Originally, the funeral would have continued for several days as a state funeral. However, according to the Emperor’s will, his funeral was held simply with only the imperial family present.
It was unknown whether the Emperor had truly left such a will.
“Engagement… Did it have to be announced now? It could have waited until after the Emperor’s funeral, couldn’t it?”
Annoyed by Bleteus, who announced their engagement like someone being chased, Lina asked.
“Because our engagement is more important than the funeral of the deceased. Besides, at the time of the Emperor’s death, the succession should be more secure.”
‘Succession.’
The unpleasant imagination made Lina show a displeased expression.
How fortunate it was that she was wearing a black veil.
Lina stared directly, as if finding it difficult to respond to Bleteus’s words any longer.
“…May the man who was an emperor, father of two sons, and a loyal servant of the Helios god find peace by the side of the god.”
The substitute official, reciting a eulogy in front of the Emperor’s body laid on the marble coffin, turned to look back.
“Now is the time for farewell to Her Majesty.”
As the substitute official finished speaking, starting with the Empress, one by one, people began to rise from their seats, holding white chrysanthemums to their chests.
Lina also stood in front of the Emperor’s coffin, following Bleteus. Then, she noticed the lively appearance of the deceased Emperor, more alive than the corpse she had seen in the Sun Palace.
It felt as if he had been alive until last night.
‘Is it magic?’
If it’s magic, it must be some form of black magic. Anything that defies order is considered black magic.
Suddenly, Lina recalled the fact that the trees in the Sun Palace garden had withered faster than those in other gardens.
‘Surely, the corpse was preserved using black magic.’
And the dark energy of black magic might have affected the garden. After all, every black magic has its price.
Perhaps the vitality of the garden trees was the price of that magic.
The price of magic.
Uttering these two words, Lina remembered Bleteus’s words from a few days ago.
“Bellige broke a taboo that should never be violated by one with strong divine power.”
According to Bleteus, in the past, Bellige revived the dead with divine power. Because of that, the Fermannes family received the god’s curse for angering the god.
“Then, I became an immortal body…”
“In a way, you can see it as a side effect of divine power. The price was the lives of the Fermannes family members who died during that time. In all things in the world, a price is needed.”
The time she had lived for centuries.
It was the time taken away from the Fermannes family members who had died. If she didn’t lift the curse like this, Bellige would…
It was too horrible.
That she was breathing like this at this very moment was thanks to the blood shed by the Fermannes family.
Perhaps, even after lifting the curse, if Bellige is waiting for her, then maybe they can go back to the way it was.
How naive the thought was.
‘If only I… If I hadn’t taken Bleteus’s hand back then. If at least I had confessed my feelings to Lord Bellige. If I had done that…’
Our present would have been a little different.
“If, from the beginning, you only had one choice, Lina. If you make the same mistake again, Bellige will make the same choice as back then. I will tell him the way, just like back then.”
Bleteus’s last words echoed in her ears. Lina’s gaze, who dropped her head as if in resignation, coincidentally met with Ariana.
Although Ariana also wore a veil, Lina felt that she was concerned about her.
And soon, Alex, who was standing beside the princess, locked eyes with Lina. Alex approached her as if he had been waiting for the right moment.
“I heard you’re getting engaged. I was really surprised, Bleteus.”
Alex glanced at Lina.
“Although I can’t offer my congratulations.”
“It’s an engagement with the woman I love. The timing might be a bit off, but I hope you’ll bless us.”
“…The woman you love.”
Alex chuckled as if he had heard something amusing.
“Yeah, well, in that case, I should.”
Then, he extended his hand to Lina.
“I shouldn’t say this here, but congratulations on the engagement, Lady of Dennamis.”
After hesitating for a moment, Lina reached out her hand to him. However, as soon as Alex’s hand touched hers, a small note was placed in her hand.
‘This is…’
Alex gestured to Lina as he looked at her.
“Well then, see you later.”
“…Yes, 1st Prince.”
Lina pretended not to care and hid the note in her sleeve. Fortunately, Bleteus seemed not to notice.
A while later, after confirming that there was no one around, Lina unfolded the note that Alex had handed her.
[I’ll be waiting in the Sun Palace garden. -Bellige]“Sun Palace garden…”
Since the Emperor’s death, there was no one staying in the Sun Palace. So, at this time, there was no better place than the Sun Palace for a secret meeting.
But…
‘Is meeting the Duke the right thing to do?’
When she meets him, all she can offer is wounds.
Harming the one she loves felt like a double-edged sword.
Every sharp word she spat out to him seemed to hurt her own heart as well.
But…
Without knowing why she left, she couldn’t even fathom the vague torment the Duke had to endure.
Perhaps it would only make him more painful.
So, she had to tell Bellige. The reason why she had to choose Bleteus.
Even if it were a lie.
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.]
