head down.

"They say you made a scene and acted like a mad dog at the banquet celebrating the crown prince's return." The icy, deadly glare that promised v*olence and death was familiar to me. It was the kind of gaze I often received at that house. Even though it was familiar to me, that didn't mean I was comfortable experiencing it again.

"What were you thinking?" The man continued. His aura was so oppressive I could barely breathe. My lips trembled from fear. It was then, in that moment, a white text box appeared in front of me. I could see the words as they were written line by line.

How do I know?

I didn't have a purpose.

(With a pitiful tone of voice) Well... Um, that's...

What is this... a dream? I thought. I nearly voiced the words out loud but could not. I can't speak. It was as if something was stuck in my throat. I couldn't let out a sound!

"You had better speak." The man in front of me threatened as I stood there in silence. His deadly aura was so strong I could feel it on my skin.

Where am I? Who is this person? I just woke up after falling asleep! I don't know what this is, but if I don't choose an answer I might die! Without much consideration I selected option number 3 in the white box.

"Well... Um, that's..." The same words from the box left my lips automatically; I had no control over my own voice.

What the? What's this?! I thought. My jaw dropped, baffled at my own actions and words. I couldn't wrap my mind around the current situation. I was in an unfamiliar place when I woke, and found myself face to face with this stranger who held a deadly intent. I couldn't think of a single explanation.

"Well um that's... what's next?" He demanded with a terrifying look. He didn't seem to like my incomplete answer. As if on cue new sentences appeared in the box.

I'm sorry. I'll act appropriately next time.

A st*pid maid was the one to start all this fuss.

Those lesser beings treated me lowly. Me, who is the only daughter of Eckart!

There was no time to idle and contemplate what was going on right now. I quickly picked the best. answer I could considering the mood.

"I'm sor-" He interrupted before I could finish.

"If this was something that could end with a simple apology, we wouldn't be standing here in front of each other right now." My heart dropped hearing his piercing tone; I curled my body instinctively, keeping my head low.

"Penelope Eckart," He continued in an icy tone.

Penelope Eckart? The name seemed familiar somehow.

"As punishment, we'll withdraw our name, 'Eckart', from you for some time."

That line and the name were very familiar. With a start I raised my head. I could see the face of the man before me clearly, now. The man who stood some distance away from the bed was not one of those people from that house, as expected, but a foreigner I've never seen before. He had ocean blue eyes with hair as black as obsidian. Above him was a long bar that resembled a phone's battery bar with a white word that sparkled inside of it - Favorability.

"From this moment onwards I place you on probation. Not only are you banned from attending banquets, but you are also banned from leaving your room. Think of what you did wrong and how you should act from now on while you repent." I could only stare up at him in silence. What I did wrong? "What are you looking at?" He said with a frown, "Why are you avoiding my eyes and looking elsewhere?" He was displeased staring at something else instead of paying attention to his words. But I did not react. I could only stare at the bar above his head.

[Favorability 0% ]

No Way... I thought. I shook my head a few times without realizing, rejecting what my eyes were showing me. It was truly unbelievable; really, truly, "The rumors of your insanity must have been true." He spat. He glared at me for a moment then abruptly turned away. He walked through the door with quick long strides as if he couldn't stomach being in the same place as me a second longer. I could only watch as [Favorability 0%] moved away from me.

What did I do wrong? I thought. Staring at the back of the retreating figure I could begin to consider

what was going on. But before I could, I felt someone else's eyes on me, with an aura that full of malice.

I turned to find another man in the room standing with arms crossed in the shadow by the door. He had

the same ocean blue eyes as the man who just left and hair pink like a delicate rose. He stood there,

smirking with contempt.

[Favorability -10%]

The words sparkled in white above the young man. It's even in the negative!

"St*pid b*tch. Serves you right." Such ugly words came from his pretty face. He left the room, following the dark haired man, slamming the door as he went.

Finally alone with time to think, my mind could only draw a blank. I was so shocked I wasn't thinking

clearly and I couldn't understand what was going on at all. After a few moments I began to come back

to my senses. This room and those two men both seemed somehow familiar.

"It's a lie, right? There's no way, though." I could finally speak freely when alone, though I didn't realize it at the time. This scene, those people -It was all identical to a scene from that game I was playing before going to bed last night. It was playing out as if it were real right in front of me! And with me as one of the characters in the game!

"I'm dreaming right now," I muttered to myself. Try as I might, I couldn't think of any other explanation for what was happening other than a dream. But no matter how much I pulled at my hair or pinched my cheeks I still couldn't wake from this dream.

"N, no... No, no! No! I say no!" Penelope Eckart.

She was the villainess of the most popular otome game for girls these days, and the heroine of the hard mode difficulty.

...—End Chapter 1—...

...PS. This Novel is not my own work...

...Credit's to 권겨을 ❤️...

...the creator of this wonderful novel...

...translator: -CatLovesTowels -Lizette...

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