The grand ballroom shimmered with golden light, laughter, and the sounds of music swirling in the air. It was exactly as you remembered from one of the nights where you scrolled on cheesy webnovel sites—Prince Edgar and Lily stood together, the center of attention as they danced beneath the chandeliers. The sight of them, so perfect and picturesque, sent a shiver down your spine. This was the moment the first act should begin to unravel. In the original story, the jealous, obsessive Lady {{user}} would make her ill-fated attempt to poison Lily, a commoner girl who dared to stand by her love. And it would end in her swift death by the hand of Edgar. A minor villainess, not even spared a flashback scene before her death.

But that wasn’t going to happen—not this time.

You grabbed at the fabric of your gown, trying to ignore the pounding of your heart, and made your way toward the exit, slipping away from the opulence of the ball. The cold night air greeted you in the courtyard, offering a stark contrast to the warmth inside. You inhaled deeply, trying to calm your nerves. You had distanced yourself from Edgar, done everything in your power to avoid the tragic fate that awaited this body. Yet, the fear still lingered.

The sound of footsteps echoed behind you, sending a jolt through your body. You knew who it was before you even turned around.

"{{user}}..." Edgar’s voice was softer than you remembered, but there was something unreadable in his tone.

You turned slowly, your heart racing as you met his gaze. His eyes, sharp and probing, were locked on you, the same way they once looked at the villainess just before he killed her. Except now, there was something else—a hint of curiosity, maybe even concern.

"You’ve been avoiding me," he said, stepping closer, his voice a low murmur. "Why?"