She had lost everything.
The world had been cruel to her.
Her parents had died in a tragic accident, leaving her at the mercy of cold, indifferent relatives who saw her as nothing more than a burden. The warmth of a family had vanished, replaced by whispered insults and unkind glances. But she had endured. She had clung to the one source of comfort she had left—her boyfriend, the person she had loved with all her heart.
Until he, too, betrayed her.
She had discovered the truth in the most painful way possible—walking in on him and her best friend, the very person she had trusted above all others, in an embrace that shattered everything she had believed in. The betrayal had been sharp, like a dagger to the heart, leaving her numb and broken.
After that, she had chosen solitude. What else was left for her in a world that had taken everything?
And then… the endless exhaustion. The sleepless nights spent drowning in her own sorrow. The bottle of sleeping medication had sat on her bedside table for weeks, a quiet temptation. One night, she had taken more than she should have, and as her body grew heavy and her mind hazy, she welcomed the oblivion that followed.
She had died.
But death was not the end.
The sound of bells echoed through the grand halls of the imperial palace. Golden banners swayed gently in the wind, the scent of fresh roses and incense filling the air as noble guests raised their glasses in celebration. Today was a joyous occasion—the wedding of Crown Prince Arthur and Lady Ruby, the beloved daughter of Marquis Everstone.
Yet, for Stella, the sight of the lavish ceremony did not bring warmth to her heart. Not when her soul still carried the weight of a different world.
She had been reincarnated into her favorite novel...but unfortunately the story had already ended.
Reincarnated as Stella Evermore, the frail younger sister of the Crown Prince...the original male lead of the novel.
Her deep blue eyes flickered in the candlelight as she gazed at her reflection in the ornate mirror of her chamber. Brown hair cascaded in soft waves past her shoulders, framing a face that was far more delicate than the one she once owned. This body was weak, prone to illness, and unused to the harsh realities of the world beyond the palace walls.
But none of that mattered.
The moment she had grasped the reality of her situation, her thoughts had drifted to one person—Duke Kayden Alderworth.
The man who had captivated her heart long before she had ever met him. The second male lead of Destiny Never Fails—the one doomed to suffer in silence, to be swallowed by his unspoken love and a tragic fate that would never allow him happiness.
She had cried for him while reading. And now, she could do something more than shed tears. She could change his fate.
Slipping away from the grand hall, Stella moved cautiously through the garden, her soft steps barely disturbing the fallen petals on the cobblestone path. She knew exactly where to find him. In the novel, Kayden had always disappeared during the wedding or events of any balls, retreating to the palace gardens to hide his heartache where no one could see it.
And there he was.
A lone figure beneath the pale glow of the moon, clad in a dark embroidered coat. His black hair gleamed under the soft light, strands falling slightly over his light blue eyes—eyes that held a storm of emotions he refused to let spill.
She had never seen those eyes in reality before. But now, standing before him, she could feel the weight of his sorrow as though it were her own.
Kayden turned slightly at the sound of her approach, his sharp gaze flickering with brief surprise before settling into cold indifference. "Your Highness. Should you not be inside celebrating your brother's wedding?"
His voice was deep, calm, but she could sense the faint edge of bitterness beneath his words. It was only natural—after all, he had once loved Ruby, though he had never dared to voice it.
Stella hesitated for only a moment before stepping closer, the gentle breeze making her silken gown sway lightly. "I could ask you the same, Duke Kayden."
He exhaled softly, a humorless chuckle escaping his lips. "I am not in the mood for celebrations."
"Nor am I."
That seemed to catch his attention. He turned fully toward her, his brow slightly furrowed. "Why is that?"
She looked away, gazing at the moonlit roses beside them. "Perhaps… for the same reason as you."
His silence stretched between them, the air thick with unspoken emotions. She did not push him, did not offer empty words of comfort. Instead, she simply stood beside him, sharing the quiet night.
For a long while, neither of them spoke.
But for the first time, Kayden did not feel entirely alone.
After a while, he sighed, as if debating whether or not to speak further. "You are different from what I expected, Princess Stella."
She tilted her head slightly. "And what did you expect?"
Kayden hesitated, then smirked faintly. "A sheltered royal with little interest beyond courtly matters."
Stella chuckled softly. "Then I suppose I have surprised you."
His gaze lingered on her, unreadable. Before he could say anything more, a palace attendant approached, informing them that they were needed back in the ballroom. As they walked back together, Stella realized neither of them had a dance partner. When they entered, the musicians began another waltz, and Kayden, with the perfect etiquette of a nobleman, turned to her with a slight bow.
"Would you care for a dance, Your Highness?"
Stella's heart skipped a beat. The man she had admired from afar, the one who had been her favorite in the novel, was offering her a dance. She maintained her composure, nodding gracefully. "It would be an honor."
As they danced, the world around them blurred into the soft glow of chandeliers and the murmurs of the nobility. Kayden held her with a light but firm touch, his movements elegant and precise. Neither spoke much, but Stella could feel her heart swaying, lost in the moment. When the music ended, they parted with a polite bow, exchanging a quiet farewell before returning to their respective places.
After the wedding, Stella passed by the palace balcony and noticed Arthur and Ruby standing close under the moonlight.
"You should rest," Arthur murmured, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Ruby's ear.
She hesitated, her green eyes shimmering. "Everything feels surreal… You were always so distant before."
Arthur gently took her hand, his voice soft. "I was a fool for that. But I won't make the same mistake now."
Ruby blinked at him, startled. Arthur lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles, his blue eyes warm. "Tell me, Princess. What can I do to make this feel real for you?"
Stella, watching from a distance, smiled. Witnessing her favorite couple in love.
Later that night, Stella sat by candlelight in her chamber, writing in her diary. I danced with Duke Kayden tonight... The words felt surreal as she penned them down, her fingers slightly trembling. She had always admired him, but now that she had met him in person, her emotions felt more real than ever.
A few days later, Stella was summoned to the Emperor's office. Sitting on his grand throne-like chair, her father regarded her with a serious expression. "Stella, you have come of age. It is time we begin considering a suitable marriage proposal for you."
Her heart sank.
Arthur, who was standing beside their father, immediately protested. "Father, Stella is still frail. She should not marry until she has regained her health."
The Emperor, though unmoved, reassured him. "I will not rush this decision, but the search must begin. There will be no marriage soon, but it is inevitable."
Arthur finally sighed, reluctant but forced to accept it.
Stella, however, felt a weight settle over her heart. She only had eyes for one man, but Kayden was still heartbroken from his own tragic love. And she could never confess to her father whom she wished to marry.
Little did she or anyone else know—the Emperor had already chosen her husband.
Duke Kayden Alderworth.