Imagine waking up one day and realizing the life you were living was nothing but a creation of someone else's desire...
Well, I woke up one morning and found out that I was nothing more than a character in a novel, a cannon fodder destined to be stepped on by the protagonist.
My head throbbed as I sat up in bed, clutching my temples. The pain was excruciating, like someone had taken a hammer to my skull. But it wasn't the physical pain that made me freeze, it was the flood of memories that didn't belong to me.
Or rather, memories that did belong to me, but from a perspective I'd never had before.
"The Hero's Ascension."
That was the name of the novel. A typical fantasy story about an underdog who rises from nothing to become the world's greatest hero. William Hart starts as a bullied stable boy before awakening his hidden bloodline and embarking on a journey of revenge and redemption.
And I? I was Chase Morvan, the arrogant young master who makes his life hell in the early chapters.
Chapter 50. That's when I die. William, after awakening his powers and gaining the support of the Adventurer's Guild, returns to the Morvan estate. He challenges me to a duel, and I, overconfident and stupid, accept. The fight lasts less than five minutes. He cuts me down in front of everyone, and my last thoughts in the novel are filled with regret and confusion.
"Damn it..." I muttered, running my hands through my hair.
How did this happen? Did I reincarnate? Transmigrate? I had no answers. All I knew was that I had the memories of someone who'd read this entire story, and those memories were screaming at me that I was royally screwed.
A knock at the door interrupted my spiral.
"Young Master Chase, your father requests your presence in his study," a servant's voice called out.
I took a deep breath. "I'll be there shortly."
As I got dressed, my mind raced through everything I knew. The original Chase Morvan was arrogant, entitled, and thoroughly unlikeable. He bullied William because he enjoyed exerting power over those weaker than him. He squandered his family's resources on parties and women. And most critically, he refused his arranged marriage to Valerie Morningstar.
Valerie Morningstar.
Just thinking her name made my heart race, but not from attraction. From pure, primal fear.
In the novel, she was the final boss. The Crimson Catastrophe. A woman so powerful that it took William and all his companions fighting together to barely defeat her. She commanded armies, razed cities, and nearly brought the world to its knees.
And the trigger for her descent into villainy? My rejection.
The original Chase, in his infinite stupidity, publicly refused the engagement. He claimed that marriage would "tie him down" and "prevent him from reaching his full potential." The humiliation drove Valerie to isolation, and a series of tragedies afterward pushed her down a dark path.
But here's what the original Chase didn't know—what only I knew from reading the novel: before her fall, Valerie Morningstar became the most influential and powerful person in the entire world. She was a genius strategist, a masterful politician, and possessed magic that could level mountains.
If I could prevent her from becoming a villain... if I could keep her on my side...
I might actually survive this.
---
My father, Duke Marcus Morvan, sat behind his massive oak desk, looking every bit the stern noble he was supposed to be. His gray beard was immaculately trimmed, and his eyes held the sharp intelligence that had kept our family prominent for generations.
"Chase," he began, his voice measured. "I trust you're aware of why I've summoned you."
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "The Morningstar proposal."
"Indeed." He leaned back in his chair, studying me. "House Morningstar has offered an engagement between you and Lady Valerie. This alliance would be beneficial for both families. The Morningstars control the eastern trade routes, and their military might is second only to the royal family itself."
In the novel, this was where Chase started arguing. Where he complained about his freedom and made excuses.
Not today.
"I accept," I said simply.
The room fell silent. My father's eyes widened slightly—the most surprise I'd ever seen him show.
"You... accept?" He repeated, as if he had misheard.
"Yes. Furthermore, I believe we should proceed with the marriage as soon as possible. Why delay what's clearly beneficial for both families?"
My father stood up slowly, walking around his desk to get a better look at me. "Chase, are you feeling well? You hit your head yesterday, perhaps—"
"I'm fine, Father." I met his gaze steadily. "I've simply had time to reflect on my priorities. Marriage to Lady Valerie is an opportunity, not a burden. I'd be a fool to refuse."
He studied me for a long moment, and I could see the calculations running behind his eyes. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Very well. I'll send word to Duke Morningstar immediately. If you're certain about this..."
"I am."
As I left my father's study, I felt a strange mix of relief and terror. I had just set events in motion that would completely derail the original story. The question was: would that be enough to save me?
---
The wedding was arranged for two weeks later.
Apparently, when two noble houses want something done, they can move remarkably fast. The original engagement was supposed to be announced at a ball next week, where Chase would have made his public rejection. Instead, invitations were already being sent out for a wedding ceremony.
I spent those two weeks doing everything I could to prepare. I trained with the sword—not that I'd suddenly become a master, but at least I wouldn't be completely hopeless. I reviewed the family's finances and business dealings, surprising my father's advisors with my sudden interest. And most importantly, I stayed far away from William.
The stable boy who would become a hero was currently mucking out stalls and sleeping in the servant quarters. In the original timeline, I would've found some excuse to humiliate him at least three or four times by now. Instead, I made sure our paths never crossed.
Let him think I'd simply lost interest. Better that than giving him more reasons to want me dead.
The day of the wedding arrived faster than I expected.
I stood in the cathedral, dressed in formal attire, watching as guests filed in. Nobles from across the kingdom had come to witness the union of House Morvan and House Morningstar. Some looked curious, others calculating. Everyone wanted to see what advantage they could gain from this new alliance.
Then the doors opened, and Valerie Morningstar entered.
The descriptions in the novel didn't do her justice. Her silver hair cascaded down her back like moonlight, and her crimson eyes seemed to pierce through everything they looked at. She wore a white dress that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin, and she moved with a grace that spoke of both nobility and deadly precision.
She was beautiful. Breathtakingly so.
She was also looking at me with an expression of cold suspicion.
As she approached the altar, I could see the questions in her eyes. Why had I agreed to this? What was I planning? She didn't trust me—and honestly, I couldn't blame her. The original Chase had never shown interest in anything beyond his own pleasure.
The ceremony proceeded in a blur. We exchanged vows, rings were placed, and pronouncements were made. Through it all, Valerie's expression never changed from that cool, analytical mask.
When the priest finally declared us married, and I leaned in for the customary kiss, she whispered so only I could hear:
"I don't know what game you're playing, Chase Morvan. But I will find out."
I pulled back slightly, meeting those crimson eyes, and whispered back:
"I'm not playing at anything dear, It's called love."
Her eyes narrowed, confusion flickering across her face for just a moment.
The guests applauded. My father looked pleased. And somewhere in the crowd, I caught a glimpse of William, his hands clenched at his sides, his face twisted with an emotion I couldn't quite read.
I'd just married the future final boss.
Now came the hard part: keeping both of us alive.