I'm possessing the Second Male Lead of a Romance Novel

Congrulations. You have made it to the other side. May you continue to live a long life this time.

Elliot groaned as a beam of sunlight cut through the shutters, striking his face. His head throbbed, his limbs ached, and the scent of lavender soap mingled with something earthy and unfamiliar.

With a reluctant stretch, he opened his eyes, expecting the familiar ceiling of his cramped apartment. Instead, he was greeted by a room that looked like it had been plucked out of a medieval castle.

Ornate wooden beams crisscrossed the stone ceiling, and a woven tapestry depicting a grand battle hung on one wall. The bed he lay in was far too grand for his taste, its thick, fur-lined blankets heavier than anything he owned. Elliot bolted upright, his heart racing.

"What the hell?" he whispered, only to startle himself at the sound of his voice. It was higher-pitched than usual, almost childlike.

A knock at the door startled him further. Before he could respond, the door swung open, revealing a stern-looking man in a crisp uniform. He appeared middle-aged, with streaks of gray in his otherwise dark hair and a posture so straight it seemed painful.

"Elias," the man barked. "Get up! You're already behind schedule. The Crown Prince doesn't have time to wait for dawdling children."

Elliot blinked at him, confused. "Elias?"

"Do not act coy. Up! Now!" The man clapped his hands sharply, and before Elliot could process what was happening, the man had crossed the room and yanked the blanket off him.

"Hey!" Elliot protested, scrambling to his feet. That was when he noticed his hands—small, soft, and clearly not his own. Panic welled in his chest as he caught a glimpse of himself in a polished silver mirror on the far wall. A boy of no more than six years old stared back at him, with dark, tousled hair and wide, amber eyes.

"This isn't…" he whispered, his heart thudding in his chest. But the man was already herding him toward a washbasin.

"No time for gawking," the man said briskly. "You've been assigned to the Crown Prince's attendant trials, and you're already running late. Do not disgrace your training by embarrassing yourself on the very first day."

Crown Prince? Attendant trials? Elliot barely had time to splash water on his face before the man thrust a neatly folded uniform at him. It was a simple outfit, clean but not overly ornate, made to look presentable without drawing attention. His hands trembled as he dressed, his mind spinning with questions. Where was he? How had this happened? And who was this boy whose body he now inhabited?

The day passed in a whirlwind. Elliot—or Elias, as everyone called him—was ushered through a series of drills, instructions, and etiquette lessons. The instructors were severe, their expectations high. There was no time to stop and think, no moment to process the impossibility of his situation. He stumbled through the motions, relying on instinct and sheer luck to keep up.

It wasn't until the afternoon, during a brief pause in the schedule, that he finally had a moment to himself. Standing in a courtyard surrounded by other boys in identical uniforms, Elliot took a deep breath and tried to steady his racing thoughts.

"Okay," he muttered under his breath. "This isn't a dream. This is… real. Somehow, I've ended up in the body of a six-year-old kid named Elias. And…" His eyes widened as a realization struck him. "The Crown Prince. Could it be… Prince Aedric?"

The name sent a jolt through him. It couldn't be a coincidence. This world… the setting… it was too familiar. The towering spires of the palace, the gilded banners fluttering in the breeze, the strict hierarchy of servants and nobles—it all matched the world of his favorite novel, The Shattered Crown. The realization left him lightheaded. He'd somehow ended up in the story.

"Trainees! Form ranks!" a voice barked, snapping Elliot out of his thoughts.

The boys scrambled to line up, and Elliot followed suit, slipping into formation. A hush fell over the courtyard as a figure approached, flanked by guards. Even without the introductions, Elliot knew who it was. Prince Aedric was unmistakable—a boy of about ten years old, with striking silver hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed far too sharp for his age. He walked with a confidence that was almost unnerving, his gaze sweeping over the gathered trainees like a hawk surveying its prey.

Elliot felt a pang of awe. This was the boy destined to become the hero of The Shattered Crown, the stoic yet noble prince who would unite a fractured kingdom. But right now, he was just a kid—albeit a kid with an intimidating presence.

"These are the candidates?" Aedric asked, his tone flat.

"Yes, Your Highness," one of the instructors replied. "They've been through rigorous screening. Each of them is highly capable."

Aedric's expression didn't change. He stepped closer, inspecting the line of boys. One by one, he questioned them, his sharp gaze piercing through their nervous façades. Most stammered or fidgeted under his scrutiny, their carefully rehearsed answers falling apart.

When Aedric reached Elliot, he stopped, his icy blue eyes locking onto Elliot's amber ones. For a moment, neither spoke. Elliot's heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"Your name?" Aedric asked.

"Elias, Your Highness," Elliot replied, bowing his head slightly. His voice was steady, his posture respectful but not overly deferential.

"Why do you want to be my attendant?"

Elliot hesitated for a fraction of a second. The truth was, he didn't want to be anyone's attendant. He hadn't asked to be here, let alone in this body. But he couldn't very well say that.

"To serve with honor, Your Highness," he said finally. It was a vague, safe answer, but one that seemed to satisfy Aedric.

The prince's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he moved on. Elliot let out a quiet breath of relief.

By the time the evaluations were over, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the courtyard. The instructors gathered the trainees to announce the results. Elliot's nerves were frayed, his exhaustion catching up with him.

"The Crown Prince has made his selection," the lead instructor declared. "Elias will serve as his attendant."

Elliot's head shot up, his heart skipping a beat. He… he'd been chosen? A murmur ran through the group, some of the other boys casting envious glances his way. Elliot's thoughts raced. Why had Aedric picked him?

The answer came moments later, as the prince approached him.

"You didn't stammer," Aedric said simply. "You weren't annoying like the others."

It wasn't exactly a glowing endorsement, but it was enough. Elliot bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Highness. I won't let you down."

Aedric didn't respond, simply nodding before turning and walking away. Elliot straightened, a mix of relief and apprehension washing over him. His new reality was starting to sink in. He was no longer Elliot, the bookish adult with an ordinary life.

He was Elias, the six-year-old attendant to a future king. And as he looked after the retreating figure of Prince Aedric, he realized that his role in this story was just beginning.

______

Later that evening, as he wandered through the servant's quarters, exhaustion finally caught up with him. He sank onto a bench in an empty corridor, his head falling into his hands. The enormity of his situation threatened to crush him. He was in a different world, in a different body, playing a role he hadn't asked for. How had this happened? Why him?

As if in response to his thoughts, a soft chime echoed in his mind. Elliot froze, lifting his head. The sound was followed by a notification that seemed to materialize in his vision, glowing faintly.

[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]

Welcome, User.

Initializing...…

"What the hell?" Elliot whispered. The words had appeared out of nowhere, hovering in his line of sight no matter where he looked. He blinked rapidly, but they remained.

System Initialization Complete.

Access Level: Restricted.

"A system?" Elliot muttered. "Like… a game system?"

Correct.

This system is designed to assist the User in fulfilling their designated role within this world.

Elliot frowned. "And what exactly is my role?"

Insufficient Authority to Access Role Details.

"You've got to be kidding me," he said, leaning back against the wall. "You're telling me I've been dumped into this world, in a kid's body, with no idea why… and you can't even tell me what I'm supposed to do?"

Correct.

Elliot groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Great. Just great."

He stared at the glowing text for a long moment, frustration simmering beneath the surface. But what could he do? Throw a tantrum? Demand answers from a disembodied system? No, that wouldn't get him anywhere. He'd learned long ago to pick his battles, and this one wasn't worth the energy.

"Fine," he said at last. "Keep your secrets. I'll figure it out on my own."

The text faded, leaving him alone with his thoughts once more. He sat there for a while, letting the quiet of the corridor calm his nerves. Whatever had brought him here, whatever this "system" was, he would deal with it later. For now, he had a job to do.

______

The next morning, Elliot reported to the prince's chambers. As Aedric's personal attendant—or rather, his "playmate"—his duties were simple: keep the prince entertained, accompany him during lessons, and ensure he didn't get into trouble. It wasn't glamorous, but it was straightforward. And for now, straightforward was exactly what Elliot needed.

Aedric greeted him with a nod when he entered the room. The boy was seated at a small table, poring over a map of the kingdom. "Elias," he said without looking up, "I want to test your memory. Tell me about the major trade routes connecting the Crownlands to the Wilderlands."

Elliot blinked. "Uh…"

"You don't know?" Aedric's gaze lifted, his expression unreadable.

"Not yet, Your Highness," Elliot admitted, keeping his tone respectful. "But if you give me time to study, I'll learn them."

Aedric regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough. You have three days."

"Understood," Elliot said, already mentally planning his study schedule.

The rest of the morning passed in a similar fashion. Aedric was demanding but fair, his sharp intellect and high expectations keeping Elliot on his toes. 

Despite the challenges, Elliot found himself adapting quickly. His adult mind gave him an edge, allowing him to process information more efficiently than the other children. And while Aedric's demeanor could be intimidating, Elliot's calm, measured approach seemed to earn the boy's respect.

By the end of the day, Elliot was exhausted but oddly satisfied. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a sense of purpose. 

Whatever role he was meant to play, he would approach it the same way he had approached everything in his old life: with quiet determination and a refusal to give up.

As he settled into bed that night, the soft chime of the system echoed in his mind once more.

Progress Logged.

*Role Advancement: 5%.*As he settled into bed that night, the soft chime of the system echoed in his mind once more.

Elliot stared at the glowing text, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Five percent, huh? Guess it's a start."

The text faded, and for the first time since waking in this strange new world, Elliot drifted off to sleep feeling… almost at peace.