I don't even know how long I've been sitting here, staring at nothing. I didn't want to go outside either—what if I accidentally run into someone? I mean, I still don't understand why I'm here. How I got here. Or if I even really died.
Did my ex see me fall? Like… actually witness me getting yeeted by a banana peel? God, that damn peel. I literally died in the dumbest way possible. Imagine being remembered as the guy who got murdered by potassium. That's my legacy now?
I sighed and turned my gaze back to the giant painting on the wall.
Then I noticed something below it—some kind of signature?
Zachary Levi Auguste.
Wait…
That name. It sounds… familiar?
I tried to brush it off, thinking maybe it was just a coincidence. But then—
Click. Click. Click.
Footsteps.
"You're finally awake, Your Highness."
A tall man with sharp features and perfect posture appeared. A butler. And wow, he's hot too.
I stared at him. Like, for five full seconds. No words. Just blank stare.
I was still confused. Still trying to digest everything around me.
But then—
My head suddenly throbbed. Like a migraine from hell. And that's when it started.
Flashbacks.
Images. Memories. Scenes from a life I never lived—but felt weirdly familiar.
Crown Prince Zachary Levi Auguste.
First son of Queen Elizabeth and King Harris.
And the man in front of me?
Eduardo Diosdado. A loyal butler to the prince.
What…?
So I really am in another world?
I was hit by a banana and reincarnated into a fantasy novel? A literal isekai?
A novel.
My friend made me read it.
Secret Malice.
A royal drama full of betrayal, heartbreak, and one infamous villainess.
The story where the real male lead is Prince Noah Auguste, the sweet second prince.
Where the female lead is Lykaren Cadbury, the perfect girl everyone loves.
And where the infamous villainess—Princess Natasha Solace Thalvren—falls in love with the wrong guy:
Crown Prince Zachary.
This body's original owner.
The same guy who collapsed from a heart attack after finding out he was getting forced into a political marriage with Natasha.
Whew.
What kind of telenovela plot twist is this?
Whoever dropped me into this mess, show yourself. I just want to talk—with a frying pan.
I mean, I didn't ask for this. I just wanted to heal from my ex who cheated on me and maybe get some coffee. And now I'm a royal prince in a fantasy drama?
Seriously?
And that banana peel? That murder weapon disguised as a fruit skin? I hope it's decomposing in hell.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
I snapped out of it.
"I'm fine. Can you just… give me some space? I want to be alone."
"As you wish, Your Highness. I've already placed your meal on the table. You haven't eaten in three days."
Eduardo bowed politely and left me.
I stared at the food. Took a bite.
Not bad, actually.
I slurped the tea. Ugh. Ginger. Not coffee, sadly.
Then I walked to the balcony, carrying the cup, hoping for fresh air—and wow. It smelled like actual oxygen. Not smoke and exhaust like in my old life.
Then—
"Your Highness, Princess Natasha Solace insists on seeing you. I already told her you needed rest, but—"
"Prince Zachary!"
A high-pitched voice rang out.
I turned around just in time to see her.
She was… small. Not in a bad way, just petite.
Soft golden hair. Rosy cheeks. Cupid's bow lips. Thick lashes. Big eyes. Chubby cheeks.
And yes—hot. Like, drop-dead gorgeous in a "you belong on a coin or postage stamp" kind of way.
She threw her arms around me and cried. Like full-on sobs.
"I—I'm sorry. It's all because of me. Y-you suffered b-because of me—sob…"
I awkwardly patted her head. Wasn't sure if I was supposed to.
"It's okay," I said softly. "Look—I'm fine. I'm still breathing, right?"
Eduardo quietly slipped out to give us privacy.
If this were the real Crown Prince, he'd probably push her away like he always did. Cold. Dismissive. Avoidant.
But I know her story.
I've read it.
They were childhood friends—Prince Noah, Natasha, Zachary, and Lykaren. Four kids raised like siblings.
But when Lykaren disappeared for years to study, it was Natasha who stayed beside Zachary.
She loved him. From the start.
He treated her kindly. Gently. Like a friend—maybe more. But the second Lykaren returned?
Everything changed.
He started ignoring Natasha. Spending time only with Lykaren. As if Natasha never existed.
She didn't turn bitter overnight.
She was just… left behind.
And now, the world calls her a villainess.
But I know better.
Villains aren't born. They're made.
The Crown Prince made her like this.
He strung her along. Gave her mixed signals. Ignored her loyalty. Mocked her affections behind her back.
He never told her clearly it was over.
So she kept hoping. Kept waiting.
He was cruel in a quiet way.
Even when she cried, no one was there for her. Everyone just saw her as clingy, dramatic, toxic.
But no one asked: How does she feel when she's alone?
Who's there for her when her heart breaks?
No one.
Not even him.
A tear slid down my cheek.
I don't know why, but I felt her pain so deeply—like it was mine too.
Maybe because I know what it's like to be left behind.
To love someone who pretends you don't exist.
To be loyal to someone who only looks at others.
It hurts.
It hurts to be lied to.
It hurts to be replaced.
It hurts to realize you meant nothing when you thought you meant everything.
But now… I'm the Crown Prince.
And I won't make the same mistake.
Not with her.
Not with anyone.