Chapter 1 First Meeting (1)
First Encounter (1)
<The Villainess Turns Back Time Today>
Commonly known as "Akshidol."
When I first read this novel, I thought it was just another romance fantasy.
The typical villainess story where a modern-day heroine possesses the villainess, changes the people around her, and avoids the bad ending awaiting her.
But this novel had two key differences from standard RoFan villainess stories.
First, the protagonist knew almost nothing about the original work.
At most, she only knew that the villainess she possessed would be executed, along with some basic settings she'd heard about from a friend who read the novel.
Second, the protagonist possessed an utterly broken ability—Infinite Regression.
A randomly determined save point would be created, allowing her to return to that moment at will or upon death.
At first glance, one might think it's just another overpowered protagonist wreaking havoc...
'But it was pure tragedy.'
Branded as the villainess even before possession, she resorted to every possible means just to survive.
In the process, dying or being tortured became routine for her.
Looking back now, I wonder what kind of deep-seated resentment the author harbored to put the protagonist through such torment.
Knock knock.
While lost in thought, a knock echoed from the office door.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened, revealing an elderly man dressed in butler attire.
Snow-white hair and a face lined with wrinkles. Outwardly, he appeared aged, but the gleam in his eyes was sharp as ever.
The old man's name was Allen. A butler who had served the Hardenberg Ducal Family since my childhood.
"What is it?"
"Well, you see..."
"Speak freely."
At my words, Allen hesitated briefly before slowly opening his mouth.
"The young lady of Count Este has arrived."
"...Is that so?"
Has that part of the original story already come?
No—it's been nearly twenty years since I reincarnated as this novel's male lead, so "already" might not be the right word.
As I sank into thought, Allen spoke again.
"What shall we do?"
"Tell her to wait until I've finished my work."
"Understood, Duke Hardenberg."
Allen bowed his head, closed the door, and left. Watching his retreating figure, I turned my gaze to the documents piled on the desk.
'So many.'
Back then, even processing a single document was a struggle. No one properly taught me how to handle paperwork, leaving me utterly lost.
At the time, I was barely seven years old, yet that man—my so-called father—used it as an excuse to withhold meals and lock me in my room for days.
Thinking about it now, it still makes my blood boil.
No matter how my birth caused my mother's death, how could anyone abuse their own child like that?
And it didn't stop at confinement. Under the guise of "training," he beat me half to death more times than I could count.
The sensation of staring death in the face—I still can't forget it.
"Sigh..."
Had I not retained memories of my past life, I might have truly lost my mind.
After all, the original Duke Hardenberg was essentially a broken yandere.
Honestly, I couldn't even be sure I wasn't already mentally unhinged myself.
Most psychotics don't realize they're psychotic, after all.
'Useless thoughts.'
Seems like the approaching original story arc is making me unnecessarily sentimental.
Shaking off the distractions, I finished processing the remaining documents before leaning back into the chair.
The stiff backrest drew a sigh from me as I stopped reclining. The chairs from my past life were at least more comfortable than this.
No matter how high-quality this chair was, by my standards, it was far from ideal. As I mused, movement stirred outside the office door.
Knock knock.
Right on cue, another knock came. Had he roughly calculated when I'd finish?
Truly a professional butler.
"You may enter."
Allen opened the door and stepped inside.
"Have you finished, my lord?"
"Yes. Where is the young lady of Count Este?"
"In the audience room."
"Bring her in."
"At once."
Allen bowed to me and left the office.
'So it's that part now.'
The protagonist who endured every tragic twist.
The part where she, as a last resort, visits the Ducal Family to meet Duke Hardenberg—the story's hidden mastermind.
In the original, intrigued by the notorious villainess of high society visiting his estate, the Duke permits a private audience.
Using information gained through multiple regressions and her family's unique traits, she successfully captures his interest.
After much persuasion, she secures a contract marriage with Abel.
A development utilizing the classic romance fantasy trope of a contract marriage.
From this point onward, the protagonist, having finally secured a foothold, began to flourish, marking the start of the original work's satisfying developments and romantic arcs.
Of course, that didn't last long—before long, the tragic narrative resumed.
Readers flooded the comments with outraged cries over the sudden shift, but the author ignored them and stubbornly pushed forward with the bleak storyline.
"...Should I call it nauseating?"
Despite being a tragedy novel, the writing quality was surprisingly good, which was why I ended up reading it to the very end.
Looking back now, enduring that novel's misery and finishing it was a stroke of divine luck.
If I hadn't, I might have ended up just like the original protagonist.
Knock, knock.
"Young Lady of Count Este has arrived."
"...So it's really starting now."
With that thought, I spoke.
"Let her in."
***
"...Which attempt is this again?"
I can't even remember anymore. No matter how many times I regressed and tried different approaches, my ending never changed.
Even if I grew close to the protagonist, I'd inevitably be crushed—whether by the protagonist's followers or the Crown Prince.
And if I approached other male leads from the original story, all I received were scornful gazes.
The noble society was far crueler than I'd imagined—once branded as the villainess, I wasn't even given a proper chance to stand my ground again.
Even if that villainess was the daughter of a count.
In the end, after countless regressions, the only thing I had left was enough magical skill to protect myself.
Ambushes were a given, poisonings were routine, and I was even kidnapped at one point. The only reason my magic improved was to fend off such threats.
No matter how freely I could regress, if my save point locked in at some disastrous moment, there'd be no way out.
"Young Lady of Count Este. His Grace has instructed you to wait until he finishes his work."
"Understood."
Under normal circumstances, this treatment would be considered rude even among nobles. But the other party was a duke, while I was merely the daughter of a count.
Besides, since I hadn't even announced my visit beforehand, I had no grounds to complain about discourtesy.
"Still, it's extravagant."
As expected of a ducal family.
The silver chandeliers, the ornate wallpaper, and the chairs so plush they must have been magically enhanced.
Of course, they were nothing compared to modern furniture, but for me, this was more than enough.
Portraits of the Hardenberg family heads hung on the walls. And my gaze was drawn to the one on the far right.
Ashen hair and gray eyes. A scar across his face and opulent attire.
No doubt about it.
This was Abel Hardenberg—the original story's mastermind and the only character who had ever successfully cornered the protagonist.
"...And now I'm about to negotiate with him."
It felt like sticking my head straight into a tiger's maw.
No matter how many regressions I had under my belt or how much information I could offer him, he was far from an easy opponent.
As I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves, the elderly butler addressed me.
"Please follow me. His Grace should be finishing his work shortly."
At his words, I took a deep breath and slowly rose to my feet. The butler began walking toward the office, matching his pace to mine.
The lavish hallway greeted me, but I barely registered it.
The thought that he might be the only key to changing my bad ending made it impossible not to tense up.
How long had we walked? The butler stopped before an elegant wooden door and raised his hand to knock.
Knock, knock.
"Young Lady of Count Este has arrived."
Even after the butler's announcement, no sound came from inside the office.
Maybe he had left to toy with me. Given my reputation as the villainess, it wouldn't be surprising.
Just as ominous thoughts swirled in my mind, a voice finally came from within.
"Let her in."
The door opened, and I stepped forward slowly into the office.
Before me stood antique wooden furniture—and at its center, seated behind a desk, was a single man.
Ashen hair and gray eyes.
A gaze so sharp it could cut, an aura so cold it chilled the air. A face so beautiful it hardly seemed human.
For a moment, I could only stare blankly at his radiant features. He was far more handsome than his portrait, leaving me momentarily stunned.
"...What are you doing?"
At Abel's irritated tone, I snapped back to reality and hastily spoke.
"My apologies for the rudeness. It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace, Duke Hardenberg."
"Fine, whatever. I wasn't scolding you, so don't mind it."
"Thank you for your generosity."
"So, what's your business?"
"This is it."
From here on out, I had to find a way to pull him to my side.
Even if it took hundreds of regressions, I was prepared to do it.