Duke for a Day (Or Forever?)

Prologue

Kazuki Nakamura had never understood Yuki's obsession with Boys Love novels, particularly the fantasy ones where heroes, knights, and kings locked eyes and shared heartfelt confessions amid a world of dragons, sorcery, and endless melodrama. So when Yuki slid the book across his desk, her eyes gleaming with the same fervor she used to close sales, he knew she wouldn't give up until he agreed to read it.

"Just try it, Kazuki! The Saint's Heart is a classic," she insisted, hugging the thick, hardcover volume to her chest. "It's fantasy, romance, everything you're secretly into."

Kazuki snorted. "I'm not 'secretly' into anything. I like action, not... whatever this is."

Yuki only grinned. "I get it. But this story has more than romance. There's magic, rivalries, betrayal, everything you'd expect from a fantasy novel. Plus, I know you're going to love the Saint." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Everyone falls for him."

Right, Kazuki thought skeptically as he thumbed through the book. The story seemed too far-fetched: a Holy Kingdom, a Saint whose very presence could bring peace, and an array of knights, dukes, and princes all vying for his heart.

Still, as the pages turned, Kazuki found himself... a little intrigued. The novel's intricate world-building pulled him in despite himself, and there was something about the male Saint's quiet strength and the characters' deep, complicated relationships that felt unexpectedly compelling.

By the time he finished the last page, Kazuki was thoroughly invested. And annoyed. Because now, thanks to Yuki's nagging and this book, he could hardly focus on his work. He felt a strange pang in his chest, something he attributed to the story's intensity, and decided he'd give Yuki her victory speech tomorrow.

Tomorrow...

That was his last coherent thought as his head suddenly felt heavy, and a deep throb pulsed through his heart. He closed his eyes to steady himself, but the ache deepened until he felt himself slip into darkness.

Kazuki awoke to the soft chime of bells and the sound of curtains being drawn. For a second, he wondered if he was dreaming, but the smell of roses and a breeze carrying a faint, unfamiliar melody made him question everything. Slowly, he opened his eyes, blinking against the sunlight streaming into the room.

An opulent room, lined with velvet drapes and gilded mirrors, greeted him. Everything looked like it had been plucked straight from the pages of... The Saint's Heart.

Before he could process what he was seeing, two figures entered his line of sight: a stern-looking man dressed in formal butler attire and a young woman in a crisp maid uniform, both bowing deeply.

"Good morning, Your Grace," the butler intoned, his voice smooth and reverent. "We hope you rested well. Shall we prepare your attire for the day?"

Kazuki sat bolt upright, heart pounding as he stared at the unfamiliar room and the strangely familiar faces. "Wait, who—who are you? And why are you calling me...Your Grace?"

The maid looked startled but managed a nervous smile. "My lord, you're the Duke of Valeria, of course! And today is a most important day. The Saint has arrived in the capital for his annual pilgrimage."

Kazuki's mouth went dry. "The... the Saint?"

"Indeed," the butler replied with a slight, knowing smile. "He'll be expecting your presence at court."

Kazuki stumbled out of bed, half-terrified, half-disbelieving, and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Staring back at him was not his own reflection but that of a tall, dark-haired man with piercing eyes and a strong jawline. A man he recognized instantly.

"Oh no... I'm Duke Alaric Valentine," he whispered, the weight of reality sinking in as he clutched the edges of the ornate mirror. "I'm in the body of a character who's in love with the Saint!"

In the world of The Saint's Heart, a place where magic thrived and love burned with the intensity of spells, Kazuki found himself not just an observer but a reluctant participant. A duke with a heart that wasn't truly his...yet.

And somewhere in this world was the Saint, the one person he was supposed to desire above all else.