TVDML 01

Chapter 01

Baldwin Winchester.

That was the name of someone who had been by Laila’s side even before she could properly open her eyes in this world—aside from her family, of course.

Even when Laila became aware of the world and realized that this place was inside a novel, the owner of that name was still by her side.

And even when she realized she’d made the wrong choices—he was still there.

Always, unwaveringly.

“Lala, take my hand. Then nothing bad will happen.”

Baldwin smiled with his usual gentle, warm expression.

But now she knew just how shamelessly that smile concealed his true intentions.

A man lay writhing beneath Baldwin’s feet, coughing up blood.

And Baldwin, as if nothing were wrong, looked at Laila with a slightly regretful face—regretful only that she had seen this scene.

The outstretched, smooth hand looked strangely pale—far too clean for the situation.

It hadn’t even been used to beat that young noble from some house into a bloody pulp—just moments ago, that boy had shyly confessed his love to Laila with a flower in hand.

“It’s a shame you had to see this, Lala. You should’ve kept our appointment.”

Baldwin, showing not a hint of guilt after committing such brutality, now felt alien to her.

And yet… he was strangely familiar too.

Damn it.

Just how bad could my luck with character draws be?

The male lead candidate I thought was destined to end up with the original female protagonist—turns out he’s the secret villain?

Ding-a-ling~

‘Your life is over now…’

She swore she could hear the sound of a bell tolling in the distance.

Laila made a ridiculous but desperate wish.

I got transmigrated—could I maybe be granted a regression, too…?

*

From the moment Laila became aware of the world, Baldwin was by her side.

Baldwin had been born only thirty days before Laila—and on the day he was born, he lost his family and his house.

His father had long been the sword that protected the Empire.

The Winchester family had wielded swords for generations, and naturally, Baldwin’s father had become a knight.

The men of Winchester were blessed with excellent physical prowess, and many of them reached the level of swordmaster with ease.

There was a reason the family had long been known as the Empire’s sword.

During Baldwin’s father’s time, the family flourished even more—because Empress Yulia of the Winchester family gave birth to the crown prince.

Where there is light, there is also shadow.

Those who envied the Winchester family banded together to bring them down.

The turning point came when Empress Caitlyn, of the rival Leviathan family, gave birth to her son.

In the end, they succeeded in framing and eliminating the Winchesters.

All of it was done with the silent approval of Emperor Lygos.

The emperor had removed the shadow of Winchester that loomed over the Empire.

Before the family was wiped out, the last Duchess Winchester smuggled out her son and entrusted him to her dearest friend.

That friend was none other than Duchess Robelia Lorovante—Laila’s mother.

The newborn Baldwin’s name was barely legible, scrawled on a torn scrap of paper.

Robelia honored her friend’s final request and vowed to raise Baldwin safely.

So that makes her my mom now.

Just as I was enjoying a sweet sleep, that oh-so-graceful mother of mine was replaced by the rude hands of some uncouth brat.

I opened my eyes after getting slapped on the cheek.

“Waaaah—Waa?”

What the heck are you saying, kid?

A tiny child with burning red eyes and tousled black hair was arrogantly patting my cheek.

Just because you’re a male lead candidate, doesn’t mean you get to hit me.

I swung my best punch with that sentiment in mind.

Huh? It didn’t reach?

“Waaaah! Waa!”

Oh, right. I forgot.

I was also just born.

Sigh… When will I grow up? The future looks so far away.

The novel I transmigrated into was a reverse harem fantasy romance.

Although it only had two male lead candidates.

Still, I remember how often I clapped reading the author’s masterful push-and-pull dynamics between the two.

There were over 80 chapters released, and even then, the final male lead hadn’t been revealed. The novel wasn’t even finished.

If I had known I’d end up here, I would’ve read more carefully.

Anyway, there were two candidates:

One was Baldwin Winchester, currently dozing off next to me with a pacifier.

The other was the tragic crown prince, Aintz Bendlheim.

Aintz had been abandoned by his father, the emperor, who constantly lived in inferiority and resentment toward Empress Yulia’s growing power.

Thus, Aintz grew up imprisoned in Empress Yulia’s palace.

His education was entrusted to the captain of her guard, the head maid, Empress Yulia herself—and every book available in the empire.

To survive, Aintz decided he had to become emperor.

Because if Empress Caitlyn’s son took the throne, his fate wouldn’t be confinement—it would be death by execution.

Both men had perfect backstories, perfect looks—and even perfect personalities.

Reading the novel, I’d been so jealous of the original heroine who had both men wrapped around her finger.

Back then, I had the taste of a pine tree—always going for the stoic, black-haired northern duke types.

So naturally, I had invested all my “stock” in Baldwin.

With his mournful red eyes and charming smile, Baldwin embodied the Winchester line with his fiery gaze.

Whew.

That was beauty beyond mortal standards.

So this time too, I’ll invest everything.

In whom? Baldwin!

Taste doesn’t change. And seeing my favorite character’s beauty in real life—it could move the heavens.

If I could witness Baldwin’s happy ending with the original female lead, I’d die with no regrets.

Now, let’s consider my role here.

I’m Laila—the childhood friend who grows up alongside male lead candidate Baldwin.

Laila Lorovante.

According to the story, Laila was the most beautiful woman in the world, with silver hair and golden eyes like melted honey.

I couldn’t quite believe my future beauty just by looking in the mirror, but judging by Mom… yeah, I’d probably grow up to slap idols off their pedestals.

As cliché demanded, I was destined to harbor unrequited love for Baldwin from childhood.

In the original, Laila loved Baldwin to the point of giving her life.

She became hostile to the heroine just to win Baldwin’s love—but naturally, the world was not on Laila’s side.

In the end, she died at the hands of Aintz in chapter 80.

Ugh, of all things—what a gruesome ending.

Such a waste of good looks.

To think this face was only used for a tragic crush that ended in a dog’s death.

If it were me, I’d build a harem kingdom with this face—

Wait.

Why not?

I am Laila now, destined to become the most beautiful woman in the world.

Maybe I could just hand Baldwin off to the heroine and enjoy my life?

Besides, if I got Baldwin and the heroine together, I might even save myself.

I had absolutely no intention of tormenting the heroine like the original Laila did.

Nor did I want to be dragged into the love triangle between Baldwin, the heroine, and Aintz.

Stepping off the stage and living as a side character didn’t sound so bad.

Dying, suffering, and crawling through drama—that’s for the main characters.

Once you step out of their orbit, a supporting role is just someone who passes by.

Perfect.

All my stock goes to you, Baldwin.

I’ll play the annoying childhood friend, so you go be the male lead!

“Mmmph…”

Of course, before I do anything, I need to grow up first.

Baldwin had been stripped of the Winchester name—now he was simply “Baldwin.”

Mom disguised him as the son of my nanny to hide him from danger.

She raised both Baldwin and me in secret.

That’s why Baldwin casually called her “Mom.”

Even in the original novel, Baldwin never left the east wing of the estate until he was old enough to understand the situation—about ten years old.

Naturally, people just assumed the only daughter of House Lorovante was too ill to be seen in public.

Mom did everything she could for her friend’s son.

Still, enduring a baby’s life with a 27-year-old’s soul wasn’t easy.

Eat, sleep, poop, cry.

That was all I could do.

So, when I finally could talk and walk on my own two legs—I can’t describe how happy I was.

I even hugged Baldwin without thinking.

“Ahh, you train! Go away!”

Baldwin whimpered while being squeezed in a hug.

What a whiny baby cat he was.

So cute, though.

In truth, Baldwin—with his glossy black hair and gem-like red eyes—was…

Just too pretty.

His squishy white cheeks were tinged pink, and his pouty pink lips were adorable.

And those tiny hands, those stubby arms and legs—

How could there be a more perfect, lovable baby in the world?

No wonder he’s the male lead.