As I stood in the opulent room, my heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The manor was vast, and the weight of my new identity pressed down on me like a heavy cloak. “Okay, Adrian,” I muttered, “let’s see what this place has to offer—and hope it doesn’t include a haunting or a surprise marriage proposal from a psychopathic archduke.”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the room, ready to embrace whatever absurdity lay ahead. The corridor was elegant yet eerily quiet, with rich tapestries that swayed slightly in the breeze. “Great, I’m basically in a fairy tale. All I need now is a talking animal to guide me, or better yet, a dragon to roast my enemies. I might prefer that option."

Wandering further, I spotted a grand staircase at the end of the hall. The polished wood gleamed invitingly. “Time to channel my inner adventurer,” I declared, heading toward it. “What could possibly go wrong? It’s not like I’m on the brink of a medieval murder mystery.”

As I reached the top of the staircase, I leaned over the banister, peering down at the lush gardens below. “Wow, look at that view!” I exclaimed, momentarily entranced. But a dark thought flickered in my mind. What if I just let go? “It’d be an easy way to escape all this pressure,” I mused.

In an impulsive moment, I took a step back, then jumped off the banister, fully committing to the reckless act. “Oh, this is how I die! What a cliché!” I shouted as I plummeted, adrenaline surging through me. The ground rushed up, and I hit the floor with a thud, the wind knocked out of me. Pain radiated through my body, but it was nothing compared to the rush I felt.

“Why didn’t I just stay in bed?” I groaned, struggling to catch my breath as I lay sprawled out.

Footsteps echoed as a small crowd rushed in, drawn by my impromptu leap of faith. A couple of servants wearing dark uniforms flanked my parents, who were dressed lavishly—my mother in a flowing gown adorned with intricate patterns, and my father in a finely tailored suit that screamed nobility. “What happened?!” my mother shouted, her voice laced with concern.

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“Adrian! What on earth were you thinking?” my father exclaimed, rushing to my side.

“It was an accident! I’m alright!” I gasped, trying to sit up. “I was just... testing gravity. Turns out, it works.”

I glanced at my parents, both of whom were striking in appearance. My mother had the same dark hair I now sported, cascading in elegant waves, while my father’s sharp features were set against a backdrop of broad shoulders. They looked like the classic power couple from some fantasy saga. “Well, I can guess who my parents are,” I muttered dryly. “At least I won’t need a family tree to figure it out.”

As they helped me to my feet, the servants hovered nearby, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. “You could have seriously hurt yourself! What were you trying to prove?” my father asked, worry etched on his face.

“Just trying to add some excitement to my life as a young lord,” I replied, forcing a grin despite the pain. “Thought I’d go for the dramatic entrance.”

With my parents’ support, I stumbled back toward my room, each step a reminder of my reckless decision.

Once in my room, my father helped me to the bed while my mother rushed to the door. “I’ll call for the doctor,” she said, her voice filled with concern. “Stay here. Don’t move!”

“I’m fine, really. It was just an accident,” I insisted, trying to reassure her. “I’ll just lie here and rest for a moment.”

As I lay there, my parents exchanged worried glances before my mother returned with the doctor. “What do you think, Doctor?” I asked, attempting a calm tone.

The doctor examined me closely, his expression serious. “Let’s make sure you didn’t sustain any serious injuries. Falling down a staircase is nothing to take lightly.”

After a thorough examination, the doctor assured my parents that I would be fine, though I would need to take it easy for a few days. My mother sighed with relief but still looked anxious. “Adrian, please be more careful. Did you do this because you don’t want to marry Lucien?”

“I understand, Mom. It wasn’t about that,” I replied, trying to sound sincere. “It was just an accident. I’ll be more cautious.”

My father stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We know you don’t want to marry Lucien, but you have to, Adrian. We don’t have the power to call off this wedding. Our families made a promise to marry our children to each other. Who knew we’d end up without daughters?”

I nodded, feeling the weight of their concern. “I appreciate it. I’m still adjusting to all of this.”

With my parents watching over me, I felt the weight of the manor around us. I had stumbled, but now I needed to find my footing in this new life. The challenges ahead would require

all of my focus and determination.