Right now, I'm on my way to the royal library, crawling like a dog—because honestly, it's easier than trying to stand and falling all over again.
Yes, my dignity has long since evaporated. From diaper changes to mashed food, my life has been one long string of humiliations since reincarnation.
I reached the library and grabbed the first book I saw. Frankly, I don't care what it's about—as long as I'm reading. But, as usual, the nanny caught me red-handed and laughed.
"There you are, reading again… as if you could actually read!"
The audacity. She doesn't know I've been reading for two months now. I've been practicing relentlessly—there's not much else to do around here.
Naturally, she returned me to my room as if all that effort was meaningless. I lay on my back, silently staring at the ceiling.
Me and the ceiling. The ceiling and I.
Ah—no, it's not just us. The nanny and the other children are here too.
I should mention—I've been reincarnated into the cliché romance novel I last read before dying. Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish the alien novel I actually cared about.
To make matters worse, I remembered who I am in this story: a side character who falls for the heroine… and dies because of it.
In other words, I might die because that foolish heroine likes the male lead—who, incidentally, is the one who kills me.
But what if I changed the story? What if I don't fall for her? No love, no death—simple, right?
As I smirked at the thought, the nanny noticed.
"Oh, he's smiling again… but this time it's a bit… sinister. Still cute~!" She pinched my cheek, and I swatted her hand away with both of mine.
A maid's voice called out for the nanny from the hallway, and she left me alone with my siblings.
Then, I noticed my foolish brother trying to climb down from the crib. Does he not realize how high it is? A fall from here could be dangerous.
I grabbed his clothes before he could slip, and he flopped back onto the mattress, staring at me in surprise.
What now? Want something from your savior?
He did save me once, about a year ago—I don't remember from what—but I suppose we're even now.
I'm eager for the day I can finally speak and let everyone know what's really on my mind.
I decided to try speaking now. But what should I say? Let's keep it simple.
"Eros."
I said my brother's name—just in case someone heard me, it wouldn't seem odd.
Damn these teeth that haven't come in yet. If not for them, I could've said "Aerius" properly.
That's enough for today. Time to sleep.
~~~~~~
Today is my tenth birthday. I'm finally ten years old—old enough to walk, talk, and do as I please.
"Leon!" That was my sister's voice behind me.
"There you are, staring at yourself in the mirror for the thousandth time. Don't you ever tire of your own face?" Arabella mocked, arms crossed.
Our nanny appeared behind her, chuckling.
"I can't blame him. If I had a face like His Highness, I'd be glued to a mirror too."
Arabella placed her hands on her hips.
"I'm beautiful too, aren't I, Nanny?"
The nanny laughed again while I stood silently, attempting to display my annoyance through subtle expressions. They didn't even notice.
"Alright, Belle, what did you want when you called me?" I asked.
"Oh, right, thanks for reminding me… Mother's looking for you. I've been calling you for an hour, but of course, you were too busy admiring yourself!"
Can you blame me? I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that the handsome boy in the mirror is me. And don't think I've forgotten—I'm still bitter that my hair is black, while theirs is golden. I look like a crow between two radiant stars. Or like the moon caught between twin suns.
In any case, it only proves I don't resemble them. No one would believe we're triplets.
Then Aerius entered the room. And just like that, all three of them were gathered here.
"Didn't Mother ask you to bring Leon? Why didn't you go back with him?" Aerius asked Arabella, looking mildly annoyed.
"Oh, Eros! Look at your brother—still staring at himself in the mirror!" she sighed.
When I first said Aerius's name, trying to speak for the very first time, I thought no one heard. But the nanny did—and she told everyone in the palace. Since then, his name has been officially shortened to 'Eros'.
"That's enough. I get it—Mother wants me. Now kindly leave my room. The air's becoming thick with carbon dioxide!"
The confusion on their faces was priceless. Maybe their knowledge of gases hasn't progressed that far, or maybe they were just startled by my bluntness. Either way, I didn't care. I valued my peace.
I left the room and headed to Mother, who was sitting with Father and a tall, formidable man I now knew to be Skylar—the commander of the royal guard, right hand of the king, and childhood friend of my father.
I approached.
"Hello, Mother, Father, and Uncle Sky. You wanted to see me, Mother?"
"Yes, my dear." She turned to Father, feigning tears. "Victor, look at our son… already a man~"
Then, with her hands on both my shoulders, her eyes sparkled as she said,
"How about we find you a beautiful fiancée?"
And there it was—the moment I'd dreaded. The engagement to the Duke's daughter. The heroine of the ridiculous novel I'd been reborn into. The same girl responsible for my eventual death.
"Do what you think is best. But Mother… am I not too young? Why me and not Eros?"
"Because, my love, you're the most mature and composed of the three. And the girl's father specifically asked for you."
Curse him...
"Such an obedient son! Oh, and by the way—Happy Birthday. You and your siblings will receive your gifts at tonight's banquet." Father said, barely hiding his amusement at my expression.
A one-day banquet this year? I wonder what Father is planning.
Skylar leaned in, whispering so only I could hear,
"Don't worry too much. I know His Majesty acts impulsively, but not this time."
I gave him a slight nod.
"I hope so."
"What are you two whispering about?" Father said as he slung an arm over Skylar's shoulder. "Leon, go fetch your siblings."
"Yes, Father."
I returned to find my siblings laughing.
"Your turn, jesters," I said as I entered.
They muttered something under their breath and laughed again. I was certain they were mocking me—both behind my back and to my face.
"Congratulations on your engagement, dear brother," Eros said with exaggerated sweetness, followed by another round of laughter.
"Laugh all you want," I muttered and left them.
I headed to my room to prepare for the banquet. The servants were waiting, as usual. I waved them off with my hand, as always.
Their job is to help me bathe and dress. But I have arms and legs of my own, don't I?
At first, they tried to argue—it was their duty, after all—but I'm older now. Dressing myself is one of life's small victories.
I took the outfit they'd prepared, dressed, and stepped outside.
The nanny was already waiting.
"I knew you'd dismiss the servants again. Just look—this button's undone, and your hair is a mess!"
She dragged me back inside, fixed my hair, and finally allowed me to look in the mirror. The difference was undeniable.
I thanked her and left to meet my siblings. I found Irios waiting outside Belle's room, so I stood beside him.
"Look at you, all dressed in white. All you need is a horse to become every girl's dream knight."
"And look at you—wearing black with golden buttons that match your eyes, and the royal crest embroidered in red. It suits your black hair and your mood."
"I can't tell if you're praising me or the tailor, but I'll take it either way."
He laughed. At last, Arabella emerged.
"Just look at my handsome brothers—they look like princes out of a fairy tale!"
"We are princes, Your Highness," I said with a smirk. My brother and I extended our hands to her, and together we walked like a bride and groom—with Arabella in the middle.
"My daughter looks like a bride! My sweet children have grown so fast," Father said, hugging Belle.
"We're still ten, Father. How is that grown up?" Eros said, rolling his eyes. Mother pinched his cheek.
"It's true, Father, Mother! Look at my brothers—they look all grown-up, and I still look like a child! It's not fair!" Arabella pouted.
"That's because you'll always be my precious little girl," Mother said, kissing her forehead.
"Mother!!" Arabella shrieked, stomping her foot.
I watched them quietly. I wanted to say, 'Aren't you going to enter already?'—but I didn't want to ruin this moment. Somehow, I didn't really want to be a part of it, either.
"Your Majesties, the guests await," Skylar said, saving me once more.
We entered the hall. The crowd was smaller than the two-week-long celebration from years past—but still quite large. This time, the banquet was for nobility only.
The hall was divided into three sections: nobles over twenty, young nobles aged sixteen to twenty, and children from eight to fifteen. Naturally, we joined the last group.
Belle went to mingle with the girls her age, while Eros wandered off to a boys' group. I was left alone.
So I made my way to the long, elegant buffet table. I poured myself a glass of lemonade and sat at the farthest seat. I needed a moment to think—away from those annoyances.
Suddenly, a girl with blonde hair and striking blue eyes sat beside me, cutting into my thoughts.
She looked at me like she wanted to say something.
"Umm… You're Prince Leonhart, right? My father told me about you."
I stared at her, waiting for her to get to the point—or maybe I should just leave.
Then, I saw my father approaching.
"Ah, I see you two have already met," he said with a warm smile.
The girl stood and curtsied.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. I'm Emilia Klein, daughter of Duke Klein."
Wait. No, no, no—don't tell me this is… her. Is this that girl? Is this the fate that's been waiting for me all these years?
"Raise your head, my dear. Come with me," Father said.
We followed him to the front of the hall. All eyes were on us.
Then, Father raised his voice for all to hear:
"I hereby announce the engagement of my son, Prince Leonhart Alpha, to Lady Emilia Klein, daughter of Duke Klein!"
Applause erupted. The nobles congratulated the Duke, while I stood frozen, discomfort swelling in my chest.
The moment I should've spoken up passed me by. The words stuck in my throat. I chose silence, drowning in helplessness—unable to steer my own fate.
And so, the first step toward my death has begun… and I'm nothing more than a spectator to this inevitable end.