I sit quietly in the garden, enjoying a peaceful weekend break from csses. A gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers and fresh leaves, while dappled sunlight dances across the stone path. With a book in hand, I took a slow sip of warm tea, then set the cup down with care. My fingers drift toward the light snacks arranged beside me, picking at them absentmindedly as I continue to read.
In the distance, I noticed that the attendants were moving in and out of the manor, their arms full of supplies as they prepared for my brothers’ upcoming expedition to Skyridge Mountain—one of the highest and most unforgiving peaks in the empire. The tranquil garden around me stands in stark contrast to their urgency, yet even here, the air carries a quiet tension. Every movement, every detail, must be exact. A journey like this allows no margin for error.
My father and Theo always reassure my mother that the trip is safe, though she can't help but worry. Skyridge Mountain is notorious for being home to many mystical creatures, adding to her anxiety.
Duke Bourdelle’s heir, Constantine, will also be joining them. He traveled with Theo on the previous trip, so this will be their second time going together and Trev’s first. Today, however, I noticed they seemed busier than st time. Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked, “What are they preparing for? Are they not coming back down from there?” Jane let out a small ugh, acknowledging my joke. “I heard another person will be joining them,” she said. “Stan?” I continued, turning the page of my book. “He’ll be coming too, but I heard the First Prince will be joining them as well,” Cecil added.
At that, I froze, pausing my reading. “The First Prince?” I asked again, just to make sure I heard it correctly.
“Yes, young dy,” Cecil confirmed.
That was certainly strange. As I’ve mentioned before, this world bears an uncanny resembnce to a novel I read in my past life. In that story, the First Prince never journeyed to the mountain to train under the same master as my brothers. He had no interest in swordsmanship or even the throne. His entire focus was on being utterly devoted—almost pathetically so—to the female lead. He wasn’t even the male lead, just one of the many second male leads hopelessly trailing after her. So, hearing that he’s joining the training this time completely threw me off.
To be honest, I was never fully invested in the original plot of the novel. I’ve come to view this world as my true reality, and the people in it aren’t just characters on a page—they’re real, with thoughts, emotions, and lives of their own. That’s why it’s hard for me to imagine Cece becoming the viliness, or Eri pying that role either. According to the book, Cece is supposed to be the main antagonist, with Eri and me as her loyal entourage, tormenting the female lead during and after our academy years.
I can’t help but ugh inwardly at that thought. Alright, maybe I haven’t been completely honest with myself. I have made a few small changes already, and I pn on making more. Hopefully, they'll have some impact, or at the very least, keep us from earning the shameful title of “viliness.” I’ve made sure Cece is now more of a bookworm, obsessed with romance novels. With her head in the clouds, dreaming of fictional love stories, she won’t have time to think about bullying anyone. And if things somehow don’t go as pnned, I’ll make sure to stop any bullying before it even begins. Still, I’m confident in Cece. She’s thoughtful and not the type to let her emotions get the best of her.
As for Eri, I’m almost certain she was misunderstood. Her fascination with bugs likely led to a misinterpretation. Maybe she was just trying to share a new species with the female lead, and it came off the wrong way. Eri tends to get lost in her little world sometimes, forgetting that not everyone shares her passion for insects.
The novel didn’t go into detail about the bullying—it just repeatedly stated that the female lead was tormented by us. But if I have anything to say about it, I’ll make sure that part of the story never comes true.
With the way the First Prince had begun acting so differently from how he was portrayed in the novel, I couldn’t help but wonder—perhaps the events of that story might never unfold the same way. Or maybe… I wasn’t bound to its script at all. Maybe this was my own, true world—one where I could live freely, beyond the pages of someone else’s tale.
The thought brought me a strange sense of comfort. I let out a quiet breath, and with a lighter heart, turned back to my book as warm sunlight filtered gently through the garden.
“Young Lady, I think it would be best if you continued reading inside. The sun is quite high now,” Jane said gently.
“Alright,” I replied, standing up and heading toward the manor.
Just as I stepped inside, I noticed a small group being led into the drawing room by Stefan. Naturally, curiosity got the better of me, so I drifted a little closer to get a better look. That’s when I saw him—a tall youth with striking silver hair, his back to me, followed closely by three imposing knights.
I recognized him instantly. There was no mistaking that hair—brilliant, silver, almost ethereal under the light. Only members of the royal family are born with it. It's practically drilled into us from the moment we can read, whether we're nobles or commoners. Appearance, titles, names—we're expected to know them all. And this one? Cassius Vinson Astravell. The First Prince.
Once the group disappeared fully into the drawing room, I quietly slipped away toward the library. No sense in lingering where I wasn’t needed. Besides, I still had a book to finish. When I arrived, I took my usual spot beneath the open window, letting the fresh breeze spill in as I settled down with my pages.
Jane showed up not long after, bancing a tray of warm tea and fresh snacks. I hadn’t even noticed she was gone—I'd been too caught up watching the Prince’s entrance. Turns out she’d quietly slipped away to the kitchen to fetch these for me. Ever the thoughtful one.
? 2025 baobaochong – All rights reserved.
