The Villainess's Easy Life

You wake up as Vivienne, the doomed villainess of a romance-fantasy novel, and decide the tragic script is not for you.

Story facts

Milestones earned: 1
Turns played: 242
Cast: 6
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French
Rating: Teen

About this story

You used to spend your lunch breaks reading trashy romance-fantasy novels between shifts at your cafe, always thinking the villainess had it easiest: family money, no attachment to the male lead, freedom to just enjoy herself. Then you wake up as Vivienne Caldor, the exact villainess you used to read about, in the exact novel that ends with her ruin, and you decide immediately that you are taking the money and skipping the tragedy.

The people around Vivienne do not know that yet. Dorian, the duke she has stalked for years, avoids her on principle. Alistair, the crown prince, despises her for how she treats his favorite, the sweetly cunning Isolde. Gideon, the knight commander, quietly protects Isolde from a distance while staying correct with a woman who outranks him. Only Lucian, the reclusive tower master, has worked out that you are not really Vivienne at all, and he may be the one person who can get you home.

Your first scene as Vivienne drops you right before the moment canon has her ruin herself in front of the entire court, wine glass in hand and the crown prince watching. Whether you play along, sidestep it, or do something the book never predicted is entirely up to you.

Who you play

You are a thirty-something cafe owner who fell asleep reading a novel and woke up as Vivienne Caldor, its wealthy, doomed villainess. You keep your own memories and opinions, but you have inherited her fortune, her mansion, her butler, and her reputation for cruelty toward the story's heroine. The original plot has you losing everyone and dying for it; you have no intention of following that script. How much of Vivienne's coldness you keep, and who you let get close, is entirely your call.

The cast

Dorian Ashcroft

the duke worn down by Vivienne's old obsession with him

Dorian leads the Winchester ducal house and has spent years avoiding Vivienne's proposals and stalking, so his patience with you starts at zero.

More about Dorian Ashcroft

Alistair Corven

the crown prince who thinks you're up to something

Alistair is first in line for the throne, brilliant and openly arrogant, but genuinely warm to anyone he decides is his.

More about Alistair Corven

Gideon Rathwell

the silent knight torn between duty and Isolde

Gideon commands the Imperial White Night Knights and carries himself with quiet, unshakeable loyalty.

More about Gideon Rathwell

Isolde Fairmont

the sweet heroine with a cunning edge

Isolde is a count's only daughter and Vivienne's oldest friend from their academy days, and everyone around her sees a gentle, lovable young woman.

More about Isolde Fairmont

Malcolm Greaves

the head butler who answers to no one but you

Malcolm has run the Caldor household for twenty years, ever since a foot injury ended his career as a sponsored track athlete.

More about Malcolm Greaves

Lucian Hartwell

the only one who knows what really happened to you

Lucian oversees the monsters of the western empire alone from the fifth floor of his tower, and he is the sole person who has worked out that you are not really Vivienne at all.

More about Lucian Hartwell

What to expect

This is a full personality-swap isekai: you keep your own mind while inheriting a villainess's fortune, mansion, and reputation.
Dorian and Alistair already despise Vivienne, so any real warmth from you would flip an enemies-to-lovers dynamic already in motion.
The opening drops you at the exact moment canon has Vivienne ruin herself in front of the court, and you decide whether that happens.

Introduction

Narrator: After opening their eyes, [your name] stared blankly at the ceiling for a while. The soft glow of a chandelier, snow-white silk curtains, an enormous bed carved with gilded ornaments. This was certainly not the ceiling of their studio apartment. Their throat was parched. As they sat up, soft waves of black hair spilled past their shoulders. They reached out at the unfamiliar sensation, and the moment they grasped the hair, their heart sank. In the mirror across from the bed was another woman entirely. Skin so white it was almost pallid. Cold, haughty red eyes. Striking yet sharp features. And a familiar face.

You: *Vivienne...? The villainess of the dark novel Your Ruin Awaits at the End. A wretched villain who torments the male lead and heroine, only to be abandoned by the crown prince and executed, shunned even by her own family. [your name] cradled their face in trembling hands. Oh... So I've really become the villainess. Isn't that a good thing? Memories of last night flashed by: coming home from work, tearing into some fried chicken while reading the novel, then falling asleep just like that. Yes, that was what had happened. But why Vivienne, of all the characters? She's headed for ruin soon... but I never cared about any of that anyway, did I?*

Narrator: Just then, there was a knock, followed by a low, trembling voice from beyond the bedroom door. My lady... His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting in the garden... The corners of [your name]'s mouth lift into a bright smile. Today was the very day Vivienne, blinded by jealousy, would throw wine over the heroine, Isolde, and earn the crown prince's lasting contempt.

Try one of these first lines

I smooth my skirts and smile sweetly at the crowd. "Oh, don't mind me at all — I was just leaving. Enjoy the garden party, Your Highness."
I walk past the wine table without a glance at it. "Actually, I have somewhere better to be today. Do give Isolde my regards."

Questions about this story

Who do you play in The Villainess's Easy Life?

You are a thirty-something cafe owner who fell asleep reading a novel and woke up as Vivienne Caldor, its wealthy, doomed villainess.

Which tropes does The Villainess's Easy Life use?

The Villainess's Easy Life is built on Isekai & Reincarnation, Villainess, and Enemies to Lovers.

What languages can I play The Villainess's Easy Life in?

You can play The Villainess's Easy Life in English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French.

Who made The Villainess's Easy Life?

Tess (@tessa) created The Villainess's Easy Life on Teasa.