Whitney’s eyes snapped open. Before the maids could enter, she flung open the window.
“I just wish I knew if he’s alright…”
However, the letter she awaited did not come. Whitney looked outside the window several times, longing for the sight of a white, pretty bird, but it was nowhere to be found.
It seemed he would not respond this time either.
As the maids entered with a knock, Whitney washed up, changed clothes, and headed to the dining room for breakfast.
“Is the meal to your liking?”
“Yes, it’s delicious. Has there been any news?”
The warmth of the hot tea felt soothing. The atmosphere was lively, probably because of the approaching social season.
“Any letters from the Orleans’ estate?”
“No, there’s been nothing.”
Whitney nodded and took a spoonful of the creamy soup, enriched with onions and meat. She spread jam and melted butter on her bread, which melted deliciously in her mouth. Midway through eating, she paused.
“Have I eaten too much?”
“You can eat more. You’re finally getting some color back. Don’t worry about it.”
“Um…”
She smiled awkwardly under the maids’ watchful eyes, then comfortably continued eating.
“It’s going to be busy attending all the invitations before the debutante ball.”
“I will sort out the most appropriate ones.”
“Thank you. I’m going for a walk; I’ve eaten too much to just sit around.”
After finishing her meal, Whitney wrapped a shawl around her shoulders for a walk.
“Sure, the flowers behind the garden have bloomed beautifully. Take a leisurely walk.”
The estate was so well-maintained that the garden was filled with beautifully blooming flowers and grass. The gardener bowed in greeting, and Whitney entered the garden with a smile.
Feeling the cool breeze and walking further in, she saw a small pond with fish swimming in it. Though smaller compared to the lake at the palace, the clear water perfectly mirrored the sky.
‘Is he really alright?’
She squatted down, gazing blankly at the pond. If the Queen calls her again, she would try to find a way to meet Prince Cheston. For now, without his response, there wasn’t much she could do.
Sighing deeply, she looked up at the sky.
“Oh?!”
Suddenly, she spotted a white bird flying towards her. Whitney stood up quickly, reaching out her hand.
The bird, with a note tied to its leg, landed in her hand.
“A secret letter! Ah!”
Whitney covered her mouth with her hand and looked around. The response she thought would never come had arrived from him.
Carefully untying the note, the bird immediately flew up into the sky.
‘He says he won’t wait for a response.’
She felt a mix of disappointment and excitement. But the fact that a response had come made her heart flutter, and she rushed back to her room.
As she opened the note, Cheston’s handwriting appeared.
[Lady Whitney Orleans,I made good use of the herbs you sent.
I have something to say, meet me at the information broker tonight at 8.
P.S. If you don’t come, I’ll take it as a refusal.]
Whitney read the letter several times in disbelief. Even after rubbing her eyes, the words requesting a meeting were clearly written.
‘The information broker?’
How did he know she went there? Probably he didn’t trust her enough and had her investigated. Though not pleased, she understood his position and shook her head.
Whitney lit a candle and burned the letter.
Even if it was Sonia, if she found out that Whitney was meeting Cheston separately, it would reach her aunt’s ears. Cheston seemed not to want anyone to discover their meeting. Thus, Whitney erased any trace of him.
Although she had told her aunt she was on his side, keeping the secret undisclosed made security easier. Until a complete contract was established with him, she had no intention of revealing it to anyone.
Cheston waited behind the curtain for Whitney’s arrival. Aron looked anxious, his gaze flitting back and forth from the door.
“I wish you’d stop fidgeting.”
“Aren’t you worried? I’m afraid we might get caught.”
“You know no one is interested in my whereabouts. It should be quiet for a while, so stop worrying.”
“But the Queen’s spies are surely watching your every move.”
Aron glanced anxiously at the clock, then back at the door. This repeated action gave Cheston a headache.
‘This is why I wanted to come alone.’
Aron insisted on accompanying him despite Cheston’s preference for solitude, so he had no choice but to bring him along.
“So I’ve set up a decoy. What’s the issue if no one comes in?”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.”
Aron sighed deeply. Cheston smirked and gestured to Gnosis.
“Could you strengthen the security around here, just in case?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent people.”
Cheston nodded. The clock struck 8. Whitney would understand the implications of asking her to meet at the information broker.
She probably wasn’t pleased to discover he had investigated her. He understood if she chose not to come for that reason.
At that moment, the sound of hurried breathing was heard.
“Ha, ha. Am I late?”
Her clear, calm voice made Cheston turn his head towards the curtain. Her breath was rapid yet shallow, and her green eyes were visible through the mesh of her hat.
“Ah…”
Cheston felt an odd sensation. Was he expecting her, or was he surprised because he thought she wouldn’t come? He couldn’t identify the mixture of feelings.
“You’re right on time. Would you like a glass of water?”
“Thank you.”
She politely greeted and sat down. Her sparkling eyes scanned the room, looking relieved, thinking Cheston hadn’t arrived yet.
“Were you hoping I wouldn’t come, Lady Orleans?”
As he stepped out from behind the curtain, addressing Whitney, she stood up in surprise.
“Prince Cheston.”
Her green eyes flickered over him, quickly scanning for any visible injuries. Only after confirming there were none did she exhale a small sigh of relief.
“Maybe start with some water.”
Cheston handed her a glass of water, which she held with gracefully clasped hands.
“Let’s get straight to the point. You seem curious about this woman. Is she related to your mother?”
Whitney turned her head to Gnosis, who looked drowsily back, as if reproaching her.
“He’s not at fault. As of now, I’m practically the owner here.”
“Have you bought the information broker?”
Cheston nodded. Whitney looked surprised but then focused her attention on the flyer he had handed her.
“The woman in the flyer seems similar to my current stepmother. Before marrying my father, she was known as Cecilia Weston. I know she entered the life of the Duke of Weston as his second wife. I’ve also heard that Melissa entered the duke’s house with her.”
Whitney freely shared her concerns, seemingly under the assumption that Cheston already knew them.
“She suddenly disappeared, and I’ve heard she had a bad reputation in Hartfeil. I possess the information you seek.”
“……You, Your Highness?”
“Turns out I’m faster than the information broker.”
He smirked, handing her a document, then said,
“This is in return for the herbs. I hope it helps you.”
“Are you giving this without expecting anything in return?”
Whitney looked at him doubtfully, her bright green eyes sparkling innocently.
“Come to the palace again. As a summons from the Queen.”
“That’s it?”
Just that? Being summoned by the Queen was not a trivial matter. The first time might have been out of curiosity, but what about the second time?
Her steady gaze was full of confidence.
“If I go to the palace at the Queen’s summons, will you then share what you know?”
“Yes. I’m not yet fully convinced I can trust you.”
“I won’t betray you, Your Highness. I can assure you of that.”
Cheston suddenly remembered Whitney’s acting. For some reason, he wanted to tease her, curious about her certainty.
“Is that confidence because you’ve taken me to heart?”
His mother had said that love makes anything possible.
Even though he knew it was improbable, he wanted to ask. Perhaps he wanted to see those beautiful eyes flutter with confusion.
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.]
