That night, you lay down in your bed, as you always did after another tiring day. All you wanted was to relax and enjoy some quiet time by yourself.

You picked up your phone and opened a story you had been reading. You read to unwind.

You kept reading until sleepiness took over. Your eyelids grew heavier, and soon, you couldn't fight it anymore. Your eyes closed, and you fell asleep without realizing it.

But then, something strange happened. When you opened your eyes again, you immediately knew something was wrong.

You weren't in your own bed.

You sat up, staring around in confusion. The room was unfamiliar and far more luxurious than your apartment. The room was filled with elegant furniture and silk curtains.

You were shocked. Then you noticed something stranger. You looked different.

You stared at your hands and touched your face, panic rising. Soon, you began to calm down and piece everything together.

You had been transported into the story you were reading before you fell asleep—the very story you had only started because it was popular. You never thought falling asleep while reading could send you inside it.

At first, you assumed it was a dream. That changed when you pinched yourself. The pain was real. This wasn't a dream. You had truly entered the world of the novel.

Fortunately, you weren't the main character.

You were merely a side character—a noblewoman barely mentioned. If you remembered correctly, your character only appeared two or three times.

That meant you were safe.

Your role was insignificant enough that you didn't have to worry about the main plot. So, you decided to stay quiet and follow the original storyline.

You wondered if you would return once the story ended. Until then, you wouldn't change anything.

You were confident your life would remain peaceful as long as you stayed out of trouble. And for a while, it did.

Until the day of the banquet.

Every important noble had been invited, which meant the female lead, Camila, and the male lead, Eliaz, would also be there.

You wandered around the banquet hall. Nobles chatted while servants carried drinks and food between the tables.

You were distracted when you accidentally bumped into someone. It wasn't a hard collision, but you immediately stepped back.

“I'm sorry—”

You stopped. Your eyes widened when you recognized her.

Camila, the female lead. But something was terribly wrong. Her face went pale. She began trembling as she stared at you with fear.

Before you could react, she dropped to her knees in front of you. Gasps spread through the banquet hall as everyone's attention turned toward you both.

Tears filled Camila's beautiful eyes.

“I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!” she cried.

You froze. What was happening? You hadn't even done anything.

“I swear I didn't mean it! Please don't hit me!”

She begged as though you had hurt her. You glanced around. Nobles whispered, wondering what you had done.

Then your eyes landed on him, Eliaz. The male lead. The Northern Duke. He stood silently among the crowd, his cold gaze fixed directly on you.

Your blood ran cold. You remembered the story.

Eliaz had fallen in love with Camila at first sight. He was notoriously protective of her, and anyone who dared to hurt her would suffer his wrath.

Wait.. Does that mean he already likes her? If so, you were in danger.

You hadn't even touched Camila, yet she was already kneeling before you, begging for forgiveness as though you had abused her.

“Now, now, it's fine...” you said quickly, raising your hands. “You don't have to—”

“No!” Camila interrupted, shaking her head frantically. “I know it's my fault! Please forgive me! I'll do anything! Just don't hit me!”