Chapter 1: The Real Heir Returns
The Vale Mansion had never been so tense.
Servants lined both sides of the grand hall, heads lowered, barely daring to breathe. The chandeliers sparkled as usual, the marble floors shone as always—but today, something invisible pressed down on everyone.
At the center of the hall stood a boy.
He looked out of place.
His clothes were clean, but old. His posture was straight, but stiff. His eyes—dark and steady—held a quiet stubbornness that didn't belong in a house like this.
This was Adrian Vale.
The real young master.
And yet—
No one moved to welcome him.
At the top of the stairs, Victor Vale and Elena Vale stood side by side. Their expressions were complicated—joy, guilt… and hesitation.
Elena's fingers trembled slightly.
"That's… our son…" she whispered.
Victor nodded, his face stiff. "Yes."
But neither of them stepped forward immediately.
Because standing just a few steps ahead of them… was another boy.
Bright-eyed, perfectly dressed, and completely at ease in the mansion.
Cleo Vale.
The young master everyone here already knew.
…Wait.
Wait wait wait wait—
THIS IS THAT SCENE?!
Cleo stood frozen, smiling on the outside, screaming on the inside.
This is the part where the real young master comes back! The beginning of the tragedy route! The death flag starter pack!
Last night, he had been lying in bed, bored, scrolling through a random novel.
He didn't even finish it.
Just skimmed.
And then—
He woke up here.
Inside the novel.
As the fake young master villain.
And what was my ending again?
Cleo's smile twitched.
Kicked out of the house… and then murdered by the female lead.
"…Brother?"
A soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
He turned.
Lina Vale, the younger sister, looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?"
Cleo immediately straightened.
"Of course," he said smoothly.
I am NOT okay.
Adrian stood silently in the center of the hall.
No one had greeted him yet.
No one had called him "son."
No one had called him "brother."
His gaze slowly shifted… and landed on Cleo.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment—
The entire hall seemed to freeze.
Cleo felt a chill run down his spine.
Why is he looking at me like that?
I didn't even do anything yet!
I JUST GOT HERE!
Adrian's expression didn't change.
But something in his eyes hardened.
Finally, Elena stepped forward.
"A-Adrian…" she said, her voice shaking. "Come here… let me see you…"
Adrian hesitated for a second…
Then walked forward.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like someone stepping into a world that didn't belong to him.
Elena reached out and held his face.
Tears filled her eyes.
"My child… you've suffered…"
Adrian's lips pressed into a thin line.
"I'm fine."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Victor cleared his throat. "From today onward, you are part of the Vale family. This is your home."
A pause.
Then he added, more stiffly—
"We will make proper arrangements."
Cleo nearly choked.
"Proper arrangements"? That's how you welcome your long-lost son?!
No wonder this family gets wrecked in the novel!
Serena crossed her arms.
Her sharp gaze swept over Adrian.
"…He doesn't look like us," she said bluntly.
"Serena," Elena scolded.
"I'm just being honest."
Lina, on the other hand, clung closer to Cleo.
"…Big brother…" she whispered.
She didn't even look at Adrian.
Cleo felt a headache coming.
Great.
So the sisters are already biased.
Just like in the novel.
Victor turned toward Cleo.
"Cleo."
"Yes, Father."
"…Take care of Adrian. Show him around the house."
Silence.
Cleo blinked.
Wait.
Me?!
You want the future victim to guide the future revenge protagonist?!
Are you trying to speedrun the plot?!
But outwardly, Cleo smiled perfectly.
"Of course."
He turned toward Adrian.
Their eyes met again.
Cleo extended his hand.
"Welcome home… brother."
Adrian looked at the hand.
Didn't take it.
Instead, he said quietly—
"…You don't have to pretend."
Cleo: "..."
Excuse me?!
I'm not pretending, I'm SURVIVING!
As the servants quietly dispersed and the family continued their awkward reunion, Cleo stood there, smiling like the perfect young master.
But inside, his thoughts were racing.
Alright.
Let's think clearly.
Step one: Do NOT bully the real young master.
Step two: Do NOT get involved with the crazy fiancée.
Step three: Somehow… avoid dying.
He glanced at Adrian again.
The boy stood alone, even surrounded by family.
Cold.
Distant.
Watching everything.
Cleo swallowed.
…Yeah.
This is going to be a disaster.