Chapter 1

“Anabelle, why aren’t you up now?”

A loud voice hit my eardrums.

“Is it time for you to do this? You have to wake up early in the morning and train!”

Reid screamed while flinging the door open.

“This is our last chance! If you don’t win first place in the swordsmanship competition again, you’re nothing but an illegitimate child abandoned forever!”

I sighed and turned my head in bed.

My light purple hair moved.

“Why the hell are you lying around without going to the training ground for a few days? Are you out of your mind?”

‘Of all things, I can’t believe I was born with this role…’

A few days ago, a big change occurred in my life, which I had lived to the fullest.

I suddenly remembered my previous life.

I even realized that the world I live in is in a book I’ve read.

Frustrated by the fact that I was born as a character in a book and the future that had already been set, I locked myself in my room for several days.

At first, I refused to admit it, but my memories gradually became clearer and my former self became completely fused.

If I had been born as a villainess who had a crush on a man, it would not have been this difficult, for I can just quit my unrequited love and live a different life.

Besides, if I had known that I was reincarnated, what would suddenly come to mind in the spring of 22 years old?

I have been faithful to the original work for twenty-two years and worked hard to build up all the karma.

“Are you going to lose to Ian Wade again?”

My reborn role, Annabelle Nadit, was Ian’s rival.

No, only Annabelle saw Ian as her rival. He didn’t care about her.

Because Ian is in the first place and Annabel is in second place.

The Imperial Swords Competition was a huge event held every four years.

A title was awarded to the person who wins first place.

But the problem was that the prize was only given to the first place.

‘The dirty world only remembers the first place and it’s the same here and there.’

There was even an age limit of under 24.

‘It’s the same. If you’re older, you don’t even have a chance later on.’

I’m now 22, so this swordsmanship tournament in a few minutes will be my last chance.

“You deserve a title at all costs!”

Reid screamed once again.

I’m an illegitimate child of Marquis Abedes, one of the highest nobles in the empire.

In order for illegitimate children to be recognized as part of the noble families, they had to earn their own titles.

With my mother’s death, my guardian became Reid, my brother from another father.

Ever since I showed a gift for swordsmanship since I was a child, Reid’s goal is to win the title and proudly become a member of the family.

“How long are you going to live like this?”

What mattered to Reid was the wealth of Marquis Abedes.

If I become a member of the Marquis, I’ll have the right to inherit, so I’ll get at least a few mines and a lot of lands.

Although my mother gave birth to me and was paid quite a lot by Marquis Abedes, Reid was not satisfied.

“If you call this pathetic, most people will kill you.”

Now I know the end of the swordsmanship competition anyways.

Ian Wade will be the man to win.

Literally, he’s the strongest in the worldview, and he’s a human being who can subdue 10 people like me at once.

I didn’t want to admit it, but I’ve been wasting my breath.

Even though I was confused, I have to accept it and live a different life.

‘From the beginning, I could never compare to him.’

Ian Wade, the heir to the Duke of Wade, the noblest family in the Empire, was just a perfect human being.

To think about the future, I have to have a plan.

‘Of course, if I earnestly desire it, the universe will grant my wish, and if I work hard with a bone-cutting heart, the possibility is as big as an ant’s claw…

‘

I ignored what Reid was talking about next to me, and looked in the mirror and quietly fell into my thoughts.

‘Honestly, I can’t risk my life on that possibility. Besides, it’s not that I haven’t put in any effort until now.’

Knowing all about the future, I have completely given up on living in awe as the heir of a high-ranking nobleman.

Even if I do receive property, I would be able to play and eat for the rest of my life.

And with my knowledge from my previous life, it became clearer.

The desire to be recognized as a member of the nobility was not mine, but of my family’s.

What I really wanted wasn’t the envy of others or the first place itself, but the truth is…

“I’m sure you can win this time. You’ve been working hard behind the scenes, but if you fall into a slump like this…”

Without a moment of deep thought, Reid continued to speak vigorously.

The future is that we all perish because of the work behind the scenes…

My head started pounding at the thought of the future.

“Reid, would you please shut up? It’s noisy.”

“What? Did you just say that I am noisy, who only wants you to do well?”

“Yes, exactly. So get out now.”

It was already noisy inside, but it was worse when Reid was screaming.

“How dare you!”

“Do you want to get your hair cut?”

I spoke grimly and pretended to hold my sword.

“Again, I don’t know. I’m afraid I’ll cut off your hair by mistake because I don’t train as you said.”

Reid stopped and walked out.

I was left alone so I fell back on the bed.

The first place in the swordsmanship competition, which can never happen for me, is quickly abandoned. I know the future, but it was foolish to continue.

But the problem remained.

At the tournament four years ago, I realized that I couldn’t compete fairly.

That’s why I’ve already conspired with Reid to beat Ian somehow.

‘At the end of the day, everyone gets caught, and I’m crazy!’

I sighed and buried my face in my hands.

The conspiracy that Reid had set up to harm Ian was eventually discovered.

When I read it in the book, I liked it because it was relentless, but I was reborn with that role!

‘Even if you have property, you must protect it.’

With shame, both of us were sued while receiving a true education through trial and ended up in prison.

‘No, the property isn’t the problem, and I should avoid going to jail first.’

However, it was unreasonable to overturn all the traps that had already been dug, because Reid had taken care of everything.

‘There is absolutely no way that Reid will stop.’

So there’s only one way.

I have to make sure that Ian didn’t get hurt before he was ruined.