Kichep thought to himself,
“I really dislike this country.”
The vibrant floral scents were foreign to him, and he had little fondness for the maids who responded sharply to every word. But above all, what he truly resented was the royal court.
“I was clenching my fists so hard, thinking about how loathsome that pale, smug face looked. What’s the use of such a grand welcome if they harbor such filthy schemes behind our backs?”
The royal palace of Riore was dazzlingly opulent and beautiful, but it reeked of corruption. He had repeatedly reminded himself of the old empire adage not to be blinded by gold and forget the oasis.
“It was so obvious they thought we’d be overjoyed by their hospitality. Their words were so slickly delivered. Did you see their faces when they mentioned the princess was too ill to attend? Even stage actors would be put to shame.”
“The king seems very fond of his princess.”
As Giovanni took off his jacket, Kichep snatched it up, his face twisting in disgust.
“Fond? Of course, he is. Bold enough to play such a reckless prank on the prince. It seems they’re not afraid of the empire’s wrath.”
“It’s not the empire they’re unafraid of, but me,” Giovanni said with an indifferent expression.
Kichep flared up momentarily but then trailed off in dejection. Lord Rakki’s influence had always overshadowed Giovanni’s. Yet, despite his sizable support, Giovanni remained indifferent, which frustrated Kichep.
‘If only he showed more interest in the throne, so much could change.’
Giovanni sat down on the sofa, and Kichep hurriedly brought him water and fruit.
“Ah, I understand.”
Even though Giovanni hadn’t spoken, Kichep nodded and poured a crimson liquor into a small glass.
Giovanni blinked slowly and stared at him incredulously.
“Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Technically, yes, but…”
“You know what’s on my mind just by looking into my eyes. You’re my top aide, after all.”
Kichep grinned.
“Will you have a drink before bed?”
“Yes.”
“Have some of this, too.”
“What’s this?”
Kichep produced a basket filled with translucent sky-blue berries.
“The king’s servant sent it over. It’s said to be good for rejuvenation, and locals call it a gift of the gods.”
Despite the grand name, Giovanni didn’t seem impressed, so Kichep added,
“It’s said to help with the diseases desert people often catch here. Just try a little. I don’t have high hopes, but…”
It was a well-kept secret that the blood of the empire was vulnerable to the kingdom’s diseases.
‘The kingdom must suspect it to some extent.’
They probably speculated that the Dovrakian royals might be susceptible to local illnesses. And to some extent, it was true.
Kichep recalled the king’s scrutinizing gaze, undoubtedly observing if Giovanni showed any signs of illness.
“What makes this country’s king so audacious? If the Khan decided to, we could wipe this little kingdom off the map with ease.”
Giovanni sipped the wine leisurely and replied,
“But he knows the empire won’t easily do so.”
“…”
“As long as their grain feeds the people of the desert, the empire won’t touch the kingdom.”
“…”
“And Lord Rakki seems to want the entire granary of the kingdom.”
Kichep was struck by a sudden thought.
An elder brother with excessive greed, and a youngest brother with none at all.
Who was more suited to be an emperor?
As Giovanni lay down in bed, Kichep turned off the lights in the room one by one, muttering absentmindedly to himself.
“But what did that mean?”
In the darkness, Giovanni’s low voice resonated softly.
“What are you referring to?”
“That significant remark King Hermanon made at the end. He said he would send a gift to make our night enjoyable.”
“He must have meant a gift of hospitality.”
“But usually, such a phrase in the desert implies that musicians would send women to entertain guests…”
That’s when it happened.
Knock, knock.
Someone outside shouted.
“I’ve been sent by the steward with a gift.”
Kichep tensed up.
“Could they have really sent a woman?”
Annoyance briefly crossed Giovanni’s usually indifferent face.
Lord Rakki often sent women to Giovanni’s room as ‘valuable gifts.’ Some were beautiful women, some exceptional dancers, some even carried poison or concealed sharp weapons in their jewelry.
Giovanni sighed and got up, weary of the repetition of events he had already experienced countless times in the empire.
“What should we do?”
“If it’s a direct gift from the king, we can’t just refuse it. Accept the greeting and send them away.”
“Yes!”
Giovanni felt the sleepiness completely leaving him.
Should he have another drink and try to sleep?
As he contemplated, Kichep returned, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
“I must have misjudged. It’s a gift from some noble family. I was sure it would be a woman.”
“That was quick.”
Kichep spoke more cautiously in response to Giovanni’s colder voice.
“It’s from the Lorenst family. The name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite recall. A famous family, perhaps?”
Unlike Kichep, who was trying to remember, Giovanni chuckled.
“Lorenst?”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
