Chapter 2
Maybe I Should Have Read the Contract
Carol woke up to softness.
Not the kind of softness you got from a department store mattress or even expensive hotel sheets. This was the kind of softness that made you question if you were still dreaming—like sleeping on a cloud made of silk and down feathers and pure comfort.
She stretched, her body sinking deeper into what had to be the most luxurious bed she'd ever experienced, and slowly opened her eyes.
The ceiling above her was painted with delicate frescoes of flowers and vines in soft pastels. A chandelier dripping with crystals hung in the center, catching the morning light and scattering it across the room like tiny stars.
Carol sat up, and her breath caught.
The bedroom was enormous. Her entire apartment back home could have fit in here twice over.
The walls were covered in cream silk wallpaper with subtle gold detailing.
Heavy velvet curtains in deep emerald green framed floor-to-ceiling windows.
The furniture—a vanity, wardrobe, writing desk, sitting area—all looked like it belonged in a palace.
Oh my god. Carol's heart raced with excitement. I actually did it. I'm really here. This is real.
She scrambled out of bed, her bare feet sinking into plush carpet, and immediately went to the wardrobe. When she threw open the doors, she actually gasped.
Dresses. Dozens of them. Silks and satins and velvets in every color imaginable, all clearly custom-made and incredibly expensive. She ran her fingers over the fabrics, feeling the quality, the weight, the sheer luxury of it all.
The vanity was next. Carol practically skipped over to it and found drawers full of jewelry—real jewelry.
Pearls, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, all set in intricate gold and silver designs.
There were hairpins studded with diamonds, necklaces that probably cost more than her yearly salary had been, bracelets that sparkled in the morning light.
"This is amazing," Carol breathed, holding up a particularly stunning necklace. "This is everything I wanted. Comfort, luxury, no more spreadsheets—"
She caught sight of herself in the vanity mirror and froze.
The face staring back at her was beautiful. Delicate features, flawless porcelain skin, large eyes the color of warm amber, and cascading honey-blonde hair that fell in perfect waves down to her waist. She looked like she'd stepped out of a painting.
Carol touched her face, watched the reflection do the same, and felt a surreal disconnect. This was her now. This was her body.
Well, she thought, at least I'm pretty.
She stood up and walked to the windows, pulling back the curtains to reveal the view outside.
The breath left her lungs.
The gardens stretched out as far as she could see, a masterpiece of landscaping in spring glory.
Flower beds in full bloom created rivers of color—roses, dahlias, lavender, and flowers she didn't even recognize.
Stone pathways wound through perfectly manicured hedges.
A fountain sparkled in the distance. Beyond the gardens, rolling hills covered in green stretched to meet a forest on the horizon.
It was breathtaking. It was perfect. It was—
Carol looked down at herself and paused.
"What is this..." she said slowly.
Her hand moved to her stomach, which was slightly rounded beneath her silk nightgown. Not much, just enough to be noticeable. Just enough to be unmistakable.
A baby bump?
"Wait—"
A bright blue light suddenly flared to life in front of her face, making Carol yelp and stumble backward. Floating in the air was what looked like a translucent screen, glowing with that same blue light, displaying text in elegant script:
WELCOME TO CHRONICLES OF ELYNDRA: HEART'S DESTINY
Character Profile:
Name: Caroline Holloway Vanthorn
Age: 22
Title: Duchess of Vanthorn
Status: Married (2 months), Pregnant (3 months)
Affinity: Mind + Water (Dual Affinity - Rare)
Role: Villainess
Current Status:
Relationship with Husband: HOSTILE
Public Opinion: HATED
Death Flags Active: 7/7
Survival Chance: 2%
Carol stared at the floating screen, her mind grinding to a halt.
"Caroline... Vanthorn..." she read aloud. Her eyes moved down to the word that made her blood run cold. "Villainess?"
The screen flickered and changed:
PLOT SUMMARY: In the kingdom of Valdaren, the noble Rosalie Lennox has captured the heart of the heroic Percival Sinclair, Earl of Brightholm.
Together, they are destined to defeat The Blight and save the kingdom.
However, the villainess Lady Caroline Holloway Vanthorn stands in their way, consumed by her obsessive love for Percival and her hatred of Rosalie.
Carol's hands started to shake.
Percival. Rosalie. The Blight.
Those names. She knew those names.
The memory hit her like a truck: Lanna sprawled on their couch, controller in hand, shouting at the TV screen. "DIE, CAROLINE, DIE! Oh my god, FINALLY! She's getting executed! YES!"
Carol had been half-asleep on the other end of the couch, barely paying attention, but she remembered the character on screen—a beautiful blonde woman in chains, being led to the gallows while a crowd cheered.
"No," Carol whispered. "No, no, no. This is—this is Lanna's game. Chronicles of Elyndra. I'm in—" She looked at the screen again, at the name staring back at her. "I'm the villainess. I'm the one Lanna wanted dead."
"Well, well, well!" A cheerful voice chirped from somewhere to her right. "Look who finally woke up!"
Carol spun around and found herself face-to-face with a tiny floating sprite—about six inches tall, glowing with a reddish-purple light. She had a black dress, bat wings, tiny horns, a little pitchfork, and a mischievous grin that showed pointed teeth.
"What the—"
"Hi, Bestie!" the sprite said, doing a little flip in the air. "Welcome back! Though you're acting super weird right now. Did you hit your head or something?"
"Bestie?" Carol repeated weakly.
The sprite's grin faltered. "Uh, yeah? That's what you call me? I'm your devil sprite companion? We've been working together for like, ten years?"
Carol's mind raced, pulling up memories that weren't hers—Original Caroline's memories. This sprite. Missy. No, she'd called her—
"Bestie," Carol said, the memory clicking into place. Original Caroline had relied on this sprite for everything, listening to every bit of chaotic advice, every scheme, every terrible idea.
"There we go!" Missy brightened. "See, you're fine! So what's the plan today? More sabotage? Oh! We could put dead fish in Lady Rosewyn's carriage again! That was hilarious!"
"Dead fish," Carol said faintly.
"I know, I know, we already did that one, but it's a classic—" Missy paused, tilting her head. "Wait, why are you looking at me like that?"
Carol's eyes drifted past the devil sprite to a corner of the room she hadn't noticed before.
There, floating near the ceiling, was another sprite.
This one was tiny and glowing with a soft golden light. She wore a white dress, had delicate wings, and a small flickering halo. She was also very clearly bound and gagged with what looked like magical rope, her eyes wide and desperate above the gag.
Carol pointed. "Why is there an angel sprite tied up in the corner?"
Missy glanced over dismissively. "Oh, her? That's the angel sprite. We tied her up ages ago because she kept giving you terrible advice."
"Terrible advice," Carol repeated slowly. "The angel sprite. Was giving terrible advice."
"Right? Always going on about 'kindness' and 'forgiveness' and 'not poisoning people.' Super annoying." Missy rolled her eyes. "You made the right call shutting her up."
The angel sprite made muffled, desperate sounds behind her gag, her eyes pleading.
Carol stared at the bound sprite, then at Missy, then back at the game interface still floating in front of her.
Death Flags Active: 7/7
Survival Chance: 2%
"Oh no," Carol whispered. "Oh no, no, no. What did she DO?"
"What did who do?" Missy asked, confused.
Carol spun back to the interface. "Show me the death flags. Now."
The screen flickered:
ACTIVE DEATH FLAGS:
1. The Trapped Marriage: Married Caspian Vanthorn, Duke of Vanthorn, through accidental magical seduction (intended for Percival Sinclair, Earl of Brightholm). Husband is aware of deception and is hostile.
2. The Obsessive Stalker: Continues to pursue Percival Sinclair despite marriage, causing public scandal.
3. The Attempted Poisoning: Multiple attempts to poison various people, including romantic rival Rosalie Lennox (all failed, thank the saints).
4. The Social Pariah: Universally despised across all social classes for cruel behavior and bullying.
5. The Mind Control Attempt: [FUTURE EVENT - 12 months] Will attempt to use rare Mind affinity to control both Percival and Rosalie. Will be discovered and arrested.
6. The Traitor's Mark: Suspected of potentially aiding The Blight due to erratic behavior.
7. The Royal Execution: [FUTURE EVENT - 14 months] Will be executed by royal decree eight months after giving birth, condemned for treason and attempted mind control of the kingdom's heroes.
CURRENT TIMELINE: 3 months pregnant
TIME UNTIL FIRST MAJOR DEATH FLAG: 12 months
TIME UNTIL EXECUTION: 14 months
Carol's legs gave out. She sat down hard on the plush carpet, staring at the list.
"Executed," she said numbly. “I'm going to be executed. In just over a year."
"Bestie?" Missy floated down to her eye level, looking genuinely concerned now. "Are you okay? You're being really weird."
Carol looked at the devil sprite, then at the angel sprite still desperately struggling against her bonds in the corner.
She thought about Mercy's smile. About the contract she'd skimmed without reading. About "teensy bit of work" and "light problem-solving."
"I should have read the contract," Carol said to the universe at large. "I really, really should have read the contract."
The game interface chimed cheerfully:
TUTORIAL QUEST UNLOCKED: "Survive Your First Day as the Villainess"
Objectives:
● Don't die ? (so far)
● Meet your household staff
● Avoid causing a scandal
● Try not to anger your terrifying husband
Reward: 50 XP, 50 Gold Crowns, Basic Survival Skills unlocked
Failure: Potential early death flag activation
"My terrifying husband," Carol read aloud. She looked back at the interface. "Who exactly did Original Caroline trap into marriage?"
The screen changed to show a character profile:
Caspian Vanthorn
Title: Duke of Vanthorn, Lord of the Frostmarch
Age: 26
Parents: Valerian Vanthorn (Duke of Winterhelm) and Genevieve Vanthorn (Duchess of Winterhelm)
Affinity: Matter Manipulation (Unique/Legendary)
Also Known As: The Butcher of the North, The Frost Reaper, The Silver Devil, Winter's Blade, The Pale Death
Threat Level: EXTREME
Relationship Status: Your Husband (Forced Marriage)
Current Disposition Toward You: Cold Hostility
Carol stared at the list of terrifying titles.
"The Butcher of the North," she said weakly. "I'm married to someone called THE BUTCHER OF THE NORTH."
Missy shrugged. "Yeah, but he mostly ignores you! Plus, he gives you whatever you want as long as you stay in your wing of the castle. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me."
"My wing of the castle," Carol repeated. "We have separate wings."
"Well, yeah. After that time you tried to—"
"DON'T," Carol interrupted quickly. She didn't want to know. She absolutely did not want to know what Original Caroline had tried to do to "The Butcher of the North."
She looked around the insanely opulent room with new understanding. This wasn't luxury born from affection. This was hush money. This was Caspian Vanthorn throwing material goods at her to keep her away from him.
Carol pressed her hands to her face.
She was three months pregnant.
She was married to one of the most dangerous men in the kingdom.
She had seven active death flags.
She had fourteen months until her scheduled execution.
And for the past ten years, she'd been taking advice exclusively from a chaos-loving devil sprite while the angel sprite was literally tied up in the corner.
"This is fine," Carol said to herself. "This is totally fine. I just need to... not do any of the things that get me killed. How hard can that be?"
The angel sprite made desperate, muffled noises from her corner.
Carol looked at her, then at Missy, then made a decision.
"Okay, new plan," she announced, standing up. "First: we're untying the angel sprite."
"WHAT?" Missy shrieked. "But she'll just—"
"Missy," Carol said firmly. "I have a TWO PERCENT survival chance. TWO. PERCENT. I think maybe, just maybe, we should listen to what the ANGEL has to say."
She walked over to the bound sprite, whose eyes went wide with hope.
"I'm going to untie you now," Carol said gently. "And I'm really, really sorry about the last ten years."
As she reached up to undo the magical bindings, the game interface chimed again:
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:
"Breaking Free" - Released the bound angel sprite
Reward: +10 Karma, Angel Sprite Companion Unlocked, Missy is Very Confused
NEW SKILL AVAILABLE:
"Maybe Don't Listen to the Chaos Gremlin" - Common Sense +5
Carol couldn't help it. Despite everything, despite the death flags and the terrifying husband and the execution looming in her future, she started to laugh.
She was going to survive this.
She had to.
Because there was no way in hell Carol Reed—who had survived six years of corporate hell—was going to let a video game villainess route take her down.
She had work to do.