My eyes couldn't believe what I was seeing in the mirror.
Black hair was neatly combed. Thin eyebrows framed deep blue eyes, like a stormy sky. The straight nose rose with haughtiness, arrogantly pointing toward the heavens. His pale, sickly skin contrasted sharply with his angular face and narrow chin, which only highlighted the arrogance etched across his entire visage. A thin, almost cruel smile rested on his well-shaped lips.
"This is… Kael…"
Kael, the villain of a fairy tale. A General who kidnapped the princess and imposed a totalitarian regime on the kingdom, ruling the people with an iron fist.
All so that he could be defeated by an unknown hero, dying tragically after falling off a cliff. Meanwhile, the hero freed the princess and married her, and thus they lived happily ever after.
"This can't be…"
What did I do to deserve this?
I've always been a good person.
It must be that old woman's fault. She insisted that I buy this tale, claiming I was the only one who could uncover the truth hidden by the fairies.
Now I find myself inside the book, right after finishing the story. I can't help but feel that old woman is involved in this.
What did she do? Magic?
Knock Knock Knock.
A knock on the door broke my thoughts.
"Lord Kael, Lady Lisa is ready to meet you." A gentle voice came from the other side of the door, carrying hidden tremors.
"I'm coming." My voice came out deeper than I intended, but it didn't matter.
I stepped out of the room a moment later, dressed in simple white linen clothes, which, despite their simplicity, couldn't hide the innate arrogance and authority in my posture.
I walked through the castle's dark halls, lit by faint lights. Servants trembled in fear as I passed them. I understood their fear—after all, who wouldn't be afraid of a lunatic murderer?
The indifferent expression on my face hid the storm within.
'I hate my life.'
'Of all the moments I could have transmigrated into, it had to be right after this psychopath murdered both his own parents and the protagonist's?'
'If it had been earlier, I could at least try to change something. But now? How can I change anything now? I killed the protagonist's parents. Even if I free her or try to be kind, she'll just see it as a conspiracy and wait for the right moment to take revenge.'
My thoughts stopped when I reached a black mahogany door, with golden details across it.
'Damn rich family.'
This was Lisa's room. Even without Kael's memories, something inside me told me this was the place… Maybe because it was guarded by two knights in black armor—clearly the best of the best.
I stopped before the door and declared:
"You're dismissed, I'll handle it from here."
They glanced at each other briefly before replying:
"Yes, my lord."
"Of course, my lord."
I noticed the slight tremor in their voices, the fear buried deep in their eyes. But I said nothing as I watched them leave.
'Damn it, even elite knights are afraid of me.' I sighed in frustration, though I understood their side.
'Who wouldn't fear a mad king? Especially when that king is a dragon slayer.'
I shook my head to push away those self-deprecating thoughts. I had to be positive at least once in my life, right?
The moment I opened the doors, a book came flying straight at me. My body reacted instinctively, catching it inches from my face.
'Great. First time I see her and I'm greeted with a literary assassination attempt.'
I chuckled at my own joke, though my face remained expressionless.
As I approached, her features became clearer. Long golden hair flowed over her shoulders. Her oval-shaped face carried thin eyebrows furrowed in irritation. Just below them were her blue eyes—unlike mine, they were the clear, warm blue of a summer sky. Her rosy lips and milky white skin seemed almost too tempting, sparking the desire to kiss every part of her face.
My breath caught for a moment. From afar it hadn't been noticeable, but up close, I realized this girl was beautiful. Incredibly beautiful.
My eyes drifted away from her face, fearing that if I looked a moment longer, I'd fall in love right there.
And of course, the first thing my gaze landed on was her nearly bare body, covered only by a thin, almost transparent robe hiding her generous assets. Her breasts were full and firm, perfectly proportional to her slender waist that further accentuated her curves. Wide hips shaped a round, voluptuous rear, tracing a silhouette of natural, striking femininity. Her legs were toned, her pale skin looking soft to the touch. Everything about her was perfectly balanced, exuding effortless charm, as if she were seducing me simply by sitting there.
The tale hadn't exaggerated when it described her as the most beautiful woman in the world. Now I understood why the protagonist had fallen in love with her at first sight. I think the same was happening to me.
My expression remained indifferent as I walked toward her, using every ounce of willpower not to do something foolish. After all, I was a man of principles, right?
"Looks like someone's in high spirits." I approached the princess sitting at the edge of the bed, placing the book on the desk.
No answer came. She just sat there, glaring at me with pure hatred, as if I had murdered her parents—which I technically had. Or at least, Kael had.
Not that it mattered. He and I were one now.
"Aren't you going to say something to your husband?" I tried teasing her a little. "Otherwise I'll feel sad."
"Shut up! You filthy murderer!"
I blinked, surprised by her sharp response. This didn't match the refined princess from the story.
My surprise lasted only a second before being replaced by a mocking smile.
"I see you're adjusting well to your new life, my dear wife."
Her eyes blazed with fury. If looks could kill, I'd already be on my ninth reincarnation.
"Don't you dare call me that, Kael. I'd rather die than be your wife."
I stepped closer, invading her personal space, noticing how she instinctively backed away. She realized it too and forced herself to stay still, refusing to show weakness.
"Nervous?"
I couldn't resist provoking her as I moved closer and closer. Even as she tried to look firm, she kept retreating until her back hit the headboard—no escape left.
"Nervous?" she repeated, eyes sparking. "I'm disgusted."
My smile widened. I raised one hand to grasp one of her breasts. They were firm, yet so soft my fingers sank effortlessly into her warm flesh.
"Disgusted? While wearing such indecent clothes?" I murmured hoarsely, gesturing at the robe that barely covered her body.
Her body trembled under my touch, her face flushed—whether from shame or anger, I couldn't tell.
Smack!
Her palm struck my cheek hard, a sharp crack echoing.
'…Yeah, definitely anger.'
Lisa gasped involuntarily, pulling her hand back immediately, clutching her wrist tightly. Her hand was red, her fingers trembling.
"Ugh…" A groan of pain escaped her lips. Her eyes widened—not from fear, but pain. "You…"
I released her breast and grabbed her hand, pulling her into my arms.
"Hey, girl."
My left arm wrapped around her waist, pressing her against me as I whispered hoarsely, inches from her face:
"Don't ever do that again."
Lisa's body was rigid—she was probably terrified of what I might do to her. I wiped away the tears streaming from her eyes and asked:
"Is your hand hurt?"
Lisa tried to pull away, but I didn't let her. Her bright blue eyes, now clouded by pain and confusion, stared into mine.
She was panting, her chest rising and falling quickly, her firm breasts brushing against me, making my heart race a little.
Lisa broke down in tears, sobbing as she whispered:
"Yes… It hurts so much."
I didn't know why, but those words twisted something inside me. The growing excitement faded, replaced by a sharp pain in my chest.
'I made Lisa cry…'
I couldn't stand still anymore. With sudden impulse, I captured Lisa's lips in a fierce kiss. Her body stiffened for a moment before melting in my arms.
Her lips were soft, carrying a unique flavor, a sweetness that clashed with the bitterness of her feelings. Almost instinctively, she parted her lips, allowing my tongue to slip inside, exploring her with uncontrolled hunger.
But her tongue didn't meet mine with shyness—it erupted with fury. Her sharp teeth sank into me, which did nothing, but when I bit her lip in return, the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, breaking the spell.
I pulled back abruptly, a low growl—more animal than human—escaping my throat.
Lisa's face was inches from mine, panting, her lips swollen and red from the forced kiss, a thin thread of blood and saliva still connecting our tongues. Her eyes, once blurred with tears and pain, now burned with pure, crystalline hatred.
"You're a monster," she spat, her voice raw with emotion.
'Am I?' The question echoed in my mind, a stab of real panic behind Kael's facade. What the hell did I just do? That wasn't me. It was this body's instinct, the villain's dark lust taking over.
I forced a slow, cruel smile, the same I had shown earlier. I wiped the blood from Lisa's lip with my thumb, never breaking eye contact.
"Just a warning," my voice came out cold, devoid of the turmoil boiling inside me. "So you understand your place from now on."
Without waiting for an answer, I rose from the bed and left with slow steps, slamming the door behind me.
I didn't move right away. Instead, I leaned against the door, clutching my chest, feeling my racing heart.
'Damn it… I can't believe the thought of raping her actually crossed my mind.'
I could hear the sound of crying and things breaking inside, but all of it was drowned out by the noise of my own thoughts.
'I'm sorry, Lisa. Please don't hate me for this.'
When my heart finally calmed—after minutes that felt like an eternity while listening to Lisa's sobs—the weight of my actions settled heavily in my mind.
'Fuck it, regret won't change anything. I just have to control myself and make sure this doesn't happen again the next time I visit her.'
I walked down the dark hallway toward the throne room. My steps were shaky at first, then slowly steadied. Thankfully no maids were around to witness this pathetic sight.
The throne room was empty, without guards or maids. That had been one of the original Kael's demands—he liked silence. Servants could only interrupt if it was something serious; any other interruption was punishable by death.
As I leaned back against the golden throne, its coldness hardened my heart and strengthened my resolve.
I would definitely not give in to Kael's dark instincts. I would survive. I would not die a pathetic death falling off a cliff like the original Kael.