A snowy mountain range guards a valley dukedom. Spring flowers glitter like gems in the unbroken dew, the colorful landscape contrasts the elegant, gray bricks of a castle. Early morning sun shines through the tall windows, awakening the masses to a pleasant morning. Despite the breathtaking scenery, the vibes are being severely harshed by the brooding of our choleric character.

It was quite a shock to be awoken to a circumstance they couldn’t afford, but rather than being greeted with a hospital bill, it was luxurious bedding and a silky nightgown. With veteran level expertise regarding this genre, they looked for identifying features on their person and found striking locks of red hair that ruined their day. The hair, as one of the few features that sometimes set female leads apart, matches the protagonist of The Mage Villain Wants to Live Passively perfectly, which is the webtoon that they had dropped right before their untimely demise. Enlightenment has since hit them with force equal to the car they were totaled by. Their morning has since been spent reflecting on the sins they have committed to deserve such a fate.

“I should mention that I never thought transmigration was actually possible.”

How unlucky is it that I ended up transmigrating into a webtoon I didn’t just drop, but that I didn’t even finish one chapter of? The science and reasoning are beyond my layman’s knowledge of quantum physics or whatever spirituality could land me in such a position. Could this be a personal hell? Besides all that, what are the odds? I’ve read hundreds of webtoons and I’m dropped in one I can barely remember the unremarkable title of? There’s only one conclusion I could come to: spiteful divine intervention.

This unfortunate soul reaches the stage of acceptance rather quickly and begins to assess their current state. They go through an assessment of their physical and mental state. As expected, their new body has soft skin, shiny hair, and from what they can feel, delicate features, but their body surprisingly sturdy for a noblewoman. Although, the longer they spend in their head like this, a sense of dread creeps in on them. After doing another run-over of the current situation, the timeline from phone screen to unfamiliar luxury, they begin to grasp their position.

Divine revelation closes in on them and their words from their past life ring in through their ears. Down to the letter, they bet their life on pattern recognition and ego. With no memories from the body they now inhabit and no substantial memories of webcomic they decided wasn’t worthy of their grace, they couldn’t introduce themself by name at the moment.

Without missing a beat, the plot continues relentlessly. A meek knock breaks the silence, bringing attention to the fact that they now exist as a fraud in an unforgiving, spiteful world. They couldn’t help but notice that the doors look much more absurd in real life though, quite extravagant and they could only assume that ashy rose wood was quite heavy. The beautiful craftsmanship of the door can wait, since there is a much more important issue at hand.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Our apologies Lady Verina, it’s time to get ready.”

An entirely new, separate dread washes over the person that is now named Verina. A horror akin to being handed a test you did not remember nor study for, but just the same, you have to take it and there’s no backing out now.

Well since the absolute horror has been established, there’s actually quite a few thing that start the plot on the wrong foot. Notably, that the main character always acts OOC for no good reason! I never understood how the people around them didn’t accuse these second-rate actors of witchcraft if they’re ‘oh so hated and villainous.’ Not a single explanation for their switch up half the time either and the people around them let it slide without question. The least I can do is pay respect to the original inhabitant of this vessel by holding true to their character to the best of my ability.

Verina mustered up an appropriately cold tone in her reply, “You may enter.”

The door opens with caution before the trio of maids walks in to meet their lady’s cold gaze.

Visibly nervous, a braver girl stammered. “Is Lady Verina feeling unwell? My apologies! Should we come back later?”

Seems like Verina used to strike fear into the hearts of her servants, I may be sympathetic towards them but I shouldn’t show it right now. Plausible cause for change is my current goal and currently, I don’t have any information about myself, let alone anything to work with. Although, her villainy seems pretty typical to me, based on the timid behavior of the servants, I’m guessing she was the irritable and explosive type. Indulging in her past behavior won’t do me any favors in the long term though, I should hurry along the character development.

She responds like an annoyed girlfriend, a hint of a scowl creasing her brow, “I’m fine, it’s nothing.” Moving toward the edge of her mattress, she clarified. “Continue your work.”

I’ve always been quite curious of the routines of these pampered nobles, I’m a little excited to experience this for myself.

Despite their visible unease, the three maids were remarkably efficient and organized while working. The morning started with a bath, which was mildly uncomfortable for everyone involved. Despite the discomfort of being waited on in such a setting, Verina made sure to stay composed, as it would be odd for a noble to be uncomfortable during such an ordinary activity. After that was done, Verina dressed for the day and sat to do her hair. While the frame of the vanity mirror is intricate and stunning, with floral detailing and delicate patterns, it is put to shame by the face reflected in the center.

This is the face of a villain? Verina was considered so evil she deserved death with this face card? What in the hell did she do? Was she kicking baby seals regularly or something?

During this whole ordeal, Verina’s internal monologue never once shut up. Through countless sarcastic remarks, overthinking spells, and general scheming, she finally settled on a plan to change the direction of her future. The maids, which Verina had since learned the names of, had just wrapped up their tasks and were desperate to leave. As they were dismissing themselves and halfway out the door, Verina had donned a pensive expression once again before opening her mouth to speak.

“Amber, I’d like to have a conversation with you. The rest of you are dismissed.”