Stella keenly observed Mila walking ahead. The stark contrast between Mila’s impeccable appearance and the dust and cobwebs of the place was striking. Occasionally, a chunky, mismatched statue would jump out, startling her, but overall, Verduera Castle appealed to Stella.
It felt more like a prison in Amalun, where she couldn’t go anywhere outside her room. A little cleaning here, and they probably wouldn’t let her starve since she was brought as a hostage.
‘Rudina, I think I won’t die here.’
Stella wished she could write to Rudina.
The room was as tidy as Mila had said. A canopy bed adorned with vintage curtains, a large sofa and table that could accommodate five people, a dressing table with a big mirror, and a chest of drawers – all these made the shabby exterior seem deceptive. The room was more spacious and nicer than her room in Amalun.
While Stella was looking around, the servants brought in her luggage, and Mila naturally directed them. She seemed quite adept at managing the staff.
It was when the unpacking was almost done.
“The bath is ready.”
A maid came from a door attached to the bedroom, announcing the bath was prepared. White steam billowed from the open door like clouds.
Stella felt maybe life here wouldn’t be as bad as she feared.
After a warm bath, the fatigue of the long journey somewhat eased. Stella sat idly on the bed before suddenly getting up and flinging open the balcony door.
The chilly air enveloped her, but she didn’t feel cold, perhaps because her body was still warm. As night fell and darkness set in, the outside view looked quite different.
“I wonder if Rudina has safely escaped.”
She wished Rudina was here with her. Rudina, with her abundance of tears and surprisingly positive attitude, would have quickly settled in.
Decorating here, arranging there. She would have scampered around the vast castle like a puppy.
Touching the bracelet on her right wrist, Stella felt the blue beads turn cold in the cool air. It was supposed to bring luck.
She hoped Rudina would live happily for the rest of her life. Stella was content with how things were for her.
“It’s getting cold.”
Mila’s voice came from behind as Stella gazed out the window. Turning around, Stella saw Mila standing erect, now dressed in a dark green dress. She looked like she had transformed from a brick wall to an ivy vine.
Milka, whom Stella hadn’t noticed properly earlier, was quite beautiful. Her dark hair and slightly dark blue eyes suited her calm demeanor. The dimple that formed on one side of her cheek when she spoke softened her otherwise cold demeanor.
“It’s refreshing. But what brings you here?”
“I came to discuss tomorrow’s schedule.”
“There’s a schedule?”
Stella was curious, expecting to be dumped like an old sack of grain, but it seemed not all was lost.
“You need to present the pedigree and greet His Majesty the Emperor.”
“The pedigree?”
“Yes, the one you brought, along with gifts from Amalun to His Majesty.”
Stella knew about the pedigree but hearing about gifts for the Emperor was new.
“I wasn’t informed about any gifts.”
Stella was puzzled, but Mila remained composed.
“The gifts were already received by me. The King of Amalun had them specially prepared and sent.”
Hostage princesses were expected to bring one of their nation’s treasures with them. It meant that while in Credeon Empire as hostages, their treasures would be stored too. But from the perspective of those subjected to it, it felt like mere plunder.
Nonetheless, for the safety of a beloved child, any nation would willingly send its treasures. Thus, the amassed treasures filled the personal vault of the Credeon Emperor.
“Right. That’s a relief. So, am I going alone to greet them?”
Stella hoped someone would accompany her. Hearing terrible rumors about the Emperor made her apprehensive.
“No. All princesses residing in the Plant District must go.”
“The Plant District?”
“Yes, it’s where princesses from countries belonging to the Western Continent reside.”
“And they all present their pedigree and gifts too?”
“Yes, they do.”
If they went one by one to present gifts, that was somewhat comforting. Stella fervently hoped that the King of Amalun hadn’t sent anything too conspicuous.
“How many princesses are there in the Plant District?”
“Including you, there are fourteen. There are eight districts in the palace where princesses reside.”
Many had been gathered from different countries.
Others like her, perhaps pushed into this against their will?
“After the greeting, there is a formal dinner with the Emperor. His Majesty is very busy, so please understand if he cannot spend much time. Also, here is what you must follow during dinner. The etiquette is different from Amalun, so please read it carefully.”
Mila handed over a small notebook.
Stella opened it to see pages densely packed with neat writing.
“All this for dining etiquette?”
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.]
