Min Khant, his mind racing, quickly composed himself. He needed to blend in, to make sure no one suspected that he was not the prince he appeared to be. In a situation like this, anyone else would have been terrified, but he had experience from reading countless books and his own sharp intellect. He immediately recognized the precariousness of his situation.
If someone were to realize that he wasn't the usual prince, they'd think he was dabbling in black magic. They'd assume he'd fallen under some evil curse, and that could very well lead to his execution by fire. Min Khant's mind raced as he considered his options. He needed to survive, and as the villain prince, the best way was to avoid being caught up in his story's fate. He didn't want to follow the original plot. He didn't want to die a villain.
But at the same time, he couldn't avoid the reality of his situation. Being reincarnated into a character destined to meet an early death, he would have to play the role of the villain until the very end. So, he resolved to survive, to stay alive no matter what.
"I can't let the situation spiral out of control," he muttered. "I have to play my part, even if I have to feign confusion."
He grabbed his head and, for a moment, pretended to be disoriented.
"I apologize... My head hurts... I can't remember anything," he stammered, sinking back onto the bed.
His loyal attendant, hearing this, rushed out in panic, leaving to fetch the palace healer. Min Khant didn't need to wait long before Aren arrived, his steady footsteps echoing as he entered the room.
"Your Highness," Aren said, standing with a neutral expression, though his gaze was sharp. "How are you feeling now?"
"I feel a bit dizzy," Min Khant replied. "But I'll be fine. Just need to rest."
Aren's sharp eyes didn't miss a thing. He studied Min Khant carefully, then nodded and gave instructions for the attendants to give the prince some space.
"Your Highness, you should take it easy for now," Aren said, his voice soft but firm. "I'll leave you to rest for a while."
Min Khant nodded weakly as Aren left the room, closing the door behind him.
Days passed, and Min Khant had fully adapted to his new role. He knew he couldn't just remain in the shadows of his old life. He had to act like the prince he was now, even if that meant enduring the burden of being the villain.
"I guess it's time to embrace this role fully," Min Khant muttered to himself, staring at his reflection in the mirror. "If I don't play along, I'll never make it out of here alive."
Meanwhile, Aren was always by his side, silently watching, ever the watchful protector. Min Khant couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease around the knight. Something was off, but he couldn't quite place it. There was something about Aren's loyalty that felt too... calculated.
In the meantime, Min Khant's health slowly began to improve, and the rumors in the palace shifted from concern to gossip. He wasn't the first prince to be so detached from the kingdom's politics, and it seemed everyone assumed he would just fade into the background. But Min Khant had other plans. He wasn't about to let his new life as a villain prince end like this.
"I need to make my own destiny," he thought. "Even if it means using what little power I have to change things."
Later, his loyal attendants, the ones who had raised him, stood by his bedside as a physician examined him.
"It looks like his memory loss might be temporary," the physician explained, "It could be the result of the trauma from the fall... He should recover in time, though."
One of Min Khant's attendants, clearly worried, turned to the physician. "Is it possible that the prince will never fully recover?"
The physician smiled kindly, trying to ease their fears. "No, it's not certain. He'll regain his strength soon. All we can do is wait."
Meanwhile, Min Khant lay in his bed, contemplating his new life. He was the villain prince—destined to fail. He was aware that no one expected him to succeed. Even his own servants seemed indifferent, treating him as little more than a useless figurehead. He had been raised in a palace full of intrigue, but no one truly cared about him.
"Maybe that's for the best," Min Khant thought. "At least, this way, I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not."
As he pondered his fate, the reality of being in a world controlled by magic began to sink in. He wasn't just an ordinary prince anymore. The power of magic was real, and with it came dangers and opportunities. But even as he considered how to use this power to his advantage, he realized that survival would require more than just intellect. It would take cunning, bravery, and a willingness to embrace the darkness within him.
"I don't have time to waste," Min Khant decided. "I'll change my fate. This time, I'll do things differently."
Meanwhile, outside his room, Aren stood, waiting. The air was tense with unspoken thoughts, and Min Khant knew that he couldn't afford to waste any more time. It was time to take action.
"Are you ready, Your Highness?" Aren's voice came from the doorway, calm but with a hint of expectation. "I'll help you, but only if you're truly prepared."
Min Khant took a deep breath, standing up straight. "Aren," he said firmly, "I need your help. I'm ready to change everything."
To be continued...
[Chapter Credit Scene]
Outside the prince's chamber, his closest attendant approached Aren, looking concerned.
"How is His Highness? Is he alright?"
Aren gave a thoughtful look, stepping aside to allow the attendant to enter. "He's resting for now. But it's clear that his memory loss won't last long."
"I see... That's a relief," the attendant said quietly. "But we need to be careful. If the prince becomes more aware of his surroundings, things could get complicated."
"Agreed," Aren replied, his voice low. "But for now, we keep our eyes open. No mistakes."
As they spoke, the door to the prince's chamber creaked open, and a shadowy figure emerged.
End of Chapter 2.