Chương 1: New beginning

At a much later date... Bodies mashed, bodies split, bodies partially devoured. People strewn across the road in a scene resembling hell. I thought I would never see such a sight again. It was supposed to be different. I have power here. Strength beyond my wildest imaginings. I should have not gone. There would have been more officers on the scene quicker. My fault. I could have run quicker. Taken over the mines quicker. My responsibility. The feeling of failure took over me. My world turned inward.

In the bright of day, a shadow cast on my heart. My sight settled on Vanessa, her sword still out, ready to fight to protect those behind her. The same autumn eyes that wavered in front of her sister stared down at an enemy who could rip her to threads. The cursed turned its head once more. I roared with my whole soul. Mana exploded in a great blue fire around my body. Blood, guts, and ash were blown away by the gust. The cursed human's attention was fully on me, and it slowly walked towards me. See me. Follow me.

Hearing Gamma behind me, I signed for them to move around and escort the people through the door, away from the cursed. I heard a double 'ting' from Jimmy's sword on the ground as an affirmative. Mana essence flowed around me; I went low, and my hands grabbed the stone and earth below. Blade glowing in a tail stance, I primed my whole body. Every muscle was tensed and ready. No one else dies.

Tarion Greystone My weary eyes fluttered open. The bed under me felt soft. Has the NHS upgraded their linens? My eyes blinked open in the dark room, navy cloth draped above me. A thick duvet covered my whole body. I felt so snug, wanting to take another nap, until a knock on the door awoke me from my second slumber.

"Your Grace", A voice belonging to an elderly woman spoke behind the door. Mm? Your Grace. Mistaken for Prince William? Am I in his suite?

"May I come in? I have brought your morning tea." Following along with the formality, I responded, "Yes, you may." Pushing my duvet down, I sat up. Looking through the expensive blinds hanging from the bed, I saw a middle-aged woman with brown, tied hair. As pale as a white person can be. Wearing a maid costume? Weird... Curiously, I watched the maid-dressed nurse walk along the large room. Her feet clacked on hardwood floors as she placed the tray of piping hot tea on an extravagant table.

Above the blazing fireplace, a large, great sword shone. The paintings hung on hunter-green walls. A massive painting framed with golden leaves hung proudly above it all. A family, dark-haired and all red-eyed but the mother. They smiled together. Things started to click in my sleepy brain. The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Nurse!"

"Y-Y-Your Grace…?" The woman scowled before her face turned stoic.

"A mirror, please." The woman looked at me with worry.

"Now!" I shouted. I felt my chest squeeze tight with pain. I coughed into my hand. Blood? From the 'accident'? No. Where the hell is that mirror? The maid walked next to the bed, mirror in hand. I grabbed it from her in a rush.

"Oh god… I look handsome!" But not me.

"Y-yes, Your Grace." With her face closer, I finally see the details of a recognisable face. A rush of memories flows through my mind. Memories of the soon-to-be dead. I looked up at my killer.

"Susan. Thank you for your decades of loyalty. But your services are not needed anymore. You're fired." Is what I wish I had said. This weak body… I struggled to push off the duvets. I will have to bide my time. Get stronger.

"Thank you, Susan. That would be all." She bowed and quietly left. I slid off the bed and tried to stand. Although this new body was tall, it was as feeble as a baby chick. A few steps exhausted the hell out of me. But with incredible will and a few rests, I make it to the table. I picked up the tea with trembling hands and splashed it into the fire. A giant sword glinted in the dark. I watch my reflection. Obsidian silky hair down to my shoulders, eyes that shone like rubies on QVC. An angular chin points down.

Pale as moonlight, clearer than a K-pop star, my soft skin glowed.

"Tarion Greytone... So cool." It's been an hour, and the shock and coolness of being in a romance manhwa have worn off somewhat, as I planned for the treacherous days ahead. So many things to mind, but let's work on one thing at a time. I drank a jug of water as ideas churned in my mind. First objective: Do not die. Easy peasy. As long as I don't drink the poison, I am good on not dying for a while. Second objective: Watch out for the evil stepmother.

Mrs Gwen Greystone is the widow of the deceased Duke Albert Greystone. My father? My memories say so. So very weird. The Duchess is the main culprit in it all. She is aiming to kill me so her stupid, red-headed son can inherit the title and all that comes with it. A half-brother... It is sad that he has such a terrible personality. One of many reasons the MC couldn't deal with him and divorced his ass. Third Objective: Divorce the MC. If I don't die, her husband will still be me.

The main plot of 'The Annoying Prince Loves Me' is that Vanessa, the main character, was forced to marry me as the two families aimed to build business relations. As a family of merchants, Vanessa's family, the Hodges, desired a title, and Duchess Greystone desired funds for her and her son's lavish lifestyles. A lavish lifestyle is hard to get in the North unless you exploit the serfs under you.

Greed ruled their minds, thinking their status wasn't enough, so they forged a signature and feigned that I would be willing to marry. A man bedridden would have no way of knowing, as the staff are on the witch's side. That leads to her finding that I died before she reached Osberg. To continue the deals the family made, she would have to marry her husband's murderer. From then on, the story revolves around meeting the prince, getting divorced, and yadda yadda.

To let the story go down the right path, I have to let her go. I put the jug of water down. Feeling refreshed. I rang my bell. And Susan walked in.

"Get me food. A lot." She left with a questioning expression and a plan formed in my head. Don't drink the tea. Getting healthy. Wait a month for Vanessa. Divorce Vanessa. Deal with the family. I exhaled deeply. Oh yeah, there is one thing. The coolest part. Tarion had done many a time and failed. But can I succeed?

"Well, I have nothing to lose." I concentrated with closed eyes. Searching for the warmth mentioned in the manhwa. I grasped it tightly. I twisted and moulded the torrent of energy into a ring. A gust of wind blew from me, mov ing the curtains. Magic simmered off me. A mana circle around my heart hummed within my chest. So cool. Plonk. A clear blue screen appeared in front of me.

"Oh, shit!!" I looked closer.

"Haha! Oh shit!" Mana Circle Created. Tap to see more. I felt hot. Unbearably... My body twitched and spasmed. Red coloured clear tears, dripping onto my nightgown and the blue light was the last thing I saw before I swept back into darkness.