Sunlight filtered through the grand arched windows, casting a warm glow over the opulent bedchamber. Zach stirred, groaning as the world came into focus. The silk sheets beneath him felt far too luxurious, and the faint scent of lavender tickled his nose.
"What the hell…?" he muttered, sitting up.
He blinked, taking in the intricately carved wooden furniture, the glint of polished gold trim, and a wardrobe the size of his old bedroom back home. A large mirror stood nearby, reflecting a face that wasn't his. His usually pale, acne-ridden complexion was gone, replaced by smooth, sun-kissed skin, high cheekbones, and piercing green eyes. His messy mop of hair had turned into glossy black locks that fell just above his shoulders.
"Is this… me?" he whispered, touching his face.
Before he could process further, a torrent of memories flooded his mind. Disjointed fragments of another life—ballroom dances, lectures on etiquette, and fleeting glimpses of a throne room—rushed in. He gasped, clutching his head as the pieces began to fall into place.
His name was Zachary Walters—or rather, it used to be. Here, he was Zacharias Valford, the son of King Alden Valford and one of his lesser concubines. A notorious layabout, Zacharias spent his days shirking studies in both, literature, etiquettes classes, magic and swordsmanship, earning the disdain of nobles and servants alike. Despite his laziness, the king had a soft spot for him, much to the chagrin of his more accomplished half-siblings.
"Great," Zach groaned, lying back on the bed. "So I'm a royal screw-up in a medieval fantasy world. Guess some things never change."
His thoughts turned to the novel Chronicles of the Archmage: Arkanis Ascends. He tried to recall the timeline, but it was a blur. Was this before or after Arkanis, the protagonist, started his journey? Did the Dark Sovereign's forces already attack?
"Damn it, why couldn't the author have added a freaking date in the chapters?" he grumbled but his expression suddenly shifted to seriousness, how did the author send him to the novel world? This was too strange, in his world there's no such technology or powers, this made him scared, if the author has wanted to kill him, he might have died!
Well, that's that for another day.
With no way to pinpoint the timeline, Zach decided to explore. If he was stuck here, he might as well enjoy the medieval aesthetics. He threw on a simple tunic and trousers, marveling at the quality of the fabric. "Huh, no itchy polyester here. Fancy."
****
The palace was a sprawling labyrinth of marble hallways, grand staircases, and lush courtyards. Zach wandered aimlessly, marveling at the stained-glass windows and the intricate tapestries depicting epic battles.
"This place is straight out of a fantasy Pinterest board," he muttered, grinning as he ran his fingers along a stone pillar.
He was so engrossed in the architecture that he didn't notice where his feet were taking him. He rounded a corner and stumbled into a secluded courtyard, where the soft murmurs of a conversation reached his ears.
Curiosity piqued, Zach crept closer, peering around a hedge. Standing in the center of the courtyard was a striking woman dressed in an elegant sapphire gown, her golden hair cascading in waves over her shoulders. Her features were delicate, her eyes wide and doe-like, yet there was a hint of charms in her smile. She was petite but carried herself with an air of confidence that made her seem big.
Across from her stood a knight in gleaming armor, his posture stiff and formal, though his voice betrayed a certain tenderness.
"My lady," the knight said, "you know this is dangerous. If anyone discovers us—"
"They won't," she replied softly, placing a hand on his chest. "You're the only one who truly sees me, Gerald."
Zach's jaw dropped. "No way," he whispered. "A forbidden romance? This is straight out of a trashy fanfic. And this is the first thing I noticed the moment I got reincarnated?"
The knight suddenly tensed, his sharp eyes darting toward the hedge where Zach was hiding. "Who's there?" he barked, drawing his sword.
"Oh, crap," Zach muttered, bolting from his hiding spot.
"Wait!" the woman called, her voice trembling.
But Zach was already sprinting, weaving through the courtyard like a deer on steroids. The knight gave chase for a few steps before being stopped by the lady, "quick! Escape from the palace before the prince report you! I will try and find a way to salvage the situation for you!" She said with anxiousness in her voice.
Meanwhile the scared Zach didn't stop running until he was out of sight, leaning against a column to catch his breath after seeing no one was chasing him.
"Man, cardio sucks," he panted, resting there for a few minutes, he knew since he was in a palace, it will be hard for them to kill him.
Just as he was about to return to his room, he heard soft footsteps behind him. He turned to see the woman from the courtyard, her face pale and her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
"Y-Young Master," she stammered, bowing low.
Zach raised an eyebrow. "Uh, hi?"
"Please," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I beg you, don't tell the king what you saw."
Zach tilted his head, crossing his arms. "And why shouldn't I? Isn't it, like, treason or something to flirt with a knight when you're, uh…" He paused, eyeing her expensive dress. "...a concubine?"
She flinched at the word. "I… I didn't mean for it to happen. Gerald and I—"
"Gerald?" Zach interrupted with a snort. "Of course his name is Gerald. Couldn't pick someone with cooler names, like Kael or Darius? Nope, just Gerald."
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away. "Please, Your Highnes. I'll do anything. Just don't tell the king."
The word "anything" hung in the air, and Zach's gaze drifted, almost involuntarily, over her figure. Her petite frame was accentuated by the fitted bodice of her gown, the sapphire fabric shimmering in the sunlight. A delicate necklace adorned her neck, and her soft lips trembled as she awaited his response.
An evil grin subconsciously spread across his face. "Anything, huh?"
The woman hesitated, nodding. "Yes. Anything."
Zach leaned closer, his grin widening. "Well, since you're offering…"
Her eyes widened in panic, and she stepped back slightly. "W-What are you thinking?"
"Oh, nothing much," Zach said, his tone mock-innocent. "Just wondering how far you're willing to go to keep this little 'secret' of ours."
She swallowed hard, her hands twisting the fabric of her gown. "I… I'll do whatever it takes."
Zach's grin turned downright devilish. "Good. Because I have so many ideas."