Chapter 1

The rain tapped gently against the window.

It was a quiet night, silent, the kind where the world seemed to stop for a moment.

He was lying in bed, a dim lamp lighting the room and an open book resting on his chest.

He'd promised himself he would read just one more chapter before sleeping, but he was already finishing the final volume of the story.

The novel had him completely hooked.

In it, the villain was a cold and distant alpha: the feared Duke Kael Aetherion.

A man known for his severe temperament, his intimidating presence, and his absolute indifference toward his own betrothed.

His betrothed was a noble omega named Lysander Valemont.

A young man from an influential family who, according to court rumors, had a capricious, proud, and difficult personality.

Because of those rumors, nearly all the nobles saw him as someone troublesome.

And Kael... never trusted him.

Never tried to understand him.

The reader sighed as he read a scene where the duke once again ignored his betrothed in front of everyone.

He closed the book for a moment, frowning.

"Even if he has a bad temper..." he murmured quietly, "no one deserves to live in a marriage full of contempt."

He knew Lysander Valemont wasn't a perfect character.

He'd been raised in luxury, accustomed to having many things done his way.

But even so...

The way he was treated in the story had always struck him as cruel.

He opened the book again.

He knew exactly what scene came next.

The part he hated most in the entire novel.

The birth.

The words seemed to weigh more as he read.

Pain.

Loneliness.

Blood.

In the original story, Lysander gave birth without Kael by his side.

His body, weakened and exhausted, couldn't endure.

And in the end...

He died.

Leaving behind his child... and a marriage that never got to be happy.

The reader closed the book slowly.

A lump formed in his throat.

"If things had been different..." he whispered sadly, "maybe his story wouldn't have ended like that."

Exhaustion began to overtake him. He set the book on his chest and closed his eyes for a moment.

The room fell silent.

He didn't notice the smell at first.

A faint scent... strange.

But little by little, the air began to feel heavy.

He opened his eyes, confused.

He could barely breathe.

He tried to sit up, but his head was spinning. His heart pounded as he struggled to get out of bed.

He took one step.

Then another.

But his legs gave out.

The book fell to the floor.

He tried to drag himself toward the door, desperate for air, but his body no longer responded.

The world turned blurry.

The air wouldn't come in.

Everything was going dark.

And as his consciousness slowly faded, one final thought crossed his mind.

If I had the chance...

I'd try to change that story.

Then...

Everything went black.

The first thing he heard was the sound of bells.

Music.

Voices speaking in respectful tones.

He opened his eyes slowly.

The ceiling above him wasn't his bedroom ceiling.

It was high, decorated with golden details and white fabrics that fell like soft curtains around the bed.

He sat up abruptly.

The mattress was too large.

Too soft.

He looked at his hands.

They were thinner.

More delicate.

His breathing quickened.

He turned his head and saw a large mirror in front of the bed.

When his eyes met the reflection, his heart nearly stopped.

Long hair.

A beautiful face.

Eyes that weren't his.

He stood slowly and walked toward the mirror.

He recognized that face.

He'd imagined it many times while reading the novel.

It was Lysander Valemont.

The noble omega betrothed to the feared Duke Kael Aetherion.

The same omega who, according to the original story, was destined for an unhappy marriage... and a tragic death.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

"My lord Lysander," said a nervous voice from the other side, "it's nearly time for the ceremony."

Ceremony.

His eyes widened even more.

He looked down at his clothes.

White garments with elegant embroidery covered his body.

Delicate jewels adorned his neck.

Then he understood.

Today was the day.

The day of the wedding between Lysander Valemont and Duke Kael Aetherion.

His heart began to pound.

He had died.

And now...

He had woken up inside the novel he'd been reading.

Right in the body of the omega destined for an unhappy marriage... and a tragic death.

He looked at his reflection once more.

His fingers trembled slightly.

"It can't be..." he whispered.

The bells rang again in the distance.

The fate of that story had already begun.

But this time...

He didn't intend to let it end the same way.

If he had truly been given a second chance...

Then he would do everything in his power to change that ending.

Even if Kael Aetherion hated him.

Even if the entire court believed the rumors about him.

Even if no one expected anything from Lysander Valemont.

This time...

His story would not end in tragedy.

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