Episode 1: Prologue

“Bravo!”

As the performance ended, I screamed like a lunatic.

Startled by the cheers, the ladies nearby covered their mouths with fans and stepped back—but who cares?

I’m destined to die in fifteen days anyway.

“Come on now, let’s not be so uptight. Let’s just enjoy ourselves. Another round here!”

Everyone seemed to know who I was, and I considered taking off my mask—but held back.

I quite liked the mask adorned with finch tail feathers.

My name is Liberata Bernadette.

Daughter of the Marquis Bernadette, freshly twenty years old.

With rich, well-curled brown hair and flawless skin, my beauty was undeniable—but truthfully, I’m the story’s infamous villainess.

Well, not really a villainess.

I was just reading the novel The Tumultuous Life of Léonie and fell asleep. I’d stayed up late, thoroughly absorbed. The plot was intriguing, the male lead was quite dashing—

I read right up to the part where the villainess dies and thought, “Ha, serves her right!”

Then I opened my eyes… only to find myself inside the novel.

At first, I had a faint hope that the plot might stray from the original.

Maybe the amazing side characters would all fall for me, or the cold-hearted male lead would become obsessed with me.

But nope—just like the original story, I was merely a wretched villainess.

A side character who commits countless wrongs and is eventually executed.

Yeah, those romantic twists I briefly hoped for? They never happened.

Anyway, I became that damned villainess.

Before I could even grasp the absurdity of it all, the story steamrolled forward.

And before I had the chance to do anything, I was buried in misunderstandings and accusations, then executed on Saint Obenri’s Day.

To be honest, right before dying, I was terrified. But part of me was relieved—finally, the story was ending.

I figured once I closed my eyes, I’d go back to my world.

It was a short and infuriating experience, and I swore never to glance at a book again—feeling oddly satisfied as I died.

But then—surprise! I woke up still inside The Tumultuous Life of Léonie.

That marked the 19th time I’d died. Today is the 20th return.

Each time, I came back to the same day—the day Léonie meets the male lead.

Probably because it’s an important turning point for the heroine. Every time, I’d wake up at the masquerade ball held at the Grand Duke’s mansion.

“Ribe, stop drinking now.”

The kind woman who took my glass is none other than the protagonist, Léonie Almaz.

Sweet, lovely, and adored by everyone.

“Ah, just one more drink. Please!”

“Oh, come on. You’ve had plenty already.”

I’m the one who’s supposed to torment this kind and innocent girl.

In the story, Liberata and Léonie were childhood friends.

But as they grew older, Liberata grew envious and resentful of Léonie.

Eventually, she becomes so spiteful that she even locks up Léonie’s cat, causing its death, all out of a grudge after her chatty fiancé proposes to Léonie.

Ugh. I can’t even kill a bug, let alone a cat.

At first, I tried to stay quiet in the mansion, thinking I could just lay low.

But false accusations piled up anyway… and I died.

Trying to create an alibi, I hosted a tea party with friends—but someone poisoned the tea, killing everyone.

God, that one really wasn’t my fault.

But the result? Execution, of course.

Once again, I became infamous and was executed on Saint Obenri’s festival finale.

After repeating this cycle nineteen times, I finally accepted that no matter what I do, I’m fated to die.

I couldn’t even live a quiet, peaceful life inside the novel. And the hope of returning to reality after reaching the end? Crushed.

Only one path remained before me.

To live out this fifteen-day loop like a hamster on a wheel.

So what now?

I’m just going to live recklessly.

If I’m going to die in fifteen days, then screw it all.

Oh, is the novel trying to force me into this villain role on purpose?

“Ribe, I’m heading out now. Do you want to share a carriage?”

Léonie will leave the ballroom soon, followed by the male lead.

What they do afterward? Who knows.

Play patty-cake or fall in love or whatever.

After that, I’ll meet the man I’m supposed to be engaged to.

But that idiot goes and proposes to Léonie, and everything spirals.

Ugh, whatever. I don’t care who he proposes to. I’m not killing a cat or marrying anyone!

All I want is one thing:

To get out of this damn novel.

But I still haven’t figured out how to do that.

Nothing I do seems to change anything, so now I’m just in a “whatever happens, happens” phase.

I was pounding drinks when—

“Oh! I’m so sorry.”

I stumbled and bumped into a woman standing behind me.

“Watch where you’re going!”

“I’m sorry, truly sorry.”

As I bowed my head, the red-haired woman scoffed and walked away.

“Ribe, are you okay?”

“Mmhm.”

“Let’s go. I’m about to leave too.”

“No. I want to stay and party a bit more. I’ll head back later.”

As I guzzled champagne, Léonie looked at me with concerned eyes.

“Ribe, are you really okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

After sending the worried Léonie off, I truly let loose.

They say ghosts who die partying look prettier, right?

I mixed every cocktail I could find, downed them all, danced a wild tap dance, hiking up my dress for freedom.

Just as I began to feel tired and headed for a quiet corner, the ground seemed to rise to meet me.

“Whoa!”

I thought I could steady myself, but apparently, I’d had too much.

Ah, if I collapse here, I’ll totally ruin my villainess reputation.

Just as I was about to crash to the floor, someone caught me.

Startled by the touch on my back and shoulder, I tried to pull away, but my limbs wouldn’t cooperate.

“I’m sor—…”

I couldn’t see his face clearly because of his mask.

In fact, everything was starting to blur. Was it just my imagination?

Still, I managed to straighten myself and move away from his arms.

My face was burning, likely from the lingering warmth of his touch.

I nearly ripped off my mask and fanned myself like a drama queen.

As I staggered forward, my shoe betrayed me.

Just as I was about to fall again, the man caught my wrist.

“You seem quite drunk, milady.”

“I’m fine.”

I brushed off his hand and took a step forward.

Then something went thud—I think.

Unfortunately, that’s where my memory ends.