Bright smooth Blonde hair and striking golden eyes. Even with the face of a child, I knew 'Ray' that means I will grow up in a handsome beast. With a face like this, I wouldn't even need to work at all. Well, if I were in my city back on Earth, I am sure they would scout me for modelling agencies.
My cheeks were round as of now and I am quite chubby for my age. However, how much ever, I have been staring at the reflection of myself in the window, I can't confirm if this is who I really have become. From ordinary looks of black hair and brown eyes to suddenly becoming a God-like person. Suddenly. Or maybe I was always self-aware of the fact that this is not the 'me' I know. I poked at the bulging slightly pink cheek once more.
"Will you... like stop worshipping yourself? It's really weird. What's gotten into you?" Luca said as he closed the fat book and kept it down. He walked towards me and I examined his features as one of the male targets. Fiery red hair and green eyes. He will grow into a
"boyish playboy character who would make your heart go doki~"
His character description. I muffled my laughter as I imagined it. Even the character descriptions were ridiculous as fuck.
"You... what are you laughing at?" He asked clearly in a bad mood.
It's been a week since I fainted and realised I am not in 'my' world. The last image of what I have from my previous life is blinding lights and going into the operation theatre. Apparently, I didn't survive. I wonder if dad is okay after my death. In my previous life too, I hardly ever saw him as he worked late nights and was always on business trips. He was a total corporate slave which I had sworn to never become. What's the use of life, if you are not going to enjoy it? My sister, she was still a high school student, still stupid and crazy as ever. Now she must be all alone after I left. Guilt took over me as I gulped my worries. Even though I am certain it was not a surprise to them as I have been diagnosed with this condition a few years ago, I still felt sad and so I internally wished them a happy life.
"Sometimes ... you make that worried expression. It's unsettling." Luca stood there watching me as I have gone into a flashback. For a 5-year-old kid, he sure is sharp. Actually, the children of this world are already considered adults when they reach the age of 15. It's even more strict among kids of nobles. They have to constantly be wary of the image they are portraying in the public as they 'represent their houses'. So I guess kids here mature earlier than what I am used to.
"Oh no!" I faked an exclamation, "I still need to work on my reading skills my tutor had asked me to." It was a sloppy lie. But if it's made by the 'Ray' he knows, it's quite believable.
I escaped his eyes as I went to another part of the library and asked him to finish the book he was reading.
Alright, Ryu, time to focus!
This is the world of 'Do you love me?', a novel which was adapted from the game, 'Doki Doki My Heartbeats only for you'.
As of now, I am sure this is the game version. Luca was not a character in the novel but in the game. What's the difference between them both? Well, besides the same crappy plot, in the game the main character has a choice of a total of four endings. While in the novel, the female lead is bound to end up with the snob prince, in the game she has other three choices.
The Second Male Lead, that is me, Ray.
The Third Male Lead, that is my friend, Luca.
And the fourth Male Lead, son of a Marquis, Henry.
The most irritating fact about all the information I laid out is I die in every route except mine. Also, another interestingly unreasonable fact is, my route is the hardest to conquer, while the first prince has the easiest route. The author is so bound in making me a tragic character, I can't believe it. Her favouritism towards the first prince was noticeable in the game and novel.
To live, I need to make sure, female lead chooses me.
Another hit to my pride!
Now my fate depends on the female main character of a third-grade romance novel!
What other options I have...
Maybe, gaining the favour of King, so he does not send me into a war. The Queen obviously would even kill me for his son, so I do not expect anything. Or maybe if I grow closer to the main character that is my stepbrother, I may get saved. The thorn of my path is obviously the Queen. She would not want me close to her son, like his brother but like a servant. I noticed I got tired easily after noting down a few pages of information I knew.
'Really? Am I this weak?'
I do not have any strength at all. No wonder first prince beats me into a pulp during our sparring practice while 'step-mother' classifies such bullying as 'playing' in front of the king.
Also, the King turns a blind eye if it's about me. Such blatant favouritism towards him.
I sighed. I just wanted to rest in peace.... what am I supposed to do now?
First, I need to get stronger. and perhaps...escape the palace. Escape the plotline altogether and start a new life elsewhere. That's right, I don't need to get involved in this bitchy plot.
The game has yet another one feature. It's a fantasy world with monsters and dragons. I would rather live my dream of being an adventurer than chase after a third-grade heroine. Heck, being an adventurer have more chances of surviving than following the plot of the game.
How do I become an adventurer?
Technically, another dumb side plot suggests royals can't. All direct and indirect descendants of the royal family mandatory has to work for the 'monarchial system' which thinks the King is the God and follows whatever he orders. In short, work as the king's slave for the rest of their lives. That way, even if I manage to live, I will have to serve the absurd brother of mine.
Or... What if I get my father to disown me? I smiled devilishly. I can get demoted to a commoner as a punishment. Though it's the worst punishment for the nobles who were born in money, for me it will be my salvation.
"Your highness, the Princess invites you for tea." An attendant suddenly said.
"Uwah" I looked behind in alarm thinking how he suddenly got here.
"You are planning something mischievous, aren't you?" Luca who was surprisingly in front of me and not at the other side of the library asked. Ah, did he follow me?
When did they get here?
"..How long have you been watching me?" I asked cautiously.
"Right when you grew horns and were going 'kekekeke' like a villain." Luca grinned.
I smiled back sarcastically.
'This kid....'
"I will be there," I said to the informant and got down from the throne-like chair.
Time to change my destiny!