Chapter Text
When Yeseo opens his eyes, the pounding of his head is the first thing he notices. The second thing he notices is the absence of sounds, there was no hum of the fridge, no typing from Hyung's keyboard, no music from Enseo’s little speaker.
He squints at the ceiling but can't make out anything, anything that makes sense.
Yeseo groaned as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Morning sunlight coming from directions Yeseo had never experienced blinded his eyes.
He struggled to sit up, he felt heavy as lead, sore, tired, confused.
‘Where… am I’
Yeseo looks around him and slowly becomes aware that this was not the apartment, this was not his home.
‘Is this some kind or hidden camera? Did Enseo contact a tv network to do this to me?’
Yeseo quickly pushed himself upright, the effort leaving him breathless but he couldn't bring himself to care, not when the huge mirror he pushed himself in front of showed him a man with hair as white as snow, and eyes as mellow as gold.
Yeseo yelped and tumbled onto the cool marble floor.
He didn't know how much time had passed as he stared at the high ceiling. He makes out the ceiling painted murals of stars and suns, oh, and he finds little moons. They feel like they're moving, standing out, revealing themselves to Yeseo.
‘What is happening?’
Yeseo falls asleep and dreams of swirling suns and dancing stars.
When Yeseo opens his eyes again he notices two things. One, his head doesn't feel like someone hit him with a hammer and two, what he thought was a fever dream was very obviously not.
Yeseo slowly lifted himself off the floor and stretched his back. The movement sent a jolt of discomfort through Yeseo’s aching body.
He sits in silence as he tries to once again comprehend, understand.
This time he can tell more clearly what his surroundings look like.
Marble floors, ceilings painted in murals, furniture though very old, was very elegant. Velvet shades that were falling apart covered wide windows.
Yeseo turned away from the giant bed of silks and furs and faced the biggest change, the difference.
And it is that Yeseo doesn't look like Yeseo anymore.
Yeseo looks into the golden vanity mirror and just stares, trying to find himself within heart shaped lips and overgrown white hair.
‘I’m… someone different, I'm somewhere different.’
Yeseo coughs and then realizes his parched throat, Yeseo looks through the extravagant room and finds a wooden bucket with a ladle floating within it.
‘Good enough.’
As he drinks from the ladle one thought echoes in his head.
‘I’m someone different, I'm somewhere different.’
And as he leaves the room and walks the halls of the rotting, abandoned palace he thinks.
‘I’m someone different, I'm somewhere different.’
He finds himself in front of a family portrait, worn and old. There he finds the name of this body, in fact there he finds the names of this bodie’s family, there he finds out that-
“...I’m Manon Aliarie, and I'm in the ruins of the Aliarie palace.”
Yeseo gets it now, he's transmigrated into a royal world.
He sighs and bends into himself.
He has no doubt that this body might belong to some lost prince.
Yeseo closes the thick book and sighs. He transmigrated not only into a prince’s body but a fallen royal.
Days had passed and Yeseo had come to understand three things, one, he was actually in a fantasy royal world because why else would there be books about holy nights and priests, two, Manon Aliarie, was part of a royal family that ruled over kingdom Aliarie itself and three, that family was killed.
‘Top priority is getting back home.’
Yeseo forced his body out of the old library room and sighed a puff of hot air. This body was very weak, Yeseo felt every bone ache and his eyes burned.
He was starving but could only make it far enough outside to the palace’s overgrown garden of berries and figs. How the Prince survived was a mystery to Yeseo.
Yeseo coughed and wiped his nose, but this time it was too much, too red. Yeseo laughed dryly and slid down with his back against the wall.
He felt like closing his eyes a bit, he feels like-
“Marquis someones here!”
Yeseos eyes are too heavy, and his mind is too sluggish.
“There!”
“Quickly! Bring a priest!”
A figure bends down towards him and holds Yeseos drooping head.
Two Golden slits finally close as they meet pink sapphire orbs.
There's a background noise that Yeseo can put his finger on. One that feels like it has always been there until he realised it shouldn't be.
There's a gentle swaying and a subtle vibration embracing his body, steady, constant, new.
His eyes flutter open, he notices he feels much better, normal even. He observes the cocoon of blankets he's in and his sudden change of clothes.
“Goodness! You're awake.”
Yeseo jumps and lifts his head in front of him.
A man, a bit older than Yeseo but more vibrant than he’ll ever be, enters his view. He smiles, wide and frivolous.
Yeseo takes in his surroundings then back at the man.
“Where are you taking me?” He asks, quiet and small.
The man wastes no time to answer.
“It all started 2 weeks ago,” he starts, he looks out the window but Yeseo can tell he is just doing it for the dramatics. “ I came across an old gate, this gate uncovered by rain was odd. Why? Well its coordinates were set to the old ruins of Aliaries palace. So I asked myself,”
He turns away from the carriage window and goes into a thinker's pose.
“Now why would Aliarie have a gate to their own front yard when they wanted nothing to do with gates, with the war… so I begged the empress to investigate but then…you wouldn't guess it, but!”
The man raises his finger towards Yeseos face.
“Once I came to Aliaries palace I found their heir right there on death's door. I contacted Riester about my discovery and boom!”
“I am now escorting the little prince to his grandparents' friend's country.”
Yeseo nods his head, not sure how to handle the personality of this man.
‘That was dangerous, I almost died without knowing it.’
It would have been terrible for his siblings if he just disappeared forever.
“Thank you for helping me, ah your name?”
The man grins and gently grabs his hand.
“I am Marquis Duhem, it is a pleasure.”
The man- Marquis Duhem kisses Yeseo’s hand and laughs at Yeseo’s dumb founded look.
Yeseo’s stomach interrupts the Marquis' chuckles with its own sounds.
Yeseo averts his eyes and apologizes.
“No need,” The marquis says “my sisters make excellent jerkied meats so please help yourself.”
Yeseo has no reason to decline.
Half a day passes by and Yeseo has learned two more things, one, the Marquis is a very loud and frivolous person, two, once you get used to it he is very nice company.
Yeseo couldn't quite understand where the energy came from but he welcomes it and listens to the Marquis' long winded rants.
Yeseo learns he is an inventor, changes his clothes at least three times a day, and loves to annoy the Riester family the most.
There's a tugging feeling in the back of Yeseos mind at the word Riester he can't quite put a pin on.
“May I ask for her name?” Yeseo asks in the rare moment of silence the Marquis gives him.
The Marquis smiles brilliantly.
“The empress adorns the magnificent name of Fredrique Riester.”
“If only that Crapdric was as smart as Frederique?? at least act fast like Riesters!?”
Enseo’s past rant bounced in Yeseo’s head.
Yeseo opened his mouth as calmly as possible.
“Will I be taken to see her Majesty?”
‘I won't, right? What does a forgotten prince have to do with her?’
“Of course! You must!”
‘Dang it.’
Mcs in novels where they get transported into a different world possessing a character always talk about how they fell asleep reading a novel that they woke up in.
It really wasn't like that.
Yeseo has tranmigrated into his sister's favorite webnovel “I quit my job and ended up as a noble young lady in another world.”
It was a theory but it was the most plausible.
“Prince! If you are to direct your gaze outside. We are entering Riesters capital, the main palace grounds.”
Yeseo looked out and gaped at the artistic structures surrounded by luscious green gardens and fountains.
Their carriage circled around to the front of the arched entrance. He dazedly looks across the yard, but snaps out of it when he notices people in black in white suits and uniforms waiting for him.
Yeseo whipped his head to his lap and thought quickly.
‘Would I be able to tell where I am if I sneak a quick peek at the main characters? I've never heard of Manon Aliarie, what if this is some other novel?’
Yeseo scanned his memory but never found any novel he had read of this genre. Surly enough the only historical fantasy rom com he had known of was the one Enseo couldn't get enough of.
‘Man, I don't even know how to get back home. I hope I don't play an important role.’
“Well, I will help you get out of this carriage and make you presentable to meet the empress. Shall we?”
Yeseo just nodded his head.
He took one look at the cherry blossom eyed man before lifting himself up.
The Marquis quickly hopped out of the carriage and offered Yeseo his hand. Yeseo, felt his legs wobble and accepted the help. He sent an appreciative look and turned forwards.
The attendants remain looking down, still as statues. The one in front of them bowed, then lifted his head with the Marquis' permission.
“I greet the Marquis and her highness esteemed guest. This way please.”
The middle aged man in question introduced himself as Benjamin Girardin to Yeseo.
‘I am not worthy of not only being in charge of the attendants of Julliette but escorting her majesty's guest as well.’
He said that as well, but his name and the name of the place didn't add a piece to the puzzle at all.
They walked down the halls of the palace that were much more refined and classy than Aliaries tattered castle.
‘It's much bigger than Aliarie…Huh?’
“.....I've seen it before.”
“Little prince?” The marquis asks, interrupting his tourist guide-like introduction of the imperial palace.
“Ah, I'm sorry. It’s nothing.”
Yeseo quickly dismissed.
He has seen the interior of this palace before, maybe the background of something.
Yeseo followed the two men into a room opened by two attendants.
He looked around, taking in the expensive and well cleaned wash room.
“Excuse us, your highness.”
Two other attendants appeared behind Yeseo and started to direct him to a high seat.
Yeseo panicked and looked at the Marquis, unsure and uncomfortable.
The marquis, who was discussing something with Benjamin, felt his gaze and made a thinking face.
“... I suppose the prince would feel uncomfortable if unknown people crowded him.” He draws out thoughtfully.
Benjamin straightens and immediately apologies to Yeseo.
“My apologies, If there is anything uncomfortable I will get rid of it immediately.”
Yeseo panics and moves his arms around frantically. It made him uncomfortable to have someone older than him act in such a way towards him.
“No need to apologize! But… I would like to bathe and change myself if possible.”
Benjamin pauses and claps his hands, in seconds attendants move like bee’s working in their little hive.
“Of course your highness. We will only cut your hair and apply some finishing touches. Will that be okay?”
Yeseo smiles nervously and nods.
“Is anything uncomfortable, your highness? The royal taylors made it referencing Aliaries kingdom wear from its palace.”
“It fits nicely, thank you.”
Yeseo fiddled with his sleeves before gathering clues in his mind.
Based on what Benjamin said here and there, they were in the main imperial palace and he was in charge of Juliette.
“Here is a mirror, your highness.”
Yeseo grabs the mirror but not before he asks a question.
“And may I ask who resides in Juliet?” He asks, turning the mirror towards him.
Marquis Duhem bursts through the door, returning from what “duties calls!” him.
“A mysterious prince from a faraway land!” He answers.
Yeseo looks into the mirror and hums.
“.....Mm.”
“Do you like it, your highness?”
Both Benjamin and the ignored Marquis lean forwards for Yeseos reply.
Yeseo looked into the eyes of a tall, handsome man with white hair cut to hug his face.
Eyes that couldn't be seen well due to shaggy overgrown hair, sparkled like a dragon's cave of treasures.
Yeseo felt a dreadful feeling in his gut. He remembers his sister's words at the moment.
‘No matter what character and their situation, if they are handsome, they cannot be ignored by the story's plot.’
‘Don't tell me I'm the Mc or something?’
“Yes, thank you very much sir.”
Yeseo just said whatever came to mind.
Someone this handsome is probably the main character but… but most mc have black hair. White haired characters were second, heck even third lead or a short term character.
‘That means Manon Aliarie was probably a supporting character, something interesting but nothing important.’
“Oh, what a splendid and glorious day it is to see the prince in all his wonder!” The marquis praised.
Benjamin nodded, as if to agree with the Marquis completely.
“Then shall we head for the empress?” Yeseo asks.
‘I need to see a possible main character.’
The marquis throws his eyebrows up comically and offers his forearm.
“We can't leave the prince waiting any longer! We shall.”
Yeseo thanks Benjamin which he in return gets a stern “No need for thanks.”
“Your highness, let us go.”
“Yes,” Yeseo looks around the room “thank you very much.”
The servants look at him, a little stunned as Yeseo leaves the room.
The walk to the empress is filled with Yeseo answering the Marquis questions and in return he answers a question from Yeseo.
“Then who really resides in Juliette?” Yeseo asks.
The Marquis grins and waves his hand dismissively.
“Ask the empress and see what she tells you.” He answers.
Yeseo raises an eyebrow at the man and thinks quietly to himself.
‘Definitely all this mystery around Juliet's owner makes them a main character.’
“How have you survived all this time prince?” The marquis pipes up casually.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Yeseo answers truthfully
Marquis Duhem hums but his eyes hold a serious look.
Yeseo doesn't notice it, caught by a passing thought.
“Why do you all call me prince? I am not part of reigning royalty?” Yeseo voices out loud.
The Marquis stops suddenly causing Yeseo to do so as well.
Yeseo now notices the doors that stood before him, grand and important.
“I suppose… that is something only the empress can answer.”
Yeseo opens his mouth to respond but gets cut off.
“Chin up back straight!”
The marquis lightly slaps his back and squares his shoulders.
The pink ruby-eyed man studies Yeseo and nods to himself.
And without any warning, swings the heavy left door open.
Yeseo had always wondered what the empress would look like. Would she be poised and powerful? Would her eyes be as sharp as swords?
As his eyes trail down the red carpet that leads to her, he finds her sitting confidently almost like a tyrant.
“This humble citizen of Riester introduces you to the Aliaries' kingdom's youngest born child!” He announced on one knee.
Yeseo ripped his eyes away from the powerful figure and quickly copied the marquis.
The empress' sharp cherry eyes glance past the marquis and land on Yeseo.
“Enough of the pleasantries, rise.” She says curtly.
The marquis stands up quickly but Yeseo finds it hard to do the same.
‘This body doesn't even have the muscle to carry its own weight…’
Yeseo thought dejectedly.
It would have been nice if he possessed a body that could fist fight bears or at least hold a full teapot.
Yeseo grabs the Marquis hand and pulls himself up.
The marquis' eyes sparkle in amusement, and Yeseo feels shame in something that was not even his own fault.
“Oh my..”
A woman standing next to the empress covers her mouth. Her eyes looked at Yeseo softly, as if she was looking at an abandoned puppy.
“The marquis' spontaneous curiosity finally did some good, don't you think Aurelie?” The empress coldly looks down on Duhem.
The marquis responds by wiping away a lonesome tear.
“I am glad you think that way but what about that time-”
“Child, come here.” The empress cuts in.
Yeseo stiffens but walks towards her.
He hesitates to step on the clean velvet carpet and opts to step outside of it.
‘Nice things like this shouldn't be trampled on.’
He walks until the empress tells him, which ends up being at the base of the stairs leading to her and the middle aged woman beside her.
Up close Yeseo can see her styled short silver hair and a pair of blood red earrings. The woman next to her contrasted her sharpness, a monocle covering one of her gentle beige eyes and short purple hair.
Yeseo held in his breath as both women analyzed his entire being.
The empress sighs and mutters into her fist.
“Looks just like Martine, that bastard…”
‘Martine?’
Yeseo tilts his head curiously.
“Your name.” The empress, Frederique, asks him.
“Manon Aliarie!” Marquis Duhem chimes in.
Yeseo watches as the empress’s face morphs into one of disbelief. Even the gentle woman beside her scoffs and shakes her head.
“Leave it to your mother to choose the most unflattering name possible.” The empress' eyes curl up amused. There is an emotion to her voice, as if she was thinking back on the good times of the past.
“Is my name odd?” Yeseo asks without thinking.
“Manon, little prince, can also be a word for bitter child.” The purple haired woman answers.
“Or lemon tart in Riesterian.” The marquis oh so helpfully adds.
‘Bitter child, lemon, lemon tart…’
Growl~
‘Ah, I got hungry just thinking about it!’
Yeseo covered his stomach and nervously looked at the empress
She raises a brow, turns to her side and looks into the other woman's eyes as if coming to an unspoken agreement.
She suddenly rises from her throne and re-adjust her white gloves.
“I've seen enough, Marquis Duhem you will brief me in the study,” she turns to leave but then throws a quick glance at Yeseo “and as for you, you will be shown to your palace.”
She turned away, clearly finished with the conversation.
‘My palace? No, I can't stay at the Mc’s own house!”
Yeseo couldn't stay here, he was sure of it after meeting Frederique, that she was Most likely the mother of the main lead, considering the fact the marquis described him as not only the empire's only prince but also incredibly handsome.
“Excuse me!” Yeseo raised his voice, but only slightly.
The empress stops but doesn't look at him.
“I appreciate your majesty's generosity but I would like to live as I was. I don't wish to trouble you.” Yeseo tries to convince her.
It doesn't work.
“I do not believe I gave you a choice, how do you plan on treating a poor condition such as yours. Do not think so low of Riester that we cannot take care of one little prince.”
“Ah! I'm sorry-!”
“Aurelie.”
“We will meet again your highness!” The marquis tries to reassure him as he follows the Empress out of the room.
thud!
Yeseo turns towards the only person left in the room, a bit lost of words.
The woman which the empress called Aurelie walked up to him and smiled.
“Hungry?” She asks.
“Yes ma'am.”
Yeseo decided he could think about what just happened better if he ate one of the tarts he had been eyeing from afar.
And this is how Jung Yeseo, no, Manon Aliarie became a resident at the imperial palace.
“I suggest the little prince try a Rooibos tea, it is very soothing.”
Manon thanked her for the recommendation and accepted the warm tea cup from her hand.
The cardinal observed the Aliarieian prince as he haphazardly sipped the red tea.
“The tea is very enjoyable, your Eminence.” He tells her, looking into the ceramic cup.
She smiles and looks to his left side where layed 4 plates, wiped clean of its contents.
The prince ate well which loosened her worries of him not being able to eat due to his past constant starvation.
The child's cheeks were sunken and his skin almost as pale as his hair.
Aurelie frowned at his thin wrists and small frame.
Manon lifts his eyes from the cup and sends her a small smile.
“I've heard you've become curious about the current owner of the Juliet palace.” She Brings up.
The prince stills for a second before putting down his tea.
“Is it something I should not know about?” He asks, pools of gold wide and questioning.
Aurelie thinks that sooner or later the little prince will find out anyway and decides not to tease him.
“The prince from Venetiaan has only been there for about a week. A diplomatic hostage so to speak.”
The child in infront of her makes a face of pain, as though feeling sorry for the Venetiaan prince.
“Did he do something wrong?” He asks her, trying to understand.
“Not at all.” She answers.
The wind blows through her hair and slightly moves the table cloths. There is silence and Aurelie can tell the child has many thoughts all at once.
She had learned in a short time this child didn't know how to hide his emotions even if he tried.
“The Juliette palace lord is Jesse Venetiaan.”
“oh.”