The idyllic atmosphere inside the west wing manor of duke Aldena shattered as soon as a high pitched scream resound. The horrifying sound came from a young child, no more than 10 years old. He was wearing a very cute pinkish bubblegum tutu dress with flowers all over it.
Nero remembered reading a novel before taking a nap after grinding for some game items. That stupid novel he didn't even want to remember. And now he wakes up in a strange and gaudy place. This place was clearly not his bedroom.
The room he was in was very grand and truthfully kind of hurting his eyes. Complicated leaf patterns found everywhere. There were many golden accents in every place like for example, the tea set on the coffee table was gorgeously coated with gold leaves, and also the bottom and top of the white decorated columns. Thick velvety drapes covered all the room's many windows. One can see the golden thread sewn between the fabrics. A crystal chandelier hung grandly above him, where his playset was scattered on the softest fur rug. Strangely there was some butterfly-like glittering phantom, circling the chandelier.
Wait... He remembered that chandelier! It was the very famous crystal chandelier from the novel he read last night! The one that for some reason always brought up whenever and wherever. The super fancy magic item that most nobles have. Was he inside the novel world now? That was unsettling. Tilting his head and tried to bang it with the mirror, he thought hard. Who was he?
Beside him stood a very tall mirror with a whitish frame, standing in front of it he can saw himself clearly projected there. White hair, red eyes, and in his grip a black blindfold. The girl in the mirror was looking very cute, especially with her princessy pink and diamond crusted dress. Nero wished this was nothing but a nightmare. Did he turn into a girl? He checked below there..... it was safe, he still a boy.
There was only one character that cross-dressing as a girl that he recalled. Was he Nero Ratteuse Aldena? Judging from his condition and this room, it looked like he is. This was bad.... very bad indeed. He didn't remember much about this character, just the bad ending that waiting for him and maybe that they share the same name. Cold sweat ran through his whole body. He didn't want to die, at least not yet.
He forced himself to remember this passing cannon fodder. At the beginning of the novel, Nero Ratteuse Aldena was painted as a very unfortunate child. Forced to live as his half-sister, the daughter of duke Aldena. For the very simplest and selfish reason, the duke didn't want to sacrifice his lovely daughter to the god, to finish the prophecy. That sister's name was Nerobey Nerolee Aldena. This poor child, just because his mother told him about his grand and powerful father, holds too many hopes for him. In the end, all waiting for him was only execution.
This child was nothing but the unwanted illegitimate son of duke Aldena, the son of a prostitute once accompanied the lord. His mother named him Nero, mimicking how the duke named his legitimate son and daughter. She dreamed of freedom and warm love from that man, but till the end of her breath, she got none. The duke adopted Nero after he learned about the foretelling from the grand church. He hoped to shield his beloved daughter Nerobey from being a blood sacrifice at her eighteenth birthday.
Duke Aldena saw many similarities between his Nerobey to Nero, except the blood-red eyes. Even though in Nero's own perspective, the only thing similar about the two of them was their short stature and hair. So he forbids the original Nero to show his eyes wherever he goes, that was when the dark blindfold came. He showered his adopted 'daughter' with many gifts and even his own resident wing. Everything but a show for the people outside. In reality, he just kept everything bare minimum. The reason why Nero was left in the west wing alone was only to keep him away from many people's eyes. Till now, there was only one maid and one guard stationed in this place. Both unconcerned about him. The degree of neglect shown very clear with how no one came checking him after so long, even though his yell was quite loud.
That Nerobey Nerolee Aldena was the real villain of this story. She was very easy to remember because of her green tea bitch way of acting always getting on his nerves. She and the duke were the architects of his death. In the middle of the novel, it was revealed that the prophetic vision was some kind of conspiracy. Because of that, there were many ritual killings. Many countries went into unrest and some big events will happen. These events then helped Nerobey to came back from the family-sponsored and owned abbey, to the duchy mansion.
They spread rumors and lies about how Nero was actually a cuckoo occupying the magpie's nest. There were many stories weaved about how sad and pitiful the real duke daughter was and how spiteful the mother and son combo was. Helped with the great acting from Nerobey and her father, soon the king told Nero to be arrested and then hanged, to give example for the masses. It wasn't peaceful too for him inside the prison. Everyday nearing his death day (which was one week after he was arrested), Nerobey came and torture him. After that, the story goes into its climax and Nero's name never mentioned again.
He looked at his luxurious room and dress. Maybe he should start to gather some things and tried to run away from this hell painted as paradise. But what can a 9-year-old body do? Nevermind that, let just think about how to survive for at least 5 more years. But he could never ignore how everything here was money. Then, he started chipping things. Like his expensive pink diamonds encrusted dress. He hates it anyway.
A knock woke him up from his reverie. Without him giving consent, someone just barged into his room and opened the door with a loud bang. It was Kopeh, the eldest of duke Aldena sons. He looked very charming with his waist-long silver hair tied and mismatched blue-yellow eye color. Out of all the duke's children, he was the tallest. He's only 15 now, but already 180. In the novel, his height will reach 210, the tallest of all-male characters there. He was also the favorite of all ladies, and the novel portrayed him as a beast. Both of them didn't have a good ending, but Nero could never sympathize with this guy.
"What are you doing lazying around? It's almost 5, the banquet already started!! Must I come and checked you? A bastard like you should've known your place!"
It was a very unkind tone accompanied by his deep rough voice, made Nero stiff instantly. Caught off guard, he can only answer in a meek voice, "Yes, brother Kopeh. I'm sorry."
Nero could see how the boy in front of him restraining his anger. His lifted up arms, quickly put down again. He was almost get slapped by only talking. Just how abusive and hateful can you be? Maybe if not because today is his other brother's birthday feast, he will have swollen cheeks for the rest of the day or worse.
Before Nero could run away from him, Kopeh pulled his wrist tightly as if he noticed something. A very loud slap followed. "What do you think you doing by stripping all the diamonds?!!" He stifled his yell, "You trying to sell it? After what our family done to you?! A thief's son is still a thief! "
Oh no, he really forgot about the diamonds he took off. There's a very stinging hurt come from his cheek. He was very sure that he was bleeding. Nero could only defend himself against Kopeh following slap. His wrist also started to hurt, this guy clenched it too hard, he can see a ring of bruise starting to form. Not long, the 15 years old boy dragged his half-brother somewhere for punishment. Now nothing can save him, not even the ongoing banquet he supposed to attend.