Return of the Emperor
Return of the Emperor, a sweeping fantasy saga filled with magic, dragons, and a brutal battle for power, topped bestseller lists in 2022. The story follows a betrayed protagonist who's mysteriously sent back—not a year or two, but an entire century—into the empire's past. Trapped in a time he barely understands, he builds a new life: forging friendships, alliances, and loyalty from the shadows. Eventually, he helps his ancestor, the fourth prince, ascend the throne by wiping the floor with corrupt nobles—including the first prince... and the deranged second prince.
Yeah. That last one? That's me.
"Wait a damn minute… I'm the second prince?"
The realization hit me like a boulder. The crazy one—the bloodthirsty, unstable, batshit insane prince from the novel—was me. Or, more accurately, I was now trapped in his body.
And the worst part? He wasn't gone. I could feel him. Lurking. Whispering.
"Took you long enough to figure it out," the voice muttered, calm but unsettling.
"Great," I muttered aloud. "So not only am I stuck in a murderer's body, but I've got him whispering creepy little thoughts in my head like some discount villain."
"Tsk. You're the discount. I'm royalty."
Whoever dumped me into this nightmare, if I ever meet them… let's just say it won't end in a friendly handshake. But then again—maybe this isn't all bad.
I mean, look at the perks: no more working nine-to-five jobs, no ramen dinners, no more begging for loans. If I played my cards right, I could live like a king. Hell, maybe even become one. And if I didn't? I'd still take the money, the luxury, and the women.
The only major inconvenience? The original lunatic sharing this body with me.
---
I don't know how long I was unconscious, but when I came to, the searing pain had faded. The haze lifted just enough for me to register my surroundings. A few attendants stood frozen nearby. As my eyes fluttered open, they scrambled to my side like bees to honey.
"Y-Your Highness," one stammered, "the healer said you're doing well. He instructed us to give you this potion as soon as you woke up."
Even with fragments of the prince's memories in my head, hearing someone talk to me like that made my skin crawl. It was so formal, so fake… so wrong.
I frowned.
The servant blanched and immediately dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, Your Highness! I beg of you—please, drink this. It's crucial for your recovery!"
The fear in his eyes was real. Terrifyingly real. As if one wrong word might cost him his life.
That's when it hit me again—this body belonged to a monster. A man who thrived on fear, who tortured and killed for fun. Who thought pain was entertainment.
Just remembering it made me nauseous.
"You should break his fingers for trembling in your presence," the voice hissed suddenly, venomous and cold. "People like him only exist to serve us. He should be honored to die at your feet."
"Shut up," I growled under my breath.
"You'll never survive here by being soft," the voice sneered. "This world doesn't reward kindness—it devours it."
I waved my hand dismissively, trying to shoo the servant away. But my arm didn't move right away. There was a delay, like I was piloting a puppet through fog.
It took me a second to realize—I wasn't in sync with the body yet. My brain gave orders, but the body obeyed at its own pace.
Great. Not only did I have a murderous ghost roommate in my head, but I was stuck in a meat-suit with lag.
The servant scrambled out in a flurry of fear. But peace didn't last long.
Another servant entered, bowing low. "Your Highness, His Majesty has requested your presence."
I had been expecting this. Eventually, I knew I'd have to face the emperor—the father of this body.
Still, I didn't like it. I wasn't ready.
"He won't hurt you," the voice said again, this time almost lazily. "I've met him more times than I can count. You've got my memories now—use them. Do exactly as I say, and this will go smoothly."
"Why would I take advice from someone who literally stabbed people for fun?" I muttered.
"Because right now, you're a cub in a lion's den. I'm the only reason you're not already dead."
I hated to admit it… but he had a point.
This wasn't my world. And the emperor wasn't just some political figurehead—he was the most dangerous man in the empire.
So I sighed and got up.
The servant, noticing my movement, clapped twice. Instantly, half a dozen attendants burst in, prepping me like I was a fragile glass doll. Clothes, food, water—things I didn't even ask for were brought out and presented like sacred offerings. Their hands moved with trained elegance, no wasted motion.
Fifteen minutes later, I stepped outside.
And damn…
The palace was massive. Opulent. Blinding. Golden pillars, shining marble floors, guards standing at attention at every corridor. Servants bowed and shrank under my gaze.
I kept my expression neutral, but inside? I was reeling.
If I hadn't spent years mastering poker face, I'd have looked like a village idiot seeing a dragon for the first time.
A group of guards trailed behind me like shadows. The former prince—my new, not-so-willing roommate—was clearly used to this kind of treatment. Me? I felt like a death row inmate getting paraded to the gallows.
They led me to the emperor's chambers.
I stepped inside. And then…
It was strange.
Everything felt oddly familiar. Natural. Like muscle memory I didn't earn. I caught myself smiling.
And there he was—the emperor.
Seeing him up close for the first time, I almost laughed. He looked ancient. Fragile, even. A bundle of wrinkles, barely held together.
But his eyes—gods, his eyes.
They were sharp. Calculating. Merciless. One look, and I knew.
This man was no frail old king.
He was a predator wearing an old man's skin.
"Be careful," the voice warned, sounding far more serious now. "That old fox doesn't miss a thing. One wrong word, and we're both dead."
Message received.
The emperor leaned forward ever so slightly, his piercing gaze scanning me like a hawk eyeing prey.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"How are you feeling, Christopher?"