Chapter 1 A Trip Down Memory Lane

    At the moment, Lucy felt as if she was watching an old movie about the life of a woman who seemed very familiar, yet she was sure she had never met her. This woman had an ordinary face, a challenging life, orphaned from birth and forced to fend for herself through work and education, her days filled with nothing but labor and study, a life utterly devoid of excitement.

    Lucy shook her head in boredom, longing to escape this place! She yearned to meet the Student Council President, the Crown Prince, and all the popular boys awaiting her. Just as she was about to scream out of frustration, as was her habit when things didn't go her way, she noticed the woman holding a CD, featuring a promotional short film starring all the popular boys Lucy always chased after, hoping to win their affection.

    The longer Lucy stayed, the paler she became, her slender hands trembling as they touched her face. Oh no, am I the villainess in an Otome game? The realization seemed more furious for her. Why can't someone as beautiful as her be the heroine!! No wonder I never succeeded in my pursuits of those boys; it was because she was destined to be perpetually unlucky in love! Why did it have to be Angela who got to be the heroine? She seethed with jealousy towards Angela, the designated heroine, vowing to make her pay if she ever got another chance.

    "Ridiculous! Born beautiful and rich but so stupid. Chasing after men in such a foolish manner, it's fitting she ends up pitiable. If I were her, I wouldn't end up like that idiot," Lucy thought bitterly as if a dagger struck her heart. That plain-faced woman was so cruel, insulting her without mercy. Suddenly, the woman in front of her turned to look directly at her.

    "Ca…can you see me?" Lucy asked in surprise.

    ‘You are me, and I am you.’

    "What does that mean?" Lucy remained confused.

    ‘I'm your past life, the memories that lingered with your soul. You were lucky enough to hit your head hard enough to enter this spiritual realm. Now, before time runs out, I want to impart some skills and traits to you so you can change for the better.’

    "No need," Lucy retorted haughtily, only to be kicked to the ground.

    ‘Perhaps I was too intelligent in my past life, which is why you ended up so foolish in this one. Listen, the man you wish to marry will kill you. Open your eyes,’ the woman pushed Lucy towards a computer. Lucy screamed as she saw images of herself dying in various tragic ways, some showing her disabled and begging.

    "I don't want this, wahhhh. I'd rather die than live disabled!" Lucy wailed childishly. The woman from her past life rolled her eyes in exasperation, then forced Lucy to look up and headbutted her gently. A soft golden glow transferred memories to Lucy, luckily her empty head made it easy to absorb new knowledge.

    As Lucy pulled away from her forehead, she smiled slightly, and flicked Lucy's still confused head, as she was organizing her thoughts. ‘What you do next is up to you.’ Lucy gradually stopped twitching and became still, then slowly opened her eyes to reveal beautiful blue orbs and a calm, cold aura, her face no longer showing any immaturity but a noble elegance. Lucy watched as the woman slowly dissipated into smoke and merged into her body.

    In the Medical Room

    The atmosphere was charged with tension, as hot as lava. A middle-aged man in a tight black suit stepped into the medical room, his gaze fiery enough to incinerate anyone in its path. A tall figure nearly leaped to the bedside, his large hand trembling slightly as he gently stroked his daughter's head. Lucy, the beloved daughter left to him by his loved one. Despite knowing how poorly others might view Lucy's behavior, in her father's eyes, she remained his little girl, his tiny angel. Before anyone could speak, the Student Council President was floored by a punch from the Duke. The room fell even quieter, only for the Crown Prince to step forward and intercede.

    "Please, Duke Gracius, temper your anger."

    "Temper my anger? My daughter was flung down the stairs, hitting her head, by that reckless boy! And you expect me to remain calm? It's been four hours since the incident, and she hasn't woken up yet!" ‘Duke Gracius Clarence’ was not a man to be trifled with. He was crucial to the kingdom and held in high esteem by the king himself. His numerous contributions to the country and his major role in both the import and export business granted him immense power, both domestically and internationally. No one dared cross him. Perhaps it was Luciana’s erratic and spoiled behavior that irritated many, but her father’s influence always shielded her. However, her concession around handsome men made them forget the true extent of her power.

    "It was an accident, sir. Nobody wanted it to happen," the Duke glanced at the Crown Prince with a look as sharp as a tiger eyeing its lion cub.

    "Whatever your highness says. But if my daughter suffers any harm, someone will have to take responsibility for it."

    "I am willing to take responsibility if Luciana is harmed."

    "How dare you address my daughter so informally, Hah! Even Earls are obliged to refer to her as Lady Luciana, and here you are, an ordinary boy, daring to be so familiar with her," the Duke's scathing tone made the President gulp.

    The tension in the room escalated. Duke Gracius sat vigil by his daughter's side, while the President stood up, guilt apparent in his eyes as he looked at the slender figure on the bed. Suddenly, to everyone's shock, Lucy began to convulse, shaking violently. Duke Gracius's heart stopped as he called out to his daughter incessantly. After about half a minute, Lucy ceased trembling and lay still again.

    "What on earth is happening? It's just a fall down the stairs!" Duke Gracius turned to scold the visibly shaken and pale-faced doctor.

    "Uh, well, it might be due to the severe head impact," hearing this, Duke Gracius turned his icy gaze towards the President. However, before anything else could happen, Lucy slowly opened her eyes.

    "Lucy, where does it hurt, darling? Do you have a headache?" Duke Gracius asked with concern, helping Lucy to sit up. Lucy closed her eyes before shaking her head slightly, feeling a minor pain at the wound on her head but nothing too severe.

    "It's nothing, father," Lucy spoke in a hoarse voice before taking a sip of water that Duke Gracius offered her.

    "We'll go back to the mansion, and I'll call our family doctor to take a look. The doctors here are incompetent!" Lucy shook her head, her beautiful face remained impassive, almost cold.

    "Let's just go home, father. I'm tired," Duke Gracius who always spoiled his beloved daughter helped Lucy down from the bed. Lucy walked past the Crown Prince as if he were air, even though she normally would have fawned over him. But then, she stopped where the President stood, turning to face him.

    "I'm sorry," the President said sincerely.

    "No need to apologize. Getting my head knocked like that was actually good. It cleared my senses," she smirked slightly and then walked out of the room, leaving everyone inside looking at her in a mix of astonishment and shock.