The soft hum of his computer filled the room as he leaned back in his chair, scrolling through the latest chapters of Crimson Petals: An Eternal Garden. It was an unusual hobby for someone like him—an otome game novel filled with romance and intrigue—but the rich world-building and the cutthroat battles for power kept him coming back for more.
He couldn't help but admire the protagonist's journey from obscurity to prominence, navigating through political turmoil and dangerous foes.
But before he could dive deeper into novel, a sharp pain gripped his chest. The mug slipped from his hand, crashing to the floor.
"What…?" His words faltered as the pain intensified, stealing his breath. He clutched at his chest, gasping as darkness engulfed him.
---
The first thing he noticed upon waking was the softness of the bed beneath him. His eyes fluttered open, and he was met with the sight of an ornate ceiling, its beams carved with intricate floral designs.
"This… isn't my apartment," he whispered, sitting up.
His body felt strange, lighter and smaller. Glancing down, he saw tiny hands that were clearly not his own. His heart raced as he stumbled out of bed, only to be met with a gilded mirror.
A child's face stared back at him, with golden hair and striking green eyes.
"What's going on?" he muttered, his voice trembling.
Before he could process the situation, the door opened, and a deep, commanding voice filled the room.
"Aric, you're awake."
Turning, he saw a tall man in a navy-blue coat embroidered with silver thread. His father—Count Damien Luthier. The man's presence was overwhelming, his posture straight and his sharp features softened only by a faint smile.
"Father?" Aric asked instinctively.
Damien's smile grew. "You've been unwell the past day. Your mother was quite worried."
As if summoned by his words, a woman entered the room, her steps light but hurried. Her long, brown hair was pinned elegantly, and her kind green eyes mirrored Aric's own.
"Aric," she said, her voice filled with relief. "You gave us quite a scare."
"Mother…" Aric's voice cracked, overwhelmed by the warmth in her gaze.
Before he could say more, a small figure darted into the room.
"Big brother!" A girl no older than six ran to him, her blond hair bouncing as she leaped into his arms. She giggled as she clung to him tightly, her innocent energy filling the room.
"Lily," Eleanor said gently, "be careful. Your brother is still recovering."
Lily pouted but obeyed, sitting beside him with wide, adoring eyes.
Aric's mind reeled. Father? Mother? Sister? Who were these people? And, more importantly, who was he now?
---
Over the next few days, Aric began to piece things together. He was no longer in his old life. He had reincarnated into a new world—a world that felt strangely familiar.
Names like the Asteria Empire, the Arcadia Kingdom, and the Caladriel Federation surfaced in conversations around the manor. Each name struck a chord in his memory. Slowly, the realization dawned on him.
This wasn't just any world. This was the setting of Crimson Petals: An Eternal Garden.
He was Aric Luthier, the eight-year-old son of Count Damien Luthier, who governed a small, peaceful territory in the southern countryside. His mother, Eleanor, was a warm and loving woman, and his younger sister, Lily, was a bright ball of energy who clung to him at every turn.
But the joy of having a family for the first time in his life was overshadowed by dread. He knew what this world held. The wars between empires, the monsters that roamed the wilds, and the political chaos that consumed the continent—all of it would soon come crashing down.
The Luthier family was insignificant in the grand scheme of the novel. Barely mentioned, their fate left to the imagination.
"They'll be crushed," he whispered to himself one evening, staring out at the moonlit fields. "Unless I do something about it."
---
Sitting in the estate's garden one afternoon, Aric watched his family. His father was sparring with a knight, his movements powerful and precise. His mother sat nearby, embroidering a handkerchief with delicate precision. Lily played in the grass, her laughter ringing through the air.
The idyllic scene filled Aric with a mix of warmth and dread.
"This world isn't safe," he murmured, clenching his fists. "If I don't act, we'll lose everything."
He thought back to the novel's protagonist—a character who rose to power through sheer determination. If the protagonist could rewrite their destiny, so could he.
"I'll protect them," Aric vowed, his gaze hardening. "No matter what."
---
The next morning, Aric approached his father in the training grounds. Damien was inspecting the knights as they practiced their drills, his piercing gaze assessing their every move.
"Father," Aric called out, standing tall despite his small frame.
Damien turned, raising an eyebrow. "Aric? What brings you here?"
"I want to train," Aric said firmly. "Teach me how to fight."
Damien's expression softened, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're still a child. Swordsmanship isn't a game."
"I'm serious," Aric insisted. "I want to protect our family and our land."
The conviction in his voice gave Damien pause. He studied his son for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well," Damien said, gesturing to a nearby rack of wooden swords. "Let's see if you have the resolve to back up your words."
The next hour was grueling. Damien didn't hold back, testing Aric's endurance and determination. By the end of the session, Aric was drenched in sweat, his arms trembling from the strain.
But he didn't give up.
"You have potential," Damien said finally, his tone approving. "If you're serious about this, I'll arrange for Sir Aldred to train you."
"Thank you, Father," Aric said, bowing deeply.
---
That evening, Eleanor found Aric sitting in the library, his nose buried in a book on mana theory.
"Aric," she said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
"I need to be strong, Mother," he said without looking up. "For you, for Lily, and for Father."
She knelt beside him, her eyes filled with worry. "You're just a boy. You don't need to carry such burdens."
Aric finally looked at her, his green eyes shining with determination. "If I don't, who will?"
Eleanor hugged him tightly, her embrace warm and comforting. "Just remember, we're here for you, no matter what."
---
From that day forward, Aric's life was consumed by training. He woke before dawn to practice with the knights, spent his afternoons studying magic, his evenings pouring over books on history and strategy.He also played with his new sister and spent more time with his new family wherever he got a chance.
Though his body ached and his mind grew weary, he pushed on. Every swing of his sword, every spell he cast, brought him closer to his goal.
He wasn't just fighting for himself—he was fighting for his family, for their future.
The dangers of the novel loomed on the horizon, but Aric refused to let them dictate his fate.
"This world may see me as a background character," he muttered one night, gazing out at the stars. "But I'll rewrite my story. I'll protect what matters."
His resolve burned brighter than ever.
The journey had begun.