The pain came before the memory.
It was sharp and sudden, concentrated at the back of his head. Not enough to make him cry out, but enough to distort his sense of balance, as if his body no longer belonged entirely to him.
Lucas opened his eyes slowly.
The first thing he noticed was the ceiling.
It was unfamiliar.
White, but not the dull, lifeless white of cheap paint. Subtle carvings stretched across its surface, intricate and deliberate, designed to be admired. Even in his blurred vision, he could tell it was not something meant for ordinary people like him.
He blinked again. His vision swam briefly before settling.
The air smelled clean and faintly sweet. Nothing like the familiar mixture of detergent and dust that lingered in his apartment, no matter how often he cleaned.
He did not move immediately. Instead, he listened.
There were voices somewhere beyond the walls, quiet and composed. Light, measured footsteps, and the sound of fabric shifting.
His hand lifted instinctively toward the source of pain.
His fingers felt smaller than he expected.
He froze and stared at his hand.
The skin was smooth and soft. Unmarked by the faint calluses he was used to.
His breathing slowed as he raised his other hand.
It was the same.
His heart began to beat faster as he tried to push himself upright slowly.
The movement was easier than expected, his body lighter than usual. The sheets beneath him slid quietly, smooth against his skin.
It was silk. A luxury he wasn't used to as a busy first-year college student.
He looked down.
His legs were shorter and thinner.
There was something against his back.
He reached out to grab it. Long and soft strands of gold hair.
His entire body felt unfamiliar.
A quiet sound left his lips before he could stop it.
"…What the hell…?" Feeling that stinging pain again, it didn't help that his head hurt right now either.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. There was a minute of silence before the door slowly opened.
A woman entered.
She froze when she saw him sitting up.
"Your Highness," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You're awake."
He did not answer immediately. Your Highness? What... he thought.
He looked at her instead.
Her clothing was formal and neat. Her posture was perfect as her head slightly lowered.
Who the hell is this woman? Why is she acting this way, and what does she mean by 'your highness'???. He questioned as his head spiraled.
He lowered his gaze to his hands again.
Your Highness.
Wait...
Don't tell me I'm in one of the novels I used to read....
But I read so many
—too many.
Which one...
He stared again at the woman.
Maybe I should ask her for my name. Then, I can figure it out from there. But wait, wouldn't it be suspicious if I asked about my own name?
"Your Highness, should I call the doctor? It seems you injured your head pretty badly," she voiced, still trembling.
Wait, that's it! They said I hit my head. I can use that as an excuse.
He swallowed.
"No," he said quietly. "That won't be necessary."
His voice sounded different. It sounded softer, younger.
She hesitated.
"As you wish," she replied.
Silence settled between them.
He looked at her again.
"…What," he began, his voice slower now, controlled, "is my name?"
The question left him before he could reconsider it.
For a brief moment, she said nothing, looking stunned.
Then she lowered her head further.
"You are the second prince of Valcrest," she said carefully.
She paused.
"Prince Caelum Valcrest."
The world went still.
Lucas was stunned.
No freaking way. Someone punch me in the face right now.
Caelum Valcrest.
He knew that name.
He knew this world.
His chest rose slowly.
This was not his life. Not the apartment he had returned to after late shifts. Not the college lectures he barely had the energy to attend. Not the endless repetition of working, studying, and surviving.
This was...
His favorite novel.
At least it used to be—
not until the author ruined the ending.
Out of every novel, I just had to enter a tragedy where the main characters die. Fuck my life.
But right now, he was only a child. And none other than a side character with hidden potential and many resources.
If anything, I have the upper hand. I can save everyone. I have time.
Lucas resolved to make it to the end of the novel.
You shitty author, I'll fix everything you screwed up.
Just watch me.