Reborn as the Villainess: The Prince Will Die If He Loves Me

The Ball Invitation

I did not return to the mirror after I left the west wing.

I knew if I saw my own face again, I would see the weakness creeping into my eyes — the same weakness that had allowed me to believe in love the first time.

But that Evelyn was gone.

This Evelyn knew better.

---

Talia helped me dress for afternoon court studies. I selected a muted lilac gown with no gemstones, no ribbons, no silk flowers — nothing a girl hoping to charm a prince would wear. My hair was tied in a simple braid, and my sleeves reached to my wrists.

“Lady Evelyn,” Talia said hesitantly as she adjusted the collar, “His Highness… seemed happy to see you today.”

I stiffened.

“I noticed the way he looked at you,” she added carefully. “It wasn’t cold.”

“I know,” I said, almost a whisper. “That’s exactly the problem.”

Talia blinked. “My lady?”

I turned to her slowly.

“Talia,” I said softly. “If Prince Caelan were to fall in love with me… he would die.”

Her eyes widened. “What are you talking about? That— that doesn’t make sense.”

“No, it doesn’t. It’s not supposed to.” I looked down at my gloved hands. “But I saw it. I lived it.”

Talia stepped back, uncertain. She looked at me the way one looks at someone waking from a fever dream.

Of course she didn’t believe me. Who would?

---

I spent the afternoon reviewing noble history texts, pretending to study. My thoughts drifted again and again to Caelan’s face. The way he had looked at me in the west wing — like nothing had ever gone wrong between us. Like I was someone worth smiling at.

He still didn’t know the truth.

In this life, I had the curse's secret.

In this life, I had to ensure he never learned to love me again.

---

The next morning, a sealed envelope arrived at my door.

The royal seal.

I didn't need to open it to know what it was.

The invitation.

The spring ball.

The very ball where — in my last life — everything began to unravel.

Where I had danced with Caelan beneath the glass chandeliers. Where the whispers of jealousy had started. Where the rumors of my “manipulation” began.

And where I first began to hope that I might actually become his bride — not as a political choice, but as someone he loved.

I had been so naive.

I broke the seal with cold fingers.

> To Lady Evelyn Rosentia,

By royal invitation, you are cordially requested to attend the Spring Ball hosted by His Majesty, King Alaric, on the twelfth night of Blossomsong.

I closed it gently.

Talia waited silently behind me.

“Well?” she asked.

I turned to her. “Prepare my absence notice. I won’t attend.”

She flinched. “You… won’t?”

“No.”

“But the entire noble court will be there. If you skip it, people will—”

“Let them talk,” I said flatly.

Talia looked heartbroken. “But… you used to love the Spring Ball.”

I looked away.

“That girl died,” I whispered. “I buried her in a courtroom five years ago.”

---

But the palace had other plans.

Two days later, my father summoned me to his office.

He stood at the window, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

“The palace sent a second invitation,” he said without looking at me.

“I already declined,” I replied.

“You cannot decline the crown twice.”

He turned, voice sharp. “Evelyn, I don’t know what you think you’re doing — but pulling away from Prince Caelan now will be seen as an insult. A political one.”

Good, I wanted to say. Let them be insulted. Let the engagement crumble. Let him live.

“I’ve been unwell,” I said instead. “I can’t risk falling ill again so close to the ball.”

My father studied me with quiet suspicion.

“You’ve changed.”

“I had to.”

---

The day of the Spring Ball arrived like a slow, inevitable tide.

From my bedroom window, I could see the carriages arriving at the royal palace. Glittering gowns. Velvet coats. The air shimmered with magic and music.

And yet, I sat alone in silence.

Then came the knock.

“My lady,” said a soft, male voice. Not Talia.

I opened the door.

A palace courier stood there, holding something wrapped in silk.

“For you,” he said, bowing and handing it over.

Inside was a single white lily.

The symbol of the royal house.

A note was tucked inside the stem.

> I had hoped you would be there.

I saved the first dance.

— Caelan