Lucas’s voice was low, and his eyes held a strong will.
“I wanted to be yours. That’s all.”
Stepping closer, Lucas filled Serena’s vision.
“Even if you resist, you’ll eventually realize there’s no end to my feelings.”
In that moment, Serena belatedly realized she’d misjudged everything. It wasn’t just prejudice that her initial bad impression had caused. Underestimating him because she once knew him as a child was her mistake.
“Also, I assure you, no one wants you more than I do.”
The desire clouding his eyes was incredibly pure, tightening its grip on Serena even more.
“I, Your Highness, I…”
“I haven’t finished speaking.”
Lucas stepped closer still, close enough for their breaths to mingle.
“My mind’s already made up. We’ll be married, and one day, you’ll want me, too.”
“No, that’s not true.”
Serena shook her head.
“Don’t think you can change my feelings by forcing marriage.”
“Don’t worry. I’m more patient than you think.”
Nothing, not even Serena’s resistance, could alter his resolve.
“I’m no different. I’ve already rejected my fiancé.”
“It’s fine.”
Lucas closed the gap between them again.
“You can’t abandon a husband.”
His hidden obsession and desire surged into his dark eyes. Seeing Serena’s trembling blue eyes, he felt the past six years had been worth it.
“From the beginning… you never needed my answer, did you?”
“Yes.”
Lucas was honest till the end, driving Serena even more insane.
“If we must argue, your answer isn’t what I wanted. In that regard, I’ve failed.”
Serena shot him a strange smile, but her provocative gaze only pleased Lucas more.
“Six years have passed, as you said.”
Now Lucas was looking down on her, just as he’d wanted.
“I’m not a child anymore.”
Everything about him proved it.
“It’s only natural, now that I’ve returned to my woman.”
Lucas easily caught Serena’s wrist. She tried to shake him off, but his firm grip was surprising.
The ease in Serena’s face vanished, making her feel insane. For the past few days, she felt played by him, making it impossible to maintain her composure.
“Finally, your face shows no composure.”
It was the moment Lucas had long awaited. Seeing her blue eyes tremble in confusion deepened his smile.
“The feeling is far better than I ever imagined.”
Seeing his smiling lips, Serena felt her emotions might explode.
“Did you wait six years just to show off your strength?”
“Of course not.”
“You look extremely pleased to overpower me, a mere woman.”
“You can’t be described as a mere woman.”
Serena had to agree.
“That’s right.”
Serena tried to shake off her captured wrist, but Lucas’s grip didn’t budge. His ability to immobilize her without causing pain was impressive. But he’d overlooked something: Serena had strong legs.
“Ugh!”
Serena’s kick to his shin was effective. Unprepared, Lucas let out a grunt and released her wrist.
“Don’t think of me as a mere woman.”
Serena spoke, relieved at last.
“And reconsider this marriage; it’s a mistake.”
Exhaling, Serena turned her back on him. She’d done enough, even resorting to violence against the crown prince.
“You no longer need to stay in the ducal residence. Have the servant pack your things,” Lucas said, still feeling the throbbing pain in his leg as he watched Serena’s retreating back.
“Then, farewell.”
Serena, having unilaterally announced her departure without turning back, vanished, and Lucas didn’t try to stop her. There was no need.
“After all… there’s no other woman like her.”
Contrary to Serena’s intentions, satisfaction gleamed brighter in his eyes.
“I should prepare to welcome my bride.”
Now, Lucas had accomplished all his objectives.
At least, in this place.
Returning to her bedroom, Serena couldn’t suppress her anger. She was incensed that both the royal family and the papacy had taken Lucas’s side, but what angered her more was the way he condescendingly looked down upon her.
“As a child, one could at least find me cute!”
Of course, that was not the case. Even as a little boy, he had a bad temper and was unfortunate, so he didn’t feel like any other boy.
“After all, it’s because that brat grew up this way.”
Why had she believed she could have a reasonable conversation with Lucas? She had become too accustomed to a world in Astel where everything went her way. Her confidence from having fended off persistent advances from Duke Farell also played a part.
“It’s too much to find Duke Farell gentlemanly.”
Initially, the problem was that Duke Farell and Lucas had vastly different expectations. But Serena had failed to notice that. Specifically, she didn’t know how much Lucas wanted her, which had created this situation.
“Now, what should I do?”
The irresponsible behavior of the Duke of Astel she had trusted also acted in an entirely different way, betraying Serena. Moreover, the papacy had urged this marriage, and the royal family had commanded it.
Above all, the determination in Lucas’s eyes indicated that he would take her as his bride at any cost.
“It can’t be…”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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