Three days had passed since Minjae found himself reincarnated into the world of Lords and Love's Deception.
Today was no ordinary day.
If his memories were correct, this was the very day Ahn Yoon would awaken inside the body of Seraphine Delaire.
It was also the day everything began.
Minjae had never imagined that someone's birthday could make him this nervous. Throughout his life, birthdays had always been simple occasions-cake, gifts, and a gathering with family or friends. Yet today, the thought of attending one filled him with an uneasiness he couldn't quite put into words.
After all, this wasn't just a birthday celebration.
It was the beginning of the original story.
Lady Seraphine Delaire's birthday banquet marked the first time the heroine would meet the men destined to become the capture targets. The prince of the neighbouring kingdom. The young Duke. The Commoner mage . One by one, the threads of fate would begin intertwining from this very day onward.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips.
"So... today's the day."
The words left his mouth almost unconsciously.
For the past three days, he had done everything he could to prepare himself mentally for this moment. He had already accepted that avoiding the original story entirely was impossible. As Edric Montclair, one of the game's central figures, he was bound to become involved sooner or later.
Still...
That didn't stop him from wishing things could have been different.
His original plan had been simple.
Stay as far away from the heroine as possible.
Avoid the capture targets.
And somehow survive until the ending.
Unfortunately, not attending the birthday banquet was out of the question.
After all, declining an invitation from House Delaire was out of the question. Not only would it insult one of the kingdom's most influential noble families, but it would also raise unnecessary suspicion toward House Montclair.
"...Just attend the banquet, congratulate Seraphine, keep my head down, and leave."
Minjae quietly muttered the words to himself as though trying to convince his own heart.
"As long as I don't do anything unnecessary.....nothing should happen."
Or at least...that's what he hoped.
As though on cue, a knock echoed through the room.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Young Master."
It was Thomas's voice.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened, and Thomas stepped inside. He was already dressed in the formal uniform of a personal knight, every piece of his attire immaculate as always.
After their conversation three days ago, Thomas had ultimately decided to accept Duke Edmund's orders.
The moment he entered the room, he placed a hand over his chest and gave a respectful bow.
"Good morning, Young Master."
"Morning, Thomas."
Minjae offered him a small smile before setting down the book he had been absentmindedly flipping through.
"I assume everything is ready?"
"Yes, Young Master. The carriage has been prepared, and His Grace is already waiting outside."
"I see."
His gaze instinctively drifted toward the large window overlooking the estate grounds. Several luxurious carriages stood waiting outside, each bearing the crest of House Montclair.
Servants hurried back and forth.
Whether he was ready or not, the day he had been dreading had finally arrived.
Minjae let out a slow breath before rising from his seat.
"...Well then."
He brushed the faint wrinkles from his coat and adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves.
"...Let's go."
Thomas stepped aside, allowing Minjae to leave the room first before silently following a pace behind.
Together, the two made their way through the quiet halls of the Montclair estate, heading toward the waiting carriage that would take them to House Delaire.
Before long, the two arrived outside the manor.
Several luxurious carriages stood waiting before the estate's entrance, each bearing the silver crest of House Montclair upon their doors. A number of knights were already mounted on horseback, prepared to escort the Duke's carriage to House Delaire.
Standing beside the foremost carriage was Duke Edmund.
The moment he noticed Minjae approaching, his gaze shifted toward his second son.
"You're late."
His tone remained as cold and composed as ever.
Minjae simply smiled awkwardly.
"...It's only been a few minutes."
"Late is late."
".... You're right father, my apologises."
Minjae wisely decided not to argue.
After all, he had already learned over the past three days that Duke Edmund wasn't exactly the type of person who enjoyed pointless conversations.
Without another word, the Duke stepped into the carriage.
Outside, Thomas climbed onto his horse, positioning himself alongside the carriage with the rest of the escort.
"Move out."
At the coachman's command, the horses began pulling the carriage forward.
Silence soon settled inside the carriage.
Neither father nor son spoke.
Duke Edmund calmly continued reading a document he had brought with him, occasionally signing a page without even glancing up.
Minjae, meanwhile, quietly stared out the carriage window.
The carriage rolled steadily through the streets of the capital.
Minjae rested his head against the window, quietly watching the city pass by.
Morning had long since arrived, and the streets were already bustling with life. Shopkeepers stood outside their stores arranging their goods while merchants called out to passing customers, hoping to attract a few early buyers. The smell of freshly baked bread drifted from a nearby bakery, mixing with the scent of flowers displayed outside a florist's shop.
People walked past one another without a second glance. Some were carrying baskets filled with groceries, others were on their way to work, while children laughed as they chased each other through the streets before being scolded by their parents.
The further the carriage travelled, the quieter the surroundings became. The crowded streets gradually gave way to wide roads lined with neatly trimmed trees. Large estates stood behind iron gates, each more extravagant than the last. Their gardens were carefully maintained, with colorful flowers blooming beneath the morning sun while fountains quietly trickled in the distance.
Minjae watched everything in silence.
If he hadn't known this world was the setting of an otome game, he would've thought it was simply another peaceful kingdom.
A faint sigh escaped his lips.
'Hopefully, nothing goes wrong...' Minjae thought to himself.
Unfortunately, experience had taught him that whenever someone thought those words... The exact opposite usually happened.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips.
"Young Master?"
Thomas's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Hm?" Minjae hummed as he slightly turned hus head to look at Thomas
"Is something troubling you?" Thomas asked, his voice laced with concern
"...Is it really that obvious?" Minjae asked as he continued to stare at the grasslands that seemed to stretch beyond the horizons
Thomas hesitated for a brief moment before giving a small nod.
"You've been staring out the window ever since we left the estate."
"I suppose I have." Minjae replied as he chuckled
"Is something occupying your mind young master?" Thomas asked as he noticed that Edric was staring at the grasslands as if lost in thoughts
"It's nothing" Minjae replied quickly as he turned his gaze away from the never-ending grasslands
At least, nothing he could possibly explain.
How was he supposed to tell Thomas that he was on his way to witness the beginning of a story that could possibly lead to his deaths in the future?
Minjae leaned against his seat, hand propped against the window frame. As he closed his eyes, he could picture what Thomas's reaction would be like
'Thomas... I've already died once and now posses the body of your young master'
'..... Young Master! Please do not say such frightening things!'
There was no way he could tell him.
If Minjae admitted that he wasn't the real Edric Montclair, but a man from another world who had died and somehow taken over the young master's body, Thomas would probably think the stress had finally gotten to him.
In fact, everyone at the estate would come to the same conclusion.
Young Master Edric had finally lost his mind.
And before the day was over, the family physician would undoubtedly be standing in front of him with a worried expression, insisting that he get plenty of rest.
'Yeah.... It's best to keep my mouth shut'
Minjae let out a quiet sigh before turning his attention back to the view outside.
The scenery had changed without him even realizing it.
The endless grasslands were gone, replaced by a long stone road lined with towering oak trees. Sunlight filtered through the branches overhead, scattering patches of golden light across the path as the carriage rolled forward at an unhurried pace.
Not long afterward, the carriage gradually began to slow.
Thomas rode his horse toward the carriage before dismounting in one smooth motion. A moment later, there was a gentle knock.
"Young Master."
"We've arrived."
Minjae closed his eyes for the briefest moment.
"...Already?"
He had spent so much time lost in his own thoughts that the journey had passed before he even noticed. Taking a slow breath, he straightened his coat and brushed away the few wrinkles that had formed during the ride.
Minjae had the thought of running away, but... seeing as he's come this far, turning away would be a waste. With that thought in mind, Minjae reached for the carriage door.
Before long, the doors of the manor opened.
A man descended the marble steps with measured elegance. He appeared to be around the same age as Duke Edmund, dressed in a deep navy tailcoat embroidered with silver thread. Every movement carried the quiet confidence expected of one who had spent decades standing at the pinnacle of the kingdom's nobility.
The servants immediately lowered their heads as he approached.
"Duke Edmund."
His voice was calm, yet welcoming.
"It has been some time."
Duke Edmund inclined his head in acknowledgment.
"It has."
"I trust your journey from the South concluded without incident." Duke Alistair Delaire replied with the faintest smile
"It did."
"I am relieved to hear it."
His gaze briefly settled upon Edmund before continuing.
"I had considered writing to inquire after your return, but I suspected your study would be overflowing with documents."
"Your assumption was correct." Duke Edmund replied without the slightest change in expression
"Some things never change." Duke Alistair stated with a chuckle
"They seldom do." Duke Edmund replied with no change in expression
For a brief moment, silence settled between them.
It was not an awkward silence.
The Duke of Delaire finally turned his attention toward Minjae.
"So... This must be your second son"
Edmund followed his gaze.
"Edric."
Minjae stepped forward without hesitation before offering a flawless bow befitting a young noble.
"It is an honor to see you again, Your Grace."
The Duke of Delaire studied him for a brief moment before offering a courteous nod.
"The pleasure is mine."
Duke Alistair simply stared at Minjae as he spoke
"I must say... you've grown considerably since I last saw you."
"The last time we met, you barely reached my shoulder," Alistair remarked, a faint smile gracing his features. "Time truly does pass quickly."
Minjae returned the smile politely.
"It has indeed been some time, Your Grace."
"It has."
Alistair regarded him for another moment before giving a small nod of approval.
"I've heard quite a number of things about you over the years."
For the briefest instant, Minjae's smile stiffened.
...None of them were good, I presume.
Fortunately, Alistair continued before the silence became awkward.
"I've also heard that you've become considerably more mature of late."
Minjae glanced, almost instinctively, toward Duke Edmund. The Duke remained as expressionless as ever, offering neither confirmation nor denial.
Minjae let out a quiet breath.
"I've simply had a great deal to reflect upon recently."
"A wise anwer," Alistair replied as his showed satisfaction."Reflection is a quality many young nobles are sadly lacking."
Alistair clasped his hands behind his back before turning toward the entrance of the manor.
"Our guests have nearly all arrived. It would be unbecoming of the host to remain outside any longer."
"Lead the way." Duke Edmund replied with a polite nodded
"With pleasure." Duke Alistair replied as he opened the manor doors
Minjae watched as the two entered the manor. There were several servents all lined in a row, they all bowed down as Alistair entered the manor
"It seems that Sebastian has not accompanied you." Duke Alistair replied as he walked through the manor with Duke Edmund by his side
"... He was tired from the trip south."
"Ah... I see." Duke Alistair replied as he put his hands in his pockets
"I believe Seraphine has been looking forward to greeting today's guests herself."
"Hm... I myself am not quite certain." Duke Alistair hummed as if lost in thought
"... Why is that If I may ask?"
"She has been acting strange... As if she were being possessed." Duke Alistair replied with a sigh
"Hm... That is quite strange."
"I believe it is because she wishes not to host a grand banquet." Duke Alistair replied with a laugh
"I suppose that Seraphine had no interest in such things even from a young age"
"... You are quite right." Duke Alistair replied after a moment of silence
Minjae couldn't help but to eavesdrop on their conversation... Though the Delaire household had no idea why their young lady has been acting strange recently, Minjae knew exactly why Seraphine was acting strange. Minjae clenched his fists as his hands trembled slightly, Ahn Yoon had gotten reincarnated as Seraphine Delaire which means the plot had begun... meaning that the main male leads(capture targets) would meet Seraphine today and fall in love with her and Edric would be deemed the villain and die in every single route.
'I can't let that happen.' Minjae thought to himself as his body began to relax
Minjae knew everything that happened in the story, meaning that he has the upperhand. Perhaps, by making someone else take on the mantle of villain... he could rewrite the story and still survive. There was still a feeling that had been nagging at his heart that today would turn out to be a disastor