Chapter Text
"Young master, it's time to wake up."
"Mmmmng…"
The man in the bed could feel a light tapping on his body and then a gentle stroke through his hair. The hands felt warm and pleasant, even when he could feel how rough the hands were. His voice was deep and had a soft tone.
Light footsteps were heard and if the man in the bed didn't concentrate to listen to them, he wouldn't be able to hear them.
"It is already morning."
The curtains of the windows were moved to let the sunlight in. The light was a pleasant color and its warmth wrapped around the fellow who was still in bed.
He opened his eyes slowly, and then closed them again. He wasn't used to the sunlight yet. After some time, he opened his eyes again. What he saw were big bright windows and a figure of a tall man standing right before them.
He could fully see the old man's face, which had a satisfied smile. He looked scary, so he could feel a cold shiver running down his spine.
"What a surprise to wake up after one attempt."
"....huh?"
"Seems like you are still half asleep, young master."
The old man began to move to a big, white closet with great details and gold embedded in it. The gray-haired man picked some clothes out and moved right in front of him.
"Your fiancé will visit you today, so you need to present yourself in the finest clothes."
He didn't react to the old man; he was focusing on the mirror behind him.
'Is this me?'
"Young master Cale?"
What he saw was a young man with crimson hair and pale skin. The confused expression told him that it was himself he was looking at.
Right after, he glanced towards the old man who had a slightly worried look on his face.
"Cale Henituse?"
The old man tilted his head slightly, putting his fingers on his chin while seemingly in deep thought.
"Yes, that's your name. It seems like you are still sleeping, young master Cale."
Then this old man was…
"Ron."
"Yes, young master Cale. What is it? Are you feeling ill?"
If he was Cale Henituse and the old man was named Ron, then this meant...
'I am in the game..?'
He knew those names. They belonged to characters from an otome game called "Profound Love".
The game was about a female lead of noble descent. You could give her any name you wanted; she had no original name, and her face was also unknown. You always played the point of view of the female lead.
She was a kind person who helped anyone no matter who they were, and she was loved and cherished by everyone.
Her beauty was likened to a goddess with beautiful gold shining hair, amethyst-like eyes, and the softest, most gorgeous smile. She was like out of this world as if god had sent an angel down to this world.
The female lead had a lovely personality; she would help the poor and the weak and had no fear of running into danger. She was naive but still considered smart.
She had an attractive aura no one was able to withstand. So many people would gather around this girl, and the male leads also got interested in her. They would seek her attention as often as they could.
They soon would whisper sweet words in her ear, giving her the most valuable gifts they had and craving for every interaction.
The game in general didn't have a deep plot. It was all about meeting the male leads, having some cute events, and finally marrying one of them.
But all male leads had a big red flag. They were all possessive , stalkers obsessed with the main character.
Cale Henituse luckily was not a male lead as he only was only an extra. The fiance of one male lead.
'Venion Stan…'
The character that, when he was still Kim Rok Soo who played the game, he hated the most.
A noble's son from a powerful family. He was arrogant and always talked about himself. He didn't even change much after meeting the female lead. He got even worse.
He was a possessive character who poisoned the female lead and blamed his fiancé, Cale Henituse, and his family so he could loot the Henituse household and marry the female lead.
Cale Henituse received the death penalty and died in the end.
'A pointless death.'
The event happened in every route so even if the female lead didn't end up with Venion, Venion would still poison her and send Cale to the afterlife.
It was obvious what to do.
End this engagement and avoid the story as much as possible.
Cale remembered how Ron said that Venion would come today. The meeting had no purpose. He probably only visited to look like a true noble who cared about his fiancé, which, of course, was bullshit.
Venion didn't care about Cale Henituse. They were only engaged because their parents decided so, but there was one problem: Venion's pride as a noble.
Even if Cale wanted to end this engagement, Venion wouldn’t agree. Ending an engagement was a risk of untold damage to his family name, and Cale would also get an awful reputation. However, he couldn’t care less.
He didn't care how people would see him, and it was better than dying.
"Ron, what day is it today?"
"The 29th of the third month in the 781st of the Felix calendar."
Seven days before the appearance of the female lead; he still had time, but not much. The story would take place in seven days, and one year later, Venion would poison the female lead and Cale would lose his life.
One year to make Venion break off their engagement… one year to get rid of him.
During the course of the story, the player would learn how Venion was the one responsible for his brother not being able to walk anymore and was also murdered later. Not only that, but he also did many other illegal deeds just to keep his position as the heir.
If Cale found the proof of his wrongdoings, the engagement would be called off, and this bastard would end up behind bars.
But he didn't want to be the one to expose Venion. If he did, he would get too much attention, and the risk of interacting with the other male leads would become too high.
Luckily, his brother, Taylor Stan, was still alive. However, the game never told him where he was staying, so Cale needed to find him by himself.
"Young master, the bath is ready."
"Good."
Cale went into the bathroom and saw a big mirror right after he entered. He couldn't help but take a closer look at his appearance. It was such a weird feeling.
And.
"The game never showed Cale Henituse's face… For an extra, he is extremely beautiful."
His hair was a silky deep red like blood that delicately flowed down his shoulder. His face was pale and smooth, the light color of pink on his face making him look sweet. His eyes looked sharp and had a beautiful brown color shining like amber. Cale’s lips could be compared to the color of roses.
Cale was so insanely pretty that it was hard to tell if he even was a man. If Cale was already this beautiful, then what would the female lead look like?
One last time, he touched his face with his fingers, making sure this all was real. And it was.
He went into the bathtub and thought about the life he had.
Kim Rok Soo, his original name.
He didn't have much in his last life. He had no family or close friends who would miss him or anyone he would miss. There was also not much money in his possession. He wasn't famous or popular; he doubted anyone would search for him.
There is nothing much to mourn about the sudden changes. It was even better since Cale now had a chance to enjoy a life full of richness and to slack around all day.
Of course only after he got rid of Venion Stan.
Cale got out of his bathtub and dried himself up. Ron would probably be waiting for Cale. As expected, right after he opened the door, Cale found Ron already standing before him holding the clothes he’d chosen for him.
"It's time to dress you up, young master Cale."
Looking at the neatly folded clothes, Cale could tell how extravagant they were.
"I will wear something simple today."
"Young master, Venion Stan will visit you today."
"I don't care. Change the clothes."
Cale didn't care what Venion would think about him; might as well act like trash. No way Venion would marry someone who didn't listen to him.
"As you wish, young master Cale."
_________________________
It had been a while since Venion arrived at the Henituse Estate.
When he got there, the servants immediately guided him to a luxurious room full of gold and marble. The sofa was made out of the best fabric, and they served him the most expensive tea with delicious pastries.
It was a good feeling to be served like this. This was at least to be expected since Venion was the son and heir of a marquess family.
This was one of the reasons why he liked to come here. The Henituse Estate was one of the places where he could calm down.
His fiance was also good to mock and tease since Cale Henituse was like a servant. He tried his best to satisfy Venion, and no matter what he demanded, Cale would do it for him.
Cale was probably scared he would call the engagement off. However, he didn't know that Venion needed him.
Marrying Cale would secure his heir position for good.
…
…
…
…
Yet Cale Henituse was late…Very late.
Venion might forgive him, though, if he was late because he needed to dress up properly for him.
Cale Henituse was a beauty—more beautiful than any other woman—but he was boring. Well, it didn't matter. Venion only wanted his position as heir.
He could get rid of Cale any time after they’d married.
Lost in thoughts, Venion didn't notice the door opening until he saw crimson hair from the corner of his eyes.
Venion turned to Cale, and this was when he noticed.
"What are you thinking?!"
Cale was wearing a plain white long-sleeved shirt and simple black pants.