Chapter Text
Kim Suho woke up to the sun shining in his face. Which was a problem for a multitude of reasons. The primary one being that if the sun was up then he was late for class. He'd overslept again, likely due to staying up late trying to finish The Knight of Blood and Iron. He groaned and froze as the sound of his voice gave him pause.
That wasn't his voice.
He ran a hand through his hair and opened his eyes.
Two things became apparent.
One, his hair was not nearly this length. Two, this was not his bed. Nor was it even his room. Neither was it a room he'd ever seen before in his entire pitiful life. The room looked like it was straight out of a fantasy story.
A smooth voice interrupted his internal panic, “Master Lloyd, you're awake.”
Who..? He turned and gaped as before him stood the best Knight of Blood and Iron cosplayer he'd ever seen. Every detail was perfect down to the hair. The contacts were high quality because he couldn't even tell they were fake. Plus the hair was the right color! Some cosplayers he had seen online had this weird mint colored wig. No clue where they had gotten that from. Even Javier's frown was perfect! Except there was one off detail. Javier eventually got this pair of technicolor wings when he eventually becomes a grandmaster in the novel. Yet the cosplayer before him had these, kinda cheap looking, white wings flicked with black. Like a snowy owl's. Completely inaccurate.
“What's with the wings?” Suho asked curiously.
The fake Javier sighed, “Are you still drunk Master Lloyd? I've had these since I came to the estate as I'm sure you know.”
Suho blinked. This guy was good. Shame the outfit wasn't perfect.
He shrugged, “Suit yourself. Anyways, how did I get here exactly?”
Javier sighed something long and exhausted and Suho had the decency to feel bad.
“After I found you unconscious on the side of the road I returned you to your bed. The Baron wishes to speak with you. You destroyed another tavern.” Javier said impatiently, obviously annoyed with him.
Okay, this was getting a little ridiculous. Yet… it seemed a little too real.
Suho looked around and noted how lifelike it all was. Then, his eyes caught sight of a poorly crafted mirror, the quality reminiscent of an era gone by. The face that stared back was not his own.
“I'm the hooligan Lloyd Frontera.” He said in a daze.
“So you've finally come to your senses?” Javier said in a snide manner.
Suho looked at him, “You're… you're truly Javier Asrahan.”
Javier shot him a look of disgust, “Did you hit your head, Master Lloyd?”
He shook his head, not daring to speak. Surely this was a dream? He'd wake up and have to go back to his job and his classes and… this was real wasn't it? He was actually Lloyd Frontera wasn't he? The last thing he'd done before falling asleep the night prior was finish the novel The Knight of Blood and Iron. This was one of those tropes where some poor soul got put in the body of a story character. And he'd gotten Lloyd of all people.
Great.
A ping sounded from his right. He looked and saw a little blue box. A glance to Javier told him that the knight didn't see it.
[Good morning sunshine! Welcome to the world of The Knight of Blood and Iron!]
He suppressed a snort. Was this supposed to be some sort of system to help him?
[Yes.]
Well. Okay then.
“Master Lloyd. I understand that you are likely suffering the consequences of your actions last night, however I do not wish to keep the Baron waiting.” Javier said, not bothering to conceal his distaste for Lloyd.
Suho supposed that was fair, however he was Lloyd now and if he was to survive then he needed to make a good impression on the protagonist. He smiled and nodded.
“I'll get ready now.” He agreed easily.
[Javier's opinion of you has decreased.]
What! Why? He hadn't even done anything! Had he been too agreeable? The original Lloyd was a bit of a bastard so maybe he needed to be more of a douche? He nodded to himself and got dressed, shooting a glare at his knight. Javier's opinion didn't further decrease so he counted it as a win. Once he was ready, Javier escorted him to a dining room. The Baron and his wife were present already, having what looked to be lunch.
Suho, or he supposed he was Lloyd now, looked on in confusion as he set his eyes on the people that were the body's original inhabitant's parents. Both of them had wings. Arcos Frontera was Lloyd's father and both him and his wife were destined to commit suicide when the Frontera debt became too much to bear. Lloyd made a mental note to fix the debt issue. Currently though his focus was on the winged individuals in front of him. The Baron's wings were reminiscent of an oriole's while the Baroness’ were that of a bluebird's. It suited her well and they complimented each other. Javier's own stark white wings stood out as well.
Arcos stood, “Lloyd.”
Oh fudge what was he supposed to do?
In a split second decision he bowed at the waist, “Baron Frontera.”
The Baron frowned, sharing a look with his wife.
“Lloyd, you destroyed another tavern. Your drinking is out of control and you're costing us money. I know life hasn't been exactly what you wanted but please consider others-”
Lloyd nodded, “You're right, I'll do better.”
The Baron stared at him, baffled.
[Laying it on thick, huh?]
Lloyd rolled his eyes at the message.
He dismissed himself. It was hard to disappoint when he was already at rock bottom socially. If he was stuck here then he needed to prepare for the worst. If he could prevent the things in the novel then he could live in peace! No more work, no more debt, and no more work! A paradise!
[You're definitely ambitious.]
“Are you always this annoying?” Lloyd wondered aloud.
“Only for you Master Lloyd.” Came a sarcastic voice.
He jumped as he took note that Javier had followed him, “Don't you have training or something?”
“Baron Frontera has requested that I ensure that you do not destroy any more taverns.” Javier said, voice practically dripping with venom.
They were back in the room he had woken up in, which he supposed that meant it was his room. Lloyd caught sight of himself in the mirror. Brown hair, light brown eyes, and a permanent frown greeted him. His eyes flicked to behind him where Javier's eyes kept watch of him. Fluffy white wings fluffed in distaste. His gaze focused back on himself.
No wings.
They seemed to be a thing in this world, despite the novel never mentioning it. Yet he didn't have any.
“Javier…” he started before backtracking, “nevermind.”
The knight all but ignored him, clearly unhappy with being put on babysitting duty.
“Javier, let's go to that tavern.” Lloyd decided.
Javier frowned, “Master Lloyd, do remember what the Baron said.”
Lloyd rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let's go.”
The walk was fine, his body or subconscious seemed to know the way just fine. However the townsfolk all but ran from him. Windows were slammed shut, doors drawn close, and eyes averted. Some bolder members of the population sneered at him. Javier seemed to ignore it all. Which he supposed made sense. Man he had a lot to clean up huh?
Something he noticed was that even the townsfolk had wings. Though what few children he did see seemed to be missing them. Maybe it was a puberty thing? Then why were his missing?
They arrived at the tavern and Lloyd put on his best swindler face. Afterall, he had a plan.
When he secured the first ondol flooring contract he felt a surge of excitement. Building it was less than exciting, but he remembered the hard work he had put in back in Korea and reminded himself that this was nothing. However conning Javier into helping by using his curiosity against him wasn't against any moral code he had. In fact, it gave him great pleasure.