How to Derail a Romance Novel In 10 Steps
[Riven Ainsley’s POV]
I have questions.
Big, terrifying, existential ones. Like—
Why the hell am I lying in a velvet canopy bed wearing a lace cravat and someone else’s face?
I blink up at the ornate ceiling. Gold trim. Crystal chandelier. A bird-shaped fresco?
Okay. No, no. This is fine.
Totally normal. Just another Tuesday in... literal hell.
Last night, I fell asleep reading the trashiest straight romance novel known to humankind: “Duke of Her Heart.” I was hate-reading it, thank you very much. The kind where the female lead trips into a man’s arms every five minutes, and the male lead has the emotional range of a teaspoon.
I may have sarcastically screamed, “Just let the villain win!” before passing out.
Now here I am.
As said villain.
“Lord Ainsley,” a voice calls from outside the door. “Your presence is required at the royal court.”
I groan. Riven Ainsley. That’s me now, apparently. The flamboyant, sharp-tongued noble who hates the female lead and tries to marry the male lead for power. He’s supposed to get publicly humiliated, exiled, and forgotten.
Not on my gay little watch.
---
Thirty minutes later, I strut into the royal hall like I own the damn kingdom.
I don’t, but the heels of my boots click like I do. Courtiers whisper. I catch the heroine—Aurelia Quinn—giggling like a Disney side character and the male lead—Lucien Valehart—leaning dramatically against a pillar like he’s modeling for a grief-themed oil painting.
Damn. He is stupidly hot. Tall, sculpted jaw, obsidian eyes, and that brooding thing women (and I) hate to love.
Our eyes meet.
And for a moment…
I swear he flinches.
“Lucien,” I purr, dragging out his name like honey off a spoon. “Still staring at me like I stole your inheritance? You’re starting to make me blush.”
He frowns. Tight-lipped. Displeased.
Score one for me.
“You shouldn’t be here, Lord Ainsley,” Lucien says coolly. “This gathering is for the Duke’s council.”
“Which I am painfully a part of, darling. Until I’m not. Or did you forget I bought that title fair and square with family blood, betrayal, and an unhealthy addiction to imported wine?”
Aurelia gasps like I just insulted a baby. Lucien’s mouth twitches. Is that amusement?
Nope. Can’t be.
I glance around and realize something horrible: I’m standing in the middle of Chapter 4. This is where Riven is supposed to throw a drink on Aurelia out of petty jealousy. That’s what gets him publicly shamed and stripped of nobility.
I grab the wine goblet.
Pause.
And then, instead of splashing it on her, I raise it in a toast.
“To the ever-radiant Lady Aurelia Quinn—may your curls remain impossibly bouncy and your tragic innocence survive the patriarchy.”
The hall goes dead silent.
Aurelia looks like I just handed her a snake in a tiara.
Lucien stares at me.
No—watches me.
There’s a difference.
Like a hawk about to dissect a new species of prey.
And just like that, the plot shatters.
---
[Lucien Valehart’s POV]
Riven Ainsley is a snake.
Not the kind that bites. The kind that slithers in, coils around your logic, and whispers things that make you question your sense of order.
He’s not supposed to be this… collected. This dangerous.
Not to my plans. Not to me.
But when he turned and smirked at me just now like he knew a thousand things I didn’t?
I felt it.
A flicker.
Of interest.
Of warning.
Of desire?
No. Absolutely not.
I’ve never once looked at a man like that.
And yet… I can’t look away.
---
To Be Continued.
\****CHARACTER INTRODUCTIONS***\*
Riven Ainsley (MC)
Age: 19
Traits: Strong, sarcastic, elegant but cocky, proudly gay
Backstory: A university student known for roasting cheesy romance plots. After falling asleep reading one, he wakes up inside it—as the villain nobleman.
Novel Role: The one who’s supposed to ruin the romance and get exiled.
New Path: Riven starts twisting the storylines with his sass, breaking tropes, and stealing everyone’s spotlight… including the ML’s heart.
Lucien Valehart (ML)
Age: 22
Traits: Cold, refined, dangerous, emotionally guarded, future duke
Original Role: The aloof male lead who eventually warms to the heroine.
New Twist: Instead of the heroine, he becomes fascinated by Riven’s unpredictable behavior and self-assured arrogance. That fascination slowly turns to obsession.
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