Chapter 2 - Jin Wolfgang Staeles

Ah, I get distracted way too easily.

That’s right, this life is Jin’s. I appear to have his memories and some of his temperament. But I’m still me. I think…

He did indeed consider Mari as a sister and his only friend, but he never dared say so. He was afraid that his feelings wouldn’t be returned. He’s surprisingly fragile despite his stern demeanor. 

Perhaps it’s because I don’t feel like this is my life that I can behave so freely, because I’m rather sensitive myself. But because I feel like an outsider looking in, I’m able to make objective decisions.

Jin was a prince, the crown prince and only child of the King of this country. His mother died during childbirth and his father is always very busy. To the point where Jin can only recall seeing him twice before. Once when he turned 13 and was officially crowned as the crown prince and once when he accidentally stumbled across him late at night in the garden. He didn’t have a bad opinion of him, if anything he had a good opinion of him. He just didn’t feel familial love towards him.

His father never remarried and refused any mistresses despite the nobles and officials practically begging. As a consequence of this, Jin is treated like a national treasure. Because of this, he developed what I can only describe as a shitty personality. He’s actually a pretty good guy deep down, but through royal training, he’s learnt to hide this. On the surface he can only be described as selfish and arrogant, but in his head he’s constantly worrying about his surroundings, he has a large persecution complex and a terrible self-esteem. 

He desperately wants normalcy, which manifested into an irrational love of the heroine, who was a commoner and slightly thick. He felt he could trust her.

He completely ignored his awesome fiancé because he thought she was just like the rest of the ass kissing nobles and only wanted his power and position. From what I saw though, she appeared as a rather honest girl in love. He actually felt that his fiancé was far too amazing and there would be no reason why she’d like him apart from his power and position. Jin’s insecurities were completely well founded but manifested in some seriously annoying ways.

One of which is that he never says what he’s actually thinking. He hides his real self and only displays what he thinks everyone wants to see. As a result, he’s seen as a practically perfect human, prince and future King. As a consequence, he fell deeper and deeper into depression as he felt isolated.

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Mari, who he had known for as long as he could remember, was his only solace. He could trust her.

“Jin?”

Ah, I was spacing out.

“I’m fine Mari. What’s on the agenda today?”

“Ah, did you forget? It’s the first day at the royal academy today!”

I see. It’s the first day of the game is it?

Ah, actually wait. Why am I in a game in the first place?

This isn’t a normal situation right? Everything feels so real though. I understand Jin on such an incredible level.

I absolutely hated him before, but now I just feel sorry for him.

Oh! I see! I’ve been given a chance to right his wrongs!

…

Or Something…

I think, the less I think about it the better actually.

Rather, isn’t this a really amazing opportunity?

Jin was incredibly hard on himself, like ridiculously so.

I don’t mean to brag but Jin is a super handsome guy you know?

He’s the crown Prince, he was one of the top students at the academy, one of the top athletes and he has an amazing fiancé!

As you’d expect from the main love interest from an otome game.

Isn’t this the best thing to ever happen? I can live an incredible life here!

“Jin?”

Ah, no good, I was spacing out again.

“I apologize Mari. Should we get going?”

“What are you saying Jin-Sama? You need to eat and wash first! Then there’s the matter of meeting with his royal majesty!”

Ah, I guess I’m going to meet my father for the third time.

I forgot that he had summoned me for the day I leave for the academy.

My stomach starts doing cartwheels.

…

I’ve eaten delicious food in the dining hall. I washed myself, despite Mari’s protests to do it for me. Now I find myself facing the door to the King’s study.

I feel like I’m going to puke. This is some intense anxiety.

“Enter!”

Ah, he heard me. Well, can’t hesitate anymore now.

I open the door and walk in.