There was no arguing the fact that the wedding, or rather, the attempted wedding for I and Ronald, had been a terrible mess. But father and Duke Belv seemed desperate for us to wed and it would take a lot to deter their efforts.

Just as Duke Belv had said, they were probably determined to create a magical breed, out of a child born between Ronald and I.

So, the best course of action was to make them completely incapable of hosting another abrupt wedding.

How?

The first step was to completely ruin the idea of a wedding between the both of us. Make it seem like a horrendous decision.

Thus, I ventured towards my hidden warehouse at a private area in the South to initiate my plan.

Harper opened the warehouse door and I walked in, while her, Henry and Nathan followed quietly behind my back.

"Urgh"

The sound of the huge doors opening must have woken up the hostage who was kept in the warehouse.

Yes. I was here to meet with a hostage.

The step one in my plan.

Harper walked forward and dragged the hostage right before me. She pulled down the cloth covering the person's mouth.

"Urp, w-who a-are you? Are you agents of the devil?" The jittering person barely mustered words. They looked fearfully at Harper, then peered past me, gazing at Nathan and Henry. Before finally looking at me with a fear stricken face. "You! You're t-that Marquis' daughter that had the wedding today!"

"Yes. And you are the priest that blessed the occasion." I folded my arms and scanned the state of the priest. After getting abducted and held by Harper, he was bound in light ropes around his legs and arms.

Giving her a signal, Harper nodded and loosened the the ropes on the priest's hands. This made the man gasp in horror, wondering what I wanted with him.

"Please don't hurt me!" The priest begged, his hands clasped in a plea.

"Don't worry. I'll release you. I only need you to do something for me."

When a frosty smile slipped unto my face, the priest quivered even more in horror, eyes darting between me and Harper.

"W-what is it?" He asked.

I took a step closer to him, my smile growing wider. "You'll have to go and spread a message around the South. It's going to be just like your normal work as a priest. Convincing people, swaying their beliefs and all."

"What message will I spread? I can never support sorcery!" The priest tried to be deviant, but ended up cowering as I bent down to his own level.

"Oh don't worry. It's nothing of that nature" I reached out and pushed off a speck of dust from his shoulder, sounding friendly and nice. "Rather, you'll have to tell everyone how ominous a union between Ronald and I will be, and the reason why it's forbidden."

Then a dangerous glint flashed in my eye. "If you don't do what I tell you to, I'm afraid you'll have to vacate to the afterlife. Maybe your pious ministry will continue in heaven."

The priest's face went white, and he nodded frantically. "I'll do it, I'll do it. Just please, don't hurt me."

I straightened up, my smile growing even wider. "Excellent," I said, my voice dripping with satisfaction. "I knew you'd see things my way."

I began to explain the operation I needed him to carry out and informed him of the arrangements that would be carried out. Starting tomorrow, the priest would be mobilized at the town square near commoners, then later at the noble district for aristocrats.

"Once you do everything, I assure you, you'll be safely sent back to your Empire."

After explaining his release conditions, I turned and walked away, Harper, Henry, and Nathan falling into step behind me. As we exited the warehouse, I couldn't help but feel excited.

The priest would do my bidding, and soon, the entire South would be talking, complicating any strange plans between father and Duke Belv, to get me married to Ronald. And I would be the one pulling the strings, from behind the scenes.

***
Harper and Henry dealt with the priest, telling him what he'd do and sending him to a different location. While I returned to the Deor manor at the dead of night.

Nathan escorted me to the Deor manor. Throughout the carriage ride, he was unusually silent. My mind was on the thoughts of magical aspirations and the partnership between Duke Belv and father. Several questions popped up in my head.

Just what binded these to high ranking men, to one cause such as a rebellion? And in the end, who'd be the one to ascend the throne? If it were Duke Belv, then is father really satisfied with simply climbing into a higher position and licking the Duke's feet, for all the days of his life?

The carriage's halt, on the road, a bit far away from the mansion, finally brought me back to reality. Nathan stared silently at me, before opening the door, getting out, and stretching his hand out to me. I smiled, took his and got down. The coach man, kept his head low and greeted us. The low nod of a submissive minion who only saw but never talked.

Turning to Nathan, I spoke up as we began walking towards the manor's secret passage, on foot.

"It's almost midnight and you're probably exhausted from today" I said, slowing down my steps.

Then I reached for my wrist, and brought forward the blue magic stone he had given me. I extended it to him and whispered.

"Take it, the curse's pain is probably going to be nasty. You used it too much today"

Hearing this, Nathan paused for a moment, clearly surprised.

"Ah. So you knew?"

He looked up at me, like someone caught in a wrong act while he gently took the magic stone from my hand.

"Of course" I folded my arms and said in as a matter of fact tone. "Nothing gets past me. Moreover, your unusual silence gave you away."

The curse that affected Nathan was more lethal at night. Which did make sense since it was labelled as the 'midnight curse.' The sky above us, was the darkest shade of blue, with a few stars barely visible. It was the darkest of nights, tormenting and plaguing his soul and body. An arc in the novel, which was his reality.

Further worsened by my interference in the novel's workings.

Thinking about this, I tightened my fists behind my back, while I kept the amiable expression on.

"Thank you, Nathan. For everything. Go get some rest."

There was a silence between both of us for a moment. Nathan looked at my face. His silver eyes held my reflection, and rippled. Before he finally nodded.

"I'll see you soon. Don't worry too much about me" Trying to lighten the mood, he laughed gently. I could only gaze up at him, unable to muster a reply.

Until I was able to reach out, sweeping his purple hair to the side of his face.

"I have faith in you."

'I have faith in your ability to survive.'

As I thought this, Nathan's visage began to emit a dark glow. Black smoke radiated from his body and he began to fade away.

And a moment later, in silence, I looked forward at the spot at which Nathan stood. It was empty and the only evidence of his previous presence were the feet marks in the soil — proof that Nathan's person had just abruptly vanished.

Just like always.

Even as I walked back into the mansion, venturing through the secret passageways, I couldn't help but recall how Nathan flinched, with a pained expression during our return to the mansion.

The memory lingered, a constant reminder of the curse surrounding him. My thoughts then shifted to the novel, [I Shall Save My Knight], and how its events had diverged from reality. The butterfly effect of my reincarnation had caused ripples, altering the course of this world. Further worsened by my actions, done to tip the world to my favour.

When I passed Paisley's room, which was at the start of the passageway, a bit away from mine, I stood in place. My eyes were glued to her door. For a moment, I stared frozen at her door.

Knowing that beyond the door, was the star of this world. Someone who was meant to have it all, while shining above miserable villains of the story. Villains like me. At first, I had thought it'd be easy to take everything away from her.

I had grown to be more important, powerful, beautiful, wealthy and popular, than Paisley. In fact, even more loved than her. But that didn't change the fact that I wasn't the heroine.

The role she had, could never be fulfilled by me. Nathan's curse.....

I found myself transfixed by her door. The handle began to turn, as if sensing my presence. The door swung open, revealing Paisley's startled face.

"Adrianna...you...." Her eyes looked red and puffy. At the wedding she had looked distressed. Now that she'd gotten rid of all her makeup, she looked pathetic.

"I did what?"

The sight of her being so miserable, rekindled some distant memories from my past life. Watching this show of hysteria, made me snap out of my moment of melancholy. I wore a neutral expression, and looked at her as she spoke.

"You're always the center of attention! Everyone's always talking about you. My reputation's suffered because you played the victim!"

Paisley's face contorted in a mixture of anger and desperation. Crazy was a small word to describe how she looked. She screamed hysterically, her voice echoing down the passageway. I absolutely saw she'd lost it.

Rolling my eyes, I sarcastically said.
"And so? How's that my problem?"

For a moment, Paisley seemed to be shocked by my sarcastic remark. It seems it would take her some time to get used to my true brutal nature. She'd only ever known the sweet and caring older sister.

'Too bad she went behind my back and tried to snatch my fiancè'.

Faced with this situation, I completely disregarded my thoughts on our pre-destined roles as novel characters. Instead, I disapprovingly looked at the brat who felt some sort of entitlement.

She wished for attention from whom?  At least I had welcomed her warmly upon her first entrance into high society. Back then, it would have been easy to get rid of her insignificant existence, regardless of her role as the heroine.

Paisley finally regained her wits, taking a step back into her room. The coldness I emitted seemed to frighten her, yet her glare intensified, while she gripped the door's frame tightly.

"Why is it that no one cares about me anymore? Everything's always about you!"

I chuckled, twirling a lock of my red hair.  "Of course, everything's about me. It's only natural, considering who I am." My gaze locked onto hers, piercing. "What quality do you possess that warrants attention?"

Paisley's face turned red with rage, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. I could see the jealousy and resentment simmering beneath the surface, waiting to boil over. Unable to answer my question, she stood, stupefied, before hurriedly shutting her door, retreating inside.

I laughed loud enough, so she'd hear and get even more frustrated, before I turned and continued walking towards my room. Smiling sweetly, I was happy knowing I trampled upon this world's beloved heroine so easily.

***
Although my mood had been lifted with that brief encounter with Paisley, where I asserted my dominance, the melancholy thoughts couldn't be controlled. They slipped into my mind, the moment I got into bed to sleep.

'If Paisley, the innocent heroine, betrayed me, who then should be free from my suspicion? Her and Nathan had been with me the longest. How sure am I of always having Nathan on my side?'

To say I had never been disappointed with how Paisley turned out, would be a lie. Even if the affection and care I showed her came out of dubious intentions, I had still invested so much time into her. Yet, it turned out so.

Looking at her, I couldn't help but wonder that even Nathan could betray me at any time. Paisley was the female lead whose qualities I had been familiar with, after reading [I Shall Save My Knight]. While Nathan was the male lead who was deemed as loyal.

When the female lead betrays you, what can stop the butterfly effect of your reincarnation from affecting the male lead's nature?

Yes, it's obvious Nathan is quite enamored with me. But that's just for now. The future is liable to change.

With these thoughts, as I lay on the bed, sleep gnawed at me. Before I knew it, my eyelids fluttered then gently closed.

'When morning comes, I'll take my next action.'

So I fell asleep, thinking of various ways of how I'd solidify my seat in the position I now desired the most. I had to have a backup plan in case anything unexpected suddenly arose against me. Just like these false allegations that were smearing my name.

A new crave for power was burning within me. Defiance against this world of the novel was the only thing I could think of. There were many challenges and complications which I'd have to face. But, in this life, I had a record of always being successful.

I swore that no matter what, I'd bring down anybody that targeted me.