NOVEL NEXT chapter 0
0 – Prologue
Once, I was an ordinary man who lived in the 21st century, but one day, I suddenly reincarnated into an unfamiliar world.
My name is Roman Lukas.
I had no memories of my past life until I turned 18.
Without the memories of my past life, I led a normal existence until I was summoned to the palace by a war that broke out when I turned 18.
I went to the palace at the call of my country and became a knight there.
“Do you swear loyalty to the Empire?”
I was astonished as I looked at the princess standing before me.
Although I was sure I had never seen her face before, the young princess, who was now 15 years old, felt strangely familiar.
As if I had seen her dozens, no, hundreds of times.
Then, the memories from before I was born in this world surfaced in my mind.
That the world I reincarnated into after my death in 21st century Korea was the romantic fantasy novel I used to enjoy reading.
And that the princess who was appointing me a knight would later become the most notorious villainess in the empire, shocking countless readers.
The instigator who divided the empire into three countries and the tyrant who caused five ruthless purges that left no talent alive.
Staring at the princess, who would soon become the worst villainess, I spoke heavily.
“Yes.”
I couldn’t bring myself to say no.
After all, my life was precious.
“From now on, you are the sword of the empire. But before that, become the shield of the princess, and sacrifice yourself not for the empire but for me. If I die, you shall not escape death either.”
If you don’t want to get hurt, sacrifice yourself for me.
It was a typical thing for her to say.
Diana’s smile as she said this was incredibly beautiful.
Seeing that smile, I made a decision.
Before this smile wore away from the dark struggles in the palace, I had vowed to escape the palace and the sinister political machinations of a romantic fantasy novel.
At least, that’s what I thought I would do.
“Running away from him and choosing a place like this restaurant… isn’t it too shabby?”
“Your Majesty, the Emperor…”
“A knight’s restaurant, a place fitting for the occasion. The taste of the food from when I was working in the knighthood still lingers in my mouth.”
Clatter clatter.
The sound of the Emperor’s footsteps grew closer.
Her breath caught, suffocating in the aura surrounding her.
When the scent of the Emperor’s cosmetics reached close enough to sting her nostrils, she opened her mouth again.
“However, I cannot allow the first knight that I’ve ever acknowledged to rot away in a place like this.”
It’s because of you that I ran away, you fool!
“Return with me. To the place where you should be. I still vividly recall the kimchi stew you prepared.”
I don’t want to die.