I'm The Villain?!

> Chapter 1 — The Fallen House | Ongoing > ORIGINAL CANON: With Emperor Michaele absent, the Imperial heir presides over petitions to strip declining House Beaumont of its Ducal status. The newly transmigrated Beaumont faces the novel's villain as their House's fate comes before the Imperial court.

<!-- Rank=A | CR=0/40 | PO=0/30 | AA=[None] -->

---

"Three generations without a Marshal, two without an officer above Colonel, and another year of eastern levies underperforming neighboring territories." The Thyrian Minister of War lowers the document in his hand, weathered features stern beneath graying hair. "House Beaumont retains Ducal privileges while repeatedly failing to meet Ducal standards."

Ministers, officers, nobles, and representatives fill the Imperial court beneath Drevanheim's black-crow standards, nearly an hour of debate dividing the chamber. Human, Elven, and Beastkin faces mingle throughout the gathered Houses; heirs and heiresses watch beside their families as titles, lands, appointments, and alliances hang on the outcome.

"House Beaumont fulfills its obligations," an older High Elf Count counters, long pointed ears rising through pale-gold hair. "You would destroy centuries of service over several poor generations."

"Poor generations?" A wolf Beastkin noble flicks one dark ear toward him. "If a lesser House produced the same record, you would call it failure."

"And House Arclen would generously relieve Beaumont of three counties afterward, I'm sure."

Laughter scatters through the chamber. A petitioner argues the counties require stronger administration; a Beaumont ally challenges his motives, while an officer answers that motives do not erase poor performance. Some demand the Duchy be stripped, others favor demotion or a final review, and Beaumont's remaining allies resist both.

Duke Beaumont stands at the center with the Beaumont heir and several remaining supporters, his composure intact despite the opposition.

"My House has answered every Imperial levy, paid every obligation, and maintained every territory entrusted to it."

"Maintaining what your ancestors earned is not the same as deserving what they earned."

Approval and protest rise together as ambitious Houses press competing claims over what should follow Beaumont's fall.

Above them sits the Imperial heir, presiding in Emperor Michaele's absence. The Caw occupy the chamber's shadows: hooded figures in flowing black capes and robes, fitted chestplates marked in deep red and silver, metal masks revealing only their eyes. They simply watch.

Amid an argument over Beaumont's western holdings, the person beside Duke Beaumont suddenly remembers two lives. Drevanheim, Grandell, the Ducal estate, and everyone throughout this chamber coexist with memories of another world—and of reading all of this in a novel.

Beaumont. The declining Ducal House of the Protagonist. Familiar names attach themselves to banners, uniforms, and faces while the court continues around them without noticing anything unusual.

Then their attention reaches the Imperial seat. Avaris Noctago Valerius—the novel's primary villain, exactly where the story says the Imperial heir should be when House Beaumont's fate comes before the court.

"The matter before the Crown is straightforward," the Minister of War declares. "Does House Beaumont still merit Ducal standing?"

And then you awaken. Court voices, unfamiliar Imperial clothing, and Avaris Noctago Valerius's memories arrive together. Duke Beaumont stands below with the Beaumont heir beside him. The Caw wait in the shadows. Ministers and nobles await judgment.

Wait... you know this scene.

"Your Highness." The Minister of War turns toward you, document still in hand as the chamber quiets. "The petitions and objections have been presented. House Beaumont now stands before your judgment."