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Date posted: October 7, 2025

The Villainess Lives Twice: A Second Chance at Love and Redemption

By Rei – Professional Manhwa Reviewer (lol)

(Disclaimer: All images used in this post were sourced from Google and Pinterest to celebrate the fantastic art style of this manhwa.)

Author’s Note: This review contains mild to major spoilers (character deaths, major plot twists). Proceed with caution if you haven’t started the series yet.

Have you ever stumbled upon a story that completely derails your sleep schedule, captures your imagination, and refuses to let go? For me, that story was none other than "The Villainess Lives Twice" (or sometimes known as "The Villainess Lives Again" – TVLT/TVLA for short!).

It was actually the second manhwa I ever binged, right after "The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion." I was just idly scrolling through lists online, and then BAM! That cover of TVLT hit me. It was giving off serious, solemn vibes – exactly what I was in the mood for at the time. I even remember thinking, "This looks pretty intense, the romance must be too!" (I don't know why, just a gut feeling from the artwork, haha!). And boy, did it deliver!

Lost Sleep? You Bet!

Intense? It was more than intense! I kid you not, I lost sleep for days because of this story. From the very first chapter, I was utterly, irrevocably hooked! It didn’t just draw me in; it dragged me into a whirlwind of emotions. If you’re a fan of the villainess subgenre, you know the drill: carriage accidents, sudden awakenings, and a desperate race to avoid a fatal ending. But every so often, a story comes along that doesn’t just offer a do-over—it makes the regression the centerpiece of an agonizing, selfless sacrifice. There's something uniquely compelling when a main character's regression has a deeply meaningful, heartbreaking reason behind it. And Tia's story? Oh, Tia.

She didn't expect to regress. Oh no. She sacrificed her life – a desperate, brilliant gambit – so that Cedric could go back in time without her tarnished presence as a schemer, to truly turn the tide against the tyrannical King Lawrence (her treacherous step-brother, no less, who had betrayed her after using her for countless schemes). Cedric, on bended knee, had begged her for a plan. Tia, in her unwavering devotion, gave him the only thing she could think of to help him: her life, for his future. My heart ached just thinking about it.

A Second Chance to Make Things Right

And then, fate (or a very powerful spell) had other plans! She regressed! Seventeen years old again, a clean slate, a chance to make everything right. In the previous timeline, she was Lawrence's personal puppeteer, pulling strings in the shadows. Now? Now she's 100% team Cedric, determined to help him ascend the throne, no matter what! SQUEEEEAAALLLL AAAAA!!! And the first step? Marrying him, of course! (Double squeal, please and thank you!)

A Long Journey Worth Every Moment

This manhwa is a marathon, not a sprint, clocking in at 230 chapters. But honestly, I got so lost in Tia's brilliant schemes and Cedric's unwavering devotion that the length just melted away. Every chapter was a pure delight, and I barely noticed the time fly by. And can we talk about the art? While I absolutely loved the initial style, you can see such incredible improvements as the story progresses. It just gets more and more stunning!

The Players in This Epic Game

Let's do a quick roll call of the main players in this political chess match:

Artezia "Tia" Rosan: Our cunning, incredibly intelligent, and deeply tragic heroine. Daughter of Miraila Rosan and Marquis Rosan, her entire childhood was overshadowed by her manipulative mother's demand that she dedicate her existence to making her step-brother, Lawrence, the crown prince. Her past life was a cage of loyalty to a man who would ultimately betray her in the most brutal way.

Cedric Evron: The epitome of a 'green flag' Male Lead (I'm putting several exclamation marks here for emphasis: **********!!!!!*) The Duke of the North, a man of unwavering principles, and, in the original timeline, a victim of many of Tia's schemes. Remember when I said he begged Tia for help? Let's paint a clearer, more agonizing picture: In the previous timeline, after becoming Lawrence's personal schemer, Tia was accused of assassinating his child. Her "punishment"? Lawrence had her limbs, arms, and tongue cut off – rendering her completely helpless and unable to scheme or speak against him. It was a horrifying ordeal. Rescued by Lysia's maid, Venia, she was brought to Cedric's camp in this broken state. And it was there, before this literally dismembered woman, that Cedric knelt, begging for her brilliant mind to save the empire. His trust in her intellect, despite her physical incapacitation, speaks volumes about his character and his unwavering faith in Tia. It's this moment of profound trust that drove Tia to concoct the time-reversal spell, even at the cost of her life. Cedric himself carries a tragic past, with his parents having been framed and killed by his uncle, Emperor Gregor.

Lysia Morten: The revered Saintess and a close friend of Cedric. Tia, in both timelines initially, mistakenly believed that Cedric and Lysia harbored romantic feelings for each other. In her previous life, still loyal to Lawrence, Tia orchestrated Lysia's marriage to Lawrence to solidify his position as Emperor. Cedric's last words to Tia at a ball were to "take care of Lysia." Years later, Lysia fell ill and died tragically. This became Tia's most heartbreaking regret, as she realized she had robbed Lysia of a potentially happy life with Cedric, forcing her into a loveless marriage that led to her early demise. Her death fuels much of Tia's desire to "make things right" in the new timeline.

One moment with Lysia still haunts me: before her passing, Lysia told Tia she forgave her and to tell Cedric she lived with no regrets. But her true final thought? "Tia... I'm sorry for not being able to save you." Imagine the sheer emotional destruction if Tia realized the Saintess she hurt was trying to save her all along. This one detail encapsulates the bittersweet agony of the first timeline.

Plot in a Nutshell (No Spoilers… Too Much)

🚨 Spoilers Ahead! If you haven't read 'The Villainess Lives Twice' yet, proceed with caution or bookmark this and come back later! You've been warned! 🚨

My Unforgettable Moments (Prepare for Squeals!)

Okay, let's dive into MY favorite parts – and trust me, there are many, so this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Their First Dance (This Timeline!): In the original timeline, Cedric had asked Tia to look after Lysia (the Saintess). Tia, believing Cedric and Lysia were destined, was dead-set on ending her temporary marriage to Cedric after two years, all to ensure their happiness. Lysia's tragic death in the first timeline, largely due to Lawrence and Tia's schemes, weighed so heavily on Tia. But in this dance, unlike the solemn, purposeful one before, Cedric was just... smiling. A simple, carefree smile directed solely at her. (Can I squeal here? Hahaha!) It was such a quiet, powerful moment that hinted at the profound difference this timeline held.

Cedric's Confession in Ebron: Next, the heart-stopping kidnap at the Evron Estate in the North involving a bitter vassal’s daughter and an old schemer slash prince from Tia’s past. Now, I don't love that Tia was kidnapped, but I adore what came after! Cedric's furious, desperate rescue! And upon their return to the Estate? FINALLY! Cedric, in a moment of raw vulnerability and pure desperation, told Tia he loves her (mah hearttt huhu!). It was everything I'd been waiting for!

Cedric's Unconditional Love during the Pregnancy Ordeal: This moment was pure tenderness. When Tia's nefarious mother orchestrated a plot involving child sacrifice, the Rosan family (Tia's family) fell under investigation. Tia, despite being unknowingly pregnant, bravely faced the church's scrutiny. She was supposed to fake unconsciousness, but then she actually collapsed. When Cedric, having rushed back from dealing with the Karam monsters, burst into the sacred hall and found an unconscious Tia, his fury and concern were palpable. The revelation of Tia's pregnancy was devastating because initially, there was a terrible misunderstanding that Tia might have known and risked their child. But it was soon revealed she was simply terrified. In a moment that brought me to tears, Cedric gently covered her eyes with his hands and told her she was free to choose if she wanted to continue the pregnancy. But then, in a voice filled with earnest love, he said, "But if you don't mind having my child, then please give birth." Tia's silent cries, stemming from her fear of being a bad mother and her child inheriting her "bad traits," were met with Cedric's unwavering acceptance. It was beautiful, so tender it left me in TEARS.

Cedric Remembers Everything: Then there's the masterful revelation that Cedric remembers everything from the old timeline – a complete shock to Tia, as it wasn't part of her spell. Tia carries immense guilt for the lives lost, including those in Evron, believing herself responsible. And now, Cedric knows it all. She loves him fiercely at this point, but still blames herself. But Cedric! His words (non-verbatim, but the essence is there) were so powerful: "I am the one who asked you to make a plan... It was me, not you." He cried, telling her again he loved her, even if he couldn't forgive her. Tia wept, Cedric wept, and I, dear readers, bawled!

Old Timeline Tease – Cedric's Hidden Feelings: Oh, and a little rewind to the old timeline, a scene that lives rent-free in my head: Cedric and Lysia talking on a mountain, bathed in the setting sun. Lysia, ever perceptive, suggested: "Why not just seduce Tia? It would solve so many of your problems then." Cedric's reply? "Nonsense" NONSENSE?! LET ME TELL YOU, HE WAS ALREADY SO DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HER EVEN THEN! AAAAAHHH! The angst, the hidden affection – it's exquisite!

THE NUMBER ONE FAVORITE: "I Saved You This Time!" Alright, I saved the absolute best for last (or not, haha), my number one favorite Tia and Cedric moment. It's when Tia, in her unwavering selflessness, decided to sacrifice herself again! She planned to use her Saintess power (a power that costs her life span, mind you, and she was revealed to be a Saintess like Lisia) to revert time and save the people she indirectly caused to die in the previous timeline – specifically from a devastating river bank collapse. While Tia was inside the spell, Cedric forced his way into the very spell she was activating, grabbing her by the collar with furious desperation. His words, etched forever in my heart: "I saved you. I saved you this time!" I CRIED. Oh my God, I cried so hard! It was a direct reference to his memory of seeing her inside the blood-drawn spell in the first timeline, realizing his love had been there all along, and this time, he wouldn't let her go. My heart just shattered and then pieced itself back together with pure joy!

Her Final Surrender, His Unconditional Love: After that harrowing spell incident, Tia and Cedric have a deeply emotional conversation. Cedric is anxiously awaiting Tia's next move, as their pact to make him king is nearing its end. Tia, having aged slightly due to the spell's toll, finally asks him, vulnerable and raw, "Despite my not being as pretty, healthy... despite me being nothing if I don't use my brain... would you still accept me as your wife, and nothing else?" Cedric, speechless with emotion, simply extends his hand. She takes it, and he pulls her into a silent, earth-shattering embrace, his face buried in her hand, tears streaming. This was Tia finally letting go of all her burdens, her past, her self-blame, and simply choosing to love. I honestly stared at that single panel for an eternity, unable to move on. The pure release, the unconditional acceptance – it was everything.

A World of Schemes and Genius

Now, a quick heads-up: this manhwa is teeming with intricate political schemes. Honestly, there were many times (okay, a lot of times) where my brain struggled to keep up with Tia's genius-level strategizing, haha! A huge shout-out and eternal gratitude to that dedicated light novel reader who provided amazing explanations in the comments. Without him, I'd have been even more delightfully confused by Tia's brilliant, labyrinthine mind!

If you're looking for a manhwa that delivers on serious vibes, intense romance (now actually intense, not just a hunch!), and a protagonist who is both brilliant and deeply empathetic, then "The Villainess Lives Twice" needs to be on your radar.

So, yes, this is more than just a story; it's an experience. It's epic, heartbreaking, romantic, and utterly riveting. I'm completely, irrevocably in love with this story and its characters. All I can do now is hope (and pray!) for some extra special chapters to give us a glimpse into their beautiful 'after story.' We deserve it after all that emotional turmoil!

If you love:

✔ Strong, morally complex heroines

✔ Slow-burn romance with deep emotional weight

✔ Political intrigue and mind games

✔ HEART-WRENCHING payoffs

...then this is 100% your next obsession.

Final Verdict: Why TVLT Deserves a Spot on Your To-Read List

Emotional Core: A self‑sacrificial heroine whose regret fuels her drive—rarely seen in the genre.

Strategic Romance: Not a fluffy “love‑at‑first‑sight” but a partnership built on mutual respect and tactical brilliance.

Rich Character Web: Everyone, from the main cast to supporting figures like Venia, feels purposeful.

Artistic Growth: Visuals that blossom alongside the plot, enhancing immersion.

Length with Purpose: Over 250 chapters that never feel padded; each arc pushes the story forward.

Quick Takeaways (Bullet‑Point Summary)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Reincarnation, Political Intrigue

Target Audience: Fans of deep, strategic heroine stories (e.g., Raeliana, The Villainess Reverses the Hourglass)

Reading Commitment: ~250 chapters (roughly 30‑40 hours total)

Why It Stands Out: Authentic motive for regression + evolving art + emotionally charged character arcs

If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for? Dive in, grab a coffee, and let Tia’s second chance sweep you into a world where love, strategy, and redemption intertwine but prepare to lose some sleep – it's worth every single moment!

Happy reading!