Chapter Text
Reincarnation.
A word you can often find on novels, comic books, movies and cartoons. a word that only belong and exist in fairytales or fiction stories. In other word’s.... reincarnation is not real.
Well... at least that's what I thought.
But...
It's been 5 months since I got reincarnated into one of the novel’s I used to read. The Silver Rose...and to add salt to the wound, I possessed the body of a villainous Duke who will be killed by the hands of the crown prince.
Louis Everett Harvey.
Ugh seriously. Out of all the characters that exist in the novel, I got to be this bastard of a duke.
You see, I used to really hate this guy with all my life for giving the female and male leads hell. Always picking fights with the commander of the imperial knight, to bullying the male lead secretary and only best friend, and last but not least abusing his brother to the point of madness. Point is.....this guy is the definition off a demon.
Of course, that's what I thought at first. But when I got here, every passing day Louis past memories flashed into my mind like a cassette being played.
I didn't believe it at first, but the memories keep’s coming and coming and it made me learn ... How much this guy actually suffers.
From Being abused by his own father, to a mother who only looks at him as a mere tool, always comparing him to the crown prince and only show love to his little brother, the servants and maids who used to take care of him since little was killed in front of him by his own father...and lastly the person he love, loves someone else, who is none other than the crown prince.
I suddenly remember what my teacher in high school said.
" Villains aren't born, they were made "
I sigh as I put down my teacup at the table, I remember how much I cried seeing those memories " I’m sorry you had to suffer all of that" I mumbled to myself as I look down, more like to Louis.
one thing I have in common with the duke is that in my previous life, I also never experience a parent’s love. because I was an orphan until the end. So my old self would thought that my life was the worst, that's why I spent my time reading those comic books and novels.
Wishing that one day I can have my own happy ever after. But between me and him, this guy really went through a lot.
So in a way. Him being a villain, actually made sense. In a sick twisted way that is.
Shaking my head , aaaahh enough of that. Right now I need to think about how to get away from the horrible future that's waiting for me. Knowing how I die is one thing, but... one day one of Louis memories suddenly came to my mind, it was the day of his execution
Louis died a horrible death by being beheaded in front of the whole kingdom.
Shivering as I recall the memory.
It's still remain a mystery to me as to why did that image come to my mind. But one thing for sure is, that I refuse to have the same fate.
I really think I should start planning about what should I do, seeing that I have a year before the actual story starts.
That's one thing I'm grateful for.
Of course, I wasn't this composed at the first month when I got here. The first few days was hell, I locked myself in my room trying to convince myself that it was all a prank...eventually the servants climb up the balcony because I refuse to open the door.
I did tried to calm myself, and it did work...well, for a while at least. not long after that I learned that I'm Duke Louis Harvey, the antagonist of the story. which made me lock myself again in my room for a week.
Well of course I’m gonna freak out, I just came to terms that I travelled into another dimension. And then suddenly I got to know that I was actually reincarnated as an evil duke who will have a terrible ending? . I don't think even an insane person can accept this.
It's a good thing Louis fell from his horse before I came here, Because the doctor said Louis- I had amnesia after I land on my head first. Thank god the servants, maids and even Latyon <Head secretary of house Harvey> was convinced. That made it easier for me.
You may ask.
Why didn't I try to go back? simple answer ... I don't know how.
Anyway.. fast forward after my depression, I studied more about this place. How they talk, eat, drink and even walk. Table manners, meetings etiquette and etc. It's torture I say...TORTURE.
I don't get how those characters from the novels I read adapt so fast when they got reincarnated. That was Pure hell for me.
I disappeared from the society for 3 months keeping myself inside the mansion to study all of those bullcrap. And it also took me that long to get myself used to be and being called Louis, or Duke Harvey.
I was Choi yeonjun for goodness sake, a normal employee with a normal life. and all of a sudden I'm an evil Duke? , a crazy psychopath who torture everyone who's in his way.
sigh.
change of topic, for those 3 months I also come to know that half of the servants in the manor have zero ounce of respect towards lou-Me. At first I thought it was normal because of Louis shitty personality. But then I remember who I am, and thought shouldn't they tremble in fear?. I mean, i am the Duke here.
Of course thanks to Latyon, I learned that the majority of the servants here are actually from the imperial palace, given straight from the crown prince. in other words, spies.
Curse you stupid crown prince. And curse you old Louise for not noticing such thing
So, as the Duke of the household. I did the most obvious thing to do. Get rid of them, ofcourse I still need to made a confirmation to the imperial palace.
It was really stressful to think about the confirmation letter, he is the crown prince after all. I can't just write what I want to say willy nilly. This isn't the modern world where you can just say
'Thanks for the servant’s bro, I don't need them anymore'
I would be beheaded.
It took me 4 days to made that letter, sending it along the servants. Of course I also sent Latyon to keep the letter and hand it to the imperial guard himself, we don't want any unnecessary thing happen do we. And so the manor is left with the remaining servants, which is not that much.
To be precise, only 20 or so of them is left, including the head maid, chef and the gardener.
Picking new servants and maids for the manor was really a pain in the ass, I had to be careful who to hire.
It was pure luck that some the applicants are trustful people I know from the novel, so it didn't take me a long time to fill the manor with new ones.
Enough flashback now moving on, here I am sitting outside of my office in the balcony. Enjoying my tea with delicious sweets.
One thing for sure..the tea and desserts here are the best, it's really different from the modern world. Tho I can't really say the same about the food... the visuals of the foods maybe delicious but in reality it's really bland and tasteless. As a korean, I have the rights to be offended. I need to teach them how to use MSG next time.
I lightly slap my face to bring my focus back 'Get a grip Louis!! you still have to figure out a plan to avoid the future. Not to mention, you still haven't even meet the main cast yet......'
Ugh that's right. I've been so busy learning about this place and how to avoid my death for the past 5 months, that I eventually forgot about them. I groan as I put down the teacup, Do I even want to meet them tho??.
I mean... if I could avoid them until the end, maybe there's a chance I could change my fate...
As realization came into my mind, I abruptly stand up. "That's it!! all I have to do is not to be involved and keep my distance from them, that way that stupid crown prince won't do anything if I stay out of his sight right? ahh yes and I can finally live my life as a rich duke!"
"Good job Louis what a great plan...hohoho" I monologue as I rub my invisible mustache.
"ahhem" a voice behind me spoke, Latyon.
" Yes? what is it Latyon? can't you tell I'm b-"
" Forgive me for my interruption your Grace, but the young master Harvey carriage will arrive in a few minutes " said Latyon standing behind me.
Too overjoyed about my plan that I don't really pay attention to what he said, so I just brushed it off
" ah yes of course, thank you for the information, you may go now" still rubbing my invisible moustache, tattoing a wide smile on my face.
"Gosh Lou, you won't have to-"
"Then excuse me, your Grace I will go and prepare master Izekiels chamber"
"Yes…yes now go awa-"
wait, PAUSE!
I freeze...as I slowly turn around still bearing a smile on my face. No I must heard him wrong.
"Wait Latyon" I said now completely facing Latyon, who is now standing near the glass door of my office.
"Yes? your Grace?" answer Latyon, still with his emotionless face. Geez this guy needs to loosen up.
" Did I my ears just played a joke on me, or did I just heard you say Izekiel??" I asked still with a smile on my face. No way in hell that I just heard hi-
" Yes, that is correct My Lord"
For a few seconds I keep standing there still with the dumb smile plastered on my face. After some time tiny drops of sweats are slowly coming down my face.
.
.
.
.
SHIT!!!!
HOW CAN I FORGET ABOUT IZEKIEL!!!!!
THE IZEKIEL, LOUIS YOUNGER BROTHER, IZEKIEL GARRET HARVEY. HE'S ONE OF THE MAIN CAST THAT I WAS PLANNING TO AVOID.
CURSE YOU MINI RARE HAPPY MOMENT, I'M BLAMING YOU FOR THIS.
sobbing in the corner, as I reflects on how stupid I am for forgetting such crusial thing.
" Your Grace, forgive me to interrupt your pathetic weeping. But did you forget that Master Izekiel is coming home from the academy today?" Stated Latyon.
For a moment I stopped my sorrowful moment after hearing what Latyon had said.
Academy?
Oh that's right, Izekiel was born with a powerful mana since birth. That’s why their parent’s love him and cherish him so dearly, like a special treasure. In contrast to Izekiel, Even tho He was the first born. Louis was born weak with low mana power.
That was the first reason why their parents resented him so much and thought that he was a useless child who disgraced the Harvey’s name.
That added to the list of reasons why louis hate his own brother, tho Izekiel was innocent and never understand why his only brother hate him so much.
Because of how little mana louis had, he was banned from going to the academy for magic. And thus he never learned how to expand his magical power.
That is until he reached 18, when he suddenly fell unconscious because of a sudden burst of mana inside his body. Nobody actually know how did that happen.
According to the original. One day after his birthday Louis was just practicing his swordman skill like usual with the new teacher appointed by his father at the training ground, when suddenly he collapsed. I, of course suspected that mysterious teacher.
"Your Grace?"
Latyon’s voice brought me back from my train of thoughts. Not realizing that I’ve been growing mushrooms in the corner. How long have I been here? Is this mushroom edible?
“My lord!”
I abruptly stand up from hearing Latyon rising his voice. Seriously he’s the only person in this huge house who can raise his voice to me, still I’m glad.
“According to your behavior for the past minutes, I take it that you actually forgot my Lord” seeing him sighing and shaking his head. I just smile sheepishly and marched inside to my office, Latyon following close behind
“ You know how I am Latyon, I’ve been trying to learn a lot of things ever since I lost my memory for the past months to the point I forget things…take this situation for example”
I shrugged as I give my excuse while walking to my desk, piling up the scattered papers from before “Beside, it’s been so long since you’ve told me about this, how can I re-”
“I just informed you this morning ” silence fell into the large room as I, once again freeze on the spot.
You Embarrassing piece of shit.
“ah..hahaha is- is that so?? Ahahaha” what an idiot.
Knowing Latyon, he will likely lecture me for this. And I’m not signing up for that right now.
“ Oh! Gosh look the time, Latyon I suggest you go and tell the maids to prepare Izekiel’s room now, I think he’ll be here any minute now” He just sighed and walked to the door “ Very well my Lord, excuse me”
“ yes yes yes, you go n-”
“ Your Grace, I will be expecting you to show up and greet the young master” he added as he dissappear.
I slumped down to my chair as soon the door closed. Sighing I close my eye’s with the paper’s I’m holding. “Stupid Latyon, I didn’t even get a chance to refuse him” I objected as I remove the papers from my face.
A few minutes pass by I continue to just sit there and stare at the ceiling. Is there really no option other than meeting Izekiel? I mean, forget about my problem for a second.
Does he want to meet me? Louis? The brother who bullies and torture him until the day he went to the academy? hah...I actually doubt it. I know I wouldn't.
Sighing as I get up and put the papers at the table, I don’t think I have a choice. Latyon might scold me again if I don’t come down, and hearing him nagging me for hours is not in my schedule today- or any day.
Besides, meeting Izekiel won’t cause me any harm anyway. As long as I don’t do things like Louis does in the past, I’ll be fine. Right? “Right! I can totally do this”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Is what I said earlier.
But now as I stand in front of the manor, sweating invisible bullets while waiting for my brother to come.
Kids, this is why you shouldn’t be over confident.
A few minutes pass by, finally at the entrance gate. revealing two large white horse pulling a white and blue carriage.
Fuck, He’s here. Should I run back inside?
“Your Grace please refrain yourself from running away” curse you Latyon and your instinct, I hope you stepped on horse poop. Facing him with a smile
“My Latyon you really should stop assuming such bad things about me ” I exclaimed with a crocked while he just stood, there not facing me at all
"Of course Your Grace" curse your sarcasm too.
Sighing as I turn back to my original position, jumped a little that the carriage is already in front of the manor.
This is it, no turning back now.
" Young Master Izekiel has arrive" shout one of the servants as the door of the carriage slowly opening. Revealing a tall brown haired young boy, I can’t really see his face because of the sunlight. But as he got down, slowly his visual become clearer to my view.
Oh... wow he's handsome-
Wait......
WHAT THE FUCK?
“CHOI BEOMGYU??”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.