Chapter 1

Hope’s body felt heavy, weighed down by an unfamiliar discomfort. Her head throbbed with a dull, aching pain as she slowly blinked her eyes open, her surroundings foreign and strange. A young girl hovered by her side, her expression filled with worry.

"Miss, you're awake!" the girl exclaimed, her voice trembling. "Someone, please fetch the physician!"

Hope tried to sit up, but her body protested with sharp aches. Where am I? She thought, panic tightening her chest. Who is this girl, and why is she calling me ‘Miss’? **

Her mind raced with questions, but her throat felt dry, her voice lost. The pain was overwhelming, disorienting her further.

"Miss, are you alright?" the girl asked again, her maid’s uniform clearly indicating her role, though it only deepened Hope’s confusion.

Is this a dream? Hope wondered, her thoughts spinning. Some kind of elaborate joke? **

But there was no hint of humor on the girl’s face, no sign that this was a prank. Panic surged through Hope’s veins. What’s going on? **

Without another thought, she forced herself out of bed, fighting through the pain. Her legs wobbled beneath her, but she stumbled forward, determined to escape. She pushed open the door and found herself in a grand hallway. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, the floor lined with polished marble. Everything around her looked opulent, regal—and none of it made sense.

*This can’t be real…* she grasped at the remnants of her memory. She had been with friends at the market, crossing the street. A car. Yes, a car had hit me… After that, everything blurred into darkness. **

“What happened to me?” she murmured, wandering aimlessly down the hallway. Eventually, she came across a massive, ornate mirror and froze. Her breath hitched as she took in the reflection.

It wasn’t her.

The woman staring back at her had long, glossy black hair that tumbled past her shoulders, framing a face with striking blue eyes. The unfamiliar yet beautiful face confirmed her worst fear. *This isn’t my body…*

Her heart pounded in her chest. Who is this woman? Hope thought wildly. What happened to the real owner of this body?

Steeling herself, Hope turned back to the room, her mind buzzing with unanswered questions. She had to figure this out. When she re-entered, the maid stood there, visibly startled.

“Miss, I didn’t mean to upset you! I’m so sorry if I did something wrong,” the girl stammered, her face pale with worry.

Hope swallowed her confusion, trying to appear calm. "No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just… I’m having trouble remembering things. Can you remind me—who are you?"

The maid’s eyes filled with tears. "Miss… I’m Shiri, your personal maid. You fell ill suddenly two days ago, and you’ve been unconscious ever since." Her voice cracked as she added, “Now you don’t even remember me?”

Hope’s mind raced. *So\, this body has been unconscious for days…* She took a deep breath, trying to think clearly.

“Shiri, I need you to help me,” Hope said, her voice firm but gentle. “I need you to tell me everything—everything you know about me.”

Shiri hesitated for a moment before nodding. “You are Miss Evelina Greystone, the eldest daughter of Duke Greystone. After the duchess passed away when you were young, you’ve had a difficult relationship with your family…”

Hope’s heart sank. *I’ve taken over the body of a Duke’s daughter…* The weight of the situation was beginning to settle in. She had read stories like this, but living it was something entirely different.

“Shiri,” she said quietly, “for now, I need you to keep this between us. Don’t tell anyone about… my condition.”

Shiri sniffled but nodded resolutely. “You can trust me, Miss. I won’t say a word.”

Before Hope could ask any more questions, a man entered the room—a physician, judging by the medical bag slung over his shoulder.

“How are you feeling, Miss?” he asked, examining her with practiced hands. “You’ve just recovered from an unknown illness. It was quite alarming—symptoms I’ve never seen before.”

“I see,” Hope replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

“I’ve prescribed some medicine to aid your recovery,” the physician continued. “Make sure to take it regularly and rest as much as possible.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, her thoughts distant.

Once the physician had left, Hope turned to Shiri. “I need to be alone for a while. Don’t let anyone disturb me.”

Shiri looked hesitant but nodded. “Of course, Miss.”

As the door closed behind her, Hope collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ornate ceiling. How long am I going to be stuck here?

Her thoughts drifted to the name Greystone. Evelina Greystone… Where have I heard that name before? **

Suddenly, it clicked. Lovely Lady Selene!  The fantasy romance novel she had once read. The villainess of that story was none other than Evelina Greystone, the elder sister of the main character, Selene Greystone.

Hope’s hands trembled as she gripped the blankets. This can’t be happening. I’ve actually transmigrated into the villainess of a novel. **

She shook her head, slapping her cheeks lightly, trying to wake herself up from what felt like an impossible dream. But no matter how hard she tried, she remained in that grand, foreign room, in a body that wasn’t hers.

“There’s no doubt about it,” Hope whispered to herself, her voice shaky. “I’ve become Evelina Greystone…”

Exhausted by the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, Hope couldn’t fight the drowsiness that tugged at her. Despite her best efforts to stay awake, her body finally gave in, and she fell into a restless sleep.

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