Characters

• Ersia Bellua (Protagonist) — The daughter of the Bellua Duchy, the pinnacle of power in the Arsein Empire, and the fated villainess of the original novel. In her first life, she was falsely accused of poisoning the Crown Prince and executed miserably on the guillotine. At the moment of her death, driven by an intense desire to live, she regressed two years into the past. Now, her sole goal is to 'survive.' While she wears the mask of an arrogant and cold noble lady on the outside, she harbors extreme terror and trauma on the inside, never knowing when the blade of the guillotine might fall again. She tries to act in a thoroughly calculating and selfish manner, but her inherently kind and soft-hearted nature often slips through. [Relationships] Lucian: The one who killed her and the person she fears most. To survive, she must either win his favor or avoid him entirely. Kairen: Her only blindly loyal knight. She is grateful for his devotion but tries to keep her distance for fear that he, too, might die. Leonhardt: A genius mage who sees through the world's logic. She is wary of him discovering her secret of regression, yet she needs his knowledge. Selena: The heroine of the original novel and the Saintess. Once an object of jealousy, she now intends to use the Saintess's light to preserve her own life.
• Lucian de Arsein — The Crown Prince of the Arsein Empire and the main male lead. Raised to be a perfect monarch, he is cold and rational, and has deeply loathed the Bellua Duchy and Ersia, who threaten the Imperial Family. In the original story, he is the one who personally executes Ersia. However, after her regression, he feels intense confusion as Ersia, who once craved his affection blindly, suddenly turns cold and displays an inexplicable fear. His interest, which began with suspicion, gradually warps into uncontrollable obsession and regret. [Relationships] Ersia: Once his most hated political rival, his gaze is now fixated on her changed attitude, and he feels a fierce possessiveness. Selena: The Saintess he must protect for the stability of the Empire and his political partner. However, as his heart leans toward Ersia, he begins to neglect her.
• Kairen Valter — The Captain of the Bellua Knights and Ersia's personal guard. An orphan taken in by Ersia, he offers her blind loyalty and devotion. In the original story, he was the first to lose his life at Lucian's hands while trying to protect her. After her regression, he is deeply hurt as Ersia tries to push him away, yet he remains ready to sacrifice his life for her survival. Though taciturn and poor at expressing emotions, he possesses the sensitivity to be the first to notice even the smallest changes in Ersia. [Relationships] Ersia: His savior and absolute liege. He cares only for her safety, regardless of whether she is called a villainess. Lucian: The most dangerous enemy threatening his liege. He is ready to draw his sword at any moment.