Chapter 4: Secret Plans and Unwanted Disruptions

The atmosphere in the Royal Magic Academy’s grand library was deeply serene. Towering, ancient wooden shelves reached all the way to the ceiling, packed with old scrolls and thick tomes on magic.

In one of the quietest corners, I sat behind a large reading table and carefully opened the pages of an ancient book on the history of magic.

Over the past few days, I had reached a vital conclusion: the plot of this novel had begun to shift ever since I woke up in Alicia’s body.

Crown Prince Leonhardt—supposedly a cold man—kept growing suspicious of my changes, while Elena, the heroine, continued to show curiosity rather than terror.

If this kept up, the role of the villainess I was playing could turn into a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

*I need to find a way to break off that engagement and escape the inner circle of the nobility,* I thought as I read the lines in the book. *If I can get permission to go into exile in a remote province under the pretext of pursuing magical research, perhaps I can live a quiet life as a wealthy, early-retired aristocrat.*

A faint smile briefly touched my lips as I imagined days of leisure, free from exhausting royal affairs.

However, my cold, haughty expression returned the moment I heard footsteps approaching from between the bookshelves.

"I knew you’d be here, Alicia."

That familiar, cheerful voice made me turn my head lazily.

Cedric Arven stepped out from behind a bookshelf, carrying a stack of thick books and looking somewhat disheveled. Without waiting for permission, the blond young man sat down right across from me.

I fixed him with a piercing stare, projecting an air of utter detachment.

"What do you want, Cedric?" "This is a place for reading, not for idle chatter," I said in a dry, cold tone.

Inside, however, I let out a long, deep groan.

*Give me a break, kid! I’m busy plotting my escape! Why on earth are you bothering me?*

Cedric wasn't intimidated. Instead, he leaned forward, lowering his voice as if sharing a major state secret.

"I heard an interesting rumor in the main hallway this morning," Cedric whispered excitedly. "They say the Crown Prince turned away a visiting marquess's family because they kept asking about your whereabouts. Everyone is saying your relationship is getting very intense."

At those words, my eyes widened slightly behind my cold, composed mask.

*Huh? An intense relationship? Since when? I’ve been actively avoiding him during every break! Why is such a bizarre rumor spreading all over the academy?*

A cold sweat suddenly broke out on the back of my neck, yet I stubbornly maintained my arrogant posture, arms crossed over my chest.

"Rumors are just rumors, Cedric. Don't waste your time listening to nonsense like that," I replied coolly.

Cedric nodded in awe.

"Of course! Only Lady Alicia could remain so unruffled upon hearing gossip about the royal family," Cedric praised, without a shred of doubt.

I could only stare at him in silence, while internally screaming hysterically at how quickly this misunderstanding was spiraling out of control.