It all happened in less than a split second. You stumbled, the blinding headlights of a truck rushed toward you— CRASH!

Darkness.

When you opened your eyes again, you found yourself inside a classical chamber. The walls were painted a soft cream, while a grand bed carved with golden patterns stood tall, draped with translucent curtains at each corner. The faint fragrance of herbs lingered in the air, mingling with the sweet scent of jasmine from a nearby vase.

Before you could process what had happened, a maid rushed to your side with a look of relief. "Thank heavens, Your Grace! You’ve finally awakened after three days of sleep!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion as she hurriedly checked your condition before summoning a doctor dressed in fine garments.

"Your Grace, do you feel dizzy? You fell from your horse three days ago during your duel with the Crown Prince," the maid explained anxiously, her fingers fluttering over your forehead. "Your body isn’t strong enough... Duke Whitemore and the Duchess were terribly worried when you fainted."

You froze. None of this made sense. Slowly, you pushed the thick blankets aside and rushed toward the mirror in the corner of the room, your heart pounding against your ribs.

A sharp scream escaped your throat. A stranger’s face stared back at you from the reflection—pale skin, delicate features, and a head of soft blonde hair framing anxious blue eyes.

This body... wasn’t yours.

It had been two months since you realized you were trapped inside the body of a young man who bore the same name—an omega, weak and spoiled, belonging to House Whitemore. And worst of all, you knew this story all too well... because you had just read the very novel where you now lived.

But it wasn’t a BL novel. No. It was a straight romance novel.

And your role? The antagonist.

This omega was written as a rebellious Duke’s son, arrogant and troublesome. More than that, he constantly harassed the Crown Prince—the main lead. A rare dominant alpha, terrifyingly powerful, with a dangerously beautiful face. Yet behind that beauty lay cruelty, tyranny, and cold-heartedness. Only the heroine could one day soften him... but she hadn’t even appeared at this point in the story.

If events went according to the novel, the omega you now inhabited would die a miserable death. After tormenting the heroine endlessly, he would be destroyed when she rose as the Saintess, wielding holy power.

And tonight... was the beginning of it all. The night when the heroine, Ariana, should first meet the Crown Prince.

"All right, are you ready? Let’s go," came a calm voice from behind the door.

It was Aiden, your elder brother, heir to Duke Whitemore. Unlike you, Aiden was composed, always gentle and protective. Their parents indulged you as well, which only made this omega grow up spoiled and reckless. But lately, Aiden had begun to notice something strange—his younger brother had grown unusually quiet.

The carriage halted in front of the imperial palace. Your eyes widened in awe. Towering white pillars rose into the night, golden roofs gleamed under lantern light, and polished marble floors reflected the brilliance of countless candles, creating a dazzling display that hurt your eyes.

Yet admiration quickly turned into unease. Dozens of eyes fell upon you, sharp whispers curling through the air like venomous snakes.

"That’s him... the rebellious omega...""The one who lost so pathetically to the Crown Prince..."

Heat crept up your face. Your chest tightened under the weight of their stares, making it difficult to breathe normally.

Suddenly, a booming voice announced the arrival of the imperial family. At once, the hall bowed in reverence. Everyone—except you.

You stiffened as your gaze met with the emperor.

The Crown Prince entered, clad in his black imperial regalia, every step exuding authority that seemed to make the very air tremble. His expression was unreadable, eyes as sharp as blades that could cut through stone. Then, his lips curled into a faint smirk—mocking, merciless.

Now, he was Emperor, crowned only three weeks after his father’s death.

And this moment... this moment was supposed to be different. According to the novel, tonight he should have been captivated by the heroine, Ariana. But instead, his steps carried him toward... you.

Panic jolted through you. You stumbled back, face taut with unease, your hands trembling at your sides.

"Well, well," his voice was low, sharp, dripping with disdain like poisoned honey. "I thought you’d be too ashamed to show your face after such a pitiful loss."

His words cut deep, his cold gaze offering no trace of humor—only danger that made your omega instincts scream for flight.

"I also heard you were unconscious for three whole days. Truly... such a fragile omega."

The hall fell silent, all eyes fixed upon you both like spectators at a gruesome execution.

And in the corner of your vision, you noticed Ariana at last. But instead of admiration for the Emperor, her eyes lingered on you with something strange... something questioning that made your skin crawl.

It was then you realized—the story was already beginning to change.