The Villainess's Second Chance

The world fades into consciousness, not with the bite of a knight's sword, but the gentle touch of your maid, Veronica. The soft light filtering through the window confirms you are not on the execution platform. Instead, you are in your own opulent bedchamber in the Ophelia ducal estate, recovering from a mysterious illness. Veronica's voice, filled with relief, pulls you further into reality. You've returned to a pivotal moment from the novel—the day you were poisoned. This is your second chance.

The air in the dining room is thick with unspoken tension as you sit across from your brother, Elliote. The absence of your father, the Duke, is noted, along with Elliote's usual reserved demeanor. Later, seeking solitude in the ducal garden, a place you never appreciated as the original Eloise, you encounter a figure from the novel—Augustus Tybalt. His presence here, at this time, is a deviation from the plot you know, sparking both alarm and curiosity. The encounter is tense, the rumors about 'Eloise' preceding you, but you manage to navigate it with a composure the original Eloise lacked.

Your day continues with the arrival of your new educator, Adelaide Bouvier. Anticipating the usual fear and discomfort from those around you, you decide to change your approach. Your unexpected politeness and surprising knowledge of history and poetry quickly disarm the nervous Adelaide, hinting at the new path you intend to forge.