The Cursed Villainess and the Tyrant Duke Episode 1: The Villainess Awakens

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A grand bedroom adorned with dark velvet curtains, golden chandeliers, and an enormous canopy bed. The air is thick with the scent of roses, and the soft crackling of a fireplace fills the silence.

Evelina Everhart

(groggily) Ugh… my back… Did I fall asleep on my desk again?

She stirs, expecting to see the plain ceiling of her tiny apartment. Instead, her blue eyes land on the intricate golden carvings above her. The sheer opulence of the room stiffens her posture.

Evelina Everhart

*in mind*Okay… stay calm. This is probably just a dream. A very realistic dream…

A sudden gasp shatters the silence. A young maid with chestnut brown hair and wide green eyes rushes forward, gripping Evelina’s hand tightly.

Anna

(teary-eyed) "My lady! You’re awake!"

Evelina Everhart

(blinking) … Who are you?

The maid freezes. Her face turns deathly pale.

Anna

(stammering) M-My lady…? It’s me, Anna! Have you forgotten? You hit your head during yesterday’s—(pauses, looking nervous) incident…

Evelina Everhart

(frowning) What incident?

Before Anna can respond, Evelina shifts slightly in bed—and that’s when she sees them.

Her hands. Golden sand. Delicate. Definitely not hers.

Intricate rings gleam on her fingers, her nails perfectly manicured.

Evelina Everhart

*in mind*Okay. This… this is NOT my body.

Heart pounding, she glances at a massive, gilded mirror across the room. The reflection staring back at her is stunning—long, jet-black hair cascading over silk sheets, striking blue eyes like fractured ice, and a face so flawless it looks almost unreal.

Evelina Everhart

(whispering) No way…

Her mind scrambles for an explanation. Then—

It clicks.

Evelina Everhart

*in mind*This… this is just like those transmigration novels! I must have died and reincarnated into some fantasy world!

A strange mix of panic and excitement surges through her. But before she can process it, she turns to Anna with as much seriousness as she can muster.

Evelina Everhart

(clears throat) Anna… tell me. Who am I?

Anna flinches but quickly lowers her head.

Anna

Y-You are Lady Evelina Everhart, the only daughter of Duke Everhart… and heir to the Everhart bloodline magic.

Evelina Everhart

*in mind*Everhart… That name… Why does it sound so familiar?

A deep, sinking feeling settles in her stomach.

Anna

(hesitantly) And, um… you’re also known as… the Cursed Villainess of the Empire.

Evelina Everhart

(deadpan) …Excuse me, what?