Y/n had transmigrated into an otome game.

Before, in his previous life, he had been bedridden from an illness; and had eventually slipped into a coma. As Y/n's consciousness had slowly emerged from the depths of the coma, he had felt a strange sensation enveloping him.

And when he had blinked his eyes open, Y/n had realized that he was no longer in a hospital bed and instead—lying in an unfamiliar room.

The room was adorned with elegant furniture, lace curtains, and vibrant paintings. It was a scene straight out of a historical drama. Slowly, the realization struck him—Y/n had somehow been transported into the world of an otome game.

The realization came off less shocking than he thought: he was neither the main character nor a villian, but simply a side character—the brother of the female lead who supported her throughout. However, it had concerned Y/n; was the female lead being controlled by a player? Was he transmigrating going to destroy the original plots and routes of the game?

Yet after a week of staying around and lazing about, he came to realize one thing. The female lead, in this story—was not controlled by choices. She did everything of her own free will; seemingly oblivious to the way her choices would lead her to either blooming paths or thorny roads. The game’s first event had yet to start; and Y/n, armed with this additional knowledge, would be able to guide his sister along. He might have been thrust into an unfamiliar world, but Y/n wouldn't abandon the female lead. If this was his role, then he would fulfill it to the best of his ability.

“Actually,” Y/n murmured softly to himself, “I could get pretty used to this.”

He had a comfortable lifestyle, which was something he wasn't eager to change anytime soon. In his previous life, he had spent the majority of it in a hospital, living a worthless life and not being able to attend university or any kind of school. Well, he supposed that itself was lucky in its own way, but Y/n was eager to finally live a life free from the stuffy constraints and actually relax. And that would prove to be easy; except for the glaringly obvious fact that he had to help his sister with the plot, lest she embarked on a route that would lead to destruction or death.

Y/n's unfortunate circumstances weighed heavily on Y/n's mind. He couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for the freedom he had in this new world compared to his sister's confined existence.

Ah, Y/n thought, giving a small sigh, tit for tat. If it meant proactively taking part in the game’s progression and simply aiding his sister, he supposed it wasn't all too bad. Livio Aragon was the name of the character he currently possessed; and the game detailed him as a gentle, sweet person who was close to his sister. And that couldn’t be further from the truth from reality—in his previous world, Y/n had seen his friends constantly come into blows with their sisters.

Well, I suppose it’s essential for the main character to have good relations, Y/n thought to himself. This was a highly popular otome game that had struck the hearts of various players—highly praised on forums and constantly being talked about. Y/n had nothing better to do; resulting in him downloading the app out of curiosity. And what was mere curiosity had morphed into addiction, and he had spent his last days playing it.

He remembered the moments of joy and excitement as he delved deeper into the game's intricacies. The beautifully designed characters, the immersive storytelling, and the anticipation of unlocking new routes had consumed his thoughts. The game had become more than just a distraction; it had become an addiction.

In those final days, Y/n had sought solace within the digital realm, finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment within the otome game's world. He had invested countless hours into exploring every route, unraveling each character's story, and immersing himself in the game's vibrant universe. It was a bittersweet escape from the limitations of his own reality.

I’ll make the best out of this situation. I don’t think I’ll ever want to return home to such a bleak place.

Buzzing monitors, constantly being stuck to his bed..

Y/n blinked as a soft knock could be heard on the door. He sat up, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Come in,” He called, “the door’s unlocked.”

There was slight hesitation as the visitor walked in. It was Angelina, of course—the game’s female lead and his character’s sister. Despite seeing her face for a week, Y/n never really got used to just how beautiful she was—long flowing honey-blonde hair, with emerald eyes. Her skin was fair and milky white, her complexion flawless. She was described to have the beauty rivaling goddesses—which was what Y/n thought was an exaggerated description when playing the game—but now he could see it was quite true. Livio was also described to be exceptionally good-looking, having the same emerald eyes but instead of his sister’s blonde hair, his was raven black.

“Brother,” She said hesitantly, “I don’t suppose you are busy, are you? I’ve some questions about the academy…”

Right.

Both Livio and Angelina attended Elysian Heights, an academy solely reserved for nobles and the accomplished. It was a bit of an elitist school; but those who attended were extremely proud of it. From barons to counts to even royalty, only those of high birth were permitted to attend. Y/n didn’t like the mere idea, but Livio was a year older than Angelina, and had thus already begun attending it a year before. This year, it seemed—Angelina was bound to make her first appearance.

He gestured for her to take a seat in the comfortable study room, adorned with bookshelves and adorned with elegant decor.

"Of course, Angelina. I'm here to help," Y/n replied, his voice filled with reassurance—or at least he tried to sound assuring; "Ask away, and I'll do my best to provide the answers you seek."

Angelina looked both nervous and excited, her emerald eyes reflecting a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. She fidgeted with her hands, a sign of her anxiousness. Y/n could tell that her transition to Elysian Heights held great importance to her, as it marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

And the game, Y/n thought solemnly, but of course, she doesn’t know that.

The Academy was where quite a few of the game’s events had taken place. From the various love interests; Claude, the magician, Theo, the heir to the Dukedom, Elliot, the knight…and last of all..

Aristidis, the Crown Prince, and the designated yandere route. Y/n remembered every ending extremely well, especially the bad ones. The worst ones were Claude’s and Aristidis—both leading to death and destruction. Yet Claude’s one was easily avoidable, and Aristidis’s one led to the whole empire’s downfall.

Angelina fidgeted. “Any..any advice for attending the academy? I’m apprehensive—are the people there nice? Are they arrogant? Are there any people you think I should avoid?

Y/n frowned.

The first events were soon. Aristidis was bound to meet Angelina during a meeting; where she had been sent as her father’s envoy to do business. Was it love at first sight? Y/n didn’t quite know. But all he knew there was still time.

“Just avoid any…suspicious people.” Y/n said at last, “especially the redheads..the blonde ones..the dark-haired ones.”

Elliot was a redhead.

Claude and Theo were both blondes.

Aristidis had midnight blue hair; dark but not quite black.

“That’s like everyone, Brother.” Angelina said in exasperation, “whatever do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, Y/n struggled to find the right words to convey his concerns without revealing the true nature of the game. He knew he had to tread carefully, for Angelina's sake.

"Angelina, there are certain individuals at the academy who may not have your best interests at heart," Y/n began cautiously, struggling to find words. "I've heard rumors and stories about some students who may not be as—trustworthy— as they appear. It's important to be vigilant and cautious when interacting with them."

Angelina's brows furrowed with confusion, but she sensed the seriousness in Y/n's tone. "Livio, I trust your judgment, but can you give me more specifics? I don't want to mistakenly judge someone based on rumors."

Y/n paused, weighing his words carefully. He knew he couldn't reveal too much without raising suspicions. "Well, there are those who may have ulterior motives or hidden agendas," he muttered vaguely. "People who may take advantage of your kindness and innocence. It's important to observe their actions and be cautious of any red flags."

Red flags.

Namely Aristidis.

As Y/n spoke, he couldn't help but wonder how much he could truly protect his sister within the confines of the game's narrative. The fate of the routes and characters seemed intertwined, and his mere presence as Livio had already altered the story. It was possible that he couldn't erase the yandere route or its potential consequences, but he hoped to—at least—guide Angelina away from harm as much as possible.

It wasn’t that he was utterly unselfish. In fact, Y/n doubted if he truly even cared for Angelina, or that his concern took root from more selfish means. For a start, he didn’t particularly want to be caught up in a bad ending. He meant to live this life well.

“Fine then,” Angelina huffed, “you refuse to tell me.”

It was annoying, really. Y/n had to guide her through this intricate dance of romance and danger, ensuring her safety without betraying the constraints of the game's narrative.

“It’s not that, Angelina,” Y/n sighed heavily, “just—just be careful. Don’t throw yourself into unnecessary danger.”

“I won’t. Who do you take me for?”

A naive female lead, Y/n thought quietly to himself, one that has potential to cause the destruction of the empire, if the cards aren’t played right.

“Whatever it is, I’ll help.” Y/n offered, “so tell me if you have any troubles.”

Little did Y/n know that in the future— his mere presence and subtle actions would set off a chain of events that would alter the fates of the characters around him. The game's storyline was in flux, and the choices he made would ripple through the lives of those involved.

And he certainly didn’t know it would lead to him trying to avoid a certain yandere lead’s advances.

_________________________________________

A/N :

Hey!

This is my second Bl novel so I hope u like it!

Like and comment because ur comments motivates me to keep writing 🤗❤

Theo was the best possible event route Y/n could hope for.

His bad ending was tame compared to the others; one that resulted in a mere breakup. Elliot’s was also pretty feasible—but Y/n would prefer if Angelina managed to avoid the [Betrayal] Route if things ended badly. If the game route didn’t go as planned, Elliot would backstab Angelina in a desperate attempt to curry favor, but it would do the very opposite.

And it was just his luck.

Only today Y/n realized that the game was already in motion; Angelina was set to meet Aristidis Ambrose for tea to discuss diplomatic relations. It would trigger their first meeting, which was something Y/n did not want.

I can simply intercept it, though.

In their father’s message, Lord Aragon—the count—only asked for someone to meet the Crown Prince as an envoy. He did not specify who. In the novel, Livio was simply too busy to make time, so Angelina had gone. But now Y/n was free; and would be able to spare time. Which meant he would be able to successfully disrupt their meeting, and prevent the destruction route.

“I can meet the Crown Prince later,” Y/n said hastily, “don’t busy yourself with such trivial matters. You must be very busy now—preparing for the academy.”

“That would be good,” Angelina gave a sigh of relief, “I was wondering how I should fit things into my schedule. And I must say, I’m terrified of His Highness! Have you heard the rumors flitting about?”

“Well..”

Y/n had only heard the squealing gossip of the maids, murmuring about how good-looking Aristidis was. He was seen as one of—if not the most desirable male in the Empire, partly because of his prestige and good looks. He was also said to be rather an enigma—no one daring to approach him because of his position. But Y/n had never outrightly heard anything bad about him.

But of course, he must be a little mentally deranged if he’s a yandere.

“They say his smile is like a dozen knives. They say with just a flick of his hand, he can command the deaths of those who wrong him! I wouldn’t want to meet someone like that.”

Good. Just stay with Theo, Y/n internally pleaded.

“He can’t be that bad..” Y/n mumbled, knowing his words were more to convince himself rather than his sister, “he can’t be some psycho that will cut down people just to get what he wants, right?”

No. He’s precisely that.

“Whatever it is, it’s just a meeting. It’s purely business.” Y/n reasoned, “focus on yourself. Your debut is in a few days time. Don’t worry about this.”

“If you are sure..” Angelina looked skeptical, shrugging, “just don’t let me catch you injured—then I’ll definitely say I told you so.” She gave a good-natured grin and nudged him on the shoulder, before leaving.

Y/n blinked. That was an unexpected side.

Well, I better get going, Y/n thought listlessly, I’m not particularly scared, or afraid.

Perhaps it was the fact he viewed this not as his own life; but merely standing in in an outsider’s world. Perhaps it was because he viewed it as a mere game; most of the fear had been ebbed away. However, there was still a feeling of uncertainty.

Y/n pushed aside any lingering uncertainties and focused on the task at hand. He made their way through the opulent halls of the manor, guided by servants who directed him towards the designated meeting room—with giggles and nudges, he noticed.

Livio was quite a popular guy in the game, wasn’t he..

As he walked, Y/n mentally rehearsed his strategy, reminding himself to stay calm and collected. Whatever it was, he had to stay poised; and to not let anything slip away that might give away the fact about his true identity. Though Y/n didn’t think Livio had actually spoken to the Crown Prince in the game before, prior to this moment. At most, they had just glanced at each other in the academy halls.

Upon entering the meeting room, Y/n was met with a scene of grandeur; The Crown Prince, looking over the documents with a serene expression, stood at the head of a long, polished mahogany table. The room was adorned with exquisite chandeliers, gilded decorations, and intricate tapestries that depicted historical scenes. The Crown Prince’s face was like a work of art in its own—from the long eyelashes—unfairly long, one might add—the gentle slope of his nose, and his petrifying gaze, he was every bit as the game described. He looked up as Y/n entered, a pleasant smile on his lips; one that made Y/n a little startled.

Cordial and friendly, and even a little playful. Was this really the person in the rumors…?

The game had described him to be a rather playful person, despite his manipulative and cunning ways..

“Son of the count, Livio. I appreciate your timely arrival.” Aristidis shuffled the documents, “and I’m sure you are aware—this is a meeting to discuss the diplomatic relationship between our Empire and the neighboring one. I was under the impression your sister would be coming instead.”

“…She was busy, Your Highness.”

Y/n had to tread carefully.

“Hm, is that so?” Aristidis hummed, “I could have sworn your father alerted me that she was to come. But it’s no matter.”

Y/n forced a composed smile, trying to conceal any unease that crept within. The Crown Prince's piercing gaze seemed to penetrate Y/n's thoughts.

"I apologize for any confusion, Your Highness," Y/n replied, his voice unwavering despite the slight tremor within. "I am here to represent my family's interests and offer any assistance I can in these diplomatic discussions."

Aristidis leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint flickering in his eyes. "Well then, proceed. We have much to discuss regarding the upcoming negotiations and the matters at hand." Y/n was acutely aware of the fact that Aristidis was studying his every movement; his eyes wary and alert. It filled him with apprehension; and his throat felt dry. If he wasn’t nervous earlier, he was now.

As the meeting progressed, Y/n found himself somewhat managing himself just. He listened intently to the Crown Prince's insights and observations, while also sharing his own perspective and suggestions. All the problems stated was mainly things prevalent in the world on came from, after all. It wasn’t nearly as hard as he had expected—he had plenty of knowledge from the game. It was refreshing, in its own way. Stuck in a hospital for nearly all his life previously, this was…new.

“Your view impresses me, Livio,” Aristidis said smoothly, “tell me, why have I never heard of your strength in such matters? Did you keep it under wraps?”

“You could say that, Your Highness,” Y/n managed a small smile, “I was…practicing. At home.”

“Is that so? I applaud your enthusiasm.”

Despite the initial surprise, Y/n began to realize that the rumors and the portrayal in the game only scratched the surface of Aristidis' character. He possessed an uncanny ability to read between the lines, his playful demeanor masking a shrewd mind capable of understanding the complexities of politics.

Y/n found himself drawn into a subtle power play, each word carefully chosen and every move calculated. He matched wits with the Crown Prince, skillfully presenting arguments and counterarguments, all while maintaining a level of cordiality that was expected within the confines of the meeting room. If it went for his knowledge from the game, he might as well have been doomed. He might as well have had his fate sealed.

Aristidis was a surprisingly easy-going person, and it was odd to think of that, considering Y/n knew the kind of person he would morph into. It was easy and comfortable to laugh with him—and to discuss matters. Soon, their words delved into personal anecdotes, shared interests, and even moments of lighthearted banter. Y/n was horrified at himself for letting his tongue run.

What happened to being poised?

“He is such an idiot,” Y/n went on, “I can’t believe the mere nerve of him. Waltzing into my room like that, pretending everything’s fine, but I just know he’s secretly looking down on me! Can you even believe it?”

“And then?” Aristidis said, obviously amused by Y/n’s little rant. He crossed his arms, and the documents had been long forgotten on the table. Not that it mattered; for they had already covered much of the material.

Y/n couldn't help but smile at Aristidis' amusement. Despite the serious nature of their initial conversation, it was…refreshing to let go and vent about the frustrations of everyday life. Y/n took a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing. Of course, this was a situation that had happened before he was transmigrated here; and he had plenty to say.

"And then," Y/n said, shaking his head, "he had the audacity to offer me unsolicited advice on how to handle a situation I've been dealing with for months. As if he knows better than I do. It's infuriating—does he think he knows better than I do?”

Aristidis chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, I know the type," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Those who always think they have the answers to everyone's problems. I experienced quite a lot myself, being the Crown Prince.” His expression was a little pensive, “so it is quite—new—for me to talk with someone who rather gets it. Most people just..”

“Ask for your hand in marriage or blatantly ogle you?” Y/n suggested.

“I can’t really dispute that—”

“Try to curry favor with you?”

“That’s true in its own way.”

“Look at you terrified thinking you’ll kill them?”

“I can’t refute any of them,” Aristidis admitted, “but the last one..” A more sinister look crossed his features just then. “I won’t say anymore about that matter,” Aristidis smiled, though it didn’t quite reach its eyes. Y/n had expected that kind of reaction; after all, beneath that playfulness and surprising cordiality, Aristidis was essentially a psychopath. Y/n suspected the only reason why he wasn’t dead right now was because he had simply amused him; or treated him like an equal.

It was a tiny calculated move on Y/n’s part, he had to admit, the game had always said that Aristidis wanted an equal. That he wanted someone he could genuinely talk to—as being the Crown Prince, he was constantly robbed of it. And when he found a small semblance of it, he would never let go. Y/n had simply treated Aristidis like he was someone normal; but Y/n was actually surprised and mystified he enjoyed the interactions.

As Y/n observed the subtle shift in Aristidis' demeanor, a shiver ran down his spine. Y/n had heard whispers and rumors about Aristidis, about the atrocities committed in his pursuit of power, but now he was facing it firsthand.

Y/n's instincts told him to tread carefully. He had unknowingly stumbled into a dangerous game—quite literally, where every word and action held consequences.

Maintaining a composed demeanor, Y/n met Aristidis' gaze. “Some things are better left unspoken,” Y/n said steadily, “I am sure—you, of all people, know that.”

Aristidis' smile returned, but there was a lingering intensity in his eyes. "Indeed,” he replied, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "But wouldn’t you like to know, Livio?”

He emphasized the word, and Y/n swallowed.

“Not particularly. Save those gruesome details for another day.”

Y/n's response was carefully measured, an attempt to maintain a sense of detachment and self-preservation. This interaction fascinated him—Aristidis at first glance, was simply a playful and intelligent person; yet that masked a more..sinister side that stemmed from his upbringing. If Y/n didn’t know how he would turn out, he was sure he would have been long dead. However, whatever he said seemed to work; for Aristidis gave a chuckle, his expression shifting to that of mirth.

“Let’s not talk about such boring topics, shall we?” Aristidis changed the topic smoothly, “how did it become such a morbid topic? It was so enjoyable just now. It's the first time I really had a..”

A normal conversation, Y/n noted silently. That he knew too, from the game. Aristidis had never been approached so..normally before. Y/n had used that to his advantage.

Y/n couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and intrigue as Aristidis redirected the conversation to lighter subjects. It was a welcome respite from the dangerous undercurrents that had momentarily surfaced. He had successfully managed to navigate the treacherous waters, at least for now.

Everything seems to be working for now, Y/n thought, relieved—the destruction route is now successfully prevented.

Y/n had forgotten the one thing he had brooded over earlier—the Crown Prince wanted someone to talk to. And when Aristidis found a small semblance of it, he would never let go.

Three hours had passed.

Y/n did not know what he was still doing in the same place he had been three hours ago; namely—he had been with the Crown Prince for hours. His plight was almost inescapable; for their conversation had just gone on and on and showed no sign of stopping. He did not dare to interrupt Aristidis, for fear of offending him. It would have been pleasant to talk to him; for they had much more in common than he had realized, but time was ticking by.

Y/n almost thought that this whole thing—was orchestrated out. Was Aristidis doing this on purpose out of playfulness, or perhaps amusement to see Y/n sit there, unable to budge? How fitting of a love yandere game protagonist. They were sadists at heart, Y/n seethed inwardly.

Well, it wasn’t like Y/n really had anything to do. But he was partially nervous; of letting anything slip by. And he needed the Crown Prince to leave, for any minute now Angelina would come in, and his whole plan would be ruined. Aristidis would take one quick look at his sister, fall in love, and proceed to destroy the whole Empire.

That was a reluctant thought.

“Your Highness," Y/n finally mustered the courage to interject, "I apologize for interrupting, but I'm afraid I must attend to some urgent matters."

Aristidis paused mid-sentence, his piercing dark eyes narrowing—jeweled blue, like shards of diamond— as he tilted his head. The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the prince's gaze almost suffocating. Y/n's heart raced, unsure of how Aristidis would react to his interruption.

To Y/n's surprise, a mischievous smile slowly curved on Aristidis' lips, revealing a glimpse of his playfulness. "Urgent matters, you say?" he repeated, his tone laced with amusement. "And here I thought you were enjoying our little conversation. "

Y/n's brow furrowed in confusion. Aristidis' response was not what he had expected. It seemed as though the prince had been aware of Y/n's growing restlessness, perhaps even deliberately prolonging their discussion to test his patience.

“I…know what you are doing,” Y/n said at last, “I can see…right through you.” A frown appeared on his face, as he crossed his arms. “I’m not some mere child that can't see your little plot.”

“Hmm? Then what exactly am I doing? Enlighten me, dear lord.” The last two words were said in an amused tone, but Y/n knew it was just to aggravate him.

“You’re fooling around,” Y/n huffed, “people like you feed off the power they hold, the control they exert. It's a game to them, a twisted amusement—no doubt you are one of them.”

Aristidis' lips curled into a knowing smile. "Ah, so you think I'm one of them? A sadist, as you put it?"

“You said it, not me.” Y/n gave a sudden chuckle, realizing that it would be fun to tease the playful Crown Prince to make him get what he deserved—tit for tat, as one would say—“there you have it. The Crown Prince, the Sun of the Empire and his Royal Highness, is a sadist.”

“Glad to know you hold me in such high regards,” Aristidis said smoothly, “well, what happened to that little urgent matter you had? Seems to have disappeared with your little witty retorts.”

Oh right. Y/n snapped back to reality—“oh, about that..”

What kind of stupid event should he make up?

Y/n quickly gathered his thoughts, realizing he needed a plausible excuse for his sudden change of plans. He cleared his throat, his mind racing to come up with a convincing story.

"Your Highness," Y/n began, his voice tinged with slight mirth, "I apologize for the sudden change, but there has been an unforeseen development within the castle. And also, there’s the matter…of my health. I feel rather..unwell.”

Y/n tried to ignore the curling smile on Aristidis’s lips. It was obvious he had seen through his lie.

“An impending crisis, you say? That sounds serious. Do you require assistance?”

Y/n shook his head, trying to maintain a composed facade. "Thank you for your offer, Your Highness, but it is a matter that needs to be handled discreetly. I will report back to you as soon as the situation is resolved."

“And your health?” Aristidis inquired, though his eyes betrayed the serious question posed; “surely you need me to escort you back to your room and get sufficient rest—then call the Imperial Physician for you, if it’s that dire. We can’t lose such a valuable person to the academy.”

And then there was the matter of the academy..

“Oh, no. It’s actually not that painful, anymore.” Y/n said hastily.

He had walked right into Aristidis’s trap.

The Crown Prince propped his arm on the table, leaning towards Y/n. “So I gather it’s been resolved, and you no longer need to leave. Then we can continue our delightful discussion.”

Escape.. he had to find a way..

“Ah! What about this?” Y/n held up a chess set, and with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, he turned to Aristidis and challenged him, "Your Highness, care to engage in a friendly competition? I bet I can beat you in chess.”

After all, being in the hospital left no room for physical activities. But chess, he knew well.

Aristidis raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh, is that a challenge I hear? I must say, Livio, I highly doubt you can beat me.”

“Pride comes before a fall, Your Highness,” Y/n shot him a look.

“Chess was one of the subjects I was gruelled in, Livio.” Aristidis was taunting him at this rate; purely to get a rise out of him.

Y/n feigned a gasp, his hand placed dramatically on his chest. "Oh, you underestimate me, Your Highness.”

Soon, an ornate chess board lay between the two of them; and Y/n immediately started to realize Aristidis was not kidding. He was a frighteningly formidable opponent.

Y/n moved a pawn forward, causing Aristidis to raise an eyebrow. "Bold move, my dear Livio. But I'm afraid your pawn is no match for mine."

Y/n chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "We shall see, Your Highness. Don't underestimate the power of a well-placed pawn."

Aristidis crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, I never underestimate you. But let's not forget who won the last three games."

Fuck.

Y/n immediately studied the chessboard, his fingers tapping the side of his chin in contemplation. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Y/n promptly moved his knight in a precise, sharp direction—and winked.

“Checkmate in three moves, my dear Prince.”

“Really?” Aristidis deftly maneuvered his pieces—“that doesn’t seem to be the case. Checkmate.”

Y/n stared in horror at the board. Him? Losing? In chess? Just what kind of a monster of a person was the prince?

“A monster and a sadist,” Y/n muttered under his breath, “I look forward to our next game, where I shall claim victory.”

“Let’s see if that’s true.” Aristidis smiled, “but a well-played game. You narrowly beat me.”

“I should have beat you..” Y/n grumbled under his breath, “I suspect foul play.”

“I see someone can’t stand losing,” Aristidis said, and was that amusement evident in his tone?—“a competitive person, I see. Makes me rethink all those rumors I heard about you.”

Y/n paused in his tracks.

“…Rumors, you say..”

What kind of person was Livio?

“Gentle, sweet—but rather of a pushover. The apple of his family’s eye, intelligent, well-liked..no swordsmanship abilities but has a strong mana core…why are you making that kind of face? Embarrassed?”

Gentle? Sweet? Then it would be almost impossible for Y/n to act as Livio. He possessed no such qualities, he believed.

“Forget I asked,” Y/n mumbled.

Aristidis leaned forward in interest. “I must say—you are very, very different from what the rumors claim you to be. You might as well have been a different person; though perhaps the rumors were simply exaggerated.”

Y/n sweatdropped, swallowing.

“I could say the same thing for you, Your Highness.”

Aristidis chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, but I am well aware of the rumors that surround me," he replied, his tone lighthearted. "They say I'm cold and distant, unapproachable even. But you see, sometimes rumors tend to distort the truth."

Y/n's curiosity piqued as he leaned in closer, his embarrassment fading into genuine interest. "Distort the truth? How so?"

“Well,” Aristidis gave a maddeningly vague smile, “you are talking to me right now, aren’t you? Why don’t you answer that question yourself?”

An annoyed look crossed over Y/n’s face.

“You—!”

“Brother?” A sweet, feminine voice called out, interrupting his retort

Y/n’s heart immediately dropped as the door opened, realizing with horror that Angelina had come personally into the meeting room. Which was bad, because then all he had done so far would have been for nothing.

His eyes immediately riveted back to Aristidis, wanting to see if he was intrigued or perhaps having fallen in love at first sight.

But he looked..disinterested.

Confusion struck Y/n's heart as he observed the prince's lack of interest.

Huh? He doesn’t seem to be paying her any attention..

"Angelina," Aristidis greeted, his tone polite but devoid of any excitement. "What brings you here?"

Angelina—who looked like she was looking at a mere stranger; simply regarded him politely. "I heard Livio was having a meeting, Your Highness, and I wanted to see what was going on. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

Y/n struggled to compose himself, forcing a smile onto his face. "No, not at all. We were just discussing a few matters. Your arrival is a pleasant surprise."

Aristidis merely nodded, his gaze drifting back to the window. Y/n's heart sank further, realizing that the prince's attention had slipped away once again.

While I’m happy the destruction route doesn’t seem to be happening, this is odd. But I suppose it’s because I disrupted the events of the game.

“You told me to avoid dark-haired men, Brother.” Angelina said pointedly, “and here I see you flirting with the Crown Prince.”

Aristidis raised an eyebrow, and Y/n choked.

“I’m not flirting!” However, Y/n’s retort was unfortunately drowned out by the Crown Prince’s bemused tone: “he told you to avoid dark haired men? That’s oddly specific.”

Angelina smirked mischievously, clearly enjoying Y/n's discomfort. "Oh, it's true, Your Highness. Livio here gave me a whole list of characteristics to avoid in potential suitors, and dark-haired men were at the top of the list."

Y/n's eyes widened, realizing his slip-up.

Aristidis leaned against the back of his chair, his expression shifting from amusement to mild intrigue. "Is that so, Livio? You have quite..specific taste."

Y/n stammered, desperately trying to salvage the situation. "I... I mean, it's just a preference. It doesn't mean I'm flirting or anything like that. It's just a coincidence."

Aristidis' eyes sparkled with amusement as he studied Y/n. "Coincidences can be quite interesting, don't you think? Perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye."

Could it be possible that his altered presence in the story had sparked Aristidis' interest? Y/n had only realized now he had essentially just…stepped into the story. He had essentially just..brought himself to the Crown Prince like a sacrifice.

No. That was simply ridiculous.

Y/n was just thinking too much of it.

(Or was he?)

“Anyways, Brother,” Angelina whispered into his ear, “did he force you to do anything? Did he bully you? How did you get so close all of a sudden? You two weren’t close in the academy. You were always by yourself. A true introvert.”

“Too many questions,” Y/n mumbled under his breath, “later.” He was aware of the sharp eyes that rested on him; noting every movement he did.

I feel like I’m being hunted down by a predator.

“Well then,” Aristidis interrupted, “it seems it’s really time for you to return, given that your sister had to trouble herself to make the trip all the way here.”

Y n breathed a sigh of relief. Under his breath, he murmured a soft thank god.

His mind was still whirling from the fact that he had prevented the destruction ending.

He had stopped a route.

Y/n had somehow managed to stop the two love interests from colliding; which only proved his point. As long as the first meet was disrupted or interrupted by something, the two love interests would never grow to love each other.

That’s useful to know.

He had hardly noticed when Aristidis had taken his hand; and had pressed a small, feathery-like kiss on it. Those jeweled eyes met his; and it was a blend of anticipation and interest.

Calm down, Y/n. This is just a polite gesture from places of this setting. It’s always in novels.

Yet Y/n's breath still caught in his throat as a shiver traveled down his spine, a delicate warmth lingering where Aristidis’s lips had grazed his skin.

Aristidis barely seemed to pay Angelina any attention.

“See you at the academy, Livio.”