Lingling felt as though she was in a dizzy spell, her mind spiraled out of control.
One minute she was coming out of the book shop, the next minute she had gotten hit by a truck.
Now, where was she?
She couldn't smell antiseptic, or was it all in her head.
Her eyes opened slowly, blinking softly as she adjusted to the light.
She froze slightly, what kind of room decor was this, she looked at the bed, why was it all ancient looking.
"Where the hell am I?"
She stood up from the bed and walked to the full body mirror, she blinked at her reflection in the mirror.
She had black hair, when did it turn red? Why were her eyes red as well.
"This is crazy, I'm crazy beautiful though. This new glam look ain't bad. But then again I have no idea where I am."
Just then she heard a knock on the door.
"Milady..are you awake? The lord and the masters are all waiting for you. Can I come in?"
Milady? Lord? Masters?? Who were these people.
"Can I come in? Milady? Lady Kaida? Are you in there? Gosh I hope she hasn't run off again.."
"…"
Lingling froze, red hair, red eyes, ancient looking room.
Could it be possible that she had entered the book.
"Eer come in.."
The door opened with a low thud and a annoyed looking woman in her mid 40's entered.
Bowing slightly she spoke up "Milady, why haven't you dressed up! Your hair is a mess! The lord and the masters are all waiting for you. I'm going to be in trouble if you're late, then again you're always late..tsk!"
"…"
Lingling bit her lips, it seems she had really entered the novel, to confirm her suspicions.
She must ask for this woman's name.
"Auntie what's your name?"
"…"
Auntie??
"…"
"My name is Victoria milady.."
"…"
Lingling sighed, it was final now, she was in the novel, the "The male lead must die" she sighed, just her luck, the novel was tragic but just as it was funny.
"Milady?"
Lingling nodded, she couldn't act out of place, Kaida's 11 brothers were all ruthless they were only kind to Kaida.
"Yes Victoria, I'm heading to the bath right now."
"Very well milady, I shall lay out your clothes just the way your like it."
Lingling moved toward the door, her mind still spinning. Her hand paused on the doorknob, as she stared at the woman in front of her. Victoria, was it? She didn't look like anyone important, but the way she spoke… she was practically an extension of Kaida's world.
It felt unreal. One moment, she was standing in front of a bookshop, a regular part of her day, and now, she was here, in someone else's life, in someone else's body.
Taking a deep breath, Lingling pushed the door open. "I'll be right there."
Victoria gave a relieved nod, before backing out of the room. "Make sure you hurry, Milady. The lord's patience is not something to test."
The door clicked shut behind her. Lingling stood there for a moment, her thoughts swirling. The words of the book flooded back to her. She knew exactly where she was. Kaida Everard. The villainess, the spoiled daughter, the one who caused chaos in the novel. And now… she was Kaida.
Great. Just great.
She walked to the small dressing table in the corner of the room, staring at her reflection once more. Her red hair cascaded down her back in waves, almost like fire. Her red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. It was a strange, foreign beauty, one she had no idea how to control.
She couldn't deny it. Kaida's beauty was undeniable. But beauty didn't help when you were trapped inside a story with a predefined ending. The more she thought about it, the worse it got.
Was she really supposed to kill the male lead? Or could she change the course of the plot?
Lingling clenched her fists. Change the plot? Was she even capable of that?
A sudden thought flashed through her mind—she could just leave. Run away from this twisted fate, find a way out. But that would only make her a coward. And Kaida Everard? She wasn't a coward. She was ruthless. A villainess through and through.
But Lingling wasn't sure she had the stomach to follow through on Kaida's wickedness.
She needed more information.
With a sigh, Lingling walked to the bath, the cool stone floors beneath her feet making an unsettling sound with every step.
What would happen if she didn't play her part? Would she become an enemy of the Everard family? Would the world fall apart around her? She had no idea. All she knew was that the male lead must die, and if she was going to survive in this world, she'd need to figure out exactly how to navigate this mess.
She glanced back toward the door, her mind racing with possibilities.
There was no going back now.
Lingling stepped into the bath, the warm water surrounding her like a comforting embrace.
The scent of floral oils filled the air as she submerged herself, letting the heat soak into her tired muscles. Her mind raced, still struggling to grasp the reality of her situation.
Kaida Everard… I'm really her now. What am I supposed to do?
She closed her eyes, letting the water lap gently against her skin, trying to wash away the overwhelming confusion.
The world around her felt both foreign and familiar, like she was trapped inside a dream that was just a little too real.
Minutes passed before she reluctantly stood up, the steam fogging up the small room.
She reached for a towel, wrapping it around herself as she stepped out of the bath.
The soft cotton felt strange against her skin, and she almost couldn't remember what it was like to simply feel normal.
As she opened the door, Victoria was already waiting for her, standing by the dresser with a quiet patience that made Lingling pause for a second.
"Milady," Victoria greeted, her tone a mixture of formality and mild annoyance. "You mustn't take so long. The lord and masters are waiting."
The moment she saw the extravagant outfit, she knew it was Kaida's style. The deep green dress shimmered with gold embroidery, the color rich and bold like the woman she was meant to be.
There was a matching gold belt cinching the waist, and the skirt flared out dramatically, hinting at Kaida's usual dramatic flair.
The bodice was adorned with intricate patterns, and the neckline dipped in a way that was both regal and dangerously alluring.
Lingling stepped toward the clothes, examining them closely.
Bold. Expensive. A true statement piece.
And then, her gaze shifted to the jewelry. There was an array of gold necklaces, sparkling emeralds, and rubies.
Kaida loved her jewels—layered, heavy, and eye-catching. The rings were enormous, almost comically large, but they were Kaida's signature.
Victoria's voice cut through her thoughts. "Milady, you must wear the heels as well. They are your favorite pair."
Lingling turned to face her, eyeing the towering heels laid neatly beside the dress.
They were silver, encrusted with gems, and designed to make a statement.
She could already feel the blisters just imagining wearing them, but she forced herself to smile.
"Of course, Victoria," Lingling replied smoothly, her voice already adopting the confident, self-assured tone Kaida would use.
She slipped into the dress, the fabric feeling like liquid gold against her skin.
The heels followed, and with every step, Lingling felt a little more like Kaida—like a woman who demanded attention, who was meant to rule with an iron fist and a soft smile.
Victoria helped her adjust the necklace, fixing the pieces in place with practiced hands. When she was done, Lingling caught her reflection in the mirror once again.
Her eyes were still red. Her hair still a fiery, untamed mess of curls. But now, with the bold colors and the jewels, she looked every bit the part of the villainess.
She stared at herself for a long moment.
The girl who'd been Lingling was slowly fading away, and Kaida Everard was taking her place.
Victoria seemed pleased with the transformation. "Milady, you look stunning.."