A soft, feminine voice echoed, pulling me from a deep, luxurious slumber. "Lady Marina?" it called again, followed by insistent knocking. My first thought was irritation; it was Saturday, I had no class, and all I craved was sleep after finishing a novel late last night.

"Lady Marina! Please open this door!" the voice shouted, accompanied by furious pounding. Groaning, I pulled the soft pillow over my ears and the blanket over my head, wishing they'd just leave me alone. But the persistence was relentless, forcing me to sit up on the incredibly soft bed, my eyes still heavy and blurry.

I stumbled towards the door, my vision still swimming, fumbling for the doorknob. The moment my fingers brushed against the cold, smooth wood, a jolt of confusion hit me. This wasn't my bedroom door. Finding the ornate doorknob, I twisted it open, blinking against the blinding sunlight that flooded the room.

Standing before me was a woman in a classic black and white Victorian maid dress. A maid? Since when did we have a maid? I managed a polite smile. "Hello, good morning. What can I do for you?"

Her reaction was instantaneous: wide, trembling eyes, a pale face, and stammering words. "L-Lady Marina, b-breakfast is r-ready." Lady Marina? My eyebrows furrowed. "Excuse me, you might have me mistaken for someone else."

Her shock deepened, then turned to concern. "L-Lady Marina? Are you sick?" My mind, half-awake, finally clicked. I pointed to myself, confusion giving way to dawning horror. "I'm Lady Marina!?" A silent nod confirmed my worst fears. The name, so familiar from my friend's spoilers, echoed in my head. My heart hammered, cold sweat broke out, and a chilling realization dawned. I was Lady Marina—the villainess of 'Illuminating Darkness'—the one destined to die.