The palace infirmary was quiet, save for the faint sounds of early morning activity echoing through the halls.
Minseok, currently occupying the body of Princess Seraphina Lumastra, stood before the workbench, his hands deftly mixing ingredients that had never been used in this world before.
The young princess's delicate fingers, now his own, moved with surprising precision as he combined herbs, tinctures, and compounds.
His goal was simple: a healing potion that could ease pain, speed up recovery, and ultimately help the kingdom's struggling common folk.
He messed with the idea of the war, making painkillers to the best of his abilities along with the limited resources he had.
Despite the unfamiliarity of his new form, Minseok's mind was sharper than ever.
He was a doctor, after all, someone who had seen firsthand the power of modern medicine to change lives.
And here, in the body of Seraphina, he was allowed to enact a kind of change he never thought possible.
No longer a helpless bystander in this strange world, Minseok was determined to use his knowledge to give those at the bottom of the social ladder a fighting chance at survival.
The people outside the palace gates, the laborers, farmers, and tradespeople, those who toiled endlessly without ever receiving the best medical care, had always been forgotten in favor of the noble houses.
But now, Minseok had a chance to change that.
The remedy he had worked so tirelessly to create could speed up the healing of broken bones, mend flesh, and reduce the intense pain that so many lived with.
It could be a revolution.
The wealthy would still have their doctors and extravagant treatments, but for the first time, the common folk would have access to something that could help them.
He poured the final concoction into a vial, sealing it carefully, before looking at the result.
The golden liquid inside glimmered in the soft morning light.
It was perfect.
The mixture had the potential to save lives.
But at the back of his mind, a warning bell rang.
He knew what would come next.
The consequences of disrupting the status quo were inevitable.
Still, he would take the risk.
He had made up his mind.
As Minseok turned to leave the infirmary, he was greeted by the low voice of Miro, one of the palace's senior healers.
"Your Highness, you are up early today," Miro commented, observing the vials on the table.
"What is it you've been working on?"
Minseok stiffened for a moment but masked his reaction quickly.
He was, after all, still Princess Seraphina Lumastra in the eyes of everyone around him.
He raised an eyebrow in response to Miro's interest.
"I've been working on a healing tincture," he replied smoothly.
"One that will ease pain and accelerate the healing of injuries. It could make a difference for those who cannot afford the expensive treatments available"
Miro looked down at the vials, his expression unreadable.
"Is this… is this a remedy for the commoners, Your Highness?"
Minseok nodded his voice firm.
"Yes. I plan to distribute it to them at an affordable price. They should not have to suffer simply because they lack gold"
"It will help them recover from injuries far faster than any treatment currently available"
Miro was silent for a long moment, clearly processing what he had just heard.
"You plan to sell it to the common people?" he asked, though there was more concern than curiosity in his voice.
"This will upset the entire market. The nobles will never tolerate this"
Minseok straightened his back, his gaze hardening.
"They've always had access to the best. The commoners, meanwhile, suffer. It's wrong. The price they must pay for basic care is obscene"
"I won't sit by and let them continue to endure this pain"
Miro's eyes narrowed.
"You may think you're doing a noble thing, but disrupting the market will have repercussions. The council… they will not let this slide"
Minseok met his gaze, his voice resolute.
"The council is not concerned with the suffering of the people. I won't wait for permission to do what I know is right"
Miro sighed, a note of resignation in his voice.
"Very well, Your Highness. But be careful. You have no idea what forces you are challenging"
"I get it, I'll be going now if you don't mind"
Miro merely bowed as Minseok left.
By midday, Minseok's medicine had already begun to make its way through the market.
The word spread fast, too fast, perhaps.
People from all walks of life began to gather in the streets outside the palace gates, lining up to buy the affordable remedy.
The common folk, those who had never dreamed of accessing such high-quality treatments, swarmed the vendors, their voices filled with excitement and hope.
It wasn't long before the first few vials were sold out.
Minseok's heart swelled with satisfaction as he overheard the grateful words of the commoners.
Their thanks were genuine, their joy palpable.
For once, the divide between the nobles and the common people seemed to blur, if only for a moment.
But as the day wore on and the sales continued, Minseok's stomach twisted with anxiety.
He knew the consequences of his actions were only a matter of time.
No good deed in this kingdom ever went unpunished, especially when it threatened the established order.
That evening, Minseok was summoned to the royal council.
When Minseok entered, he was met with silence.
Every eye in the room turned to him, and though his posture was confident, he could feel the weight of their stares bearing down on him.
At the far end of the long table, the King sat, his eyes dark with displeasure.
"Seraphina," the king said, his voice cold and controlled, "Do you know why you've been called here?"
Minseok bowed his head slightly, maintaining the poise of a royal, but his heart was racing.
"I assume it has something to do with the sale of the remedy, Father?"
The king's gaze grew even more intense.
"You have disrupted the very foundation of this kingdom's market. The common people, while you may believe your actions were noble are nothing more than pawns in the games of wealth and power that fuel this realm"
"You have sold this medicine at a fraction of its worth, severely undermining the value of such a precious commodity"
Lady Verena, seated beside the king, sneered.
"How admirable, Princess Seraphina. You've acted like a heroine to the commoners. But what you've truly done is undermine everything we have built"
"You've destabilized the economy, and the council will not tolerate such recklessness"
Lord Gaius, his voice laced with scorn, added, "This kingdom runs on power and control, Princess. You've just handed away our wealth to those who cannot even appreciate its value"
"Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Minseok felt his heart pounding as he faced the council.
He knew the political ramifications of his actions, but he also knew that he could not take back what he had done.
The people had needed the medicine, and he had provided it for them.
He could not apologize for that.
"I did what I thought was right," he said, his voice steady despite the pressure.
"The people were suffering. I couldn't stand by and watch them die simply because they couldn't afford treatment. I've done nothing wrong"
King Feran's eyes narrowed.
"You will learn that idealism has no place in ruling this kingdom. The people's lives may be a concern to you, but the kingdom's prosperity is what matters most"
"If you continue on this path, there will be consequences"
Minseok stood tall, despite the weight of the king's words.
"I will not back down. The people come first"
A tense silence filled the room as the council members exchanged glances, their expressions full of contempt and disbelief.
They were used to power, control, to wealth.
To them, Minseok's actions were nothing short of a rebellion.
"You will regret this, Seraphina," the king said quietly, his voice cold as steel.
Minseok's chest tightened, but he refused to flinch.
He had made his decision.
He could not, would not, turn back now.
He stood his ground, his voice unwavering.
"I didn't do it to mock the system, Father. I did it to help the people. The common folk need access to care, and I was in a position to provide that for them. What good is a kingdom if the people suffer and die for lack of proper care?"
The king's expression darkened.
"You speak as though the people are your responsibility, but you've forgotten the truth: they are not. Their lives are not yours to meddle with"
"You, as a princess, must understand that your duty lies with the kingdom, not with the commoners"
"This is a kingdom built on power, wealth, and control. What you've done is reckless and foolish"
The words hit Minseok like a slap, but he didn't flinch.
The king's cold tone, the harshness in his words, it was everything he had expected, and yet it still stung.
He had hoped, foolishly perhaps, that there would be some understanding, some acknowledgment that what he had done was for the greater good.
But there was nothing of the sort.
He lifted his chin slightly, meeting the king's gaze with determination.
"Then let the people suffer while the rich grow fat with their wealth. Is that what you're saying? That their lives are worth less than the profit of the nobles?"
A low murmur of shock rippled through the council at Minseok's words.
He could feel the intensity of their gazes, but he didn't back down.
This was the truth, no matter how hard it was to accept.
The council members were so entrenched in their own power, so blinded by their greed, that they couldn't see what was right in front of them.
The lives of the commoners meant nothing to them.
To them, the people were a means to an end.
Lady Verena, who had remained silent until now, spoke up with a sneer.
"You've never understood how the world works, Seraphina. You've always been protected by your title, sheltered from the consequences of the choices you make. But now, you've stepped out of line. You've overstepped your bounds"
Lord Gaius leaned forward, his eyes narrowing.
"You think you can simply give away what should be a valuable commodity? Do you think the people will thank you for it? You'll only create chaos. And chaos will destroy this kingdom"
Minseok's jaw tightened.
He could feel the tension building, but he refused to let it show.
These people would never understand.
The life he had known, his old life as Minseok Lee, had been about healing and helping others, no matter their social standing.
In this world, it was no different.
But he had forgotten one crucial thing: he wasn't just a doctor anymore.
He was Princess Seraphina Lumastra, and that meant his actions came with consequences.
King Feran's voice cut through the air like a whip.
"You have no idea what you've done, Seraphina. Do you realize what this has cost us? The nobility will demand answers, and they will want recompense. Your actions have brought the council to the brink of rebellion"
Minseok's stomach tightened.
'And where were you when our soldiers almost rebelled?'
"And what exactly is it that you want me to do, Father? Take back the medicine? Let the people continue to die because of the greed of the nobles?"
The king's eyes flashed with anger.
"What you don't seem to understand is that the nobility is the backbone of this kingdom. Without them, this kingdom would fall apart"
"You have no authority to go around undercutting the very foundation of the kingdom's economy. You've made your bed, Seraphina, and now you'll have to lie in it"
Minseok's heart was heavy with the weight of his father's words, but his resolve did not waver.
He had made a decision, and he would not back down from it.
"I did what I thought was right," he said firmly, his voice calm despite the chaos swirling around him.
"And if that means facing the consequences, then so be it. But I won't apologize for helping those in need"
The king's gaze was a storm of cold fury.
"You'll learn, Seraphina. You will learn that there are costs to everything, even good intentions. And the cost of your actions will be steep"
Minseok stood tall, refusing to flinch at the king's words.
He had already made his choice, and he would face whatever came with it.
The nobles, the council, and his father could all oppose him, but he would not be swayed.
Not now.
Not when the lives of so many were on the line.
"You may think you've won," the king continued, his voice low and dangerous.
"But this is not the end. There will be repercussions, Seraphina. You will regret this"
Minseok's expression hardened, his resolve cemented.
"Perhaps. But I will never regret helping those who needed it the most"
There was a long silence as the council members exchanged wary looks.
The king's expression darkened, but he said nothing more.
Minseok knew that this was far from over.
The storm was only beginning, and the consequences of his actions would be felt across the kingdom.
But for the first time in his in Seraphina's life, he felt peace.
He had done the right thing, and that was enough.
As he turned to leave the council chamber, his heart was heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead.
The road would be difficult, but Minseok was no stranger to hardship.
And for the first time since he had arrived in this world, he felt a flicker of satisfaction when he stood up to the old man.
He would find a way to change things.
He had to.
As Minseok left the council chamber, his mind was ablaze with the weight of what had just transpired.
The hallways of the palace, grand and silent, seemed to echo with the words of the council members, still ringing in his ears.
He could feel the tension still swirling in the air, thick and oppressive as if the very walls were pressing in on him.
The king's cold eyes haunted him, and Minseok could feel the weight of his father's words like a heavy cloak around his shoulders.
He had expected anger, even disapproval, but not the sheer magnitude of disdain that had been aimed at him.
The king's threats had been clear, but so had Minseok's resolve.
But he would not back down.
Even as he walked back to his chambers, he knew that the consequences of his actions would not be easy to bear.
The nobility would not forget this challenge to their power.
He could already feel the eyes of the court on him, the whispers behind closed doors.
The highborn would not tolerate being undermined, especially when it came to something as valuable as the medical trade.
Minseok's hands clenched into fists at his sides.
What he had done had been right, he was certain of that.
The commoners deserved better.
They deserved more than being treated like nothing more than tools for the nobility's profit.
But the kingdom's power structure was built on exploitation, and no matter how well-intentioned his actions had been, it would never be enough for the council or the king.
As he entered his chamber, the door closing softly behind him, Minseok let out a deep breath.
He sank onto the plush chair in front of the window, staring out at the sprawling gardens below, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the weight on his heart.
The evening sky was fading into dusk, and the last rays of sunlight bathed the courtyard in a soft, golden light.
It was a fleeting moment of peace, but he knew it wouldn't last.
The door to his chamber creaked open, and Minseok's gaze lifted.
A familiar face appeared in the doorway, Miro, the senior healer who had voiced his concerns earlier in the infirmary.
His expression was cautious as if he knew exactly how precarious Minseok's situation had become.
"Your Highness," Miro said quietly, stepping inside.
"I... I must admit, I did not expect things to escalate so quickly. The council's reaction was more severe than I anticipated"
Minseok nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back to the window.
"I knew the risks, Miro. But I had to do something. The people were suffering, and the nobles... they've never cared about that"
Miro stood silently for a moment, his hands clasped in front of him.
"I understand, Your Highness. But you've upset the balance of power in this kingdom. The council, especially the king, will not forgive this so easily. You've made enemies today, whether you intended to or not"
Minseok's jaw tightened.
"I don't care about their anger. I care about the people"
Miro sighed softly, his tone gentle.
"I know you do. But this is not a kingdom where good intentions alone will carry you through. You need allies, and you need to be careful of the enemies you've made. The council has the power to make your life very difficult, Seraphina"
'By the sounds of it, it seems that no good father of mine won't protect me'
What he hadn't prepared for was the political minefield that came with being a member of the royal family.
And now, his well-meaning actions had thrown him directly into the heart of it.
"I'll figure it out," Minseok said quietly, his voice firm despite the uncertainty swirling in his chest.
"I don't need the council's approval to do what's right"
Miro studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Just remember, Your Highness, you can't fight the system alone. You need to know when to push back and when to tread carefully"
Minseok met his gaze, the fire in his eyes unyielding.
"I will not stand idly by. I refuse to let these people suffer because of a system that values power over lives. They deserve better"
Miro didn't argue, though his expression remained cautious.
"Very well, Your Highness. I will assist you however I can, but be mindful. There are forces here far more powerful than you might realize"
Minseok's eyes flickered with determination.
"I'll face whatever comes. But I won't stop"
The healer gave a nod, his face somber.
"As you wish, Your Highness. Just be careful"
With a final bow, Miro left the room, leaving Minseok alone with his thoughts.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on him.
He had taken a stand, but now he had to contend with the consequences.
The nobility wouldn't sit by quietly, and the council had already made it clear they wouldn't forgive him.
The only path forward was fraught with danger.
But for the first time since he'd arrived in this world, Minseok didn't feel entirely alone.
There were people out there who needed him.
And no matter what it cost him, he wouldn't abandon them.
Minseok stared out of the window, the sky growing darker with each passing minute.
He had no idea what the future would hold, but one thing was clear: he couldn't go back.
The world he had once known was far behind him, and in this strange new life, he had to find a way to survive, to change things, and to make his mark.
He wasn't just Seraphina Lumastra anymore.
He was someone else.
Still, he knew he couldn't afford to dwell on the consequences alone.
There was too much to be done.
The people needed help, and he would find a way to deliver it.
His mind began to churn with plans and ideas for advancing his mission.
But before he could get lost in thought again, there was a knock at the door.
Minseok's attention snapped to the door, and he called out, "Enter."
The door creaked open, and in walked a figure Minseok hadn't expected to see.
A woman with fiery red hair and an air of regality entered the room with the grace of someone who had spent years in the royal courts.
Her deep violet eyes met his immediately, sharp and calculating, though there was a softness in them that suggested a depth of understanding few had.
This was none other than Lady Elira Lysandra, the female lead of the novel, who was also destined to play a crucial role in the events that would shape Seraphina's tragic end.
Minseok had read (Skimmed) about her, an ambitious noblewoman, politically savvy, and connected to the most influential families in the kingdom.
In the original story, she had been a rival to Princess Seraphina, and their relationship had been one of competition, full of subtle clashes and tense encounters.
But now, with Minseok inhabiting Seraphina's body, everything had changed.
The subtle rivalry had shifted, and Minseok wasn't sure how to navigate it.
Was Elira here to see him as the princess she once knew, or was she somehow aware of the change that had taken place?
"Elira…" Minseok said softly, rising from his chair.
The words felt foreign on his tongue, but he couldn't deny that the woman before him had always been part of Seraphina's world.
"Elira Lysandra," she corrected with a faint smile, but there was a sharpness to her gaze that suggested she wasn't here for pleasantries.
"Or should I say, Princess Seraphina. The kingdom is abuzz with your recent actions, and I couldn't help but make my way to your chambers. There's much I've heard, and I wanted to see for myself"
Minseok forced himself to keep his composure.
His emotions were a whirlwind, and he could feel the weight of his disguise as Seraphina bearing down on him.
He nodded, trying his best to appear calm, despite the storm inside.
"Lady Lysandra, I wasn't expecting a visit from you. But please, come in"
Elira's eyes studied him closely, her expression unreadable.
She stepped further into the room, and Minseok closed the door behind her, not quite sure what to expect next.
He knew she was sharp, and any sign of weakness might alert her to the fact that he wasn't truly Seraphina.
"I hear you've been making waves, Seraphina," she said, her voice smooth but laced with underlying tension.
"Not exactly the kind of waves that a princess should be making, though, is it?"
Minseok stiffened slightly.
He had expected her to bring up the controversy surrounding his decision to provide the advanced medicine at such a low price.
It was rare for someone as politically astute as Lady Lysandra to speak so directly, but that was what made her dangerous.
"I'm simply trying to do what's best for the kingdom," Minseok responded, his voice steady despite the weight of the conversation.
"The people need care. I couldn't sit back while they suffered"
"I understand that, but surely you realize the position you've put yourself in?" Elira continued, her tone laced with a thinly veiled warning.
"By undermining the nobility, you've made enemies of the very people who could help you. Do you truly believe that your 'compassion' will protect you when the king's wrath comes down on you?"
"Or when the council decides to turn their gaze upon you, as they are now?"
Minseok's hands curled into fists at his sides, but he forced himself to remain calm.
"I'm willing to face the consequences for doing what's right"
Elira's lips curled into a small smile, but there was no warmth behind it.
"You're brave, I'll give you that. But bravery without caution is… reckless. And if you continue down this path, it will be a lonely road"
Minseok didn't flinch, though his stomach churned with the reality of her words.
He knew the dangers that awaited him, but the idea of abandoning his mission was impossible.
"I'd rather be lonely and do what's right than live in the shadows of corruption and greed"
There was a long pause, and for a moment, Elira didn't respond.
Her gaze was intense, as though she was studying him, assessing his every word and movement.
"I don't know what you've become, Seraphina," she said, her voice softer now.
"But I can tell you this: you're no longer the person I once knew. That could be a strength… or it could be your downfall"
Minseok's chest tightened.
Was this how the story was supposed to unfold?
Were they still rivals, or had their roles shifted in this new version of events?
He had no answers, but the uncertainty was unsettling.
"I haven't changed, Elira," he said quietly.
"I've simply decided to act on what I believe is right. That doesn't mean I'm no longer Seraphina"
For the first time since entering the room, Elira's expression softened slightly, as if she was seeing something in him that hadn't been there before.
"Perhaps you're right. But you should be careful. Many would use your actions against you. Not everyone will be as understanding as I am"
Minseok nodded, understanding the weight of her warning.
"I know. But I won't stop"
Elira gave him a long, lingering look before finally nodding.
"I'm sure you won't. But I won't be your enemy. For now, at least"
With that, she turned to leave, her footsteps echoing in the silence of the room.
Minseok stood in place for a long moment, reflecting on the encounter.
Elira Lysandra, his rival, now an unexpected ally had just given him more to think about.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Minseok sat back down by the window, the moonlight streaming in, casting long shadows across the room.
He had faced a new challenge today, but the battle was far from over.
One thing was certain: no matter how much the game had changed, he would play it to the fullest.
The redemption of Princess Seraphina Lumastra had only just begun.