I had been following a novel for quite some time; its characters, its action scenes—all excellent. But there was one problem: Evan Corley, a third-rate villain who chases the heroines and tries to ruin the protagonist out of envy. All his plans fail until he is executed by the protagonist, who had gained great power.
"What! That's it?" I looked bored at the screen of my phone. "A pathetic ending for an even more pathetic villain." I sat on the bed, beginning to write a critique in the opinion chat. My eyes, which hadn't closed in a while, started to fail. I lay down with my legs still touching the floor and silently stared into the endless darkness of the room.
ting-ting I opened eyes I could barely keep open, barely moving my hand, I grabbed the phone.
"That's an interesting critique, in fact, I'd like to see your point of view clearly, that's why…" I looked at the username of the person who wrote it, but it was unreadable—not because it didn't have one, but because whenever I tried to read it, the name was covered by a thick blackness. The phone screen started flickering, my eyes squinted in anger.
"Hey, seriously?" I clicked my tongue and tried to look away but it was impossible.
"Shit! What is this?!" The whole room filled with intense red light as the walls lost themselves into black.
I woke up with a start. I could feel sweat running down my forehead and the sound of my heavy breathing. I gripped tightly the shirt covering my chest.
"It's incredibly comfortable. Since when can I afford a shirt like this?" I looked at the shirt made of cotton, completely white like snow.
"Wow, wow, this is worth waking up for." Curious, I looked around. A huge room stretched before me. I looked in amazement at the elegant room.
"Am I a king?"
"Hahaha!" I jumped on the bed, raising both fists toward the sky.
"Welcome is this life!" I shouted as loud as I could and ran to the mirror. There was something else I needed to check. I put my hands beside the mirror.
"Yes, incredibly handsome." I touched my face, looking for imperfections, but I couldn't find any—eyes, nose, eyebrows, mouth, all perfectly proportioned.
"Ha-ha," I pointed at myself in the mirror, leaning while resting my other hand on the wall.
"You're going to make me very popular." I squinted slightly, analyzing my face.
"Have I seen this face before?" I held my chin thoughtfully.
"Young master!" A beautiful maid with a short skirt and huge chest appeared; my jaw almost dropped. If I weren't holding it, I don't know what would have happened.
"Jesus Christ!" I looked her up and down. If what came before didn't kill me, this surely would.
"Young man?" The maid, who somehow could see through my astonishment, looked at me like I was trash. Her sharp eyes brought me back to reality.
"Ah! It's just that I can't believe you're actually wearing a maid outfit. I mean, it's a bit outdated these days," I said as seriously as I could. The maid's face changed from confused to angry.
"Evan Corley!"
The maid slightly grabbed her skirt; her gaze was sharper than before, like tiny knives piercing my skin slowly. I shrank unconsciously.
"Yes?" My voice was tiny, overwhelmed by fear as if faced with a lion.
"Are you suggesting not to wear any clothes while you're in the Duke's house?"
"Gulp."
"No, not at all, I just…" My voice shrank every second. Her gaze crushed my eyes.
"The Duke is calling you."
I sighed.
"I almost died three times in one day."
"Haha."
"So, Evan Corley, huh?" A third-rate villain killed by the protagonist.
"Is this for real?" I looked at my hands; they had calluses, probably from practicing with the sword.
"It must be a dream," I smiled mockingly to myself. I lay in bed.
"Everything has been exhausting. A little nap shouldn't hurt."
"Gurp!" I tried to close my eyes more tightly.
"You can't be hungry in a dream," I frowned.
"Ahh, well, you win. I'll eat!" I got up and angrily walked through the long corridors.
"It's incredible." I looked at the insignias of the Evan Corley house.
"A phoenix—the symbol of eternity. It's ironic considering Evan died easily in the original work."
"You have no phoenix blood," I chided.
The doors were endless, and the glass showed beautiful gardens, statues, lakes—undoubtedly magnificent. I lost track of time walking and admiring the views. I bumped into a small maid and held her shoulder to apologize. "Sorry, are you okay?"
Seeing her small figure, a protective instinct arose in me. Her hair was white like a rabbit, and her eyes faintly blue—undeniably charming.
"Ah? Yes." The impression this lovely maid gave was of fragility. Her voice was tender and slow, occasionally stammering. She immediately bowed.
"Excuse me, I was distracted in the halls and—"
"No, no, no." I interrupted; I felt bad seeing her treat me with such respect.
"This was my fault; I was distracted looking at the gardens," I spoke in the kindest tone I could. Somehow, I couldn't even think of hurting or frightening this girl.
"Do you happen to know where the dining room is?" The girl nodded fiercely.
"Of course, master. I can guide you there if you like."
I smiled slightly; she was indeed a very charming girl, the kind who would make even the coldest person smile.
"Take me to the dining room, little one," I said cheerfully.
"Wait a bit more." I patted my belly happily, imagining the countless delicacies in the Duke's house made me want to take the hand of this lovely maid and dance.
"Here, young master," her voice stammered.
"Thank you very much. What's your name?" I put my hand on her shoulder, noticing she was a little shy because of a slight blush at my touch.
"Y-yo-yo m-my name is E-E-E."
"You may leave," said the same maid with the huge chest. The girl only bowed shyly before leaving.
"This way," she started moving through the halls with great elegance.
"And the food?"
"And the food?" The maid's gaze was sharp.
"The Duke wants to see you."
"Anyway, this is a dream."
"I prefer to eat first; I can't see my father without having eaten."
"Really?" Her black eyes seemed to question the truth of my words. I looked amazed at the great red door. The maid slightly opened it while other maids brought luxurious-looking dishes. They were calm; if it were me carrying those porcelain plates with drawings, I'd be afraid to even walk.
"They're all very beautiful." In the real world, they could be actors or models.
"Having someone like this serving you is worth a dream." I couldn't hide a slight smile escaping my lips.
The Duke raised his hand, signaling the maids to leave. With his hands clasped and elbows resting on the table, he spoke:
"Tell me, son, are you ready for the academy?" His cold gaze gave me chills.
"Of course, father," I said, only hoping he wouldn't realize I'm not Evan, or I'd probably die for sure.
"Why am I thinking that if it's just a dream? Now that I think about it, bringing food to the Duke's office sounds rude."
I looked at the plate with meat, broth, and vegetables, all shining brilliantly.
Eat me, I wiped the drool from my mouth.
"No, you shouldn't do that, not in front of the Duke." I closed my eyes when an exquisite smell reached me. I opened them quickly to find myself devouring the food with my hands. The Duke remained silent.
"What were you saying, Duke? I mean, Father. Wait a moment," I coughed slightly, hitting my chest with my fist.
"As you know, before you, hundreds of generations have gone to the academy, and now it's your turn. That's why I want to know if you are worthy." He stood up, coming to my side.
"But now I see I was completely mistaken; even considering you worthy was a complete error."
"I just messed up," I thought, looking into his cold eyes. I couldn't help but think what might happen if he discovered I'm not his son. I closed my eyes tightly.
"Return to reality, return to reality."
I felt a cold touch on my shoulder.
"Listen well, I will not let you attend the academy as a Phoenix representative. You will marry and raise a better son than I raised you. Do you understand?"
I nodded several times.
"You may leave."