The royal carriage rattled along the cobbled streets, its golden crest gleaming in the morning sun. Inside, Aki Arkwood once just a tired student from the real world, now trapped in the body of the infamous villain Riel sat stiffly with his arms crossed. His stomach churned, but not from motion sickness.
It was because of the invitation.
A delicate parchment, sealed with the royal crest, now lay folded in his pocket. The words were still burned into his mind:
"Lord Riel Arkwood, you are formally invited to dine with Her Highness, Princess Seraphina, at the Royal Academy hall."
Aki clenched his jaw.
"This is it. The first real death flag."
He had played Blade Destiny enough times to know exactly how this scene was supposed to go. The villain, Riel, would arrive, arrogantly sit at the cursed chair prepared for him, and die instantly from the hex laced within. That was his punishment for mocking the royal family.
Game over.
But this time… Aki had the diary.
He slid it open discreetly, its black cover heavy in his hands. Words shimmered faintly across the page:
"The third page. Beware the leftmost chair at the banquet hall. The curse waits there. Do not sit."
Aki muttered under his breath, "So clear it's almost insulting. Don't sit in the chair. Easy, right? Then why am I sweating buckets?"
Across from him, Sebastian, the ever-creepy butler, gave a sly smile.
"You seem troubled, young master. Worried about impressing the princess, perhaps?"
Aki's lips twitched. "Impressing her? More like… not dying in front of her."
"Pardon?" Sebastian tilted his head.
"Nothing. I said nothing!"
When they finally arrived, the banquet hall was overwhelming. Chandeliers sparkled like frozen starlight, long tables stretched endlessly, and nobles dressed in gowns and suits glittered with gemstones. Laughter and chatter filled the air like an ocean wave.
And there, at the far end, sat the Princess.
Seraphina was radiant, with golden hair cascading like sunlight and eyes that gleamed like polished emeralds. She smiled politely at each guest, but Aki felt the weight of her gaze as though she could see through his very soul.
She's too pretty… and too dangerous.
He followed the other nobles to the long table. His heart dropped. There it was: the cursed chair. Ornate, velvet-cushioned, and practically glowing with doom.
A noble gestured. "Lord Arkwood, this seat has been reserved for you."
Aki froze. His diary had warned him clearly. If he sat, he was finished.
Think. Think. THINK!
"Ah…" Aki cleared his throat and put on his best smirk. "Actually, I prefer the window seat. Better view, you know? Can't enjoy food without fresh air."
The nobles stared, confused. The butler beside him raised a brow. The hall went awkwardly silent for half a second.
Then the Princess herself chuckled softly.
"Very well, Lord Arkwood. Take whichever seat pleases you."
Gasps rippled among the nobles. Defying royal arrangement and yet… being excused? Impossible! But Seraphina's smile never faltered.
Aki slipped into a different chair, his palms sweaty. Step one: survive. Done.
And then it happened.
The doors opened again. A boy entered the hall.
Eren Valorheart.
The Hero of Blade Destiny. The chosen one of fate. The boy destined to kill Riel Arkwood in nearly every route.
He was tall, with messy blond hair and clear blue eyes that carried both warmth and determination. His presence silenced the room naturally, as if light itself had walked in.
Aki swallowed hard. So this is it. The Hero I should never meet this early. In the game, we didn't cross paths until later…
Eren's eyes scanned the hall… and landed on Aki. For a heartbeat, time froze.