The last thing I remembered was the blinding flash of a truck's headlights and the triumphant music of my 100% completion run of Grand Fantasia Royale. Then, nothing.
Now, I was staring at my reflection in a grand, gold-leafed mirror. Instead of my familiar pajamas, I was wrapped in an extravagant pink dress. A face I had seen countless times on a screen stared back: sharp blue eyes, blonde hair coiled into perfect ringlets, and a expression that usually promised trouble.
Elise von Brandt. The villainess. The final boss of every player's run.
"My lady?" a timid maid spoke from the door. "Your carriage awaits. We mustn't be late for the academy."
Academy. The word triggered a flood of memories. Not my memories, but hers. Today was the first day of the term. And I knew, with the certainty of a master player, exactly what was supposed to happen today.
A grin spread across my face. This wasn't a nightmare. This was a New Game+.
"I'm coming," I said, my voice strangely melodic.
The hallways of the Royal Academy were a swirl of polished marble and gossiping nobles. I walked with the confidence of a character who owned the place, because, in a way, I did. I knew every secret passage, every character's hidden preference, every trigger for a bad ending.
And then I saw her.
Lily. The heroine. She looked exactly like her sprite: soft brown hair, wide, innocent green eyes, and a natural charm that made the surrounding students glance her way. She was carrying a tall stack of books, struggling to see over the top.
This was it. The inciting incident. In the game, Elise would 'accidentally' bump into Lily, sending the books flying. She would then mock Lily for her clumsiness and commoner background, attracting the attention of the male leads and sealing her first 'Doom Flag'—a future of exile and ruin.
Lily stumbled on the polished floor. The books teetered.
The students around us froze, watching me. They were waiting for the show. This was my cue to become the villain.
I took a step forward. But instead of shoving her, I shot my hands out and steadied the stack of books.
"Careful there," I said, my voice calm. "The floors are newly waxed."
Silence. You could have heard a pin drop. Lily's wide eyes were filled with pure, unadulterated shock. The watching crowd looked confused.
This was more fun than I'd expected.
"Th-thank you, Lady Elise," Lily stammered.
"It's no trouble," I said, releasing the books. As I did, my eyes fell on the topmost volume. It wasn't a school text. It was a ledger. A basic book on regional trade and commerce.
A memory flickered. In one of the game's secret, near-impossible-to-get endings, Lily didn't end up with a prince. She ended up becoming the 'Merchant Queen,' using her sharp mind to build a financial empire. This ledger was the first hint of that hidden route.
I pointed to the book. "An interesting choice of reading. Are you interested in trade, Miss Lily?"
Her cheeks flushed. "Oh! It's just… a personal interest. My family runs a small shop, and I find the flow of goods… fascinating."
As she spoke, the world in front of my eyes shimmered. Transparent, blue text boxed appeared, hovering in the air.
[ Hidden Quest Unlocked! ]
[ Quest: The Merchant Queen's First Monopoly ]
[ Objective: Partner with Lily to secure a 100% market share of a single, high-demand good within the capital. ]
[ Reward: 5,000 Gold. +50 Reputation with the Merchant's Guild. Unlocks the 'Economic Dominance' Skill Tree. ]
My gamer's heart soared. Doom Flags? Those were just poorly marked side-quests. This… this was the real content!
I ignored the stunned stares and focused on Lily. "Fascinating is an understatement," I said, a genuine smile on my face. "Control the trade, and you control the kingdom. Don't you agree?"
Lily's mouth fell open slightly. "I… I've never heard anyone else say that."
"Then you've been talking to the wrong people." I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. "I have a proposition for you. Meet me in the library after our etiquette class. Come alone."
Before she could answer, a sharp, male voice cut through the hallway.
"What is going on here?"
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Prince Cedric, the game's primary male lead and Elise's most desired capture target. His chiseled face was set in a frown, his gaze flicking from Lily's flustered expression to my calm one.
"Lady Elise," he said, his tone cold and wary. "I trust you are not causing any… trouble?"
In the game, this was where Elise would start lying, accusing Lily of tripping her, and making a scene. I decided to try a different strategy. The truth.
"No trouble at all, Your Highness," I said, giving a small, polite curtsy. "Miss Lily's books nearly fell. I helped her steady them. We were just discussing a shared interest in economic theory."
Cedric's frown deepened. He looked utterly bewildered. "Economic… theory?"
"Indeed," I said smoothly. "It's a pity the academy's curriculum neglects such practical subjects. But then, a future ruler must understand more than just swordplay and poetry, mustn't he?"
I saw a flicker of something—interest, perhaps—in his eyes before his usual mask of princely detachment returned. He turned to Lily. "Are you alright, Miss Lily?"
"Yes, Your Highness," she said, bowing her head. "Lady Elise was very kind."
The words 'Lady Elise' and 'kind' in the same sentence seemed to short-circuit the prince's brain. He simply nodded, gave me one last suspicious glance, and walked away, the crowd parting for him.
The bell for class rang. Students began to disperse, whispering and casting confused looks my way.
Lily hugged her books to her chest. "The library? After etiquette?"
"Yes," I said. "I think we can help each other. I have capital. You have ideas. Together, we could do something… profitable."
A slow, hesitant smile touched her lips. It was the first genuine one she'd given me. "I'll be there."
As I walked to my next class, a new notification appeared.
[ New Relationship Status: Lily – Intrigued (0 -> 15/100) ]
[ New Relationship Status: Prince Cedric – Confused (Hate -50 -> -45/100) ]
I almost laughed out loud. Confused was better than hated. It was a start. The game was on, and this time, I wasn't playing to capture a prince. I was playing to win everything.