Chapter 4: Secret Plans and Unwanted Disruptions

The atmosphere inside the Royal Magic Academy's grand library was deeply serene. Tall ancient wooden bookshelves reaching up to the ceiling were filled with old scrolls and thick magic tomes. 

In one of the quietest corners, I sat behind a large reading table, opening pages of an ancient magic history book thoroughly. 

Over the past few days, I had concluded one vital thing: the storyline of this novel had begun shifting ever since I woke up in Alicia's body. 

Crown Prince Leonhardt, who was supposed to be cold, kept growing suspicious of my changes, and Elena the heroine kept acting curious instead of terrified. 

If this continued, the villainess role I held could turn into a ticking time bomb waiting to go off at any moment. 

*I need to find a way to cancel that engagement and escape the central noble circle,* I thought while scanning text lines in the book. *If I can secure permission to exile myself to a remote province under the guise of focusing on magical research, maybe I can live a peaceful life as a wealthy early-retiree aristocrat.* 

A subtle smile briefly touched my face, imagining relaxing days free from exhausting royal affairs. 

However, my cold, haughty expression snapped back into place the moment I heard footsteps approaching from between the bookshelves. 

"I knew you'd be here, Alicia." 

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

Cedric Arven emerged from behind a shelf, carrying a stack of thick books with a slightly messy look. Without waiting for permission, the blonde-haired youth sat down right across from me. 

I stared at him with a sharp gaze, projecting an air of complete detachment. 

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

Internally, however, I groaned long and hard. 

*Please, kid! I'm busy scheming my life's escape plan! Why on earth are you coming over to bother me?!* 

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

"I heard an interesting rumor from the main corridor earlier this morning," Cedric whispered excitedly. "They say the Crown Prince rejected a visit from a Marquis noble family because he kept asking about your whereabouts. Everyone says your relationship is getting intense." 

Hearing those words, my eyes widened slightly beneath my cold mask. 

*Huh? Intense relationship from where?! I've been actively avoiding him every single break! Why is a weird rumor like that spreading across the academy?!* 

Cold sweat suddenly soaked the back of my neck, but I stubbornly maintained my arrogant posture with arms crossed over my chest. 

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

Cedric nodded in awe. 

"Naturally! Only Lady Alicia could remain so unfazed hearing royal family gossip," Cedric praised without a shred of doubt. 

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