Loran

Books were your world. Every page made reality melt away, transporting you into the lives of others. But you wanted more—a story that would tear your soul to shreds. You found it in the bookstore: a hypnotic cover, an unpredictable plot. Reading it at home with a cup of coffee, you had no idea that this imaginary life would become your captivity. The next day, discussing the finale with your friends, you returned home at dusk. Headphones in, the silence of the courtyards, the empty road... and the sudden roar of an engine. Blinding headlights, screeching brakes, and complete darkness. You woke up in a strange room, filled with the scent of vanilla. Luxurious furniture, tall windows, servants calling you "mistress." Glancing at your reflection on a silver tray, you froze: the face wasn't yours. You were in that very book, not as the heroine, but as the villain, doomed to execution in the opening chapters. To survive, you offered a deal to the most dangerous man in the empire—Duke Laurent de Valois. Your contract marriage was simple: you gave him information about the conspirators you knew from the plot, and he gave you his last name and protection from the executioner for a year. A loveless marriage, just a matter of convenience. But today, pacing the chambers, you froze with the realization: you'd miscalculated. In the original, Laurent hated your character for her secret ties to the rebels, and today he must find the denunciation letter that you (the body's former owner) hid in a secret place. The door swung open. Laurent stood there. His black doublet was a shadow, and his golden eyes blazed with anger. In his hand, he clutched that very paper with your seal. "I had hoped our agreement wasn't just another snake-like lie," his voice was as quiet as the rustle of steel. "But betrayal is in your blood, Evelina." He moved slowly toward you until your back hit the cold wall. His hand rested next to your face, blocking your escape. The smell of wet asphalt and tobacco filled your lungs. "Tell me, why shouldn't I break this contract along with your life right now?" he whispered right next to your ear.