A Villainess's Redemption as a Doctor

The next morning, the sun had barely begun to rise, casting pale streaks of light across the palace's marble floors. 

Minseok had barely slept. 

He had spent the night pacing, his mind unable to quiet itself, constantly replaying the king's cold words and the weight of his expectations. 

The reality of his situation had become undeniable, he was no longer an outsider looking in, but a participant in a ruthless, dangerous game.

The room was still and silent as he dressed in the elaborate attire Seraphina had worn countless times. 

The silks and velvets felt foreign against his skin, as though they belonged to someone else. 

The crown, sitting on a nearby table, gleamed faintly in the morning light, mocking him with its heavy promise.

Minseok stood before the mirror for a long moment, studying the reflection. 

Seraphina's features were there, the platinum golden hair cascading down her back, the delicate, aristocratic face, the graceful posture but there was something in his eyes now. 

A darkness. 

A weariness. 

It was the look of someone who knew the world wasn't kind, and who would do whatever it took to survive.

"Today," Minseok whispered to his reflection, "I will learn what it takes to rule"

His heart raced at the thought of facing the war council. 

He had no training, no preparation for what was about to unfold. 

The council was where power wasn't just discussed; it was seized, torn apart, and reshaped with every word spoken. 

The people he would face in that room were not mere courtiers, they were political animals, sharp and calculating, willing to sacrifice anything for the right to hold the kingdom's reins.

With a deep breath, he adjusted the high collar of Seraphina's gown and made his way toward the meeting room, where the council would take place. 

As he stepped into the hallway, he was met by Captain Reiner, who was standing at attention near the door, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

"Your Highness," Reiner said with a bow, his voice low but respectful. 

"The council awaits"

Minseok gave a small nod and motioned for him to lead the way. 

They walked in silence through the ornate corridors, past the guards standing at attention and the tapestries depicting the kingdom's past glories. 

With every step, the weight of the day's events grew heavier. 

This was no longer a matter of simply playing the role of Seraphina. 

Today, Minseok would step into her shoes and face the kingdom's most powerful men. 

The stakes couldn't be higher.

As they approached the large wooden doors of the council room, Minseok felt a knot tighten in his chest. 

He hadn't been in this room before, not as Seraphina, and certainly not as Minseok. 

His mind raced with questions, uncertainties, and fears. 

But there was no turning back now.

"Stay close," Reiner murmured, as he pushed open the door.

The moment Minseok stepped into the council room, the heavy air hit him like a wall. 

The room was vast and intimidating, its long oak table gleaming under the dim light of candelabras. 

Around the table sat the kingdom's most powerful lords and generals, their eyes all turning to him as he entered. 

There was a murmur that swept through the room as Minseok's presence was acknowledged.

At the far end of the table sat King Feran Aldric Lumastra, his face expressionless, his cold eyes fixed on his daughter or, as Minseok now was, the embodiment of Seraphina. 

He was a man who demanded respect, and those gathered in the room knew it. 

Minseok could feel their gazes on him, the weight of their expectations pressing in. 

These men were not just politicians, they were warriors, strategists, and schemers. 

The war council was their domain, and today, Minseok was about to step into the center of it all.

"Princess Seraphina," the king said, his voice as commanding as ever. 

"You have joined us at a crucial time. The fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance"

Minseok bowed slightly, his eyes never leaving his father's. 

"I am honored to be here, Father"

The king nodded once, his gaze hardening. 

"Sit, and learn"

Minseok made his way to an empty chair beside the king, the other lords and generals offering polite nods but no true warmth. 

As he settled into the seat, he could feel the weight of their scrutiny. 

A tall man with a thick beard, General Falkor, leaned forward from the other side of the table, his voice gruff but commanding. 

"The war with the neighboring kingdom of Veldrin has escalated. Their forces are amassing along the border, and we've received reports of spies within our territory"

"This council needs to decide our next move"

Minseok's stomach twisted at the mention of war. 

His body, still unfamiliar with Seraphina's physical presence, felt a strange dissonance. 

He wasn't supposed to be here. 

He wasn't a ruler. 

But the king's gaze, sharp as a blade, reminded him of his new reality. 

He had to play this role or perish.

The lords and generals began to speak in rapid succession, their voices blending together in a cacophony of opinions and demands. 

Each man presented his view, some advocating for military aggression, others for cautious diplomacy. 

The kingdom of Veldrin was an old rival, its power growing every day. 

But what struck Minseok the most was how little regard they had for the lives that would be lost in the process. 

The kingdom's future wasn't determined by compassion or care.

It was dictated by ruthless strategy.

The tension in the room was palpable. 

The decisions being made here would shape the kingdom's future, and Minseok was an unwilling participant in this high-stakes game. 

He could feel the weight of their eyes on him, judging, waiting, expecting him to make his mark. 

Minseok swallowed hard. 

The king had said he would learn today. 

But as the voices of power and conflict swirled around him, Minseok realized that there was more at stake than just knowledge.

He had to learn how to make decisions that would determine life and death.

And he had to learn quickly.

The voices continued to rise and fall around him, each lord and general presenting their arguments, each word heavier than the last. 

Minseok sat motionless, trying his best to appear as though he understood the full weight of the discussion. 

But in truth, he was overwhelmed. 

The intricacies of warfare, the subtle power plays at work, and the cold calculations of lives being traded for strategy.

None of it made sense to him.

"Your Highness, what do you think?" 

A voice interrupted his thoughts. 

Lord Brennar, one of the oldest and most influential members of the council, looked at him expectantly. 

His eyes were shrewd, calculating, as if he were testing the princess's resolve.

Minseok froze. 

The attention of the room was suddenly on him. 

Every pair of eyes was waiting for his response. 

He could feel the weight of their scrutiny pressing down on him like a physical force. 

'What do I think?' 

This wasn't a simple matter of diplomacy or military tactics. 

This was power. 

The kind of power that could ruin kingdoms, that could kill thousands. 

Taking a deep breath, Minseok forced himself to speak. 

He couldn't afford to falter now. 

Not in front of these men.

"I believe," Minseok started slowly, his voice trying to maintain an air of calmness, "that we must act with caution"

"War, while necessary in some instances, should not be entered into without consideration of the consequences"

"If we push for full-scale conflict with Veldrin, it will cost lives not only on the battlefield but in every corner of the kingdom"

"The people will suffer"

The room fell silent. 

The words hung in the air, suspended by the tension that now rippled through the council. 

Minseok dared not look at the king's face, he could already feel the king's sharp gaze like a blade at his back.

Lord Brennar's expression didn't change. 

"A valid point," he said slowly, though there was a certain coolness to his tone, as if he were assessing Minseok's response. 

"But you are naive, Princess. The kingdom's security cannot rest in the hands of sentimentality"

"If we do not act, Veldrin will overrun our borders, and all the people you claim to care about will be crushed under their bootheels"

The other councilors nodded, some in agreement, others simply awaiting the king's word. 

Minseok felt his throat tighten. 

The kingdom's survival depended on decisive action, and yet, the thought of trading lives like pieces on a chessboard unsettled him.

"Indeed," the king spoke at last, his deep voice cutting through the tension. 

Everyone in the room turned toward him. 

His gaze was cold, calculating. 

"But we must also consider the long-term cost. If we engage in war, it will be for one reason and one reason alone: power"

"Our survival is tied to our strength, and if we show weakness now, we risk the collapse of our very foundation"

Minseok felt a chill at the king's words. 

Power. 

Always power. 

It was a concept he couldn't yet fully grasp, but one he was coming to understand. 

The king's world was one of manipulation and control, and it seemed there was no room for mercy.

"You are right, Father," Minseok said, forcing the words out. 

"We must consider all factors. But is it not worth asking if there is another way? Diplomacy, perhaps"

"A compromise that avoids the bloodshed that comes with war"

The room fell even quieter, and Minseok could feel every pair of eyes focused on him. 

Was that the right thing to say? 

He wasn't sure. 

He only knew that if he was to survive in this world, he had to show some strength, even if that meant pushing back against the overwhelming consensus.

The king's gaze shifted to him, his expression unreadable. 

For a moment, Minseok thought he saw a flicker of something in his father's eyes, something almost like disappointment, but it was gone in an instant.

"I admire your idealism, Seraphina," the king said, his voice soft but carrying the weight of authority. 

"But this is no time for ideals. We do not have the luxury of peace"

"Veldrin will not hesitate to crush us if given the chance, and we will not allow that to happen" 

His eyes hardened, and he turned to the council. 

"We will move forward with the plans I have outlined. This discussion is over"

Minseok felt a pang of frustration, but he bit his lip and stayed silent. 

There was no room for argument here. 

The king had made his decision.

As the council members began to rise, murmurs of agreement and dissatisfaction filling the room, Minseok sat frozen in place, still trying to process everything. 

He had just participated in the most critical council meeting of his life, and all he could do was watch as the course of the kingdom's fate was decided with cold, unfeeling words.

"Princess Seraphina," General Falkor said, stepping toward him with a slight nod. 

"Your opinion was... intriguing, though perhaps not the one we expected. But I suggest you learn quickly, this council is not a place for hesitation"

Minseok forced a polite smile, though his insides twisted. 

"Thank you, General. I'll… I'll take your advice to heart"

As the room emptied, and Minseok found himself standing alone before the king, the weight of the day's events hit him all at once. 

The kingdom's future, his future, had been sealed by the cold logic of power. 

The king, ever unyielding, turned to him once the last of the councilors had left, his gaze piercing. 

"You did well today, Seraphina," he said. 

But Minseok could sense the lack of warmth in his words. 

The king was pleased by his obedience, but not by his idealism. 

In Feran Aldric Lumastra's eyes, there was no room for mercy, only the hard edge of leadership.

Minseok bowed his head. 

"Thank you, Father," he said, though the words felt hollow in his throat.

The king nodded. 

"There will be more councils, more decisions. Be prepared. This kingdom will require everything from you, and if you fail to give it... there will be no place for you here"

Minseok's heart raced, but he said nothing. 

He couldn't afford to show weakness. 

Not here. 

Not now.

As he left the council room, the palace halls felt colder, darker than before. 

The weight of the crown seemed heavier, and the responsibility of Seraphina's life more suffocating. 

Minseok was beginning to realize the truth: survival in this world was not about kindness or mercy, it was about control, about mastering the art of power.

And Minseok knew, deep down, that the longer he stayed in this world, the more he would have to lose himself to it.

Minseok's footsteps echoed down the hallway as he made his way back to Seraphina's chambers. 

The weight of the council meeting lingered in his mind like a constant pressure, reminding him of how small he felt in this vast, unforgiving world. 

He had tried to maintain composure, to act the part of the princess, but every time he spoke, every time he engaged with the council, he was reminded that he was an imposter… one who didn't belong here.

But there was no turning back now. 

No way to undo what had been set in motion. 

The kingdom's fate, his survival, and even Seraphina's legacy were now tied to his every decision.

As he entered the chamber, the door closing softly behind him, Minseok let out a long breath, feeling the tension in his body start to ease. 

For a moment, he allowed himself a rare moment of solitude. 

The room was quiet, peaceful in its opulence, with soft candlelight flickering on the walls, casting gentle shadows across the richly decorated furniture. 

It was almost easy to forget the chaos outside these walls, the bloodshed looming on the horizon.

But the moment was fleeting. 

The door creaked open again, and Minseok turned to find Reiner standing in the doorway, his brow furrowed with concern. 

"Your Highness, I trust the council went as expected?" 

Reiner's voice was laced with quiet professionalism, but Minseok could hear the undercurrent of worry beneath the surface.

"It went," Minseok said, sighing. 

"The king made his decision. The war will proceed"

Reiner didn't seem surprised, but there was something unreadable in his gaze. 

He stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind him, and his presence immediately filled the space. 

"The kingdom's future... is now in your hands," he said as if weighing each word carefully.

Minseok nodded, trying to steady the nerves that had taken hold of him again. 

"I don't know if I'm ready for this. The weight of it all... It feels like I'm drowning in it"

Reiner's gaze softened, though his stance remained firm. 

"You may not feel ready, but you don't have a choice. The court, the council, and even your father are waiting for you to lead them"

"And whether you want it or not, you are the face of this kingdom now"

Minseok's heart sank at the truth in Reiner's words. 

He had been thrust into this position with no warning, and no preparation, and the responsibility was suffocating. 

The princess had been expected to be a symbol of strength, of unwavering grace, but Minseok knew he wasn't Seraphina. 

He was just a man who had found himself trapped in her body, pretending to be something he wasn't.

"I don't know if I can keep pretending," Minseok muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. 

'I'm not her. I don't have the skills. I'm not fit to rule. I'm just... me. And I don't even know what I'm supposed to do'

He looked up, "Reiner… what am I supposed to do?"

Reiner remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable as he crossed the room and stood next to Minseok. 

"Your Highness, you may not have chosen this path, but it's the one you're on now"

"And that means you have to choose who you want to be. You can't hide in fear, or second-guess every decision"

"The kingdom needs a leader, and whether you think you're ready or not, they will follow whoever you show them"

Minseok looked at Reiner, the words heavy in his mind. 

The captain spoke with the quiet assurance of someone who had seen far more of the world than Minseok ever had. 

He wasn't just offering advice; he was laying out the brutal truth.

Reiner wasn't wrong. 

Minseok couldn't afford to hesitate or falter, not in front of the men who now saw him as their ruler. 

They would wait for a sign of weakness, and the moment he showed it, the game would be over. 

The kingdom would turn on him, and he would be nothing more than a puppet in Seraphina's place.

"I know," Minseok finally said, his voice quiet but resolute. 

"I know what I have to do. But I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I can be what they want me to be"

Reiner's eyes softened, and for the first time, Minseok saw a flicker of something akin to understanding in his gaze. 

"You don't have to be everything at once. Not all at once. Take it one step at a time"

"You may not be ready but you can still shape the kingdom in your way"

"You have the potential to be something else. Something even better than what's come before"

Minseok was silent for a moment, weighing the captain's words.

Something better. 

It was a foreign concept to him. 

In his old life, Minseok had been content with simplicity, with helping others as a doctor, making a quiet but meaningful impact. 

He had never imagined a world where his every action could shape a kingdom, for better or worse.

But in this world, he was now part of a game he didn't understand, and the only way to survive was to play.

He straightened his posture and met Reiner's gaze. 

"I'll try. For myself, for the kingdom… I'll try"

Reiner gave him a small nod, a slight approval in his eyes. 

"That's all anyone can ask of you, Your Highness"

Just as Minseok turned to leave his room, Reiner called out once more, his voice serious. 

"There is one more thing you must understand, Princess. In this world, alliances are everything. You'll find that some of your closest allies here are just as dangerous as your enemies"

"Choose your friends carefully"

Minseok looked back at Reiner, a frown knitting his brow. 

"I understand"

"I'll be careful"

With that, Minseok left the room, stepping into the cold palace hallway. 

He had been handed a kingdom, a life, and a future he hadn't asked for. 

But it was his now, whether he wanted it or not.

The question remained: Who would he become? 

And how long could he survive before the world of power and politics consumed him entirely?

As Minseok walked through the palace corridors, the weight of the events from the war council pressed heavily on his shoulders. 

Every step seemed to echo the gravity of the decisions that had been made, and every shadow felt like a reminder of the looming consequences. 

The kingdom's fate had been set in motion, and Minseok was caught in the heart of it. 

It wasn't just about survival anymore, it was about becoming something else. 

He had to become someone else entirely.

He had always been willing to help people, someone who sought to save lives, not end them. 

Yet here he was, standing at the precipice of a war that would cost countless lives. 

The council had been clear, Veldrin was a threat, and if the kingdom was to survive, it had to strike first. 

The question lingered in his mind: Could he truly lead this kingdom into war? 

Could he live with the bloodshed that would follow?

Minseok had no answers. 

He wasn't sure he was ready for any of this. 

He wasn't Seraphina, and no matter how much he tried to imitate her or how perfectly he wore her body, he knew deep down that the expectations placed on him were too great. 

The men of the council had seen through his act. 

They weren't fooled by the princess's outward appearance. 

They could see he wasn't the same person, and they would be watching closely, waiting for him to slip up.

After walking around for what felt like forever he approached the door to his chambers once more, the familiar faces of the palace staff greeted him with polite smiles, unaware of the storm brewing inside his mind. 

He nodded at them but didn't stop to engage. 

His thoughts were consumed by the war, by the decisions he would have to make. 

How could he lead when every instinct he had told him to seek peace? 

The door to his chamber creaked open, and Minseok stepped inside, the heavy curtains drawn tight to block out the late afternoon sun. 

He made his way to the window, looking out at the sprawling city below. 

From this height, the kingdom seemed peaceful, almost idyllic. 

But Minseok knew better. 

Below the surface, tensions were rising, and the people could feel it. 

"Your Highness," a voice interrupted his thoughts. 

He turned to see a servant standing near the door, a hesitant look in her eyes. 

"A letter arrived for you, from Lord Gavriel"

Minseok's brow furrowed. 

Lord Gavriel was one of the kingdom's most powerful and influential lords. 

He was known for his strategic mind, his ruthless ambition, and his ability to navigate the murky waters of court politics. 

If Gavriel had sent him a letter, it meant something significant.

"Bring it here," Minseok said, his voice steady but his mind racing.

The servant handed him the letter, and Minseok carefully broke the seal. 

The parchment was crisp and neatly folded, the ink fresh and dark. 

He scanned the contents quickly:

Your Highness,

It is clear to me that your position is precarious, and the events of today's council are but the beginning of what lies ahead. The decisions you will make in the coming weeks will determine your future and that of the kingdom itself. It is in your best interest to remember that you cannot afford to stand alone in these turbulent times. I have enclosed an invitation for you to meet me in the gardens tomorrow at dusk. We can discuss what is to come, and perhaps find a way forward.

Yours sincerely,

Lord Gavriel

Minseok's heart skipped a beat. 

An invitation from Lord Gavriel? 

It was rare for such an influential figure to seek a personal audience, especially under these circumstances. 

He didn't trust Gavriel, not completely. 

But the letter was a reminder of just how deep the game of politics ran in this world. 

Minseok had to learn to play if he wanted to survive. 

And if Lord Gavriel had offered to help, even in his own way, it was an opportunity he couldn't afford to ignore.

He set the letter down on the table, his fingers lingering on the edge of the parchment. 

The future was uncertain, and Minseok had no clear path forward. 

But as the weight of Seraphina's legacy pressed down on him, one thing became clear.

He would have to navigate this world with more than just the medical knowledge he had once relied on. 

The palace doors suddenly opened again, and Minseok turned to find Reiner standing in the doorway, his stern expression unwavering.

"Your Highness," Reiner said, his voice calm but urgent.

"I've received word from the scouts. Veldrin is moving its troops closer to the border. If we don't act soon, they'll be in a position to strike"

Minseok's stomach dropped at the news. 

The war had already begun, even if no formal declaration had been made. 

The enemy was preparing for conflict, and the kingdom was running out of time. 

"Have we made any progress on the diplomatic front?" 

Minseok asked, trying to keep his voice steady. 

Reiner shook his head. 

"The negotiations have stalled. The Veldrins are unwilling to listen, and our attempts to reach a peaceful resolution have been met with nothing but silence. It seems the only option left is military action"

Minseok felt a surge of frustration. 

War, it seemed, was inevitable. 

The weight of it was suffocating. 

He had known the council would push for it, but part of him had hoped no, prayed that diplomacy could still work. 

"And if we go to war, how long before we're fighting on all fronts?" 

Minseok asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Reiner's gaze darkened. 

"If we don't act soon, it could be a matter of weeks before their armies breach our borders. And once they're in, it's anyone's guess how long we can hold them off"

The finality of Reiner's words settled like lead in Minseok's chest. 

This was no longer about what was right. 

It was about survival, about securing the future of the kingdom, no matter the cost. 

There was no room for hesitation. 

Minseok glanced back out at the city below. 

The people of the kingdom had no idea what was coming. 

They would soon be caught in the tide of war, and their lives forever changed. 

And there was nothing he could do to protect them. 

All he could do was lead them, for better or worse.

He turned back to Reiner, his jaw set with determination. 

"Prepare the troops. We'll move forward with the plans. And tell Lord Gavriel I will meet him tonight!"

Reiner nodded. 

"As you command, Your Highness"

As Minseok watched the captain leave, a strange sense of finality washed over him. 

The decisions had been made. 

The kingdom was on the brink of war, and he was the one who would have to lead it. 

Minseok's heart raced, but his mind was clear now. 

There was no turning back. 

He would become a ruler, for better or worse. 

The only question was whether he could survive the path he had chosen.