My name is Ray Lanes and I, am tired. Very, VERY, tired. Going to college, working two part time jobs, being devoid of a social life due to all that...it was exhausting, both mentally and physically. I went against my parents' wishes and instead of going to med school, I followed my dream and majored in Philosophy. Pretty stupid, right? But what can I say, the thought about thought itself, all those theories and those deep, even frivolous notions captivated me. But, because of that they refused to give me any sort of financial help, and to top it all off, they kicked me out. The only person I had in this world that I could safely call my family, was my sister Serena. Being only a few years older than me, she also didn't have the best relationship with our parents, so we were very tight.

It was February evening, I was walking back to the dorms after just clocking out of one of my part-time gigs. I was absentmindedly reading a novel Serena had lended me, "The Princess of Ribaltha". It wasn't anything special, clichéd and predictable, it was your average "forbidden love" story between royals and commoners.

"Typical Serena, recommending me a romance novel one could only enjoy if they shut their brain off. At least, that bastard's finally been killed off.", I snickered to myself before instinctively turning my head to the sound of a car horn, its bright lights blinding me. And then, nothing.

What the hell just happened? Am I dead? Am I really dead? I don't particularly feel anything though...Wait, is the afterlife just an eternal void?! Man, this fucking su-

My eyes snapped wide open, but I wasn't in the middle of the street anymore. I was laid down, facing a ceiling instead of the sky, an imposing chandelier hanging from it. Oh, I am alive. I think.

I then felt the bed beneath me, soft and comfortable, the pillowcase matching the silk covers. That's one fancy hospital, huh?

I sat up and ran a hand through my clothes, sensing their silky texture. Did this hospital have an influx of silk or something? Where did they even find the mo-

My thought process was cut short once more, a tall man with dark hair and impeccably sharp features, opened my door cautiously. His profession made obvious by his butler uniform.

"Young master, your father wants to see you."

I simply stood still and stared at him skeptically. Young master? I then looked around, noticing the rest of the room. It certainly wasn't a patient's room, fancy decorations proudly adjusted on the walls, two wardrobes standing next to eachother in the corner, besides them a big bookcase, fulled to the brim. Also, this damn bed I was sitting on was huge.

"Young master, is something wrong?", the man asked, his tone however not echoing any genuine concern.

I finally looked back at him and took a deep breath.

"Say...what's my name?"

His gaze narrowed, emanating an air of menace.

"Is this some sort of test, master Cain?"

Cain? Where have I heard that name before...

I scratched my chin, before deciding to double down on what he said and play along.

"Cain...what?", I forced a smirk on my face, my tone trying to be playful, but failing miserably as my nerves got the better of me.

He viscerally cringed, fighting back his inner thoughts, simply sighing before composing himself.

"Cain Détesté. Son of duke Lain Détesté and duchess Rosemary Détesté. Should I mention your whole genealogical tree, or have I given you enough hints?"

Oh fuck. Oh fuckity fuck. I AM the bastard in question. The same bastard that just got killed off in that novel I was reading. Does that mean...

"Tell him that I will meet him in a bit.", I said before rushing out of bed and towards a mirror that was placed close to my wardrobes, almost running into it.

Golden hair slipping just beyond my shoulders, hazel eyes that could pierce through steel, and a relatively decent physique. No way...

I then smiled at the mirror, making an incredibly disturbing face. My reflection smiled in a sadistic fashion, almost lecherously. It was exactly like the book described it. I really had reincarnated into him, into the worst possible side character...

The man with the dark hair sighed in contempt and left, as I fell on my knees, bumping my forehead against the mirror.

"What a cruel fucking joke..."

But wait a minute, I have been reincarnated as a shitty noble who would destroy anything that doesn't please him, the type of guy who would steal candy from a baby, but a noble nonetheless...Which means...THAT I AM FILTHY RICH!

I started maniacally laughing to myself, the face reflected on the mirror was one only a mother could love.

I worked my ass off until my death, and for what? I died alone, almost estranged from my family, and I struggled till the bitter end. Now that I've got money, I will finally get to live like a bum, I will never work another day in my life!

I shot a fist up in the air, looking fiercely determined, "Do you hear me God? I will turn your idea of hell into my paradise, I will live my best life through this complete waste-of-space of a character!"

I started laughing callously once more, before turning away from the mirror, noticing the man from before standing just past the door. Disdain written all over his face.

"Ahem, why have you returned, Sebastian?"

"...Your father sent me again to 'drag your pitiful ass' to the dining room.", his voice lower than before, not exactly comprehending what he had just witnessed.

Sebastian Lumis, that handsome and sarcastic piece of work was Cain's personal attendant and the protagonist of "The Princess of Ribaltha". The man who ultimately, sends Cain Détesté to meet his maker. He has served the Détesté family since he was a kid if I'm not wrong, that means that I have been an ass to him his whole life. But this just won't do, I refuse to be killed so early. Now that I think about it, when exactly did I reincarnate at? I need to find out when the royal ball will take place.

"Sebastian, I am really sorry.", I bowed my head to him.

"What? What are you doing young master?"

"I am apologising. To you. For everything.", confusion and skepticism painted on Sebastian's expression as he heard that. He then let out a soft sigh.

"I see...Tha-", I almost teleported in front of him, as a wicked smirk creeped up on my face.

"So, we will be best pals from now on? You promise to never hurt me under any circumstances?"

He jumped back in fear as he didn't know what to think.

"Wha...I don't understand."

"I get it Sebby, those things take time, so we can do this on your own pace. At least answer me this, when's the royal ball?"

He steadied his breathing, a vein popping on his forehead, before answering me, "In two weeks, that's what your father wanted to talk to you about."

I nodded, "I see, two weeks, in two weeks.". Like a summer breeze, I calmly and gently latched onto him.

"TWOOOOOOO WEEEEEEEKS? PLEASE SEBASTIAN FORGIVE ME FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE, I AM BEGGING YOUUUUU", I YELLED, sorry, I yelled while shaking him violently.

"I get it, just get off me!", he tried to shake me off, but to no avail.

"PROMISE YOU WILL NOT KILL MEEEE!"

"ALRIGHT, I PROMISE, NOW GET OFF ME YOU HUMAN LEECH.", he raised his tone as well, before letting go of him. I placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a small smile, a single tear running down my eye.

"You're a good man Sebastian, they should write a book about you."

He was speechless. He could only blink a few times before turning around and walking away in response.

Good, with Sebastian out of the way, it'll all go like clockwork.

After he closed the door behind him, I opened both wardrobes and concocted the fanciest outfit I could. With a fancy golden tailcoat as the finishing touch, I made my way towards the dining room, prepared to meet the rest of Cain's family-no-my new family.