Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Possessed into a Romance Fantasy Novel (1)
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‘The Lady Survived Today Again.’
While browsing a community site, an ad for a web novel suddenly popped up. The illustration was so gorgeous that I clicked it like I was entranced.
It was a romance fantasy aimed at women, so I felt a bit of resistance, but I started reading anyway. Even in a community full of mostly male users, the reviews weren't bad.
Exactly three days later. I binged nearly 400 chapters in just three days. The elegant prose was one thing, but the rock-solid plot left a real impression.
'Maybe I should write a quick review tomorrow.'
With that thought, I drifted off to sleep, still wrapped in the afterglow…
When I opened my eyes not long after, an unfamiliar ceiling greeted me for some reason.
'What the hell is this…'
Countless question marks flooded my mind.
Where am I? Who’s this place for?
Ah, backward? Whatever.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long to clear up the confusion. The original owner’s memories flowed in naturally.
I must’ve lain there drooling in a daze for about five minutes, but it felt perfectly natural anyway.
'Luke Nineheart.'
The original owner of this body—and now my name.
Having pure noble blood coursing through my veins was great and all. Sure, I was the youngest of three sons and a daughter in a barony stacked with heirs above me, but compared to the average transmigrator starting as a street orphan, this was way better.
That said, there were a few hurdles I couldn’t just brush off.
This world was the romance fantasy The Lady Survived Today Again, and my assigned fate was to be the novel’s protagonist Elena Frozenheart’s exclusive attendant.
'And in the original story, he dies…'
Because he tries to assassinate the protagonist Elena. Sure, there were reasons for it, but that didn’t make it forgivable.
The real issue didn’t stop there. No, if it had, I might’ve welcomed it. I just wouldn’t pull off the assassination, after all.
'His personality’s no joke…'
Having lost her birth mother young and gained a stepmother, she was every bit the tyrant you’d expect. Wrapped tight in self-defense, aggressive toward everything.
As the protagonist, it was pitiful, but serving her as master? Eh…
At least it wouldn’t be pleasant.
'Can I change my fate…?'
Fortunately, I had time on my side. Elena took on her exclusive attendant around age ten, and I’d just turned nine.
A year might not move mountains, but rewriting my own destiny? Should be doable.
That cocky vow was from the morning. By afternoon, it lay in pieces.
“It was decided long ago that you’d serve Lady Elena. If you still hate it that much, your only option would be to become a knight and join the army.”
“The army… you mean?”
“The northern barbarians are always eyeing our lands. The Duke has cherished you since childhood, so he’d be disappointed, but if knighthood is your calling, he wouldn’t stand in your way.”
Transmigration didn’t grant me the freedom to do whatever I pleased.
Is this the duty of those with pure noble blood…!
“I will serve Lady Elena with utmost sincerity.”
The Nineheart Barony had loyally served the Frozenheart Ducal Family for generations.
In that context, for me to refuse becoming Elena’s exclusive attendant on a whim? Unthinkable as a family member—no, as a person.
It definitely wasn’t because memories of getting reamed out in the training hall were flashing before my eyes.
Not that becoming Elena’s exclusive attendant thrilled me either…
'She’s just turning ten.'
They say a silver tongue repays a thousand debts. Masterful sweet talk should smooth things over.
That’s when I was hatching a grand scheme in my head.
Father took a sip of tea and carefully set down his cup.
“Come to think of it, Lady Elena’s birthday is right around the corner. They’re holding a banquet this time—why don’t you join and offer your congratulations?”
Meeting her already? I wasn’t ready; could we push it back?
The thought crossed my mind, but I couldn’t say it aloud.
“Conveying my congratulations to Lady Elena would be an honor.”
Noble special trait: thoughts and words don’t match.
I’d become a proper noble without realizing it.
About a month until Elena’s birthday. As Luke Nineheart, I lived a packed schedule.
“Luke—! Your side’s wide open like that—!”
“S-sorry, urk—.”
To become an excellent servant, swordsmanship had to be excellent too, per Father. So I endured one-sided beatings masked as training.
“Luke, when pouring tea, let it flow gently along the cup’s wall without splashing. Again.”
“Your posture is sloppy. Remember, you could affect Lady Elena’s reputation.”
Pouring tea, walking, even standing still—every moment was training for me.
At this rate, even breathing…
“Your breathing’s too heavy. A servant must stay by their master’s side without ever being noticed.”
No, why is this legit?
This hectic life was all for serving Elena, so warm feelings toward her were impossible.
Whenever it got tough, I chanted one mantra…
'Anything beats the army.'
A magical spell that conjured wild affection for serving Elena.
Our Lady’s the best. Even if I haven’t met her yet.
Time flowed on, and a month later, the day to behold the noble Lady Elena arrived.
Fit for the occasion, I donned luxurious clothes I’d never worn before and styled my hair with care.
'This looks pretty good…'
The mirror showed a kid who could’ve broken hearts in elementary school. My face, brimming with potential.
Sure, my fate was lifelong toil as Elena’s servant ending in a natural death, but if I’m serving, handsome beats ugly—positive spin.
Who knows? Maybe Elena, pitying my lot, sets me up with a marriage.
While I spun that optimistic loop, Father entered my room.
“Luke, are you ready…?”
Seeing me, Father trailed off.
Something wrong?
“All prepared, sir.”
“What’s with that hair? Total mess.”
In the end, Father fixed me up.
The mirror’s promising kid downgraded to average, but complaints stayed swallowed.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do—this world had its own tastes.
Just a tweak to the hair made me ordinary; hair really does make the man…
“Then let’s head out.”
“Yes, Father.”
Following Father out of the mansion, I boarded the waiting carriage.
'Riding a real carriage…!'
Where’s a 21st-century guy get that chance? Outside museum displays, I’d never even seen one up close.
But reality hit quick, teaching me why carriages vanished.
All inefficient.
Slower than expected, every bump jolting straight through—ride comfort was godawful.
Still, first outing ever—not terrible.
How much time passed? Snow blanketed the views outside more and more until a massive castle loomed.
Frozenheart Ducal Castle. Home of the Northern Grand Duke defending the realm from barbarians—and Elena’s residence.
'What’s Elena like at this age?'
Lots of illustrations as the protagonist, but all grown-up versions.
Now her future servant, but once a reader—curiosity was natural.
The answer came soon enough.
Entering the banquet hall with Father, one little girl caught my eye.
First impression: utterly unique. If everyone else was crayoned in ten colors, she shone in hundreds, thousands.
If protagonists truly exist, it had to be her.
“There she is. Let’s go greet her.”
“Yes, Father.”
I stepped forward. Toward Elena—my future master, this world’s protagonist.