Duke Barlock’s sharp evaluation was accurate; his own master was too clever, and Duke Barlock was just as his master was.
“The decree is still valid.”
The ‘new master’s’ voice toward the broken sword was unwavering.
“Really, will you accept it?”
“There’s no reason not to accept knights.”
Gillian shrugged at Creta’s words.
“Didn’t you think this could be the Emperor’s bait?”
“Did you let them go?”
“Thank you for the high praise.”
Contrary to his words of thanks, Creta frowned.
It was a truly subtle way of speaking.
A sound that seemed like praise, but stung more than scolding.
If something went wrong, it would be his own fault for not blocking it beforehand.
Normally, he would have grumbled at such quickwitted words, but today was a very happy day freed from routine work.
“I’ll keep an eye on them for a while.”
“Feeling that good?”
Not grumbling, Creta seemed understandable, and Gillian nodded his head.
“Of course.”
“Really? That’s surprising.”
“What’s surprising?”
“Huh. Creta, I didn’t think you’d agree so easily. Anyway, let’s go home.”
His face as he mounted his horse seemed truly suspicious.
Genuine, not to push him away quickly or subtly pass off the task.
Creta wiped away his smirking expression.
‘Surprising.’
A light reaction, if you could call it that.
Perhaps it was a word to tease him.
But Creta felt uneasy returning to his routine, his mood unpleasant.
‘I didn’t think you’d agree so easily.’
Throughout the ride, feeling like he missed something, Creta continued to agonize.
And when they reached the routine, Creta realized what this unpleasant feeling was.
“Duke, should I have been more suspicious?”
Out of nowhere, the thrown question seemed to be understood, as Gillian only grinned.
Lifting the corners of his mouth into a quick smile, he looked cheerful.
But did he know that expression was truly irritating to Creta?
A face full of neither affirmation nor denial!
“Should I have been suspicious? You’ve accepted me into Barlock. You had neither the ability nor the intention to wield the sword.”
It was natural for Creta’s voice to rise while talking to Gillian.
“I had to. But not you. That’s why I said it was surprising.”
No particular meaning to it.
Gillian passed the heavy cloak to the footman.
“Should I have been more suspicious?”
“That’s for you to decide. It’s not for me to force.”
He quickly removed his wet gloves.
He also switched from his kneehigh boots to the dry shoes that Sijong had brought.
Kreta followed Gillian, ripping off his cloak and quickly catching up to him.
“I find it hard to understand what you mean. Please clarify.”
Kreta’s intuition spoke.
‘There’s something going on.’
Clearly, Kreta had missed something important.
Judging by Gillian’s reaction, it was a serious matter, but he knew it wasn’t bad.
However, apart from that, his pride was hurt.
Kreta Barhan.
He was officially a close associate of Duke Barlock, also responsible for the information of the Northern Territory.
It was impossible for him not to know any information.
Though not officially registered with any guild, no one in this Northern Territory dealt with more extensive information than he did.
And now this reaction from Gillian?
Kreta raised his voice towards the retreating Gillian.
“What’s going on? Is the Duchess really the Emperor’s puppet? Or is there another power? According to my information.”
“Duchess?”
Gillian chuckled, cutting off Kreta’s rapidfire words.
“Where is there a Duchess in Barlock?”
“…Stop playing with words. You’ve already written the marriage oath.”
“That marriage oath, did it connect me with someone who doesn’t even exist in this world?”
“What…what are you saying?”
At these ominous words, Kreta felt as though the floor had fallen from beneath him.
A person who doesn’t exist.
Then, had it not been a princess who entered this duchy?
Was the abandoned princess actually long dead?
Several thoughts crossed his mind in a moment, and none of them were good.
“Tha—”
Before his voice filled with emotion could burst out.
Gillian, who had stepped onto the stair, whispered.
“The Emperor has banished my daughter from the imperial capital. What he handed to me was an oath signed by Bianca Termina. Do you understand now? I still don’t have a wife.”
After Hayley, now Kreta.
That crumbling expression was really something to see.
Without saying a word, his face vividly displayed his contempt, disgust, and even pity.
It was no particular secret.
No, if a proper wedding was to be prepared, his close associates like Kreta and Hayley had to be in the know.
What this marriage meant.
Why it took precedence over anything else.
Why it had to be splendid.
Only then would preparations be perfect, even if he had to leave the castle to take responsibility for the Wave.
That’s what Gillian thought.
“…What are you saying?”
Until he saw Bianca, who stood pale on the distant staircase.
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.]
