UDBUL CH 01

CH 01

Who in their right mind would act like the world was ending just because they started liking someone?
Even Riana knew it was crazy to think, “Rather than keep crushing on someone, I’ll drink a magic potion and fall for someone else.”

“Still…”

In front of her was a small bottle—a “love potion” that made you fall for the first person you saw after drinking it.

“I’m going to drink it.”

No answer came back. Of course, the one she was talking to was a park statue.

Still, under the moonlight, sitting cross‑legged on the grass, Riana kept speaking.

“I swore I’d never give my heart to anyone… but I lost.”

Pop!
The cork came off. A sweet smell drifted from the bottle—like a death sentence for a loser.

She loved the duke. But she didn’t want to love him anymore.

Drinking this potion was the only way she could think of to end her painful one‑sided love.

“Time to love someone else.”

Without hesitation, Riana raised the bottle to her lips.

Gulp.

The sweet liquid slid down her throat.

At that moment, the clock in the park rang out—midnight.

Ding—

At the same time, someone’s shoes stepped onto the grass. Quiet, polished men’s shoes. A calm voice called:

“Riana.”

He’s here. My “someone else.”

Riana slowly turned her head.
And she saw—the man she would soon love.

***

Riana wasn’t always someone who hated crushes.
She only became that way eleven years ago, when she learned the truth about this world.

Back then, she didn’t realize she had been transported into a romance fantasy novel. She just thought she had been reborn.

“Where are you from?” a guard asked.
Ten‑year‑old Riana, with pink hair, held out an invitation.

“I’m here as the representative of the Efindor orphanage.”

The guard let her pass and whispered, “Good luck.”

Of course. A nobody like her stepping into a lord’s castle needed luck.

That was also when Riana realized this wasn’t the usual romance‑fantasy setup.
What kind of romance‑fantasy villainess starts as a poor orphan?

It wasn’t some loyal maid who taught her about this world.
It was her fellow orphans.

No glamorous noble parties for her. Her life was fighting over beds in a crowded room.
And no, she wasn’t even good at that.

Her one talent?
Her looks.

“You’re the prettiest among them. Go to the lord’s charity party and find us a sponsor,” the director had said, pushing her forward.

“Ugh… fine. He feeds and houses me, so I guess I have to.”

Grumbling, Riana walked into the party.
At first, she wasn’t expecting anything—just wanted to enjoy the fancy food.

Then she saw them.
The lord’s family at the main table.

Her mind went blank.
Even her face went pale.

The boy sitting there—around her age.
Amber eyes, cold and empty. Neatly combed silver hair.
And, under his eye, a faint cursed mark glowing strangely.

She knew instantly who he was.
The male lead from that webtoon!

‘Wait, I… I’ve transmigrated into a romance‑fantasy novel?!’

Memories rushed back.
The cursed male lead.
The kind heroine who breaks the curse.
And… the pink‑haired villainess from the orphanage—Riana.

“Wait. That’s me!”

And what happened to her in the story?
Oh, right.
The male lead gave her poison, and she died horribly.

“…”

Gulp. Her throat went dry.

The image of webtoon‑Riana coughing blood made her shiver.

‘I’ve already died once. I am NOT doing that again!’

Her decision was instant.
Run away.
Run from this land, from this story.

She had nothing to lose. No family, no friends.

She grabbed some biscuits and bread in a napkin and slipped out of the hall.

Outside, fancy carriages were parked in a row.
She scanned around, spotted a dozing coachman, and crept over.

‘Sorry, mister!’

She stole the hat from his knee, left a biscuit in payment, and darted off.

Her looks weren’t exactly the same as the villainess in the webtoon.
But looks could be changed.

She tucked her curly hair under the hat. With her shabby overalls, she now looked like a ragged little boy.

Food to last a few days. A disguise. She was ready.

Now—where to go?

‘I heard the neighboring Welsen Kingdom has good welfare.’
If she made it to their poorhouse, she could live there until she was grown.

She set her goal and scanned the carriages.
‘Which one belongs to someone from Welsen?’

She couldn’t tell just by looking. So she picked up pebbles and started tossing them.

“Ah? What was that?” one driver said—in her current country’s language.
Not that one.

She tried another.
“Ouch! Who’s there?”
Not that one either.

Another.
“Ugh, damn it!”
This one!

Quick as a fox, she snuck into the luggage compartment. Years of orphanage survival made her small and fast.

‘Phew… that was close.’

After a while, the carriage started moving.
She relaxed—until they crossed the border.

‘I should get off here…’

But carriages don’t have stop buttons.
There was only one way.

“Ahhh—!”

She jumped.

It went badly.

She tumbled hard, clutching her shoulder. Ugh, I think it’s dislocated!
Tears blurred her vision, but she managed to crawl into a corner of a busy market.

‘Damn it… couldn’t this villainess body at least be tough?’

Her vision swam, and she closed her eyes.

Then she heard the sounds of the market—
“Radishes! Fresh vegetables, only 30 krots!”
“Do you have whole‑wheat bread?”
“This way, dear customer!”

The language sounded rough, but she understood enough.

She curled up, clutching her food bundle. Her ten‑year‑old body was so weak. Sleep dragged her under.

Right before she lost consciousness, she heard a soft young voice:
“Are you okay? Oh no… Dad, let’s take this child home!”

Through half‑closed eyes, she saw a girl’s figure.
And passed out.

***

When she woke, she was no longer on the ground.
Her back rested on a soft bed.

Just like in those novels—an unfamiliar, fancy ceiling greeted her.

“You’re awake?”

It was that gentle voice.
She turned her head and saw a pretty girl around her age, dressed like a doll.

“You collapsed, so we brought you to our mansion. You’re all healed now!”

Riana tested her arm—it was fine. Someone had treated her.
The girl kept chattering, and Riana just nodded.

Then, suddenly—

“I like you!”

Riana’s eyes went wide. What? What did I do?

The girl’s cheeks flushed as she added,
“I’ll ask my dad if we can take you in. We’ll be a family!”

Wait, what?

Then the girl said something even stranger:
“Ah, but… an engagement has to be mutual. Do you… like me too?”

…Was this kid confessing to her?

Oh no. My cursed good looks strike again!

Riana immediately decided she should thank them and get out fast.
For all she knew, this place could be a shady gang hideout or organ traffickers’ den!