The first thing I saw was a brown canopy. I could tell right away I was not on my bed.

Through the corner of my eyes, red curtains blocked my view outside of where I laid.

Slowly sitting up, I raised a hand and braced myself before gently opening the curtains.

Bright sunlight met my eyes and I had to shut them for a quick second.

Opening my eyes back up, I saw a spacious, exquisite room. From floor to ceiling, the room was decorated in gold. Beautifully handcrafted drawers, table, chairs and even the closet all had some sort of form or shape of gold. 

I was definitely not in my small apartment room.

When I pulled the silk blanket away from me, that was when I realized another strange thing. The clothes I was wearing were not mine. The usual t-shirt and shorts I would wear to bed were nowhere to be found. Instead, what replaced them was a white long sleeve oversized silk top with a ribbon holding it together at the front and loose black pants. Who changed my clothes and why? 

Looking around the room once again, I could see what looked to be a floor length mirror in a corner.

Quietly getting up, I quickly ran to the mirror and to my surprise what looked back at me was not… me.

Raising up a hand to my face, reality sank in. It’s real. I’m real. But how? My once dark brown hair was now red. My brown eyes, blue. 

A knock was heard at my door that moment and someone came in.

“Good morning, young master.” A tall gentleman greeted me before handing me a glass of water.

I guess I stared for a second too long cause he looked at me quizzically before asking, “Is there something the matter, young master?”

“No.” Shaking my head, I grabbed the drink and downed it in one gulp. Maybe drowning myself will wake me up. After all, there’s no way what I’m thinking is true. I can’t be…

“Young master, we need to hurry. You have an outing with Lady Sharinne today.”

“Sha… rinne?”

“Yes, young master.” The man nodded as he went to pick out clothes from the closet. “Please don’t tell me you forgot your date with your fiancée.”

Fiancée? My head started to spin at that moment. 

I looked back at the mirror and sighed. There’s no denying it. I really am him. 

Lucian. Somehow I became Lucian Devonshire, the 1st son of Marquess Devonshire. Who just happened to be the hero’s sworn brother that dies near the ending of The Hero’s Justice.

***

The carriage stops in front of a busy dessert shop.

“We have arrived, young master.” The driver said. My servant, who I realized was Vincent Clements, opened the door.

Stepping out, I read the shop’s sign, “Spill The Tea”.

If I remember correctly, this is the most famous and expensive dessert place for young female aristocrats. 

“Have a great time, young master. I will be waiting for you just outside if you need anything.” Vincent said as he opened the door.

The bell chimes as I enter the shop. A server immediately rushes to me.

“Sir Devonshire. Your table is ready.” 

I was led to an empty table on the far right where I would have some privacy. 

Good, she’s not here yet. I have some time to think to myself.

Just as I thought that, the door chimed once again. Raising my head, a beautiful girl met my gaze. Her shiny white hair flowed in the breeze as she smiled a brilliant smile at me. As the waiter led her over to me, I could see just how intricate her dress was. A sky blue lacy dress matching her eyes, glittering jewelry and in her hands was a closed up parasol.

“Good morning, Lucian.” Sharinne says as she elegantly sits down. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting for too long.”

“Not at all, Lady Sharinne.” 

She gave a nod and turned to the waiter. “I would like everything from here to here.” She points from one end of the menu to the other.

I looked down at the menu and noticed the prices of each dessert. It was at least 1 gold coin for each dessert. She could rent a house for all the commoners in the city for at least a year with that money.

“What will you have, Lucian?” Sharinne asked.

I looked back down to my menu. “I’ll have… the strawberry truffle, the banana cream pudding parfait and a small coffee please.”

The waiter walked away with our orders as Lady Sharinne stared at me intently.

“Is there something on my face, my lady?” I say as I take a sip of my tea.

“It’s not that.” She shakes her head. “It’s just that you ordered two sweet desserts and you don’t normally get those. I thought you didn’t like sweet things, so it's a bit strange.”

I set my cup down, looking back at her. “I feel for something sweet today. Sometimes a small change doesn’t hurt.”

She hummed as her big, bright blue eyes continued to stare at me.  

Soon after, our pastries were set down on our table as we continued to converse.

Two hours pass by in a flash and the date finally ends. From what I’ve gathered, I’ve been engaged to Sharinne since we were children and the wedding was planned to take place in half a year, this summer. 

With everything I had gathered, I figured out that my assumptions were correct. Somehow, I ended up in the novel I read, The Hero’s Justice. The Hero’s Justice was about an 18 year old, Alaister Evans’ revenge. Along his path to finding the truth of his family’s death, he found friends who he would call his third family. Together, these people would unravel a huge world destruction plan by the villain, and they saved the world by defeating him and his underlings. 

The Hero’s Justice was a very stereotypical isekai hero story and somehow, I ended up being the son of one of the most influential and rich families. Lucian Devonshire was a character who became a close ally of the protagonist, earning him the title of brothers in arms and hero. He became well known to the public as someone who would do anything for justice and everyone loved him.

Of course, not everything was great. The whole reason Lucian met the protagonist was because his best friend went into debt and he helped him pay for it. Along the way, he met the starving protagonist and brought him back to his place. Then, his parents died when he decided to help the protagonist fight against the villain. After an excruciating battle, Lucian dies.

Some would say Lucian was a good guy, but I wouldn’t say he was good. No. He was a pushover more than anything, and since I’ve possessed his body, I’ll do things my way.

As the new Lucian, I’ll be selfish. I’ll only think about myself and what will benefit me. Why should I risk my life helping some random people out of the so-called kindness of my heart? Instead, Lucian Devonshire will become a new villain. Or at least a minor one.

From what I read, Lucian Devonshire meets the protagonist after the marriage so there’s still half a year left. Within that time, I’ll make sure to become someone so horrible, no one would want to count on me.

*** 

After seeing Sharinne off, I turned around, ready to head home myself. Not ten steps in and I was knocked off my feet.

Regaining my senses, I glared at a girl with light brown hair in front of me. 

“How dare you. Do you know who I am?” I said in the most menacing voice I could muster.

“I-I’m so sorry.” She stuttered, crying in fright. “I didn’t mean to hit you. P-please forgive me.”

“No, it’s ok.” I sighed as I tried to reassure her. I might have taken that too far. I guess it won’t hurt to start tomorrow. “It’s partially my fault for not looking.”

At that moment, I saw the most beautiful pair of violet eyes.