"Reborn as a Villainess

Amelia clutched the journal tightly as she hurried back to her chambers, her heart pounding in her chest. The grand corridors of the Ashbourne estate, though beautifully decorated, felt colder than ever, their emptiness amplifying the unease curling in her stomach. Cedric's warning echoed in her mind:

"Some truths are better left buried."

What had Seraphina uncovered that was so dangerous? And why had Cedric appeared in the library so late at night? Was he watching her, or was it mere coincidence?

As she closed the heavy door to her room, Amelia leaned against it, her breathing ragged. She pulled out the journal, its cover cool and smooth beneath her fingertips. Lighting a candle, she sat at her writing desk and opened the book once more.

---

A Glimpse into Seraphina's Secrets

The entries were a mix of confessions and cryptic warnings:

"They think me cruel, but cruelty is the shield I wield against those who would destroy me."

"I cannot trust Cedric. His loyalty is to the crown, not to me."

"There is a letter hidden in the rosewood chest that could ruin everything."

Amelia frowned. A rosewood chest? She glanced around her room, noting a small chest at the foot of her bed. Could it be the same one? She hesitated, her fingers trembling as she flipped to the next page.

"If someone finds this journal, know that my downfall was not entirely of my own making. Those I trusted most betrayed me. Cedric, the court, even my own blood… they all played a hand in my destruction."

Amelia's chest tightened. The villainess Seraphina wasn't just a scheming antagonist; she was a victim of a larger, more sinister plot.

---

The Rosewood Chest

Unable to resist, Amelia moved to the chest. She knelt beside it, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings on its surface. It was locked, of course. With a sigh, she searched the room, her mind racing. Where would Seraphina have hidden the key?

Her gaze landed on the vanity. Inside the drawer, amidst fine jewelry and hairpins, she found a small, ornate key. Her hands shook as she unlocked the chest and lifted the lid.

Inside, she found neatly folded silk scarves, a few personal trinkets, and—at the very bottom—a sealed envelope with Seraphina's name scrawled in elegant handwriting. Amelia picked it up, her heart hammering. The seal was already broken.

She unfolded the letter carefully, its words illuminated by the flickering candlelight.

"Seraphina,

Do not trust him. His charm is a mask, his promises nothing but lies. The moment you become a threat, he will not hesitate to remove you. You must act before it is too late.

—A Friend"

Amelia's blood ran cold. The warning was vague but unmistakable. It was Cedric, wasn't it? The letter had to be referring to him. Yet, something about it felt too simple, too convenient.

A sudden knock at her door made her jump, the letter slipping from her grasp. She quickly shoved it back into the chest, closing it as quietly as possible.

"Who is it?" she called, trying to steady her voice.

"It's me," came a soft, feminine voice. Lady Margaret, her handmaid, stepped inside without waiting for permission. The young woman's brown eyes were filled with concern. "My lady, you're awake so late. Is everything all right?"

Amelia forced a smile. "I couldn't sleep. Just organizing my things."

Margaret nodded, but her gaze lingered on the chest. "If there's anything you need, my lady, you mustn't hesitate to call me. You've seemed… different lately. Not in a bad way, but enough to worry me."

Amelia softened. Margaret's loyalty felt genuine, a rare comfort in this world where treachery lurked at every corner. "Thank you, Margaret. I appreciate your concern."

As the maid left, Amelia locked the chest and slid the key into her pocket. The weight of the secrets she had uncovered pressed heavily on her.

---

Morning Revelations

The next morning, Amelia joined Cedric for their daily walk through the estate gardens. The Duke was as aloof as ever, his silver eyes scanning their surroundings as though expecting danger to leap out from behind the neatly trimmed hedges.

"I trust you slept well, Lady Seraphina?" he asked, his tone polite but distant.

"Well enough," Amelia lied, her grip tightening on her parasol. She studied him carefully, searching for any cracks in his cold façade. Was he truly the charming traitor the letter warned about?

"You've been spending a lot of time in the library," Cedric remarked casually, though there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes."I've taken an interest in learning more about this estate," Amelia replied smoothly, her tone light. "It's such a fascinating place, with so much history."

Cedric's lips curled into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Indeed. The Ashbourne estate is filled with stories—some best remembered, others best forgotten."

Amelia felt a shiver run down her spine. His words seemed to carry a hidden meaning, but she couldn't determine whether it was a warning or a test. Cedric's ability to conceal his thoughts was maddening.

"I imagine there's much I still have to learn," she said, forcing a polite smile. "Perhaps you could tell me more about its history sometime?"

Cedric's gaze lingered on her,