It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 1 – When I Woke from My Dream, I Was Zeke

“Misty! I hereby annul my engagement to you!”

The royal palace ballroom was packed with nobles that day—every last one of them assembled for the Carlaan Kingdom’s Foundation Day celebration. And the voice that rang across the venue belonged to none other than the First Prince himself.

The woman he addressed was Misty Claudia, daughter of the Claudia marquis house.

Her golden hair shimmered like woven threads of sunlight. Those blue eyes of hers held a spirited gleam that captivated anyone who met her gaze, radiating an inner strength few could match. Above all, her beauty was said to be without equal in the entire kingdom.

What’s more, she’d graduated salutatorian from the academy.

And the one glaring daggers at this paragon was First Prince Zeke Carlaan himself.

Blessed with a handsome face and excellent grades, he’d actively participated in governmental affairs even during his academy days. A young man of talent—everyone said his future shone bright.

“Why would those two, who always got along so well…”

“I’d heard rumors, but to think it would come to this…”

Murmurs rippled through the assembled nobles.

Misty furrowed her brows, biting her lip as she looked at Zeke. “Your Highness, to annul our engagement… and why choose such a celebratory occasion for this?”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you for some time now. But…” Zeke’s gaze flickered toward King Halt Carlaan, seated on his throne at the back of the hall. “I thought I needed to convey this before His Majesty. That’s all.”

“No, but why must you annul our engagement in the first place? Have I done something to offend you?”

“Are you seriously saying you have no idea?!”

Zeke glanced behind him.

A petite noble lady emerged from his shadow—Stella Warden, daughter of the Warden house.

She had shoulder-length brown hair, a delicate frame that seemed like it might break at the slightest touch, and the adorable quality of a small animal. The kind of lovely appearance that would make any man instinctively want to protect her.

She looked up at Zeke with upturned eyes, cast a fleeting glance at Misty, then gently grasped Zeke’s arm and shrank back into his shadow.

“Do you know her?” Zeke demanded.

“Yes, I see her occasionally at the academy. I understand she’s a good friend of Your Highness.”

“Is that all you think she is to me?”

“…Pardon?”

“I know full well that you’ve been harassing Stella.”

The nobles’ voices swelled even louder at his accusation. Most of them expressed outright disbelief.

“That’s a complete misunderstanding—I’ve done no such thing!”

“I… I heard it directly from her. Isn’t that right, Stella?”

“Y-yes, it’s true. The countless acts of harassment she inflicted upon me…” Stella began sobbing while clinging to Zeke’s arm. “I-I’m so sorry…”

Zeke looked down once, his expression hardening. Then he lifted his gaze and glared sharply at Misty, pointing directly at her.

“I’ll say it one final time. Misty Claudia—I am annulling my engagement to you!”

As the commotion in the hall reached a fever pitch, a loud, deliberate sigh cut through the noise.

“I see… Very well, then. In that case, I have my own thoughts on this matter.”

Misty’s voice was ice-cold.

☆☆☆

A world I’d seen before. A setting I’d heard before.

A dating sim for women called “Prism Lovers”—one my friend had practically forced on me. I’d started it reluctantly, but somehow got hooked and ended up playing through it multiple times.

And now here I am. Inside the world of “PriLove,” as we’d called it for short.

What’s more, I’d become Prince Zeke himself—the prince who’d unreasonably annulled his engagement.

Damn it. What kind of terrible dream is this?

After all, only ruin awaited him after this scene.

Why the hell did I have to become that prince of all people…?

I got up from bed, planning to head to the bathroom.

Wait… This bed is way bigger and fluffier than usual. And hold on—isn’t this room absolutely massive?

Am I still dreaming? My line of sight seems lower than it should be, too…

As these thoughts swirled through my mind, I caught sight of a large mirror across the dimly lit room.

“AHHHHHHHH!”

I couldn’t help it—I pointed straight at the person reflected back at me.