At my words of gratitude, Levanfell turned his head with an embarrassed expression. Casually scratching his neck, he mumbled quietly.
“…Since I was already out, I invited a famous musician and opera singer, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Already?”
“Yes. We became friends over drinks.”
Usually, musicians and opera singers avoid engaging in conversation, let alone drinking together.
That didn’t seem like the behavior of a noble child from a prestigious family.
‘…So that’s why he doesn’t like to use the name of the Liraneph family?’
In my puzzlement, the merchants who had left returned, carrying fresh catalogs.
“Hey, here!”
“Like this.”
Levanfell scanned the catalog with a serious face. I checked it as well, but to my eyes, the new catalog looked much like the old one.
“You mentioned the Eteria Empire, right?”
“Uhhuh.”
“Then let’s go with these dishes and change the jewelry to pink diamonds. How does that sound?”
“Uhhuh. Seems fine.”
“What are you thinking for the budget?”
Um…
“…Do as you please?”
“Excuse me?”
“Both His Majesty and the regent said it’s my first time doing this, so I can raid the entire national treasury if needed…”
“Budgeting is important, Your Majesty. All purchase plans start there. Raiding… Who exactly is managing the national treasury now…”
Levanfell’s words trailed off, and he opened his eyes wide, then nodded.
“When His Majesty ascended to the throne, he killed the finance minister, so the regent has been handling it together. Hahaha.”
No wonder there had been no guidance.
It was always felt in places like this that Levanfell had killed half of the ministers upon taking the throne.
“Anyway. Whether we raid the treasury or sell off imperial lands to raise money, it’s not my business to manage. Hahaha. I’ll just assist you, Your Majesty.”
“Uh, uhhuh. I’ll try to work out the budget myself.”
“Then I think it would be good to unify the colors of the tablecloths and tapestries. Let’s go with a color that’s not too light. Here’s the color chart for this year’s trending shades. Do you see one you like?”
At Levanfell’s question, I licked my dry lips.
There were too many colors on the color chart. Even just red had dark red, slightly less dark red, crimson mixed with pink, bright red, very bright red, pale red.
‘…You want me to choose from here?’
I slowly leaned back.
“Are, are these all different colors? Levanfell.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. There’s no such thing as the same color under the sky.”
“…Then I think I’ll take your recommendation.”
Levanfell stroked his chin and pondered. He even matched the color chart to the illustrations of the table and dishes in the catalog.
“Among the parties I’ve attended, I haven’t liked any of the halls so far. They were all gaudy, with mismatching colors, making it all seem tacky.”
“I see.”
“Someday, if I ever host a party, I vowed never to do such a thing. It’s just a thought, since it will never happen.”
“…You can host a party if you want, Levanfell. I think there would be a line of people willing to come if you invited them. Besides, you’re the second son of the Liraneph family, so there would be plenty of people wanting to get close, and you can easily secure a hall. There’s nothing you can’t do if you want.”
At my words, Levanfell’s hand, which was about to turn the catalog to the next page, froze.
‘Huh?’
His eyes wavered for a moment before letting out an awkward laugh.
“Hahaha. …There’s no chance of that happening. I’m planning to leave the family as soon as a successor is established to replace me.”
“A successor?”
“Yes. Since my older brother, the previous successor, died, there’s no one else but me.”
Levanfell smiled bitterly. It seemed his brother had met an unfortunate fate.
I shut my lips tightly and stared at the catalog, as if I had said something wrong. Levanfell also silently gazed at the catalog.
Then one of the merchants who had gone to get the catalog rushed in, holding both the catalog and a decorative sword.
“Empress! Levanfell! I apologize for my rudeness earlier and offer you this! It is a decorative sword made by an artisan, sharp like a real sword, and inlaid with jewels along the blade……”
The merchant, with a highly excited expression, put down the catalog on the table and drew out the decorative sword, holding it up.
The blade, reflecting the chandelier’s light, flashed menacingly.
That’s when it happened.
“Aaaaah!!”
All of a sudden, Levanfell screamed, crouching like a cat, and buried his face in the small catalog he was holding.
“Put it away! Put that sword away right now!! Immediately!!”
A voice trembling with sheer terror sounded out weakly.
“Levanfell?”
“Put it away!!! Right now!!! Immediately!!!”
It wasn’t just the voice. Levanfell’s body, crouched in a ball, was shaking uncontrollably.
“You foolish person!”
One of the merchants yelled and hurriedly snatched the sword away, putting it back in its sheath, and threw it into a corner.
“You! Didn’t you know that Levanfell is afraid of swords?! Did you intend to ruin this deal?!”
“I, I just thought it was a good ornament and brought it with good intentions… since it’s not a real sword, I didn’t think he would be this afraid! Le, Levanfell, are you okay? I’m sorry.”
Levanfell is afraid of swords? I was totally unaware of this fact.
As the merchants’ curious eyes started to fix on Levanfell, I slammed the table with my palm, drawing their attention, and abruptly stood up.
“Everyone, out. Not only have you deceived me, but you’ve also troubled the one trying to help me, so I’ll need to reconsider this deal.”
“Em, Empress!”
“Leave quietly before I have you dragged out. I’ll call you when I need something.”
At my firm words, the merchants bowed their heads and hastily left the reception room. Fortunately, they were too busy reading my angry mood to pay any attention to Levanfell.
“……Levanfell. They’ve all gone now, you can lift your head.”
After all the merchants had gone and we were left alone in the reception room, I called to him.
Levanfell’s white top was soaked with cold sweat. Why was he so terrified of the sword?
“Levanfell.”
Since he didn’t seem to want to get up from his crouched position, I grabbed his shoulder to lift him up.
“Lev…!”
And under the bright chandelier, I saw Levanfell’s face, soaked with tears.
He was crying, utterly terrified, like a child.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
