CHAPTER 01
- A Possessed Life That Begins with a Slap
“Damn it.”
I cursed, holding my stinging cheek.
I had just returned to my room after being “disciplined” by that so-called high priest.
The novel I possessed is titled <I Won’t Have My Husband Stolen in This Life>A Villainess Regression Story.
And the body I ended up in is, of all things, the novel’s villain—Saintess Serenity Tites.
In other words, I’m the adulterous woman who steals the villainess’s husband.
“This is ridiculous.”
I clenched my teeth, trembling.
Isn’t it a common rule to possess someone with a similar situation? Then why—after suffering for ten years because of my cheating boyfriend—did I end up as the mistress?
I snorted angrily.
To explain my situation briefly, while waiting for the results of my final civil service exam, I found out that my boyfriend of ten years had been cheating on me—with not one, but three other women.
I planned a confrontation to completely destroy him this time…
But right before meeting him, I got hit by a truck that ran a red light.
“Why does this always happen to me?”
I let out a deep sigh from the bottom of my stomach.
And on top of that, the moment I possessed this body, I got slapped by some high priest. What kind of nonsense is this?
“That look in his eyes… like he was ready to kill me on the spot.”
Even more ridiculous—after slapping me, that old man threw away the glove he used, like I was something dirty.
“Seriously…”
And what was that last thing he said?
‘Fulfill your duty before I return from my tour.’
What does that even mean?
Not that I care. Why should I bother following orders from someone who slapped me?
“Saintess, here is some ice.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I hid my sulky expression and took the ice from the elderly nun, pressing it to my cheek.
She is Bertha, the head nun who oversees all the nuns in the Grand Temple of Haram.
From what I can tell, she’s probably the only person here who treats me kindly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Just then, loud knocking shook the door, and my personal attendants rushed in.
“You must prepare for the banquet, Saintess.”
They abruptly pulled me up from the sofa and dressed me in a pure white gown that covered my entire body.
They concealed my slightly swollen cheek with powder and colored my pale lips red, making my already beautiful face look even more radiant.
“As expected of the saintess who captivated the proud male lead at first sight.”
I stared at the mirror with mixed feelings before being led to another building inside the Grand Temple.
Honestly, I wanted to flip everything over and demand what the hell this was…
But for now, it was better for me to go along quietly.
The Grand Temple banquet is where the saintess frequently interacts with the protagonists.
Which means it’s my chance to identify them.
Where are they?
As soon as I arrived, I slipped into a corner.
A place where I wouldn’t stand out but could still overhear conversations.
I scanned the room and listened carefully for a while, but I couldn’t spot anyone who seemed like the main characters.
Then—
“The Duke of Rexton der Pellond and Duchess Alexandra Roxanne Pellond have arrived!”
“…!”
That name—
I instinctively turned my head.
The heavy doors slowly opened, revealing two figures.
A man with neatly swept-back black hair, scanning the room with arrogant blue eyes.
And a woman with elegant red hair pinned up, gazing ahead with bright green eyes and a blank expression.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly.
They’re here.
The protagonists of this novel.
And…
I placed a hand on my chest, trying to calm my pounding heart.
…the ones who kill the saintess—the villain.
My grip tightened.
Right before the original novel went on hiatus, the two protagonists executed the saintess for causing a monster uprising.
Which means—if I want to live, I need to avoid them at all costs.
I downed the wine in my hand in one gulp. The sharp burn spread through my empty stomach, making me frown.
That’s enough for today.
I set the empty glass down and looked around. Everyone’s attention was focused on the newly arrived duke and duchess.
I memorized the way back, too.
Now that I’ve seen their faces, I just need to stay away from them.
I made up my mind and glanced back toward the entrance.
At some point, Rexton had disappeared, leaving Alexandra alone.
Enduring the scornful gazes of everyone in the hall.
Seeing her pitiful figure, a certain line echoed in my ears.
‘I will change everything.’
It was something Alexandra said after regressing, filled with regret for her past life.
Originally, Alexandra was the daughter of a wealthy baron family from another country—not the Holy Empire.
But one day, she received a marriage proposal from Duke Rexton der Pellond, whose family was on the brink of bankruptcy due to inherited debt.
Her parents, upon receiving the proposal, married her off immediately—without even giving her time to learn the Holy Empire’s language.
As a result, Alexandra entered high society unable to properly communicate… and eventually became isolated, earning the nickname of a villainess.
“They’re all awful.”
Everyone except Alexandra.
I bit my lip, studying her face.
Despite hearing the mocking whispers around her, she showed no emotion.
No sadness. No despair. Not even betrayal.
It reminded me of someone I knew very well.
My past self—who had been betrayed over and over again by a boyfriend of ten years and dragged through countless rumors.
…Just once, should I take a closer look?
I pressed a hand against my aching chest and muttered.
Yeah. This will be the last time I ever see the protagonists anyway.
I spread open my fan and hid my face.
Then, carefully walking along the edge of the hall, I approached Alexandra from behind.
Just then, I overheard a whisper.
“…Shall we?”
I glanced over and saw a group exchanging meaningful smiles while eyeing Alexandra.
Suspicious.
I slowed my steps slightly.
One of them called over a servant and took a glass filled with red wine.
Then, lifting her chin arrogantly, she began walking toward Alexandra.
Ah.
So this is that scene.
I let out a small scoff and quickly followed behind.
The noble lady with the wine moved gracefully through the crowd like a swan.
But her gaze was fixed on Alexandra like a hunting hyena.
Two steps away from Alexandra.
One step away from me.
Now.
I stretched out my leg and stomped hard on the hem of her dress.
“—Kyaa!”
Crash!
With the sound of shattering glass, the woman fell flat onto her back.
I quickly slipped into the crowd and looked back.
The noble lady lay there, buried in her fluffy dress, staring at the ceiling in shock.
“Lady Roxen!”
Those who had been talking with her screamed.
Servants rushed over from the walls after sensing the commotion.
I blended deeper into the crowd, glancing over.
Alexandra, who had been expressionless the whole time, was now staring down at the fallen woman in surprise.
That should do it… right?
I looked at her with a hint of sympathy.
If this could at least spare her one painful memory from the original story, even in a small way…
But this would be both the first and last time I help her.
With a complicated feeling, I looked around.
Unintentionally, the entire hall’s attention had shifted to the incident.
Taking advantage of that, I quietly slipped out.
Click.
As the door closed behind me, a dim corridor stretched ahead.
Unlike the noisy banquet hall, the hallway was completely silent.
I relaxed slightly and began walking.
Tap, tap.
The steady sound of my heels gradually calmed my restless mind.
Just as I was about to pass by a private lounge—
Bang.
A door suddenly burst open, and a large hand shot out.
Before I could even scream, my wrist was grabbed, and I was dragged inside.
Click.
The door shut behind me.
“…Ugh.”
The metal handle pressed into my back, forcing a groan out of me.
What the—?
I frowned and looked up.
In the dim room, a man stood under faint moonlight.
Then he spoke in a low voice.
“Why are you so late, Serenity?”
