Chapter 1

One moment, Nora Johnston was living her ordinary life. Next, she woke up in the body of a disgraced noble daughter from a powerful household.

Her stepmother smothered her with fake kindness, treating her like a trophy to display. Her younger sister wore a sweet smile that never reached her eyes. Her father acted as if she didn't exist.

But the worst part was that the King had ordered the Johnston family's property to be confiscated and exiled, and she was to be married off to Caleb York, the infamous "War Reaper" who had lost the use of his legs and was lying in a coma.

Exiled three thousand miles to a dead land where nothing survived?

Nora scoffed and, with a flick of her wrist, drained both the national treasury and the Johnstons' funds.

While everyone else barely survived on scraps during exile, Nora dined like a queen on meat and delicacies.

And in that barren land where nothing was supposed to grow, the ruthless war general everyone whispered about, the man known for killing without mercy, ended up treating her like something precious.

*****

A sharp slap struck Nora across the face.

The sting and the ringing in her ears jerked her out of her haze.

She opened her eyes, but before she could even get her bearings, a shrill female voice stabbed at her ears.

"Nora, quit playing dead! The decree has been issued. You're getting married whether you like it or not!"

Nora lifted her head, her eyes coming into focus.

Standing over her was a middle-aged woman, her hair piled high with jewels, pointing at her and yelling at her.

Beside her stood a young woman in a pink silk dress, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief, looking like she could faint any second.

"Nora, don't blame Mom. It's all my fault..."

Rowena Johnston sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she leaned weakly toward the man in purple next to her.

"If I weren't so frail and couldn't handle the bitter cold of Ravenshire, I wouldn't have begged Dad to let you marry General York in my place... Nora, just take pity on me, okay?"

Nora narrowed her eyes as memories flooded her mind.

She had time-traveled.

The original owner of this body was the Johnston family's legitimate daughter, but she lived a life worse than a stray dog.

And this fake-sweet sister, Rowena, had stolen the original owner's childhood sweetheart and fiancé, the crown prince, Henry Wade, who was standing right there, looking utterly disgusted.

The original owner, meanwhile, was forced to marry Rowena's intended husband, Caleb York, the former Northern Frontier general who had been crippled and poisoned by the King after becoming too powerful and was now unconscious.

And the worst part? The York family was about to have their estate confiscated and be exiled tomorrow.

They were basically sending her to her death.

"Nora, why aren't you saying anything?"

Rowena stepped forward, reaching out to take Nora's hand, but a flash of triumphant malice flickered in her eyes.

"Even though General York is disabled now, he used to be a legendary warrior. If you marry him, you'll be his official wife. It's not like you're being humiliated or anything," Rowena said.

Nora sidestepped her hand, her gaze cold as she looked around at this room full of monsters and snakes.

"If it's not humiliating, then why don't you marry him yourself, Rowena?"

Her voice was hoarse, but there was a coldness in it that cut right through.

Rowena froze for a moment, then her tears started flowing even harder.

"Are you blaming me, Nora? The Crown Prince likes me. It's not like I have a choice."

The crown prince, Henry Wade, who hadn't said a word until now, finally snapped.

He shot Nora a look of pure disgust, his eyes lingering on the blood still smeared across her forehead.

"Nora, you just won't listen, will you? Rowena's been pleading for you, and you still act so ungrateful. You're a total embarrassment to the Johnston family!"

Their father, Daniel Johnston, stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze so cold it was like he was staring at a dead body.

"The decree has been issued. Exile begins tomorrow. I've already had your wedding gift sent to the York residence. Go over now!" he snapped.

Wedding gift?

Nora laughed coldly to herself.

That so-called wedding gift was probably just a few tattered blankets and some empty boxes.

The real valuables, gold, silver, and all the good stuff, had already been pocketed by Rowena and her mother.

"I refuse to marry."

She lifted her head, locking eyes with Daniel.

"You rebellious brat!"

Daniel raised his hand, about to hit her.

But Nora suddenly stepped back, grabbed a teacup from the table, and smashed it to the floor with a sharp crack.

She grabbed a sharp shard of porcelain and pressed it to her throat.

Blood began to seep out immediately.

"If you keep pushing me, I'll kill myself here."

Her eyes burned with a fierce intensity, like a demon risen from hell.

"When the decree comes down, let's see if the Johnston family can afford the charge of disobeying the King and forcing your own daughter to her death!"

The room fell dead silent.

No one could believe it. Nora, who'd always been so timid and submissive, was now daring to threaten her own life.

Rowena clung to Henry, terrified. "Your Highness, Nora's lost her mind..."

Daniel's beard quivered with rage. "You... you wretched child! What are you trying to do?"

"I want a severance letter," Nora said, her voice icy and unwavering. "After that, I'll be done with the Johnston family, and we'll never see each other again, alive or dead.

"I'll marry that so-called cripple in Rowena's place and go into exile," Nora said.

Her gaze swept across everyone in the room, a strange, eerie smile tugging at the corners of her lips.