Chapter 1
When I first transmigrated, I thought—this was the worst kind of scam.
“Cough, cough!”
With every cough, blood splattered out. This small, fragile body couldn’t endure the pain and went limp.
Congratulations.
You have transmigrated into ‘the pretty but nasty Sienna, who dies young at age 9.’٩(の̀ᴗの́)و
One year left to live and that’s what you call a congratulation? Wow, thanks a lot—I could cry.
How could you possibly understand how I feel, being given a death sentence the moment I transmigrated…
I buried my head in the pillow.
In my previous life, I was just an ordinary office worker. At 26, right before a promotion, I died of pancreatic cancer.
Not a parallel world, huh? Dying young is the same story.
Maybe that’s why this absurd situation—this second death sentence—doesn’t feel all that unfamiliar.
When I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a terminal prognosis, this was exactly how I felt.
Ha… But look at this. They were kind enough to give me an extra year by letting me transmigrate. In a way, I gained one more year, so it’s not all bad.
This world is from the novel I Will Become the Main Character. The male lead is born as the illegitimate son of the emperor, suffers endlessly, and eventually becomes emperor—a classic female-lead-saves-male-lead setup.
And me? I, Sienna, am the villainess who torments the male lead until I die.
Sigh. So this is transmigration, huh.
***
One month after transmigration—
I was sent to the Cetrit Empire. They said there was a famous physician there who could treat me, and thanks to diplomatic ties, I was allowed to go.
“Go and get proper treatment, alright? If you miss your father, just write. And don’t forget—you have to write letters every day, Sienna.”
Anyone would think I was leaving for my death, Father.
Of course, according to the novel, Sienna never comes back alive. She dies, becoming the spark for war.
“Dear, keep your composure. Sienna, you don’t need to write every day, but you must take your medicine daily. Don’t forget. Ariel, take good care of her.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’d give my life for the princess.”
“Thank you, Ariel.”
This farewell had been dragging on for an hour now.
As the only daughter of the Lespris Empire, Princess Sienna was loved and adored beyond measure.
And since she was sick, everyone was even more sensitive around her. People pitied her illness so much that no one reprimanded her wrongdoings. Because of that, Sienna grew up selfish and mean.
She bullied the male lead relentlessly.
“Go fetch me some water.”
In truth, even if he was illegitimate, he was still a prince. And yet, she treated him like a servant.
“This water is too cold! Don’t you know I’m sick? Cough, cough! Look! If I die of a cold, it’ll be your fault!”
“This one’s too hot! Ugh, I feel dizzy! If I die, it’s all on you!”
Petty, nitpicky, and cruel. Why not just drink it herself?
Even with just one year left, I swore I wouldn’t live like the original Sienna.
And because the original Sienna was such a brat, people were shocked if I so much as acted a little kinder.
Naturally, my parents’ affection for me deepened.
“Our Sienna… falling ill has made her mature… My heart aches, dear.”
“Sniff…!”
But… where was Rexton?
Rexton was the crown prince of Lespris, Sienna’s older brother. And he was…
Just then, the door burst open.
“Rexton, what are you doing? We’re in the middle of saying our goodbyes—what on earth are you bringing?”
The empress asked in surprise as Rexton dropped three enormous travel trunks on the floor. With a cold, hard face, he declared:
“I’m going too. How could you send Sienna alone? I’ll take care of her, so don’t worry.”
Right. Rexton had an extreme case of sister complex.
Please… just let me go in peace.
***
Only after that exhausting farewell did we finally leave the palace.
In this world, magic was developed instead of science. Traveling from Lespris to Cetrit took only a day—just activate a magical machine and you were there.
So really, there was no need for such a dramatic goodbye.
Of course, with all my family being royalty, crossing the border wasn’t exactly simple—the paperwork alone took a month.
Anyway, I thought nothing much would change once I arrived in Cetrit.
After all, I was terminal, with only a year left. I had no will to change anything.
My illness was incurable. There wasn’t even a “transmigration buff” that gave me some miracle medicine.
Every time I opened the system window, it showed the same message.
Congratulations.
You have transmigrated into ‘the pretty but nasty Sienna, who dies young at age 9.’٩(の̀ᴗの́)و
Sigh.
At this point, I couldn’t even be angry anymore.
But when I finally set foot in the Cetrit Empire—the system window changed.
“Eek—ah.”
A scream nearly slipped out. I quickly covered my mouth.
◆ Death Points: 99p
However, if Death Points fall below 30p, the likelihood of recovery increases.
At 100p, death occurs within 30 minutes.
What the—?!
The system actually wanted to save me! Sure, 99p meant I was on the brink of death, but still—there was hope! Better than just waiting to die.
Yes! Coming to Cetrit was the right choice.
Hehe… maybe their famed physician really was the real deal. I didn’t know yet how to lower my Death Points, but I’d find out soon enough.
My heart pounded with excitement.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Sienna.”
Since our countries were allies, the Empress herself came to greet me. One glance, and you knew she was royalty—glistening jewels, an elegant gown, even a ceremonial sash just for today.
I bowed with the royal etiquette I had studied so hard for the past month.
In Lespris, whenever I did this, my mother would cry buckets.
“Oh my goodness, Sienna even knows how to do that now, dear. Our child’s all grown up.”
All I ever did was bow, but they treated it like a miracle.
The Cetrit Empress, however, merely smiled as she accepted my greeting.
“I heard your health is poor. I imagine even standing here must be taxing.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
“I hope your stay here will be as comfortable as possible. If you need anything, just say so. Rest today—His Majesty has prepared a banquet in your honor tomorrow evening. Will you be able to attend?”
Her words were gentle, but her sharp eyes betrayed her true nature.
Naturally so—the Empress was a villainess in the novel.
She tormented the illegitimate male lead to the end, only to be imprisoned after his rebellion succeeded. A born-to-be villain, through and through.
She might reveal her fangs to me later, but for now, she’d likely keep up appearances. After all, I was living proof of the alliance between our two empires.
“I’d be honored to attend, Your Majesty. Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty in my stead.”
“I will. This is Aymon, by the way. He’s our crown prince, one year older than you. Aymon.”
Ah, I remembered—In the novel, the Empress wanted Sienna to befriend her son. She always pushed the two together.
Since Sienna only had a year left, she figured it was a harmless way to keep Lespris close.
“…Nice to meet you. Call me Aymon.”
A skinny boy muttered brusquely.
Aymon Cetrit. Another villain-in-training, just like his mother. A mama’s boy who did whatever she said.
When the Empress eventually fell, so did he. He never learned to stand on his own.
Before I transmigrated, the novel had been building up to a final twist. I’d read everything up to that point.
“It’s a pleasure, Your Highness. Please, call me Sienna.”
“Aymon will guide you to your quarters. Do get along with him, Sienna.”
Exactly as in the novel.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Though honestly, getting along with Aymon would be tough—he was nastier than Sienna ever was.
Still, I figured I’d just keep my distance.
As long as he didn’t cross the line.
In the original story, he crossed that line repeatedly, clashing with Sienna every time. Two spoiled brats screaming at each other—nothing but headaches for the adults.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Ah, the physician who’ll treat you will only return in a week. Until then, rest and regain your strength. I’ll see you tomorrow, Sienna.”
The Empress excused herself and left.
And immediately, Aymon revealed his true colors.
“Hey. Dough face.”
“…What?”
“Find your own way to your room. Don’t bother me.”
