Ethan's head pounded as he woke up. The last thing he remembered was slipping on the stairs and the sharp pain in his head. Now, as he opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a big, fancy bed in a room he didn't recognize.
The room was decorated in white and gold, giving it an elegant look. This wasn't his room, and it definitely wasn't his grandfather's house. Confusion filled his mind as he sat up, taking in the lavish surroundings. Ornate furniture with intricate carvings filled the space, and delicate curtains gently swayed in the soft breeze from an open window.
Ethan's heart raced as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his bare feet touching the cool, polished floor. He felt something heavy on his neck and shoulders, and when he reached up, his fingers brushed against long, silky hair that fell down his back. Panic surged through him as he grabbed the hair, noticing its bright golden color.
His heart raced as he looked at his hands. These were not his hands. The skin was soft and pale, and as his gaze traveled down, he realized his body was younger and leaner. "What is happening?" he murmured to himself, fear creeping in.
He stood up and walked to the tall, ornate mirror on the dressing table. The reflection staring back at him was not his own. His jaw dropped as he studied the face in the mirror: a young man, perhaps in his late teens, with sharp, aristocratic features. His golden hair and golden eyes seemed to shine in the light.
"This isn't me..." Ethan's voice trailed off as the horror of realization set in. He wasn't in his own body. The face and body in the mirror belonged to someone else entirely.
A knock echoed from the door. "Young Master Kaelan, the Duke is calling for you in his study." The voice on the other side sounded stern but respectful, as if speaking to someone of noble status.
Kaelan? The realization hit him hard. He was now the character from the book The Rise of the Useless Illegitimate Son. Fear rushed through him. What had happened to his real body? Had he died when he fell down the stairs?
Another knock came. "Young Master Kaelan!" The voice was more urgent now.
"Y-yes! I'll be there," Ethan now Kaelan said, his voice trembling.
"Alright, I will inform the Duke," the voice replied as it moved away from the door.
Ethan looked back at the mirror and touched his cheek. "He is really pretty," he whispered. He remembered the story: Kaelan was the illegitimate son of a powerful duke, rejected and bullied by everyone. In the end, Kaelan died after saving the world. Would he have the same fate?
After his shower, while he was getting dressed, the door swung open, and a maid walked in without knocking.
"Hurry up," she said with a dismissive tone, plopping onto his bed like she owned the place. Ethan's eyes went wide in shock as he stood there, his pants on but his shirt still open. He felt exposed, but the maid didn't seem to care, staring at him like nothing was wrong, even drooling a bit. Kaelan felt uneasy.
"Get out!" he ordered.
The maid looked startled. "What did you just say?"
"I said, get out!" he repeated.
"Fine, you worthless illegitimate son," she snapped, getting up and storming out, slamming the door behind her.
Ethan stood there for a moment, his heart racing. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Back in his own world, no one would dare barge into his room like that, let alone treat him with such disrespect. But here, in Kaelan's body, it seemed like this kind of treatment was normal.
He quickly buttoned up his shirt, still shaken from the encounter. "Useless illegitimate son..." The words echoed in his mind, reminding him of Kaelan's tragic story. In the book, Kaelan was despised by almost everyone. No matter how hard he tried to prove his worth, he was always treated like an outsider, an embarrassment to the duke's family.
Ethan took a deep breath. He had no idea how he ended up here or why he had become this character, but one thing was clear: he wasn't going to die like Kaelan, and he wouldn't let anyone walk all over him.
Straightening his clothes, Kaelan adjusted the fine white linen shirt that hugged his frame and fastened the ornate golden buttons down the front. Over it, he donned a tailored waistcoat in a deep emerald green, the fabric rich and soft against his skin. The vest was embroidered with subtle gold thread, catching the light as he moved. He tucked his fitted black trousers into polished brown leather boots that reached just below his knees, completing his noble appearance.
As he stood in front of the mirror one last time, he noticed the golden strands of his hair cascading down his back. With a deep breath, he gathered it into a tidy ponytail, ensuring it looked presentable.
He made his way to the door, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The duke was waiting, and he had a feeling that whatever was about to happen next would be important. He needed to be ready.
As Ethan walked down the hallways, his body moved with a strange sense of familiarity, as if Kaelan's instincts were guiding him. He didn't recognize this place, but every turn and step felt natural, like Kaelan's daily routine was ingrained in his muscles. His boots tapped lightly on the thin red carpet, adding a subtle rhythm to his nervousness as he approached the Duke's study.
The servants he passed shot him quick, judgmental looks. He could hear their whispers and quiet mockery behind him, but he kept moving, determined not to show that it bothered him.
"Look at him, still acting like he's important," a maid muttered.
"Pathetic," another maid said.
"Useless bastard," a male servant added.
Ethan didn't reply. Their harsh words stung, a reminder of what Kaelan faced every day, barely accepted in his own home.
Kaelan's story from the novel echoed in Ethan's thoughts, the details now feeling more real than ever. Kaelan's mother, once a trusted servant, had loved Duke Lucian Winchester, but her love had taken a dark turn. She had drugged him, tricking him into believing he was with his wife, then disappeared after the deed. It wasn't until five years later, when she returned with Kaelan, that the truth came to light. Duke Lucian had been enraged and had her executed in front of the child she claimed was his.
Kaelan, born from that terrible night, lived in the Duke's house, carrying his name but none of the family's pride. Even worse, he had no fire magic and no skill with a sword; he had nothing that represented the Winchester family's strength and power. To them, he was worthless.
Ethan sighed as he remembered the sad story of Kaelan's life from the book. It seemed the only reason the Duke hadn't kicked him out completely was some twisted sense of duty or maybe guilt. In this house, Kaelan was just tolerated, never truly loved.
When Ethan reached the big wooden door of the Duke's study, he paused for a moment before knocking. He tapped once, the sound echoing in the hallway, and waited for a response from inside.
"Come in," said the deep, commanding voice of his father.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan opened the door and stepped inside.