"...ness! ...majesty! Please wake up, Your Majesty!" a soft but persistent voice urged.

The young royal, lost in the realm of dreams, mumbled in response, "Hmm… 5 more minutes, Mom, let me kiss my cr… Zzz."

A sigh of exasperation followed. "Sigh! Your majesty, wake up, your breakfast is ready. You will be late for the coronation later."

But the prince's slumber remained unbroken, his snores continuing in a steady rhythm. "Zzz… Zzz… Zzz."

Frustration was evident, and the voice spoke again, "What happened? He isn't up yet?"

A servant, ever dutiful, replied, "Uh, young miss! No, unfortunately not. I have been trying to wake him up for hours, but his majesty doesn't seem to wake up."

Determined, the young lady took charge, her tone firm, "Let me try,... WAKE UP, YOU MORON! HOW LONG ARE YOU PLANNING TO LIE THERE LIKE A ROTTING CORPSE? HUH??"

The room was suddenly silent, broken only by a groggy voice, "....."

"AHHH! Who the heck kicked me…?!"

"WHO ELSE, YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOUR NIGHTMARE!"

" Eiii… ll…ie?"

"Eille, my ass! Hurry up get ready, and come to the dining hall for breakfast. It's getting late."

"YES! MAM!"

In the realm of the Eastern continent's Hellberg Kingdom, Arthur Phoenix, at the tender age of 17, held a dual role - that of Throne Warmer, the unofficial title for the heir, and the Kingdom's Sorcerer. Today's forceful morning awakening came courtesy of his childhood friend and fiancée, a young woman of the same age whose outward demeanour belied her youth. With her silken white hair, deep blue eyes, and well-defined curves, she exuded a mature aura that often caught Arthur off guard. This, however, was not her only role; her name was not only attached to him through affection but also through the duties of a trusted personal aide named Maria, responsible for Arthur's every need and affair.

But Arthur's regal life was a far cry from his origins, a fact that required a journey back in time.

On February 22, 2022, he was known by a different name - August D. Heart. A college student engrossed in the pursuit of a bachelor's degree in science, his life was a cascade of misfortunes. Born under an unlucky star, nothing ever seemed to fall in place. His efforts yielded little, familial conflicts persisted, and the weight of solitude, betrayal, and a litany of other woes bore down on him. He reached out for support, only to be met with rejection. The burden of grief grew, threatening his sanity. There he stood on the precipice of existence, a single event away from toppling over the edge. But somehow, he clung to life, holding on by a thread.

Six months later, on August 3, 2022, that eventuality struck. The event he had dreaded materialized as another cherished relationship unravelled. No, it wasn't a demise, but the severing of a deep bond. A quarrel had driven a wedge between them. To August, it felt like a breakup, for the person he lost was not just a friend, but someone he deeply cherished. This was no ordinary friendship; it was a connection that defied rejection, a lifeline amidst a sea of solitude. And yet, his pride and jealousy had undermined it. His imperfections fueled this loss, a testament to his unwavering refusal to yield. This was his essence, shaped by an indomitable spirit he couldn't escape.

The cloud of loneliness and despair, along with an array of negative emotions, once in retreat, now surged back with tempestuous force. As they engulfed him, it was evident that these stormy feelings were beyond fleeting. By the time they struck, any hope of reversing their course had been swept away, leaving him in a whirlwind of emotions. Amidst this tempest, a mental breakdown ensued, rendering sleep a distant memory. His countenance bore the telltale signs of exhaustion - dark circles beneath his eyes, unruly hair, and clothing left untouched. Despite this, he trudged to college the next day, a reflection of the tumult within.

Then came that fateful day…

August 4, 2022

The blaring horns echoed in the air: "HONK! HONK!"

…

"HONK! HONK!"

…!

And then, a deafening crash shattered the cacophony.

The events of that day remain a mystery, even to the protagonist himself. Driven by some unseen force, he stepped heedlessly in front of an oncoming truck, heedless of the impending danger. His mind was a blank canvas, uncaring of the world or its inhabitants. It's often said that one's life flashes before their eyes when confronted by mortality, but in this case, there was nothing worth revisiting. With closed eyes and a faint smile, he welcomed the inevitable.

In the present time, as his eyes fluttered open, he found himself in the form of a six-year-old boy. It was a perplexing twist of fate, a reincarnation scenario that many light novel and anime enthusiasts might relish, including himself.

Don't delve too deeply into the mindset of our narrator and protagonist - they both share a penchant for anime and light novels and converse in the language of the otaku.

The question of why he hadn't been accused of abducting the kingdom's king and assuming his identity was a valid one. Yet, the answer lay in his memories. Not only did he retain recollections from his former life, but he also had access to the real Arthur's memories. The "how" of this phenomenon was as elusive to him as it was to those pondering the tale - a gap that science could not fill, save for theories of parallel world traversal or dimensional shifts.

With the confusion of his newfound circumstances aside, he delved into the heart of the matter: his journey to get married to as many beautiful women as possible and become the legendary Harem King. Yet, he paused, remarking, "Ah! Man, that hit the spot."

An exasperated sigh followed her proclamation. "Sigh! At least behave with some regality when you're awake. Jeez!"

With a nonchalant attitude, he retorted, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. What do you even know about being a king? Not that I have a clue either, keke!"

"Huh?! How dare you insinuate such a thing? I'll have you know, I was the daughter of-..."

"Yeah, yeah, we're all well-versed in your story. Daughter of the Emperor of the Eastern Empire, skilled in governance, the empire's eventual fall due to Western conflict and internal strife, your father's noble sacrifice for your sake, your escape, your ambush, and so on. We've heard it all countless times..."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

"Simply put, we've all heard your tale numerous times – the rise, fall, and flight to safety. Not to mention how I found you when I was secretly honing my magical skills."

"Nevertheless, it's inexcusable to trivialize my past."

"I wasn't trivializing it. The saga has been repeated so often that the entire castle knows it by heart. We understand your hardships. So, please, not today. This is a momentous day, after all. You wouldn't want to cast a pall over it, would you?"

"Hmph! I'm done eating. I'm leaving first." With saddened and teary eyes Ellie leaves showing a hint of anger.

"Wait a moment, Ellie. Allow me to finish." Arthur followed after her regretting what he had done feeling guilty after seeing tears in her eyes.

"Ugh! What more do you want to say? I'm not interested in listening."

The silent corridor echoes with a stepping sound from Ellie as if they were rebelling against Arthur coming close to her.

As Arthur hurries to catch up with Ellie Arthur instructs Maria to distribute the leftover food among the servants and guards in the castle.

Maria objects but Arthur still insists without letting her finish and disappears round the corner as his voice fades into the silence in the hallways. With no choice, Maria agrees and follows what she's told.

The scene shifts to the hallway where Arthur finally catches up to Ellie and is seen trying to apologize.

"Ellie, wait! Please, listen. I apologize. I might have crossed a line this time. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me, just this once?"

"Listen to what? Are you already tired of me? No, I won't forgive you." Ellie turns her head in the opposite direction swelling her cheeks as if to show she is still angry and unhappy about it and thinks to herself

"Perhaps it's time to tease him a bit more. After all, he's always making fun of me. This is my chance for payback. Though he's genuinely sorry and has overstepped, it's not often I get such an opportunity. Let's have some fun with him."

"Forgive me, just this once. Pretty please. It doesn't quite befit a king to plead before someone. How about this: I'll grant one wish of yours, though nothing as outrageous as bringing the dead back to life. Will that earn your forgiveness?" Desperation and eager for forgiveness Arthur joins his hands and begs Ellie pleading to forgive him.

Unfazed by Arthur's pleading Ellie keeps her playfulness to torture Arthur further "Ho! That's a tempting offer. Look at how cute he looks when he's slightly flustered. Alright, I'll forgive you, but not immediately. I'll let you know when it's time. For now, we need to focus on the matter at hand."

The scene shifted to a bustling square where a massive crowd had gathered, stretching as far as the eye could see. A floating magical stone was present, recording and projecting the events onto the square. It served as a form of camera, powered by magic. In this world, science was less advanced, but magic compensated for its limitations. With an abundance of mana in this realm, magic was the preferred route over scientific advancements, echoing the themes of the isekai novels he had once avidly read.

As the sight before Arthur overwhelms him A thought comes across his mind. "Damn! Do I have to give a speech? If that's the case, I'm utterly doomed. I didn't even prepare a speech, let alone practice one. I don't know how kings are supposed to address their people in this world. Just a decade ago, I was a mere college student. And now, I've been thrust into kingship. Before that, I was just a prince. Before the previous body's father, the former king, was murdered by an unknown assailant, the former owner of this body hadn't even witnessed his own father's coronation. The king's assassin remains at large, and the former owner was a mere child when all this unfolded. This is a predicament. I'll just wave my hand around, like how Queen Elizabeth used to do on Earth."

As turning toward Arthur witnessing him completely frozen in nervousness in front of the crowds Ellie decides to take the helm in her hand. "Citizens of Hellberg Kingdom!" Ellie's voice rang out.

"We stand a few days past the dark day when our beloved monarch was brutally taken from us by a wretched scoundrel. Although he managed to escape unharmed that night, rest assured, we are committed to finding that vile creature and ensuring he pays dearly for his deeds. In these times, your hearts may have been heavy with sorrow, despair, and fear for your future, the futures of your families, friends, and our beloved kingdom. Yet, do not be disheartened. For a new dawn has arrived, bearing hope and illumination for our path forward, as ordained by the twelve council of ministers. Our second prince, Arthur Phoenix, stands as the embodiment of that hope and the guiding light for our kingdom's future. I understand you may be curious about the fate of the first prince. Allow me to clarify that he is currently absent from the kingdom due to pressing matters, out of contact for a while. We have made numerous attempts to establish communication but to no avail. However, we can confirm his survival through reports received, though not a single response. Due to the urgency of the situation, we were compelled to secure our kingdom's future, lest any adversaries capitalize on our vulnerability. Hence, the second prince has assumed the mantle of heir to the throne. And now, I yield the floor to our new sovereign, that he may offer words of encouragement and blessings upon our people."

With the closing of Ellie's speech, murmurs and chatter sound followed from the crowd.

Taking advantage of the moment Ellie insists Arthur speak his mind to the crowd "Hey, go ahead and say something. They're waiting," Ellie whispered.

"What? But I hadn't prepared anything. I wasn't aware I'd have to make a speech. What am I supposed to do?" Arthur replied, growing anxious.

Watching Arthur's Anxious and troubled expression Ellie threw some words of encouragement and advice for Arthur."You don't need to deliver a full-fledged speech. Just offer a few words of encouragement and praise. That should suffice."

*Sigh* "Fine, fine. Whatever." With No Choice, Arthur gives up and accepts it.

How did I get myself into this? What a headache...

"My esteemed citizens, I trust you are all in good health. If not, rest assured that you need not bear the burdens of this kingdom or your future alone. I solemnly pledge to safeguard my people and this realm with my very life.", Arthur muttered under his breath, "Man, I can't believe I'm saying this. It's so cringeworthy. Someone, please rescue me. I recognize it might be challenging to place your trust in a new leader. Nonetheless, I am committed to earning your confidence and proving myself worthy of this throne. You have toiled tirelessly for the sake of this land, your families, and your future. I salute your dedication even amidst these trying times. Going forward, I intend to alleviate some of your burdens, improve your quality of life, reinforce laws, and strive to lower crime rates as much as possible. I aim to ensure that none of you face a fate like mine. I implore your favour and wholehearted support as I embark on this journey."

Echoes of the applause and chants of high praises from the crowd spread throughout the squire.

"Long live the king! Long live the king!" The crowd erupted in cheers.

Witnessing the scene in disbelief Arthur thought to himself "Huh?! Did they like it? I had no idea what I was saying." Arthur decides to feign cluelessness and asks Ellie. "So, Ellie, what did you think?"

"It was alright, I suppose. But if you can't even manage that, what good are you?" Ellie remarked.

At the end of the speech, a sound followed attracting everyone's attention.

"Hmm, what is that sound?" Arthur inquired.

"It's the sound of a trumpet. It's played when a royal is either returning or arriving. I wonder who it could be." Ellie answered.

They moved forward, their gaze fixed on the screen.

As Arthur awaits in anticipation to see who has arrived at such a moment he thinks to himself "If someone is arriving at this time, and going by the patterns of my previous life, this isn't going to end well. Every time I accomplish something, something goes awry. I sensed something was off when things were going smoothly. My gut feeling isn't sitting right."

The scene shifts to the castle gate where a group of shadows riding horses are entering.

Whisper, Murrmers and chatters fill among the crowds as they wait in anticipation.

"EVERYONE! Our Prince Francis has finally returned!" A voice rang out from the crowd.

"Prince Francis? He's back? Where?" Another voice chimed in.

"Look over there! Prince Francis has returned. Looks like we're saved. They said they couldn't get in touch with him. Were they lying?" A third voice spoke.

"Who knows? The truth will come out eventually. If their words were false, it could ignite a civil war. If that happens, we're done for," the second voice responded.

The crowd goes silent as the tip-tap sounds of horses come nearer and nearer.

A procession entered – ten cavalry knights, a hundred-foot soldiers, and the prince himself, resplendent in appearance. With his charming face, silky blond hair, and deep blue eyes that resembled the ocean, he exuded an air of confidence. His lean yet imposing figure was astride a white horse, its royal bearing commanding attention as they moved through the crowd towards the castle.

"Ah! Our prince is so captivating. A single glance and I feel like I might faint. If only I were a royal or even a noble, I could see him every day." A commoner girl swoons over the prince

The prince acknowledged the crowd with a wave and a slight smile.

"Did he just look at me and smile?!" The girl faints from over excitement and stimulation with the slight look and smile from the prince

"Hey, what's all the commotion about? Why is everyone gathered here?" Prince Francis inquired of a nearby soldier.

"Your Highness, it's a bit delicate... it seems we arrived a little too late. The twelve councils have already declared the second prince as the new monarch. And today was likely the coronation."

"Say what?!" The prince exclaimed, his voice inadvertently loud. "Calm down. Let's assess the situation first and then decide our course of action. What? They did what? Are you telling me they've declared that good-for-nothing, weakling, and timid brother as the heir to the throne?"

"I'm afraid that's accurate," the soldier confirmed.

Hearing the words from the soldier and witnessing the scene right before his eyes, Francis had no choice but to accept it but he wasn't going to let it down so easily. "Damn it all! Damn it, damn it, damn it! This is unbelievable! After all the trouble and plotting I've done to secure my right to the throne, he's reaping the rewards. I won't stand for this. Little brother, enjoy your time while it lasts, for big bro has a surprise in store for you. Kekekeke!

"Sigh! First, let's head to the castle and assess the situation. We should also congratulate my younger brother on his grand achievement," Prince Francis declared.

"Understood."

At that moment, He remained oblivious to the impending future, its ominous clouds casting a shadow over the kingdom—the beginning of the end, and the beginning after the end. Far above, someone from the infinity watched without intervention, betraying the hopes and beliefs of the people. When someone who should remain impartial shows favouritism, the sacred balance is disrupted, leading the world down an irrevocable path. He was the sole person who could halt this course, and at some point, He found the answer He sought.

​

Name: Arthur Phoenix

Age: 17 years old

Weight: 70kg

Height: 5'9"

Constellation: Leo

Personality: Righteous, strong-willed, persistent, courageous.

Likes: Anime, Novels, comics, games, Science and magic.

Dislikes: Hypocrites, betrayers, weak-natured people, kids.

Dreams: Nobel prize (past life), To be a king and have his own Harem (current).

Relationship: Engaged with Ellie.

Skills: Research, Magic Engineering, Martial Arts

Jobs: 3-star Mage, 2nd-star Magic Swordsman

Special Trait: Reincarnated.