pat. pat. pat. pat
The sound of 5:00 a.m. rain drummed steadily against the window, each drop counting off the hours I'd spent awake, staring at a ceiling that wasn't mine. The sky outside was a dull, colorless gray; the sun's rays covered by dark clouds.
Even the weather fits my character's villain status...
It's been at least a few hours now since I arrived in this world, and I think I already got the gist of things.
Transmigration...
A story so common you could find thousands of stories like it just by searching that one word, with most even having the same plot.
No wonder I wasn't that confused or terrified when I arrived, I think it would be stranger if I were surprised to be honest.
I'm already in this world anyway.
There's no point in trying to ask for questions.
All I needed to do now was live and survive, and make the best of my situation.
I approached and opened the window, feeling the cold air enter my room as I watched over the city below.
The Imperial City.
The capital of the Nimean Empire, and more importantly, a far way from my territory.
If I remembered correctly, at the start of the novel, all nobles were currently all staying in the capital for the annual month-long conclave.
I couldn't be sure, though, it sure as hell has been a long time since I've finished this novel.
"A Knight After My Heart..."
That was the title; it was fairly average in its plot and execution, but it was good enough for me to like it.
"The reward is a full physical copy..." I muttered to myself, leaning against the frame as I felt the rain graze my skin.
"That's a good first reward, I couldn't rely on my memory even if my life was at stake."
I sighed, laughing.
"A villain..."
I muttered again.
Seriously... why a villain? That's the opposite of my personality in my past life.
Well...
I guess I could try playing the hero, I'm already in this body anyway.
And it's still the start of the novel, if I have to rate my evilness during this time, I'd give myself a 3/10.
That's surely enough for me to redeem myself, right?
I really didn't want to play a villain.
Sure, I wasn't really good, but I'm also not cartoonishly evil.
I'm just... well, boring old me.
I closed the window again, the chill lingering on my skin as the sound of rain dulled into a muffled rhythm behind the glass.
Boring old me… now with a duke's title and a death flag stapled to my forehead.
Yeah. No pressure.
I dragged a hand down my face and flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling again. If this really was the beginning of the story, then that meant I was still in the 'aloof but not irredeemable' phase of my villain arc.
No brutal massacres yet, no irreversibly evil choices. Just cold glares, political scheming, and a reputation for being an overall unpleasant human.
Honestly? I could work with that.
The conclave was the real turning point. That official beginning of the novel's plot, and where the hero and heroine would appear...
Right, the main heroine.
A minor noble. naively loyal, earnest, and painfully kind.
One of the many other female leads present in the novel.
And, unfortunately for future-me, completely opposed to everything Duke Noctierre stood for.
I let out a long breath.
"Meet with the heroine, huh…"
That system message echoed in my mind again, annoyingly cheerful for something that could easily get me stabbed later down the line.
Still… if the system wanted me to meet her, that meant I wasn't supposed to kill her. Or imprison her. Or emotionally scar her for, just a plain meeting.
That was reassuring. Somewhat.
The last thing I needed was a system that urged me on to become a villain.
I pushed myself up and glanced around the room again, seeing it with clearer eyes this time. This wasn't a villain's lair. It was just… a bedroom. Lavish, yes. Dramatic, absolutely. But not dripping with malice or animal skulls and heads.
A soft knock came from the door.
"My lord," Edward's voice sounded from the other side, respectful as ever. "Dawn approaches. Shall I prepare your escort for the morning assembly?"
Morning assembly…
Right, politics. Filled with smiles that weren't smiles and nobles pretending not to hate each other.
The only people that's going to be sincere during that will be the heroine and the hero...
I rolled my shoulders and stood, feeling oddly steadier than I had a few hours ago.
"…Yeah," I said after a moment, my voice calm, surprisingly so. "Give me a bit. I'll attend."
I take a look at my wardrobe, and despite the overwhelming amount of dark and violet colors that signalled power and fear, some looked a bit more lighthearted than others.
"A villain, huh..." I smiled. "Who decided that?"