1.2

(a distant memory)

In an empty classroom during recess, three girls huddled together, forming an unlikely trio of best friends. Engaged in friendly banter, they each brought their unique personalities and quirks to the conversation.

There was a girl with a radiant smile and impeccable fashion sense. She sat on the edge of a desk, her perfectly styled hair cascading over her shoulders. However, despite her stunning appearance, she had a reputation for being a bit of a complainer. She sighed dramatically and muttered about everything from school assignments to the cafeteria food. Her phone buzzed intermittently with messages from admirers, which sometimes also seemed to evoke a discontented expression. Swiping a recent message off her phone, she continued.

Complaining Girl: "Ugh, I can't believe it! I've tried defeating the villainess in that Otome game a hundred times, and I keep getting a game over no matter what I do!"

Beside her, sat another girl straddled on a desk, her glasses perched on her nose as she read a thick book about Human Psychology. She was the embodiment of the term "random facts machine" as she would often casually bomb a "do you know?" between a conversation and then follow it with an impromptu lecture. She had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Her eyes darted across the pages as she occasionally pushed her glasses back up. Her passion for academics was well-known to her friends, but there was a secret she kept hidden beneath her nerdy exterior as she often was found lost in daydreams of a future together with certain someone. Coming back to reality, she replied.

Girl with Glasses: "Seriously? That sounds frustrating. Which villainess are you talking about?"

Complaining Girl: "It's the main one in "Villainess Laughs When They Die." No matter how many times I reset and try different choices, I always end up failing. It's like the game's impossible!"

The third member of this trio, a girl with a contagious laugh and an insatiable appetite couldn't resist digging into a bag of chips as they chatted. Her round cheeks dimpled as she chomped, and she always seemed to have a snack nearby, making her the group's self-proclaimed glutton. Crumbs were scattered around her as proof of her ongoing chip review

Girl with ponytail: "Oh, I know that one! The villainess is tough to beat. Have you tried looking for any guides online?" *Chomp

Complaining Girl: "Yeah, I've checked a few forums and watched gameplay videos, but nothing's working. It's like she's always three steps ahead."

Girl with ponytail: "Hmm, have you considered going back to the source material? I mean, the game was adapted from a novel, right? Maybe you can find some clues or hints there."

*Crunch.

Complaining Girl: "That's a great idea! I forgot it was based on a novel. Maybe some details in the story can help me figure out how to beat her."

*Chomp

Girl with Ponytail: "Bow before me peasant, Praise me more. HUHAHA."

*Crunch.

Complaining Girl: " Stop it, I would praise you if share those. -_-"

Girl with Ponytail: (Shows an empty chips packet.) "See that was a late one. Back to the topic, You know sometimes games like these incorporate extra details from the source material that can give you an edge. You might discover some hidden motivations or weaknesses of the villainess that could turn the tide in your favour."

Complaining Girl: (looks at the girl with Glasses) "Will you help me find the clue? The novel is too big all you need to do is read part 1. And we both will read the next two parts and then share the info here."

Girl with Glasses(@_@): "I'll give that a shot."

Complaining Girl: "You got this! Thanks so much, *hugs* I'm determined to finally defeat that villainess and get the happy ending I've been working so hard for."

Girl with ponytail: "Anyone hungry? I want ice cream."

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(Present)

The Duke, a stern and dignified figure, sat at the head of the long, polished wooden table. Beside him was his elegant wife, the Duchess, her regal bearing matched only by her beauty. 

At this lavish dinner table, the Duke and Duchess welcomed their daughter Kathryn with warm smiles. "Kathryn, dear, it's wonderful to have you back home." the Duchess exclaimed.

Kathryn nodded and smiled, her engagement ring from the prince gleaming under the chandelier light. "Thank you, Mother. It's been quite an eventful time." 

Kathryn was wicked and cruel, but she never allowed her sadistic intentions to corrode her senses. She was tactful as she always kept a different personality around those who were in a superior position to her.

As they took their seats, Kathryn's younger sister Rose entered the room with an enthusiastic grin. "Kathryn! You're finally back! I've missed you so much!"

Kathryn's smile faltered for a moment, a subtle shudder running down her spine. She hugged Rose, but her gaze hinted at something more complex beneath the surface. "I've missed you too, Rose."

She felt real, like a real human, the sudden display of affection left her conflicted. As she kept gazing at the face of the heroine.

Sitting across from her, her elder brother Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Is everything alright, Kathryn? You look a bit uneasy."

Alexander's golden hair cascaded in waves down to his shoulders, framing a strong jawline and piercing red eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of ages. His left eye was a red marble, a testament to battles fought in defence of his family's honour and the kingdom's prosperity. Alexander, was a striking figure, Tall and regal, just like his father he possessed an aura of nobility that was impossible to ignore. 

"Oh, it's just... the engagement and all has been overwhelming," Kathryn replied, hoping her discomfort didn't show too much.

Their father, the Duke Evan, chuckled. "It's natural to feel that way, my dear. Soon you'll be a princess."

Kathryn nodded, but her gaze drifted towards Rose again, who was chatting lively about the latest town gossip. Rose has made a lot of changes in the timeline, in her current regression. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Rose's presence would somehow be intertwined with her future.

Soon a group of servants clad in uniform decorated with the dukedom crest, came moving gracefully with practised movements. Each one carried a covered silver platter, as they approached the table where the Duke's family sat.

With synchronized actions, the servants one by one lifted the silver covers, revealing the strange and outlandish dishes beneath.

Seeing the food, Kathryn realised she was about to face her first challenge, the food from another world. A challenge she managed to avoid in the last banquet thanks to her transmigration timing.

There, on the platters, were dishes that flew in the face of earthly culinary standards. A shimmering, red-orange soup with purple diced cubes. 

Next to it, there was a plate piled high with complex, spiral-shaped tarts that gave off a tantalizing aroma of exotic seasonings. 

A maid set down a dish containing a colourful collection of fruit salads, each with colours and textures that were unknown to her.  One of them looked piece of yellow dragon fruit. Others looked like dried chopped-off tentacle pieces.

As the servants stepped back, allowing the Duke's family to take in the mesmerizing display, Kathryn couldn't help but exchange amazed glances(for different reasons) with her new family as they began to eat the strange food with ease. 

The table was now looking like a canvas of colours, texture and shapes that hinted at flavour beyond her wildest imagination.

But before anyone could speak anything about her hesitancy regarding the food. She quickly mimicked Alexander and Rose and picked a spoonful from her bowl to eat.

The food was sweet and sour, she controlled her facial expressions, donning a poker face with a fake smile as she chewed the food.

Despite her best efforts to make it look normal, her looks did trigger panic in some servants, probably those who were responsible for these strange cushions.

Throughout dinner, conversation flowed, filled with anecdotes and fake laughter. But as the meal progressed, Kathryn found herself stealing glances at Rose, whose cheerful demeanour seemed almost too perfect.

Her new younger sister's destiny as the protagonist in the story was clear. Despite the scar on her forehead, Rose possessed a captivating beauty that left Kathryn in awe. Her younger sister's radiant features seemed to effortlessly draw people in. Kathryn couldn't help but admire Rose's confidence, and her ability to shine even in the face of adversity. Yet, with this realisation, Kathryn couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding about her role in the narrative.

As dessert was served, which was unexpected and to her relief looked and tasted like normal vanilla ice cream, Kathryn tried to focus on the joy of the occasion, the clinking of glasses and the warmth of her family's love.

But deep down, she couldn't ignore the unsettling thought that Rose's journey might spell her downfall. She kept looking at Rose as a maid supported Rose to move around. She probably exhausted herself in her cleric duty as usual.