“One of the issues that has been stagnant seems to be resolving. An envoy from the Kingdom of Oslapen will be entering the country within five days. The conservative opposition has long since closed our trade route with Oslapen. But now we can no longer afford to do that. If we can share Oslapen’s sea routes and abundant fisheries, it will be of great help to us. I would like you to persuade him.”
“I will certainly persuade him, Your Majesty.”
Elmert looked at her husband with soft eyes, signaling the end of official matters.
Duke Baldebe glanced at his wife and turned his gaze to Sedilroy,
“How is the Dukedom of Waltermister these days?”
“I appreciate your concern. The Dukedom is peaceful, thanks to Your Majesty and Your Grace.”
Elmert continued,
“How is Ariante growing up?”
For a moment, Sedilroy lifted his head to look at her face. Elmert sensed a faint shadow of sadness in his blue eyes. She knew he still couldn’t move on from the death of his only sister.
But that sentiment didn’t last long, a welcome change for Elmert.
“Ariante is very healthy, Your Majesty. She has been enjoying herself lately.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I’ve only seen her once when she was just born. Bring her the next time you come. I would like to meet her.”
“Understood.”
The king nodded,
“You may retire now.”
Sedilroy bowed and left the royal couple. Elmert, who was watching him leave, sighed. Her husband, Baldebe, comforted her by lightly caressing the back of her hand.
Elmert said,
“He’s always tried to shoulder too much alone from a young age, Baldebe. You know that.”
Baldebe replied in a gentle voice.
“I understand, Your Majesty. However, Duke Valterminster is no longer a child. He should be able to make his own way through any situation. Have you seen the state affairs of El Bleuen? Isn’t Duke Valterminster also a great asset to you?”
“Indeed……. That’s true. If that child had joined some royal lineage, perhaps he couldn’t have received this much help. In that sense, twelve-year-old Sedilroy has been assisting me up until now.”
“Your Majesty’s wise choices have also contributed.”
A smile flickered at the corners of Elmert’s eyes. She gave her husband an affectionate kiss on the cheek, then quietly watched the direction Sedilroy had gone.
Retreating from the royal presence, Sedilroy passed through the pouring gazes of numerous young ladies like the wind.
Occasionally, some women attempted to boldly block his path, but he smoothly sidestepped them as if avoiding statues.
The ignored young lady’s face turned bright red, and giggles and sighs echoed from various corners.
Sedilroy found all of this tiresome. On one hand, he felt bored by it. He knew someday he would have to marry, but so far, no woman had caught his interest.
No, there was one time. But it was a fleeting emotion, as if a feather had brushed his cheek, and he had to fold his feelings the moment he realized them.
Since then, Sedilroy never thought of her again. He stayed back, avoiding any closeness like a stranger.
Would she still be alive if it had been otherwise?
Should he have been more proactive in protecting her? Her, and his sister, Verbo.
If he knew that they would meet such senseless deaths, he would not have refrained. He would have thrown himself to protect them both. But now, it was all too late for regrets.
And so, Sedilroy thought. He was still repeating the same mistakes.
“Ariante….”
Ariante was also a precious child to Sedilroy. But perhaps raising her as his own daughter was the wrong choice. Without knowing how to love her or protect her, had he not recklessly made decisions?
The heir to Duke Valterminster, that name was both a strong fortress and a very vulnerable point. Could it be that he had used Ariante knowing this?
“No, that’s not it. At least that’s not the case.”
As Sedilroy walked briskly, his expression darkened. Then, someone suddenly rounded the corner and boldly blocked his path.
“Duke, Your Grace!”
A tense voice echoed through the quiet corridor of the palace. Startled by the unexpected situation, Serdis lowered his head. Soon after, a gentle smile spread across his lips. The boy who stood in his way was perhaps just ten years old, short in stature, but his expression was bright and cheerful.
“Swan, how have you been?”
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.]
