Prologue: Flower of the Empire

It was around the month of March. The wind blows softly, the winter cold is slowly leaving, and the cheer of the cherry blossoms signals the warm beginning of a spring.

I was sitting on a bench in the park of my university when someone smack me on the back of my head.

"What's up! Are you reading another web novel again?"

As I read a web novel on my phone, I lifted my head at my friend's words.

"Isn't that <Flower of the Empire>, a romance novel?" 

I nodded, "Yeah, didn't expect you would know this novel."

He chuckled softly and said, "I'm not into those fluffy romance novel. But my sister is an avid reader of those web novel."

"It's a famous work, no wonder she would know about it."

That's right.

<Flower of the Empire> was a well known work among readers of romance fantasy web novel. 

I was just one of the ordinary readers of this novel.

Or maybe not?

Let me correct that...

The term of "ordinary reader" might not be appropriate since among the many readers of <Flower of the Empire> I was undoubtedly a noticeable figure. 

It was inevitable.

The proportion of the male readers who read romance fantasy novel were very much lower compared to the female readers.

Besides, I wasn't just a simple reader. I was a fan who is engaged in a fandom.

I drew fan-art for the novel and posted it in fan-cafes and social media. I even created a small fan-made merchandise for the novel.

Of course I did it anonymously so people wouldn't know my gender and identity. It was kind of awkward if my friends or colleagues know about this.

In a conclusion, <Flowers of the Empire> was a story about the journey of the female lead, Bella, to find her soul mate. Of course, Bella was your typical kind of sweet and lovely character fitting for a romance novel and it would be natural to like such a person.

That's why most readers and fans liked Bella, and if not her, they liked the male lead or sub-male lead.

But I didn't.

Among the many characters in < Flower of the Empire>, I was a fan of Lucia.

Lucia who tormented the female lead and interfered with the relationship between the female lead and the male lead, resulting in her ultimate demise at the hands of the male lead's anger.

I liked such a villainess.

From her noble and elegant manners, haughty and dignified attitude, lofty self-esteem and relaxed demeanor, to her glamorous and cunning nature . She was a flawless character with nothing lacking. 

That's why she was so captivating to me.

To be the sole fan of such antagonist among those people was quite unusual. Naturally, I stood out.

["I told you."]

I suddenly remembered a part of the novel.

She had a seductive smile on her crimson lips, elegantly walking in high heels.

["There's nothing I can't have."]

It must have been a scene where she warned Bella that she would snatch the male lead, Owen. Her attitude seemed so confident and relaxed.

Of course, the comments on that episode were filled with curses towards Lucia. There were countless curses questioning who you thought you were to have Owen.

I was lost in thoughts when my colleague patted on my shoulder. 

"Hey! What are you daydreaming about? The lunch break is over. Don't you know how strict the professor is about attendance for the class?"

"Ah. I know right. Let's go." 

I smiled wryly and put my phone back in my pocket. Still, my mind was thinking about going home early to sketch that memorable scene in my own art style.

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'Hmm....'

After finishing all the lectures and returning to my apartment, I turned on my laptop and pondered.

As usual, I am sketching my favorite character, Lucia. I was outlining, shading, coloring it and adding another shading again. But I felt like something was missing.

'...Should I draw Owen next to her?'

I tilted my head, "Well, I might receive curses for this but..."

Having made up my mind, I drew Owen gazing at Lucia lovingly. Something that was not possible in the original work.

'If Lucia doesn't want Owen, maybe Lucia doesn't have to die.'

As I looked again at the drawing I posted on social media, I had such futile thoughts.

Lucia pushes Bella to the brink of death before meeting her own end at the hands of the male lead. I wished so much for Lucia not to die, but it was in vain. For a long time, Lucia had desired Owen, and she was willing to do anything for what she desired. Similarly, the male lead, Owen, was merciless to anyone who tried to harm his person.

'...Or maybe Owen could start to like Lucia.'

Changing where Owen's heart was directed to was an option. But this was a much more absurd thought since the male lead exists to be with the female lead. 

I shook my head, 'What am I doing right now'

As I pondered unnecessarily, I decided to look at the Lucia drawings I uploaded. Examining each one, I flipped through the gallery and soon drifted off to sleep in a daze.

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"W-what happened?"

As usual, I was 'fan-boy-ing' over Lucia before falling asleep. But for some reason, when I woke up in the morning, I saw a strange ceiling.

Thinking it was my mistake, I sat up and looked around.

Luxurious furniture, bedding, and expensive-looking decorations caught my eyes as a very unfamiliar scene unfolded.

'Where the heck am I...'

My studio apartment couldn't have changed like this overnight.

In the midst of my confusion, a knock sounded.

"Your Grace, have you risen?"

I couldn't find the words to respond to the bewildering title I heard, so I remained silent. 

"Apologies for the early hour, but Lady Edelt has sent an invitation to the Duke."

Upon hearing that name, I became even more perplexed because that was none other than Lucia.

'T-this... what the heck is this...'

The only thing I could think of was the phenomenon of 'possession' that occurred in fantasy and romance novels I had seen before. Even though possession novels were widespread, they were purely fictional tales.

"Is this a dream?"

Muttering to myself, wondering if this could still be a dream, I heard an unfamiliar voice coming out from my throat.

It wasn't my voice.

It was a low baritone voice yet different with my usual voice. 

As I cautiously touched my throat, a more bizarre sensation came over me. Even the sensations in my body felt entirely unfamiliar and awkward. It was as if they weren't my own.

With a bewildered mind, I turned towards the full-length mirror in the room. And in the mirror, the reflection of a stranger appeared.

A 186 cm tall male body with pale white skin, well built body, abs on the abdomen, a distinct face feature paired with deep black eyes and hair that seemed to swallow all darkness. 

No matter how I looked at it, it wasn't me. But, this face...

There was a sense of familiarity somewhere.

'Where had I seen this person before?'

Deep in thought, a familiar illustration came to mind.

The cover of <Flower of the Empire>

One of the male characters depicted there.

The male lead, Owen Verdin.

'Ah!'

It was unmistakable. He looked like he had stepped out of the cover.

With distinct and sharp facial features, a chiseled jawline, high nose bridge. From the deep black eyes to the jet-black hair with a hint of blue. He was a human carved like a sculpture. 

'No wonder Lucia would go crazy over him'

But, wait a minute.

The fact that this person who is reflected in the mirror right now is me.

I am that male lead of my favorite novel, Owen Verdin.

'What kind of situation is this...'

Lost in disbelief, I walk to the door of my bedroom and open it. Through the open door, a man dressed formally in a medieval style came into view. Judging by his appearance and attitude, it seemed that he was a butler. A character who had appeared several times in the original work.

Recalling the original novel, I tried to speak and act as natural as possible. Because if this was a reality, it means that I had to live here as Owen.

But, doesn't this also means that Lucia is existed in this world too. As I reached that thought, I suddenly became curious.

If Lucia had sent an invitation, could I go there and meet her?

"Hm. Lady Edelt sent an invitation, didn't she?"

"Yes. I mentioned that Your Grace would not attend, but Lady Edelt insisted on you receiving it. Shall I burn it?"

I urgently shook my head at the butler's question.

"No, it's fine. I'll see it for myself."

I don't know how it came to this, but, since I've entered the novel, shouldn't I meet my favorite character?