Kim Min-jae lay sprawled across his bed, phone in one hand, snack bag in the other. He was only reading this stupid romance novel because his little sister wouldn't shut up about it.
"He gripped her [CENSORED] firmly, sending shockwaves through her as his [CENSORED] slammed into her again and again—"
Min-jae choked on his chips.
"WHAT THE—?! Shockwaves? What is this, Dragon Ball Z: Honeymoon Arc?. Do couples do this much in real life?" he cackled, clutching his stomach.
He scrolled down.
"Her lips parted in a sinful moan as he twisted her [CENSORED] with wicked skill, the wet sounds filling the room—"
"NOPE. NOPE. I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS. WHY IS THIS WRITTEN LIKE THE INSPO CAME FROM A HORNY TEENAGER?!" Min-jae shrieked, hurling his phone onto the bed like it was cursed.
Still… curiosity killed the cat. He peeked at the screen again.
"You belong to me..' Meical growled, his piercing silver eyes locking onto hers as he drove into her—"
"PFFT—WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Drove into her? What is he, a damn delivery truck?!" Min-jae howled.
And yet, despite his protests, he found himself staring at the character portrait of the man on the next page: Meical Vukasin, Duke of Avenmore. Tall, broad shoulders, long black hair tied back with a silver clasp.
"Tch.." Min-jae muttered, feeling oddly attacked by how hot this fictional man was. "Overrated. I bet he cries after sex."
He laughed at his own joke, unaware that in less than twenty-four hours, he'd be waking up in that man's bed.
He kept scrolling anyway. Not because he liked it. No. He just wanted to see if the bastard Duke finally found out the truth.
"And with a smile, the heroine slit the innocent girl's throat, her laughter echoing through the halls—"
Min-jae sat up."…What."
The victim's name was Kaela Amagi, beloved little sister of the cold, calculating Kaizar Amagi. The one who'd been nothing but kind to the so-called heroine. And she killed her. For political gain.
Min-jae's jaw tightened.
"That's it? She gets away with this?! The author just moves on like nothing happened?!"
He slammed the phone down and grabbed his jacket. He needed air. Needed to calm down.
He barely made it two blocks before—
BEEP! BEEP!
"Ah, fuc—"
Kim Min-jae died instantly but he was given a second chance.
When he opened his eyes, there was murmuring all around him. The scent of flowers. The heavy weight of fabric on his body.
"Huh…?"
He blinked, his vision clearing. He wasn't in the street. He wasn't even in his city. He was standing on a crimson carpet, at the altar of an ornate cathedral.
His hands were slim and pale, they clutched a bouquet. A veil draped over his face.
A priest's voice boomed:
"Now, let the groom see his bride."
Min-jae's heart stopped. Bride?
Was he that bride?
The man standing before him was tall, broad-shouldered, with silver hair and eyes like winter storm, staring down at him was Meical Vukasin. The male lead. The man who, in the novel, was supposed to marry the heroine today.
How could he not recognize him?
And as the veil was lifted, revealing his unfamiliar but absurdly beautiful face—Kaizar Amagi's face. Min-jae realized exactly where he was.
In the book.
At the wedding.
Taking revenge for a sister who'd been murdered.
Meical's eyes narrowed as he took him in.
"…Who." he said, voice cold and low "the hell are you?"
The entire cathedral erupted in gasps.
Nobles stood from their seats, fanning themselves furiously, whispers turning into a roar.
"Is that—?"
"That's not Lady Seraphine!"
"That's a man?!"
Min-jae's mouth went dry.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh SHIT. Why did I get the gender-bent DLC?!
Meical's gloved hand shot out, gripping Min-jae's wrist like iron.
"This is a farce.." he growled. "The marriage is invalid. End it now."
The priest flinched but straightened. "Your Grace, the ceremony has already been sanctified. By imperial decree, a union cannot be annulled before thirty months have passed."
"Thirty—what?!" Min-jae squeaked.
"Furthermore.." the priest continued, sweat beading on his brow, "proof of consummation must be delivered by dawn tomorrow. If not, the union is considered void by fraud and both parties will face charges of heresy."
Min-jae blinked.
Consummation? As in… actual…?
The priest's lips curled in distaste as his gaze flicked to Min-jae.
"There is no law barring unions between men… but such acts…" He trailed off, his expression sour, "are… abominable. The Empire tolerates this only for lineage and political convenience. I pray you understand the… gravity of your deception."
Min-jae wanted to die. He wanted to dig a hole, crawl in, and never come out.
Meical, however, was a storm barely contained. His jaw tightened, eyes glinting with lethal promise as he leaned down, face inches from Min-jae's.
"You have until tonight.." he whispered so low only Min-jae could hear, "to explain why I should not crush you beneath my boot."
Min-jae swallowed hard, brain screaming, Because your future wife killed my little sister and I'm here to ruin her life in return?!
But all that came out was:"…Uh… surprise?"
Meical stormed out of the cathedral, his boots striking the marble like thunder.
"Wait! Wait—HEY!" Min-jae yelped, gathering the skirt of his heavy white gown and running in heels. "Don't you dare leave your wife behind, mister!"
The crowd of nobles gasped again as he chased after the fuming Duke like a bride out of a romcom gone horribly wrong.
Meical stopped mid-step, pinched the bridge of his nose, then turned with a murderous glare. "Get. In. The. Carriage."
"Yes, dear.." Min-jae chirped sweetly, hopping in. Score one for the legal wife.
The carriage wheels screeched to a halt before the Vukasin estate.
Before Min-jae could even get out, the heavy doors slammed open. A figure stumbled out, wrists red and chafed, dress torn at the hems.
It was Seraphine.
Min-jae smirked behind his veil. Ah. The snake herself. Guess the maids found where Kaizar left her tied to that cellar post.
"Meical!" she cried, voice breaking as she spotted the tall man stepping down from the carriage. Her golden hair caught the dying sunlight, like an angel fallen into tragedy.
"Meical, thank the heavens—you're safe..."
She froze.Her wide, tear-brimmed eyes landed on the figure stepping out behind him.
The delicate white gown. The bridal veil. The man beneath it, smirking at her like a cat with cream.
Kaizar? Kaizar Amagi! Her blood turned cold, so this was what he meant when he said he was going to ruin her life.
"You—!" she gasped, stumbling back.
Min-jae let out a delighted laugh. "Awww, sweetheart, don't look so shocked. What's wrong? Surprised to see me standing where you were supposed to be?"
He tapped his ringed finger against the carriage door. "Oh, and by the way…" He linked arms with Meical and leaned possessively into his side. "…I think I should introduce myself properly. Kaizar Vukasin. The Duke's lawful spouse."
The words hung in the air like a guillotine blade.
Seraphine went pale. "This—this is a mistake. Meical, you can't—"
"Enough." Meical's voice was low, dangerous. His eyes flicked between Seraphine and the veiled man now clinging to him like a devoted bride. "Inside. Both of you."
Min-jae batted his lashes innocently. "Of course, dear husband~." He shot Seraphine a pointed grin as they passed her.
Checkmate, bitch.