"You’ve once again captured the hearts of your readers, Giselle!" my manager beamed as we made our way to my first book signing event.

I’m Giselle Alya Montes, a comic and novel creator known for my romance stories. I spend my days and sleepless nights writing and drawing the worlds that fill my mind. What began as a passion has become something that slowly drains the life out of me.

"I'm tired," I whispered under my breath as I walked toward the mini stage where I’d be signing. I hadn’t had a moment’s rest—after submitting a deadline earlier today, I thought I could finally sleep. But just as I was about to, the company scheduled a book signing that very afternoon.

---

"Ms. Montes, what inspired you to start creating comics and writing novels?" a fan asked as she handed me a stack of her comics to sign.

"Well, I used to love reading comic books. There was one publisher I adored—Kokoro Tales. They published so many romance novels I still revisit today." I smiled as I signed her books. "I especially loved FD Celesti’s works. Honestly, most of what I know now, I learned from her stories."

Now that I think about it, it’s been ages since I last read any of those books. I’ve been too busy creating my own to enjoy the stories that once inspired me.

"Was there a specific book you liked most? Would you live in it if you were given the chance?" she asked, holding my hand gently—perhaps sensing how exhausted I was.

"I loved the Bahaghari Empire Collection. Every book in it was amazing. As for living in that world—why n—aaagh!"

A sudden, sharp pain shot through my head.

"Are you okay?" the fan and two staff members asked, concern etched on their faces.

"I–I'm fine. Just a little lightheaded," I replied, trying to shake off the pain. Maybe this was the price of going a week without sleep, rushing to finish an entire sequel on time.

"You look really pale, Giselle," my manager said, rubbing my back in an attempt to comfort me.

"No, no, I'm good. Don’t worr—"

And then everything went black.

---

I feel like I’m floating… somewhere dark and endless. I feel awake, yet I can’t feel my body.

I asked myself as I saw a vision of my collapsed body, surrounded by panicked fans and staff.

So I really did die, huh? I should’ve held on until the event ended… That was embarrassing.' I thought, watching them rush me to the hospital.

Not exactly the kind of ending you'd expect for a writer like me. I should’ve read the final book in my favorite series instead of burning myself out writing a sequel.

The company I worked for wasn’t kind. They pushed me to the edge and drained me dry.

As I continued to drift through the darkness, a golden light appeared in the distance.

I floated closer, and the fan’s question echoed in my mind again:

Now, thinking about it seriously…

Yes. I would absolutely live in that world.

"Yes... I would totally live there!" I said aloud, reaching out as if the fan were still in front of me.

Suddenly, I began floating faster—drawn toward the golden light as it filled the space around me.

I closed my eyes to shield them from the brightness. When I opened them again, I saw an empire stretching far below me, and I was falling—fast. My heart pounded as I flailed like a child dropped from the sky.

And then—

I woke up in a soft bed, in a room I didn’t recognize.

"T-the Saintess is born…?" a stunned man in priestly robes whispered.

I looked around. Everyone in the room wore similar clothing, and all of them looked equally shocked.

"The Saintess is here!" cried a woman in her fifties, also in church attire, as she entered. Her voice seemed to be the cue—bells rang, and the others began to celebrate.

She approached, helped me sit up, and gently held my hand.

"You must be overwhelmed. I’m Celesti Fae Delfin, the High Priest of the Bahaghari Empire. You’re currently in its capital, Kullaye."

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, still dizzy with confusion.

"According to the prophecy of our god, you are Seraphina Ivory—our 17th Saintess."

*Prophecy? Saintess?*

Wait—Seraphina? Isn’t that the name of the main character from the final book in the Bahaghari Empire Collection?

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