THE HALLWAY was buzzing. Talia knew the hallways were always rowdy, but not to this extent. Something must be on with the social gossip. She thought that maybe there was a desirable piece of a man who was transferring; she hoped it was the case.
Social gossip was the portal to know who was in and out. After hard work, Talia ruled her small kingdom named Saint Martin High. She's at the peak of her youth. What more could she ask?
Well, maybe a boyfriend.
She's turning seventeen, but she's still the 'flirt to make out,' not the 'flirt to get laid.'
A blue-eyed brunette came trotting into the classroom. Talia and the newly arrived brunette were a couple of minutes early for class. One thing about Talia was she might rule the entire High School, but she also excelled in academics. She was aiming to be her year's valedictorian. And the one that just came in was her not-so-sincere-so-called-BFF, Gemini. Talia knew that she was a two-faced hypocrite, but they benefited each other, so she let it be.
"What's with the fuss?" Talia asked Gemini since the latter was the fastest gossip informant in their school.
Gemini slumped onto her seat. "N*****x just announced to stop the franchise of my fave series." Her gloomy mood was reflected in her crystal blue eyes.
A knot lodged in between her perfectly carved eyebrows. "Which one?"
With her question, Gemini's shrilling voice resonated inside the room as she stood like a mother hen, ready to attack her. "Which one? The series with the gorgeous edible men, Thorny Crown! Jesus, Talia! Do you live in a cave?"
Oh, that one.
"Yeah yeah."
Talia saw that one, but she stopped watching it in Season 5. The story was centered on the male leads obsessing about a two-faced female lead who's ambitious enough to covet the throne even when she's a half-blood noble with a commoner's blood from her mother's side. Talia hated the wench since Season 3 when the stupid Victoria, the female lead's half-sister, got executed for a crime planned by the female lead. It was such a twisted story, but it was still a hit worldwide since the main plot has a touch of offensive schemes and harsh politics.
Still, Talia did not care about the story. The final season, the seventh one, was what Gemini was talking about.
Talia placed her chin atop her palm, her elbow resting on her desk. "Why's that?"
"The last book is yet to be released in the market or any publishing house. So when the writer died in the fire accident last week, the book perished along with it."
Talia, who was not familiar with the writing industry, muttered a question under her breath as if she was talking to herself. "Can't any writer create the last book?"
"Of course not! It wouldn't be the same."
Talia inwardly rolled her eyes. The only reason Gemini loved the said series was because of the male leads that were genuinely drool-worthy. She changed the topic to lighten up Gemini's mood.
Wriggling her eyebrows, Talia flipped her hair. "Dion invited the entire cheerleading squad this time. Well, she invited the entire football team first. You coming with me?"
Gemini immediately perked up at the mention of the upcoming frat party. The frat party would be the most prominent event right before homecoming, so everyone wanted to be invited. Unfortunately, the wealthy and picky Dion Lockhart chooses only the best of the best. Anyone asked in the said party would have a boost in social standing for sure. And when anyone was talking about the best of the best, that would mean her – Queen Bee Talia of Saint Martin High.
"Hell, yeah. You got a date, Talia? What about Jake?"
Jake was the team captain of the football team. He's also Gemini's apple of the eye.
Checking her hails, Talia gestured to Gemini. "You can date him. I'll go solo and see it from there if I can see some chocolate man. You know what I mean."
"Ooh. I am looking forward to this party."
THE LAST thing that Talia remembered was the headlights dashing towards them along with the screeching sound of wheels, and then it turned into darkness. No, it turned into nothing. She couldn't see anything, neither hear nor feel anything.
"Am I dead or dying?" Talia knew she spoke, but she couldn't hear her own words. She flailed her limbs, but she couldn't feel anything. Everything felt cold and void.
Talia surrendered herself to the darkness. She hoped everything would be a dream, and when she woke up – she would be beside a hot tattooed guy and naked. But no matter how many times she closed and opened her eyes, she was still there.
Damn. So much for a hot tattooed guy and his naked butt, huh.
"Please. Someone. Help me," Talia somberly whispered to the nothingness that whipped her ever since she regained consciousness. She hoped that someone would hear her plea. But no one did.
When all hopes seemed lost, Talia, both defeated and scared bordering on insanity, closed her eyes as she tried to relive her life. Talia's mother's hysterics, Talia's nosebleeds every time she studied without sleep, her A grade, her cheerleading audition, her very first standing ovation when she sang in front of many students, her very first kiss with someone she didn't even like, the pressure to stay on top in the social circle, her very first catfight with a senior cheerleader, her first party, her first date, and her college applications. Talia had so much yet to do.
Without knowing, tears fell. Talia shouldn't have attended that blasted frat party! She's very sure that she was sober when she was driving. That stupid car crossed the fucking lane and caused her death!
No way!
She died without even putting in a fight! She should have at least thrown her stilettos to the other driver's head.
"Child. Are you hurt?" A calm and warm voice stopped her weeping frenzy. Talia took a peek and was almost blinded by the light just by looking at someone's silhouette.
No shit, Sherlock.
"Are you the grim reaper? Well, you dressed rather odd than I have imagined." Talia imagined a rather gloomy appearance, but this presence before her was blinding. If she had a term to describe the person before her, it would be an angel or a celestial being. Talia could not discern the gender of the person before her because of the loose silver robes around the person's body. A silver hair complimented by an almost grayish eye. The darkness around Talia washed away slowly, and the surrounding scenery changed.
Her senses that she thought she lost came back. The once-dark pit became a vast flower field with an amazingly clear blue sky above her. And the figure that approached her just watched her reactions unfold.
"I'm dead." Realization dawned upon Talia, and the only conclusion she could come up with was that the person before her was her angel. Talia continued, "So is this it? The heaven that my mother spoke of?"
The figure smiled knowingly. "No, Talia. This is the bridge to all the Realms. You are here because of the wishes of different people and because someone wants to meet you."
Yep, I'm dead. Talia thought.
"As you can see, my favorite soul died suddenly. But he carried a heavy burden. Also, he could not pass in peace unless we would answer the desperate pleas he heard." The figure paused and sighed before he continued, "Ironically, this person's wish coincides with yours. The moment you drew your last breath, you wished for a second chance to live. That person also wished to be given a second chance, not to live, but to correct his decisions."
Huh? Talia couldn't understand what this angelic person was blabbering about. Was it the roundabout way to tell her she was dead?
The angelic person laughed heartily that it startled the surrounding petals, creating a whirlwind of petals that seemed to sway around Talia. It was as if this person was one with the place.
"You will understand everything in due time, Talia. Before I bid my farewell to you, another soul wanted to tell you something before she passes to the spiritual realm." The angelic person snapped her fingers, and a silhouette of another person appeared before her. It was a smoky appearance, but Talia could still see the soul's features.
An oddly familiar golden hair and ruby eyes of a young woman appeared before Talia. The soul was smiling sadly before her. "Live splendidly. If it is someone like you, I am sure you can do it. Save them. Those people died in vain. And do not lose yourself."
"What?" Talia could not understand the soul before her.
Save who? How can I save someone when I'm dead, anyway?
The soul just smiled as its smoky appearance scattered into the wind – her ruby eyes still gazing at Talia with sadness and gratefulness. Though not knowing the soul before her, Talia felt a wave of heavy emotion in her, an immense feeling of betrayal and frustration. She clutched her chest as a lone tear slipped from her.
What the?
She couldn't hear the last words that the soul whispered. One thing was for sure, the look when the soul closed her eyes, Talia saw the tranquility in it. The soul was at peace.
"Now, Talia. It is time for you to wake up and live your life the second time around. And remember, Gaia, blessed you." With the angelic person's hand wave, Talia felt herself float.
LIKE A person deprived of air for a long time, Talia woke up in that state. She was catching her breath as everything around her was a blur except the familiar flower field drawn on her canopy.
Wait. When did I have that canopy? No shit. I don't have a top in my room, just a ceiling with stardust designs. Where the fuck am I?
"Lady Victoria? Lady Victoria? The doctor is coming." A frantic voice snapped her from reverie, and the next thing she saw, a brunette with chocolate eyes and freckles around her button nose while wearing a maid uniform was hovering over her body.
She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat was scratchy.
How long am I asleep, anyway? Where's my mom? Wait, what? Lady Victoria? Who's that?
"Water," she spoke in a raspy voice. Her voice was a little different. It was velvety, even with a scratchy throat.
Is this the result of my accident?
"Where am I?"
The shock and horror reflected on the woman with a maid's uniform were so clear that Talia wanted to laugh. "You're in your room inside the estate of the Duke of Rozenreff, Lady Victoria."
Rozenreff?Why is it familiar to me as if I have heard it countless times already?
Talia froze when she realized why the name Rozenreff was familiar. She heard it countless times while watching the Thorny Crown! Talia briskly sat up even when her body protested. She had to confirm something.
"Hey, you. What's your name?" Talia nudged her head towards the maid as she tried to stand up to look for a mirror. She needed to confirm something – anything.
"Me? My lady?"
Talia rolled her eyes at the woman's stupid question. "Who else am I talking to?"
"I-I'm your personal maid Lillian, but you called me–"
"Lily," Talia continued. Like from the N*****x Series that she had watched.
Lily's face beamed when she mentioned her name. Talia knew her too well. She was the only loyal person to Victoria Rozenreff until they executed the latter.
Talia spotted a body-sized mirror near her dresser. Slowly but surely, she walked toward her new reality. When she was right before the mirror, the same image of the soul she spoke to in her dreams stood before her—golden ringlets paired with the coldest ruby eyes. The only difference was the body size. The woman in her dream was older. But the image before Talia was younger.
"Lily, how old am I?"
"Sixteen years old, my lady."
Talia touched her reflection.
So this is what they meant in my dream. I became a villainess in a popular N*****x Series, which will later die when I reach the age of eighteen at the hands of the crown prince, the male lead of this story! Fucking unbelievable!
Wait.
Talia stopped panicking when she realized something off. The official plot of the story started when the female lead met the male lead at a banquet when they were eighteen years old! She still had two years to change her coming death!
Just like in my dream, I am a blessed child of Gaia.
Sabina, the female lead. Ha! That bitch!
"Lily, what happened to me?"
Worry came back on Lily's face, but she answered her. "You fell to the stairs when you tried to push Lady Sabina, my lady."
Her eyebrow shot up immediately.
It looks like Sabina manipulated the scene, making me, Victoria, the culprit again. Because this is before the plot started, I don't know the happenings of this time. But hell will freeze over before I let you win again, Sabina dear.
THORNY CROWN, a Netflix adaptation of the equally famous novel of this series. The author of this novel series died a week before Talia died in that world. And now, she’s inside the popular Netflix series, “Thorny Crown.” Talia couldn’t believe that the actress who acted as Lady Victoria in the Netflix adaptation would fail compared to the real deal, even if how many times she would stare at her new body.So I should stop referring to myself as Talia, huh? Despite that, the honest Victoria told me not to lose myself. Then, I will use my experiences as Talia to live splendidly as the reborn Lady Victoria, who will also crush Sabina to bits.“Victoria is old-fashioned. Hmm. Lily!”Her maid stepped forward from standing on the sidelines. The others who were not called stayed at the corner. She did not miss one particular maid, auburn C-cut hair with stupid yet greedy cobalt eyes, Mia. She was the downfall of the original Victoria since this Mia-mutt was a spy sent by Sabina, her dearest
THE UNCOMFORTABLE ride of their family’s carriage along with an eerie silence accompanied Tori and Lillian. Aside from the coachman, they only brought one knight. But Lillian worried why Tori asked her to get a hefty amount of gold coins, even if they could tell the tailor shop to put the tab in the Rozenreff Duchy. Tori also tasked Lillian to bring three coats, commonly used to hide one’s identity. She had a bad feeling about this one.Tori enjoyed the scenery silently. She’s busy secretly comparing her surroundings from the Netflix adaptation of the novel. But Tori could feel the intense gaze laced with worry from her maid. And she knew her requests were rather odd for poor Lily.Worry not, Lily. Unlike before, this is not something irrational. This is a preemptive measure for my future safeguard.The Rozenreff Duchy indeed possessed knights on par with the Royal Knights, but these knights were loyal to the Rozenreff Family, not to her, Lady Victoria Rozenreff. She needed someone de
"ARE ALL of my dresses packed, Lily?""Yes, Lady Victoria. And I have also gathered the maids from this household excluding Lady Sabina's handmaidens."Tori couldn't help but suppress her sadistic expression from Lily. She needed Lily to believe that Lady Victoria was changing for the better, that her Lady Victoria could rival Saintess Sabina.Rival my ass."Good. Then let's go to the assembly hall where everyone was waiting."Tori was in a good mood. To fully use the workforce of this house, she needed to place the seed of deception.The servants of the household were waiting for her. They greeted Tori politely upon her arrival, to which she replied with an equally polite smile. The kitchen servants, who were more skeptical about the rumors about the change of Lady Victoria's behavior, admitted that there was genuinely a change with the eldest lady of the Rozenreff Household.Tori signaled Lily to open the large boxes that contained her previous dresses. The packages here were only j
A PAIR OF cobalt eyes was eerily staring at Tori as she sat on his bed. Tori heard Johannes order Rowan to stay on the bed until his wounds healed. Despite being a fifteen-year-old boy, Rowan was overly malnourished, and he needed strength to become a knight-in-training.After five days since she brought him with her, this would be the first time that she visited him, though she asked Lily to check on him from time to time. Her father assigned Johannes to aid him, so Tori didn't see the need to interfere yet.She would let him settle down first and let all his wariness wash away. And now she's here in front of him to clear one thing for him."Why did you bring me here?" His voice was sharp. He still didn't trust her, even when the evidence of their promise was dangling from his neck.She smiled genuinely at him. "Remember when I told you I need you to protect me? I now have full consent from my father, the Duke of Rozenreff, that you will be my knight. I think that would be better tha
TORI WAS alone and contemplating inside her room. She’s seriously staring at the invitation letter that Lily reminded her about. The previous Victoria still decided to not attend this banquet, even after knowing where it came from. It was common knowledge that refusing a royal invitation meant disobedience to the royal family. Luckily, Tori attended the banquet with her father and that wench.Two days after the tea party, Sabina was still in her room. The meals were being delivered there. She barely even showed herself, and according to Lily, that wench looked quite haggard. Tori couldn’t blame her, since her grand plan to earn the Marchioness’ good side was all in naught after she interfered. Instead, Tori became the star of the party.After getting involved just to show some action in front of the high society ladies, Tori knew words would spread about her benevolence that’s comparable to the kindhearted Duchess Camila. Tori didn’t need to do much for some time. She could focus on h
THREE YEARS from now, in the original plot, a small shop became the Empire’s most successful business would ever see. The shop owner invented the very first camera named KONON, and many nobles and aristocrats loved the newly developed device. The emperor gave the shop owner the title of Baron, and he became a leading role for the aristocratic faction. However, the Baron died together with all the aristocratic faction’s loyalists when the second prince died in Season 2. Even with the newly gained status and wealth, the Baron fell into Marquess Zoliel’s trap and was beheaded for treason.Marquess Zoliel rose to power when the sponsored lady of Marchioness Susana became the Crown Princess candidate.If I can stop Marquess Zoliel’s greed to monopolize the merchants in the Empire, the aristocratic faction can rise to power, a power that will be enough to protect and support the second prince. And I will be the person behind the new king.“Now, what will make you fall?” Tori was staring out
Lady M smirked. “A lady after her own heart, I like that. Follow me.”Lady M guided the three of them towards a secret passage that led to a comfy-sized room that looked like Lady M’s office. The latter sat comfortably, and Tori followed suit. Lily and Rowan stood at the back of Tori, completely on guard.“Leave us for a moment,” Tori ordered the two, which they reluctantly followed.When Tori was left alone with Lady M, the latter finally spoke, “So tell me, what is a noble lady doing here?”Tori took off her hood and sat comfortably. “Now, that isn’t the information we must be talking about. How about we start our conversation with the location of the Elysian Crown?”Lady M abruptly stood up from her seat due to shock from what she heard. Tori couldn’t blame her. After all, the Elysian Crown was why the original novel got the title ‘Thorny Crown.’Thorny Crown was the title of the novel series, which later became a popular Netflix Series. The story was about the first prince and the
THE DINNER after the afternoon incident was quite enjoyable for Tori. It didn't seem like what she usually felt which was suffocating for her.Maybe because I could watch a good comedy show earlier. Well, whatever, as long as the Duke dearest wouldn't open his mouth.Tori didn't like the Duke, nor did she hate him. She just disliked the fact that they easily manipulated the duke.Ah, disappointment is the right term when describing what I feel for him."Victoria. Your birthday is coming. Do you have any requests?" He nonchalantly asked Tori which stopped Sabina too.And there he goes, opening his mouth and ruining my tranquility. So much for hoping he'll shut up, huh? And what? He's asking me for my birthday? Is he sniffing Cannabis?Since Sabina came to the Rozenreff Household, the duke always forgot Victoria's birthday, but never Sabina's. Hence, every year the siblings always compete secretly if who's the best party.What a dumb thing to do, honestly.It surprised Tori since he rem