The Duke hesitated, realizing Bermont Castle was also adorned with jewels and gold. He rationalized it, claiming it wasn’t luxury since they were locally sourced.
His wife laughed at his justification.
“Lady Elise is a princess. She couldn’t have lived in a humble place.”
“Hmph. Temnes. I’ll burn it all down soon.”
The Duke harbored deep resentment towards Kain, especially after the long famine and political machinations involving Temnes.
“It’s hard to believe someone would dare to challenge me.”
If it weren’t for King Oberon’s tip-off about Kain preparing for a territorial war, he wouldn’t have sent Clodel away.
He hadn’t made the decision lightly, even giving the enraged Hannah a substantial amount of secret funds before sending her to Lowen.
Hannah was still unaware of Clodel’s Herzol infection.
The Duke thought if Hannah knew, she might go to the ends of the continent for a cure.
Keeping it a secret was Clodel’s request – in exchange for marrying into Temnes, she wanted Hannah to remain unaware.
Before the bride’s departure, the Duke called Hannah aside, giving her a significant sum of money and a solemn instruction.
“This money… Why to me?”
“Hannah. If something happens to Clodel in Lowen, bring her body back to Bermont.”
Hannah’s face hardened at his words.
“Ensure Clodel doesn’t suffer any indignity. Bring her back in one piece. We can’t leave her in enemy land.”
The maid dropped her head and clenched her fists tightly, not saying a word. Without answering with a yes or no, she grabbed the money pouch from the Duke’s desk and left the office.
“What about the young Duke of Temnes?”
“Hmph. A boy whose blood hasn’t even dried on his head yet.”
The Duke of Bermont sneered. He had only seen the much-talked-about Kain on the day he came to Bermont Castle for the wedding. Kain arrived just in time for the ceremony and left immediately after it ended, staying in Bermont for less than two hours.
“If only he weren’t our enemy.”
Although now a Bermont by marriage, the Duchess was still somewhat lenient towards Temnes, not being a native of Bermont.
“It would have been better if Clodel hadn’t been sick.”
“If she hadn’t been, she might have managed this messy marriage situation somehow.”
The couple shared a moment of silent sorrow when they heard light footsteps approaching.
“Father!”
With a lively voice, the Duke’s face brightened up.
“Irena!”
“Father, I’ve missed you.”
The woman, who affectionately hugged the Duke and exchanged cheek kisses, had red hair and golden eyes like her father. Irena was considered a miracle by the Duke, combining the beauty of her mother in her youth with his own features.
“Are you feeling well? I was worried about you.”
“Don’t worry, I can handle much more than this.”
“You should rest today, Irena.”
At the Duchess’s suggestion, Irena smiled gently.
“Will you tell me about your trip to Lowen tomorrow?”
“Yes, let’s have lunch together.”
After Irena left, the Duke’s expression darkened.
‘If only Kain wasn’t a Temnes.’
The Bermont family cherished their only child, Irena. Before adopting Clodel, Irena was their only child. She married the second son of a duke without a title, but he died in battle within a month.
Irena, now a widow, had trouble finding a suitable match in her youth.
‘He was said to be the best match in the kingdom.’
If only Kain hadn’t threatened him with a territorial war.
The Duke was frustrated that Kain, a mere youth, dared to challenge him. If it wasn’t for the King’s warning about Kain’s preparations, he wouldn’t have sent Clodel away so far. The Duke gave Hannah a large sum of money, instructing her to bring Clodel’s body back to Bermont in case of her death.
“Bring Clodel back intact. We can’t leave her in enemy land.”
Hannah’s face had hardened at his words.
It was a memorable and beautiful day.
The sweet scent of flowers, the chirping of birds, the sound of flowing water, and the taste of mildly sweet and tangy Marguerite petals.
And Kain.
Her husband, offering her flowers, was the most impressive man she had seen holding flowers in her life. Her heart fluttered slightly.
She had merely intended to smell the flowers, but even that gentle stimulus was too much for her body.
Clodel’s world plunged into darkness.
Tap. Tap, tap.
In the pitch-black darkness where she couldn’t see or hear anything, the sound of sparks from a fireplace crackled.
Was this Bermont Castle?
It was unlikely to be Lowen in summer, where fireplaces weren’t used.
Her consciousness slowly awakened, calling back sensations in her body.
Tap. Tap-tap.
Opening her eyes, she saw a fireplace blazing with fire.
Wondering if it was a dream, she blinked, but it was indeed the lavishly decorated Duchess’s bedroom.
Clodel slowly sat up, noticing Kain sitting in a dim spot beside the large pillow that had obstructed her view.
From within the darkness, Kain’s eyes, glaring at her, blazed a fiery red.
“You. Did you come here seeking a place to die?”
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.]
