Synopsis

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.

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