There were many children who became orphans during the war that ended 5 years ago. Many children were also abandoned at orphanages due to difficult living conditions.
The state sent subsidies to orphanages across the empire, but it wasn’t enough. Countless petitions were being sent to increase the monthly subsidies.
“It seems like a good idea. I was worried about many facilities being outdated and financially unstable.”
When words of affirmation came from Killian’s mouth, Windler’s face immediately brightened. Windler spoke in an excited voice.
“How about using the affiliated kindergarten as a model, seeking their advice, and developing a concrete plan?”
“Good idea. Inform the kindergarten and organize a specific schedule. As soon as possible.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Windler was surprised. He didn’t expect such a quick positive response.
Killian was a very meticulous superior. It was extremely rare for permission to be granted so quickly without reviewing additional materials.
‘What could be in that kindergarten that makes him so eager to proceed with this work?’
Curiosity was rising like a heat haze, but Killian didn’t let Windler sink into contemplation.
He asked again.
“Have you also discussed plans to incorporate magical devices to improve the environment within the annex palace?”
“Yes, of course, Your Excellency.”
Windler placed the file he was holding on Killian’s desk and smiled brightly. He thought it was good that he had prepared all night.
‘I guess I’m quite competent.’
Admiring himself and smiling with satisfaction, Windler immediately began his report.
[This is the timeline separator]The sun was high in the sky, but Crown Prince Jonathan was still in bed.
“Begin.”
“Yes, I understand, Your Highness.”
His established routine was to spend the entire morning lying in bed listening to reports from his secretaries.
A young secretary looked at the documents and began reporting.
“Duke Drea is pushing for the nationalization of orphanages distributed across various regions.”
“What?”
Surprised, Jonathan sat up abruptly. His bare upper body emerged from under the blanket.
“What’s that about all of a sudden? Nationalizing orphanages? Is that possible?”
“It’s still in the early stages of discussion, so we can’t say for certain. They are currently seeking cooperation from the kindergarten affiliated with the Imperial Normal Academy for planning this project.”
“Haa… This is ridiculous…”
Jonathan rubbed his face vigorously and flopped back down on the bed.
He was somewhat relieved to hear it was still in the early stages, but that feeling lasted only for a moment.
‘But that guy is the type to push things through to the end once he starts…’
Oh, damn! Even cursing didn’t alleviate the stifling feeling. Jonathan unnecessarily barked at the secretary.
“Stop it! Stop it at all costs! Use every means and method available! Stake your life on stopping it without fail!”
The young secretary flinched at the mention of staking his life.
“I will obey your command, Your Highness.”
The young secretary, his face turning pale, bowed deeply while standing in place. Jonathan shouted again in an irritated voice.
“What are you standing there for? Get out and get moving right now!”
“Ah, yes, Your Highness.”
Only then did the young secretary hurriedly leave the luxurious bedroom with quick steps.
“Next!”
Jonathan’s gaze turned to the middle-aged secretary standing beside him. Ahem, clearing his throat, the secretary stepped forward, scanning the file and speaking in a lowered voice as if afraid someone might overhear.
“The Empress had a private audience with Madame Brienne.”
“Oh?”
Jonathan’s face immediately brightened. He waved his hand, signaling to continue.
The secretary spoke in an even lower voice.
“Madame Brienne is claiming to be pregnant with His Majesty the Emperor’s child.”
“Puhahaha! Wahahahaha!”
Jonathan, who had been sitting on the edge of the bed, stood up and jumped up and down, roaring with laughter.
After a while, he finally stopped laughing and said, gasping for breath.
“Haa… Yes, I’ve been wanting to hear such amusing stories lately! Phew… Mother must be greatly distressed?”
“Yes, that is so. It seems the Empress is unable to take action easily and is very anxious, as His Majesty the Emperor appears to be particularly fond of Madame Brienne, unlike other times.”
“Hooh…”
Jonathan stroked his chin, his eyes glinting. The sight of the upset Empress would be quite something to behold.
“I shall visit Mother soon, so make preparations accordingly.”
“I will obey your command, Your Highness.”
After paying his respects, the secretary immediately left the bedroom.
Only after receiving reports on the movements of the Second Prince Tate and Third Prince Caspian from the remaining two secretaries did Jonathan sit down at the dining table.
[This is the timeline separator]In the infirmary’s break room, healers and assistants were gathered around eating meals.
“To be able to have a leisurely meal with Nia even on a weekday! What’s all this about?”
Assistant Megan chewed on her sandwich, smiling brightly.
“The number of patients has increased a lot. I decided to reduce my work at the magic tower laboratory to focus on the infirmary.”
“You say that, but you’re not going to end up working there late at night, are you?”
Marco squinted through his thick glasses as he interrogated. Veronia laughed as if it was absurd and waved her hand.
“Come on, isn’t that too much of an evil prophecy, Master? I agreed to do the magic tower laboratory work just briefly once a week on weekends.”
“Well, that’s a relief! The laboratory might be upset about losing talent, but we’re glad to have the talent for longer!”
“That’s right!”
As Marco and Megan laughed happily, Veronia joined in. She was so grateful and felt it was a great fortune that the people around her liked and trusted her.
“Wow, it feels good to be praised after a long time! I did well, well done me.”
Veronia playfully patted her own shoulders and arms. Everyone eating their meals chuckled as if it was ridiculous.
But she didn’t back down.
“Oh come on, I know. You’re all praising me inside too.”
“Sure. Let’s say that’s the case.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Everything Nia says is correct.”
Halfhearted responses came from here and there, and finally laughter erupted again.
Veronia laughed along. It was a day when she laughed a lot after a long time, thanks to her colleagues.
However, a few hours later, Veronia faced a situation where she couldn’t laugh at all.
It was when the sun was setting. While she was hurrying to prepare to leave work, the door to the examination room opened and a familiar face entered.
“Director?”
“Hello, Nia? It’s been a while! Oh, maybe not that long? Anyway, it seems even more pleasant to see you in an unfamiliar place. Hoho.”
This woman, who flipped her red hair back gracefully revealing her elegant legs, was Judith Camille, the director of the magic tower laboratory.
Seeing her usual tight black leather clothes in the clinic instead of the laboratory felt out of place.
“What brings you here, Director?”
“Congratulations, Nia!”
“What? What do you mean all of a sudden?”
Veronia asked, tilting her head. Suppressing the approaching sense of unease, she waited for Judith’s next words.
“Your proposal has been accepted! I thought it was quite good when I first heard it.”
“What proposal? Where was it accepted?”
Veronia asked without even taking a breath. Pleased with her reaction, Judith smirked and took her time.
“The moving stairs.”
“Ah…”
It was a proposal modeled after escalators, which were common in her previous life. It involved creating stairs with magic stones and enchanting them to move up and down automatically.
It was a magical device that she had also featured in her fairy tale book, and due to the good response, she had also submitted it as a proposal, but that was a year ago.
‘There had been no news at all, so I had forgotten about it, but suddenly it’s been accepted!’
Veronia was surprised but also very happy.
Among magical devices, it was the largest kind. If done well, it could become a truly excellent landmark! With such thoughts, excitement grandly swelled in Veronia’s chest.
“But where and how was such a big proposal accepted?”
“Nia, don’t be too surprised and listen carefully to what I say. Come on, take a deep breath.”
Wondering how amazing the place that accepted it must be for her to make such a fuss, Veronia tensed up.
Judith, her eyes sparkling, almost shouted:
“The Imperial Palace!”
“What?”
“I’m telling you, it was accepted by the Imperial Palace!”
“…”
Veronia was at a loss for words. Thump thump, her heart pounded.
The director seemed pleased with Veronia’s reaction again and chuckled before continuing.
“You’ve heard about the annex palace where the administrative officials’ offices are, right? They decided to install it at the main entrance there!”
“…”
“A huge magical device inside the Imperial Palace! Just thinking about it is so thrilling! I’m so excited!”
The director covered her face with both hands and jumped up and down. Meanwhile, Veronia’s face was gradually turning ashen.
‘What in the…’
If it was the annex palace where the administrative offices were gathered, the person in overall charge would surely be Killian, who held the position of Prime Minister.
It was undoubtedly Killian’s doing.
‘But why? Why on earth…?’
She couldn’t understand.
It should have been just a brief encounter at the market, but since that day, Killian kept hovering around her.
She even reduced her work at the magic tower laboratory to avoid him. Hugo agreed to take charge of Je’diel’s lower house for the time being.
‘And yet… And yet…!’
To think he would go this far to reach out directly even though she had been avoiding him! It truly was an impressive influence.
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.]
