The last memory he had of his former life was the flashing lights moving towards him, a young man eager to work hard. a kind man consumed by work and had time for nothing else, a man consumed by dreams of success and showing his self-worth. But now, all of that felt like a waste and remained as a half-forgotten dream, hard work all in vain.
He remembered it like it was yesterday as he awakened in an unfamiliar place, it didn't take long before he found out his new identity Luke Eldridge now the heir to the powerful Eldridge family in this mysterious world none other than the world of the novel the Emperor's Pawn As time passed by he grew accustomed to his new noble family and the different lifestyle.
Luke's mind swirled with memories of a story—a tale he'd barely paid attention to in his past life, but one that now haunted his every waking moment. The Emperor's Pawn—a historical novel he'd once skimmed through, set in a world where a cruel emperor ruled a divided kingdom. In the story, Lady Katherine Marlowe is the villainess, a woman whose ambition led her to a tragic end. And now, Luke found himself in the very role of her fiancé, trapped in an engagement orchestrated by the emperor himself.
He was brought into this world before the novel's plot even began and hadn't encountered the villainess and soon-to-be wife the lady Katherine Marlow yet he dreaded that day, after all, he was to be wed to the villainess whose fate is already doomed from the start.
The letter from the emperor arrived not long after he returned from another battle at the borders as the new duke he had known this day would come if only–
''Luke–? Luke?''
Luke whipped his head as he realized he was daydreaming his family had concerned faces as they were in the middle of dinner.
My mother, Celeste Eldridge, looked at me with great concern. She was a strong political woman who always stood by the late duke's side and cared for her family.
"Are you alright"
She asked concerned
"Yes, Mother, I'm quite alright… I was only daydreaming my apologies."
Suddenly my younger sister Kate Eldridge spoke harshly, slightly rising from her seat at the grand table.
"How dare that emperor not only did he send Luke on a dangerous mission right after our father passed away but he's also forcing marriage onto him?! And not just any marriage, a marriage to that vile Marlowe family!"
"I'm fine Kate.." I tried to reassure her in the original novel the Duke family was very close and Kate the youngest was best friends with none other than the original female lead lady Diana
"But brother that woman is evil she always bullies Diana and her-"
"That's quite enough Kate" our mother ordered sternly making Kate fall back down to her seat with a pout.
As the head of the family, Luke knew he had responsibilities for his family he was the new duke now he had people he needed to protect, unlike in his past life this time he would try to live his life to the fullest he wouldn't let the emperor's schemes hurt him or anyone else he had to come up with a plan after all soon enough he will be meeting his wife to be.
The next morning Luke was training his knights as usual as they battled fiercely under Luke's instructions they were the dukedom's power and were most known for their undying strength, so the emperor made sure to use their strength well and made sure to reward them as such, they were the strongest house both in power wealth and name after the royal family.
As Luke sparred with the knights he couldn't stop thinking about the original plot trying to remember more details that could help him, the knight he was sparring with Sir Cedric noticed his captain's unusual aloofness since usually, the duke would've already won this spar by now "my lord is there something on your mind?" sir Cedric asked, making a face of concern and confusion "no I am fine let's continue" Luke immediately said as they continued the fight.
The days passed getting closer and closer for the day the lady of House Marlowe would finally arrive at the far stretched north of the kingdom where the duke's mansion sat which was also the most dangerous area in the kingdom with many magical beasts and danger lurking, Luke already ordered the maids to make a spare room ready for the lady.
Finally, the day has come for the first meeting between the duke and the villainess, in the original plot the duke couldn't care less for Katherine Luke didn't know what type of person he was expecting even though he knew of her personality in the novel however...she would be his wife now even if they like it or not and he decided he would treat her as such.
Luke stood outside of the mansion's main gate he was dressed neatly and the servants were already lined up as well as his guards beside him to greet the lady as they waited for her carriage his mother and sister also stood there waiting.
I fidgeted with my gloves as I waited for my future wife. I would hate to admit I was nervous. I thought to myself however Sir Rowan Ashford who is the brother of the original female lead who ironically served under me seemed to notice right away.
"Our lord is nervous" Rowan teased with his usual dumb expression
I was about to give him another beating as usual when the sound of a carriage could be heard approaching as I straightened myself.
As the carriage finally stopped in front of the extravagant mansion I couldn't help but feel nervous as my eyes couldn't leave the carriage door as it opened.
I couldn't believe my eyes as the door opened and I reached my hand to take the slender hand of the lady Katherine she was indeed as beautiful as rumored hair as red as an apple and eyes so light and green, her eyes met mine as I was caught staring she nodded in thanks as I helped her out of the carriage.
"My lord it is a pleasure," she said in a light voice yet her eyes were indifferent as she glanced at our held hands even though she was already down from the carriage.
"Ah yes'' I quickly answered and I noticed I held her fingers in mine longer than necessary as the knights snickered at me for the awkward moment.
That evening Luke decided to check on Katherine to make sure she was at least comfortable in her new room when he knocked and the door opened.
''ah..my lady, I'm sorry if I disturbed you I only wanted to make sure you were comfortable'' Luke said in his tall form standing across the lady's petite body as she was already dressed in her nightgown.
''I'm quite alright there is no need for you to try and make small talk with me after all we both do not want this marriage there's no need for you to make such an effort to hide your disdain for me" she said in a harsh tone.
"What?" Luke said and made an annoyed face
"That was not my intention we might be forced into this marriage by the emperor but there's no need for me to act as if I hate you''
She scoffed in disbelief ''are you expecting me to play my part as your wife or are you that delusional that I would come to like you..my lord?''
That's not—'' Luke tried to argue back, but she stopped him. I would like to rest now. The journey was long and tiring, if you don't mind, my lord,'' she said as she closed the doors of her new chambers in his face. He ran a hand over his face, let out a tired sigh, and went to his chambers.
Katherine slumped on the floor after closing the door in the duke's face. He seemed quite decent compared to the rumors. However, she couldn't trust him. After all, the emperor had picked him for her—of course, with no objection from her side of the family.
As she got comfortable in her new bed, she could not help but think about her childhood crush Crown Prince Victor he was always kind to her Whether her family forced her to get along with the crown prince or not she did enjoy his innocent company unlike her brother and parents he never suffocated her with his words and always greeted her with a smile on his face.
She looked out the window, and the sun was already completely gone. As she put the blanket over her body, she noticed that the north side of the kingdom was cold compared to her home. However, back there, she felt the suffocating words of her family. At least here, it was rather quiet...for now.