Words alone could have sufficed, but such a laborious method was used. Rebel frowned slightly and silently read the paper.
A snicker followed. The servant looked uncomfortable, but Rebel, unfazed, folded the paper back on the tray.
“Let the Captain represent us. We’ll have our own celebration here.”
They shuddered, waving their hands in refusal. Rebel wasn’t fond of such gatherings either. Palace banquets were places filled with faces he’d rather not see.
But sometimes, one must do what they dislike. Especially if it’s a celebration, everyone from the palace would be there.
‘Ilaiyd.’
For Rebel, there was only one purpose. If it meant seeing her, he would be there, no matter where.
“Convey my acceptance.”
**
There was no need for fancy dressing. Even for the celebration, Ilaiyd’s attire remained dark. Her mourning dress from the day, albeit different, could be mistaken for attire from a funeral.
“Your Majesty, are you sure about wearing that?”
“Too ornate a dress seems inappropriate.”
A victory indeed, but there were lives lost, so moderation seemed best. But Linette seemed dissatisfied.
“Certainly, Selina… I mean, Her Majesty the Queen will be all dressed up…”
“I’m not going there to flaunt myself, and I’ve been to a funeral today. Winning doesn’t make me feel entirely at ease.”
“If only everyone attending the celebration thought like Her Majesty.”
Linette muttered bitterly. It was one of the reasons why the ‘Melfiram’ family was considered odd among nobles. They mingled naturally and without prejudice with commoners.
In times of famine, they opened their storerooms, set up free food stalls, and conducted relief activities. Some grumbled at this.
‘Are all the hungry beggars of the kingdom clinging to the walls of Melfiram’s mansion? What an unnecessarily generous act of charity.’
Yet, the Melfiram family remained indifferent to such criticisms.
“When I have bread in my hand and someone beside me is starving, I should willingly share what I have.”
This was a phrase Ilaiyd’s mother, Keira, had repeatedly emphasized to her.
“Come to think of it, Miss, you once confronted a slave trader, didn’t you?”
“I was too young to remember.”
“I’m reminded of Limres. He was furious, saying, ‘I’ll take off that slave trader’s head!’ My heart still races thinking about that day.”
“It seems I’ve caused you much trouble. Perhaps a spare heart should be on the list of essentials for the head of the Empress’ palace.”
“It’s an essential item for the head of the Empress’ palace, indeed. I even have a few spares set aside. Would you like to see them?”
Memories brought a faint joy, but they also carried sadness. Can recalling the past ever be purely joyful? To erase the sorrow that welled up, both had to force out jokes and laugh.
“Your Majesty, it’s time to go to the banquet hall.”
“Why must there be so many unavoidable things?”
“And another thing… This is just out of concern, please don’t get too angry when you hear it.”
Starting with worry, Linette hesitated as if afraid Ilaiyd might take offense. Ilaiyd gently reassured her.
“It’s okay. I won’t scold you.”
“I’m worried that you’re too lenient with that man.”
She must be talking about Rebel. Ilaiyd stopped to listen to Linette’s words.
“You’ve abolished many of the palace’s rituals and conservative atmosphere since becoming the Empress, but… they are different. The Captain might have approached you with a certain agenda.”
In truth, it was Ilaiyd who had approached with a purpose. Clutching her aching conscience, she hesitantly spoke up.
“What do you think of the Captain?”
“He seems disrespectful.”
Was it necessary to be so blunt? If Rebel had heard Linette’s words, he would have looked quite hurt, slumping his shoulders.
“But the way he looks at you, Your Majesty… it’s not quite right.”
Had Ilaiyd not noticed? A blue desire, forcefully suppressed, seemed to surge in Rebel’s eyes.
What does he want? His own status, wealth through the Empress, or Ilaiyd herself? It was something to be slowly discovered.
“So be careful, Your Majesty.”
There was no harm in being cautious. Ilaiyd nodded, acknowledging Linette’s advice.
Would Rebel attend the banquet? If she saw him there, should she ignore him or approach him amicably?
For future plans, it seemed best to break down any barriers. But Linette’s words lingered in her mind. What exactly was etched in his deep blue eyes that had seemed so affectionate?
And what about Claudius, would he extend the contract? At least having brought him back to the palace, he wouldn’t send him away indiscriminately. Ilaiyd repeated deep breaths to clear her tangled thoughts.
When the thought that she had exhaled in sync with someone crossed her mind, the doors to the banquet hall opened. The dazzling chandelier lights and the flashy reflections of the crystals almost frightened her.
Inside the banquet hall, nowhere was there a dark aura that reminded her of Rebel.
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.]
