A/N: Thank you for reading my first novel. Don't forget to like, vote, review, and subscribe.
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"How dare a villainess like you harass my future queen!"
A man wearing a formal suit narrated in a loud and quivering voice while reading the most disgusting dialogue he had ever seen in his 28 years of life.
Ryuu-jin Aoki, one of the top ten most powerful individuals on earth, found reading novels quite amusing.
As he read, the people criticized the beautiful Lady with jet black hair and eyes in the middle of a banquet.
Various eyes were staring daggers at her, from servants to nobles which forced her to make a troubled expression, touching her chest while explaining anxiously.
"But, your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, isn't that me... your fiancee, the one who promised to be your queen?"
If one were to ask the reason why Ryuu-jin was into reading novels... Regardless of his wealthy life, people only saw him in the limelight. Yet, they didn't know the times when an influential person like him also struggled against the greed of the corporate world.
And in those times, he actively searched for a sturdy wall to lean on.
After a short pause, Ryuu-jin continued reading the story.
The green-haired Crown Prince, standing on a grand staircase, went furious.
He pointed his finger at her, trembling. "Promise? That was your family's delusions! If only I'd known what kind of a black witch you're...! Then I wouldn't even waste my time to look at you!"
"But Your Highness, I never intended to—" The black-haired Lady tried to speak in defense.
However, not giving her time to explain, the Crown Prince immediately shouted, "Enough! The King might've ordered me, but I will not turn a blind eye to a witch who attempted to murder an innocent lady by poison! What has Lady Rosie ever done to you?! Are you that greedy for the position of the crown princess?!"
"Your Highness, Shin, that wasn't m—"
"Disgusting, don't call me by my name! Guards! Capture this wench! I now declare Lady Yume Valenz, who plotted against Lady Rosie, be sentenced to death!"
The wall Ryuu-jin needed was neither wealth nor lust nor power. Instead, the one that gave lasting comfort was a single character in this story. Not the Crown Prince or his two-faced Heroine, but the character he liked was the one they called, The Villainess.
It intrigued him how this novel only released one volume per year, but the chapters in every book were so detailed that he thought all events happened in real.
The story starts with Yume, a daughter born in a prestigious dukedom. One and only child of Duke Valenz, a retired general of the Royal Army. They so loved her that she was even called a princess.
However, King Herod Zenonidas, who witnessed the intelligent and talented Yume, betrothed her to Shin, one of the princes, at age six.
Thus, the sweet and lovely child's life turned into a doll, a marionette honed to become the perfect queen.
Therefore, dozens of noble teachers flocked to their doorstep, wanting to gain favor.
Yume was taught the things to do's and don'ts in politics, economy, nobility, and even swordsmanship. Her opinion was disregarded, akin to livestock groomed to be sold.
A child who should've been peacefully living in the warm embrace was verbally and physically punished whenever she made mistakes, just because they expected her to be perfect.
In the banquet, Yume Valenz's expression turned pale in the midst of a large crowd as Shin, the Crown Prince, finalized her execution.
"No! Please, Your Highness! I never harmed Lady Rosie! I just..." she said in a panic.
Rosie, the golden-haired Lady beside Shin, smirked silently. She caressed his arms passionately with her lustful fingers while lowering her eyes on Yume.
"Oh~ my dear Prince... cough...! can we forgive Lady Yume? I knew the honorable Lady only did that because of her deep love for you. Cough!" Rosie said, pretending to be weak while coughing in between.
The Crown Prince worried about Rosie being unwell, but he still blushed afterward, grinning like an innocent boy. "Are you alright? Even so... But still, Lady Yume did something unforgivable."
When Rosie saw Yume, who seemed shocked, she smiled like someone who had already won the war.
"Then, instead of Lady Yume's life, why don't we lighten the sentence by making her a slave?" Rosie suggested.
"Aha—! You truly deserve to be my queen, Lady Rosie. Not only is your heart pure, you even easily forgive those who harmed you." Shin said, his eyes glittered with compassion for her.
Rosie leaned on his head and whispered softly, "I just don't want you to dirty your hands, my Love."
After a few seconds, Shin raised his hand for everyone to see.
"Because of Lady Rosie's noble heart and the King's temporary power upon me, Lady Yume is now branded as an enslaved person for the rest of her life. And you wench, you should thank Lady Rosie for sparing your despicable life!"
Ryuu-jin had enjoyed this novel for the past 20 years since he found the devotedness of Yume so lovely.
Whenever he got into trouble, he read and remembered Yume's diligence which saved him every time.
Yume didn't care about the hardship she went through so that her loved ones wouldn't worry. Even when she had infrequent nosebleeds from overworking, just to be a perfect wife for that incorrigible Crown Prince.
'Only to have this ending.'
Now, it irritated Ryuu-jin whenever he read the latest chapters.
"Ugh! Enough!"
With all his might, Ryuu-jin threw the book he was reading, breaking the television.
Crack!
"Sebastian!" Ryuu-jin shouted angrily, followed by someone hastily opening the door.
"—Yes, Mr. President?"
With his furrowed brow, Ryuu-jin pointed below the broken screen. "I want you to find that book's foolish author so I can get revenge for my dear Yume!"
"I... I'm sorry, Mr. President," Sebastian said apologetically.
"What?"
"This..." Sebastian looked at the floor glumly and closed his eyes.
"Just tell me already!"
Sebastian took a deep breath before continuing, "The television was already replaced 34 times, and we still haven't got any clues about the author."
"...Is, is that so?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
"...You may go now."
Sigh!
Only Sebastian knew Ryuu-jin's secret hobby of reading novels. He was an assistant who worked with him for as long as he knew.
When the biological father of Ryuu-jin forced him to become the successor of his company, Sebastian introduced novel reading as meant for relaxation.
In his darkest times, the story of Yume became the light, his companion in life. She was like a female version of him.
Sadly, with the newest update of the novel, Yume's life began to differ from Ryuu-jin's. While he became successful, a good person like her fell and became the victim of the plot.
He had never been this agitated before.
Even when the competitors stole a billion-dollar contract, he would brush it off, move on, and do better. But when Ryuu-jin read how Yume was treated, his blood veins emerged like a volcano ready to erupt.
Ryuu-jin understood and cared about Yume more than his biological family.
So he neverendingly looked for that 'foolish' author to forcefully grab those reckless hands to rewrite Yume's life into a blissful one.
A life where a handsome and perfect prince would appear to save the damsel in distress, making her life envied by everyone.
The Prince would pamper Yume like a precious baby princess and do anything for her.
He would build a castle... No, he would make a country for her and seat her on the highest authority with an army that dominated the entire world.
The arrangement would make Yume known as the possessor of a voice that could shake the world.
Kings would have no choice but to crawl to her feet, begging for mercy. Yume could laugh at them, and no one would dare say a word. She could kick them to death; all they could do was smile.
However, despite Yume's unpleasant experiences, Ryuu-jin knew that her beautiful character wouldn't allow herself to act this pathetic.
She would forgive her enemies as she always does.
Nevertheless, the Prince would continue to give her everything because she deserves a good life.
Ryuu-jin pressed his palm on his face and murmured, "I want to help her."
A deep voice abruptly asked, "Do you want to help her?"
Without a second thought, Ryuu-jin replied, "Of course I do—Wait..."
Ryuu-jin removed his hand that was blocking his vision and saw nothing. It was too late before he realized that the only person in the room was him.
Thinking that someone asked a question gave him goosebumps.
It was all gone: The broken television, the novel, the chairs, and his table.
There was nothing!
"Sebastian!" Ryuu-jin shouted, repeating to call his attendant every other second. "Sebastian!"
"Please calm down." The deep voice from earlier said.
"Who are you?!"
"The 'foolish' author."
"...What?" When the person didn't give a reply, Ryuu-jin pondered. Then, he calmed himself as the deep voice instructed. "I'm calm now. Let's talk."
In the space where there was nothing, a bright light abruptly appeared.
"Hello Ryuu-jin, it's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, author. Is that correct?"
"You are indeed a wise child."
"I've been thinking about it, and by joining the things that occurred, I assume it's all about the book."
"You never failed to amuse me. I need your help, Ryuu-jin."
"About Yume?"
"Yes, but not exactly about her." The author said as he explained about Azure, the world where Yume currently lives.
As Ryuu-jin guessed, the world was real, like earth. And the one talking to him was the supervisor of both worlds, the author.
The author told him that something or someone was ruining its balance. This harmful existence was changing the destiny of everyone, including Yume's.
"What, what can I do?" Ryuu-jin asked with a shocked and confused expression.
"I can't interfere directly. This is why I wrote a book to find a compatible soul."
The author sent the book into multiple worlds and discovered Ryuu-jin has the best affinity.
Whenever Ryuu-jin read the novel, he felt a feeling of belongingness, so the author had already established the connection between him and Azure.
"I can transfer you to Azure, but you can't return to this world anymore."
"Why?"
"The one who interferes is already dominating, so I want to send you back more or less 20 years in the past. Which will drain most of my power."
Since Ryuu-jin didn't have a great attachment to this world, knowing that Yume was not just a fictional character gave him quick resolve.
With his tone as firm as a rock, he decided, "Fine, it's better to establish my power first. But only if you allow me to do whatever I want will I help you."
"A business negotiation right off the bat? It seems I don't need to worry. You are free to do what you will if you can find the culprit that distorted the world and stop it."
"A quick question. What would happen to me in this world?" Ryuu-jin asked.
"Don't worry. I already prepared a soul for your body."
"You trust me? What if I destroy the other world instead?"
"Then Yume will be sad."
"...You're right. Let's go then." Feeling defeated, Ryuu-jin could only nod.
"I never thought making you agree would be this easy."
"Ha! Don't ever underestimate the will of an angry fan!"
Without warning, the light shone much brighter, blinding Ryuu-jin's vision before completely disappearing.
The author's parting words echoed in his ears until he heard no more.