“If you look at history books, those who resisted the emperor’s orders were considered criminals…
Emperor Maxwell ran his fingers across his lips, speaking in a dry voice. The air in the dining room became noticeably heavier, despite the apparent lack of emotion in his voice.
“Not only that person but even their bloodline may face severe punishment.”
Arabel’s long eyelashes trembled as she lifted her gaze from under the table.
“If you rebel, you might mercilessly be taken to the underground prison, deprived of seeing sunlight for a lifetime, or even bring down the entire family. Resisting the emperor’s orders is essentially tantamount to treason.”
There was no intention to openly threaten to this extent, especially against a small and powerless woman who hesitated to extend her hand.
No one in the empire had ever extended a compassionate hand like he did. There was never a need to reach out for an unreached hand.
Maxwell watched Arabel’s reaction while tightening his jaw in self-disgust.
Even if she couldn’t meet his eyes properly, now she would be too afraid to even lift her head. As expected, Arabel showed no reaction, quietly chewing her lower lip and sitting still for a moment.
Seems like she got quite scared.
The emperor, in a slightly gentle tone, tried to ease the tension as he opened his mouth…
“Your Majesty…”
Arabel looked up, staring with red eyes, and slowly spoke.
“You won’t, so I’m not afraid.”
The beautiful face that always maintained a poker face momentarily stiffened. It was a completely unexpected reaction.
“Why do you think that? Am I not frightening as your emperor?”
“Your Majesty… You’re the best person I’ve ever met.”
Her honest gaze without avoiding his eyes and the sincere voice filled with genuine feelings struck the emperor’s heart.
“I’m a good person?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you think that? I must have explained what your emperor is capable of.”
“But Your Majesty, you didn’t forget that you sought my help and came to find me. You’re even trying to reward someone like me, who is not qualified, by putting me on the list of empress candidates.”
Arabel’s round eyes formed a crescent shape as she gently laughed.
“Your Majesty, who cares for even someone as insignificant as me, must be the best person in the world. Thank you. It’s the first time someone has thought so much of me…”
The emperor tried to respond, but his throat was blocked, and no sound came out.
It was a smile full of happiness without a trace of fear. A simple and calm smile that was neither special nor enchanting blinded Maxwell’s eyes between his narrowed eyebrows.
“Ah, since my mentor is here, you’re the second best person I’ve met.”
Arabel didn’t know how to lie, as she had stated.
As if waking up from a trance, Emperor Maxwell opened his eyes when the irritating term ‘mentor’ came up while looking at Arabel’s smile.
Maxwell gave up on forcibly taking her to the palace, realizing that if he forced her, he might never see the smile she just showed him again.
However, unwilling to admit this fact, the emperor firmly concluded that abusing power against a weak woman was not something a strong ruler should do.
“I have to make it possible for her to come to the palace with me.”
Contrary to expectations, Maxwell thought as he looked at the uncooperative Arabel. Her sharp mind, which had never betrayed him before, seemed to be malfunctioning inexplicably. No matter what persuasion or threat he used, he realized her determination wouldn’t change.
She had a completely different mindset from those he had dealt with so far. Emperor Maxwell, for the first time, decided to take a gamble he had never tried before.
To rise to the throne, he had to hide himself and never show his true self even after becoming the emperor. But now, he slowly opened his mouth, a ruler who had freely crossed the line between falsehood and truth for his goals.
“To break my curse… I need your help.”
The emperor, who had never revealed his weaknesses before, had never asked anyone for help. Hyenas would have rushed to tear his throat out at that moment.
Despite his rational mind trying to control him, his voice flowed out.
“I don’t know how you did it… but my wounds were completely healed after spending the night with you. And,”
He paused, swallowing dry saliva, then continued.
“After turning into a beast, it took me four days to return to my original form. But when I met you, I returned to my normal self two days later. Clearly, you are related to my curse. Can you help me escape from this nightmare-like curse?”
After finishing his words, the emperor leaned his head against the chair.
Soon, a calm but powerful voice reached his ears. When he opened his eyes, he saw a pair of kind, round pupils staring at him without any hesitation.
“I will help you. I will do my best to assist Your Majesty.”
Arabel added, clenching her tiny fists.
“I will go to the capital with Your Majesty.”
Well, that was easy. A shallow sigh escaped Maxwell’s lips.
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.]
