“Good, that’s a good attitude. Then trust yourself. Who would dislike someone as clever as you?”
Ariana turned her gaze away, swallowing a bitter laugh.
Would everyone have loved me if I had acted cleverly before I died once?
‘Probably not.’
Acting clever would have only hastened my death. Even now, it’s no different. Ever since Ariana started to think and act, Rachel tried to kill her.
The Eastern Emperor would probably be the same.
You have to act moderately clever and moderately stupid to survive.
Acting like a normal 16-year-old, but one who has suffered and matured a bit faster due to hardship. That was her plan until she secured her position in Dongling.
In that regard, Cyrus was easier to deal with than others.
He didn’t seem to find it suspicious that Ariana acted unusually mature.
‘Not that he’s not suspicious; he’s wary and doubts all aspects of me. That’s why he acts so carelessly around me.’
As the two exchanged suspicious glances, Louis, who had gone to pick mushrooms, returned.
Louis was holding a large fish in his hand.
“I caught this in the lake. What would you prefer, Your Majesty? Grilled or boiled?”
Ariana nearly screamed.
“Lou—Louis. I am not your empress.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. What do you prefer?”
“I’m not your empress!”
Ariana glanced at Cyrus, who didn’t seem inclined to correct Louis’s mistake.
‘What is he thinking?’
Annoyed, Ariana spoke firmly.
“Call me Ariana, Louis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. You had grilled fish before, so soup might be better this time.”
“Louis.”
Louis didn’t reply and moved to a corner to prepare the fish. Ariana, wrapped in her cloak, shifted uneasily and sat next to Cyrus.
“Why does Louis call me empress?”
“I don’t know.”
“I am not an empress.”
“I know.”
“Stop him from doing that.”
“Is that an order?”
“Your Highness, would you kindly scold Louie for calling me a concubine? The title feels too heavy.”
“I’m truly sorry to you, but I don’t want to be a petty lord who cares about how my subjects address others.”
“It’s out of concern for your great name that I speak.”
“Regardless of what my subjects call someone, my name won’t be tarnished. Don’t worry.”
Ariana stared at the strikingly handsome profile of Cyrus. However, Cyrus didn’t even glance at Ariana.
Ariana suppressed the urge to punch Cyrus by clenching her fists.
“Why is Louie playing such pranks?”
“Doesn’t everyone have the freedom to joke?”
“I don’t want to be the subject of pranks.”
“Then, go ahead and scold Louie.”
Ariana clenched her lips.
Scold Louie.
She couldn’t do that.
Louie had helped Ariana, had been injured by an arrow while protecting her, and was even cooking for her now.
She had resolved not to show affection to anyone in this life, but she couldn’t be cold to someone who had been consistently helpful.
While she hesitated, biting her lower lip, Louie completed the fish soup. He filled a round bowl and placed it in front of Ariana.
“Please eat, Concubine.”
“Louie, call me Ariana.”
“I hope it’s to your taste.”
Ariana sighed and took the bowl.
The warm heat emanating from the bowl warmed her cold hands.
Louie was good at cooking. There was no fishy smell, and the seasoning was just right. He had even thoroughly removed the scales and bones, making it easy to eat.
Both Louie and Cyrus quietly watched as Ariana enjoyed the soup. Only after eating half of it did Ariana realize they hadn’t eaten anything.
“Aren’t you two going to eat?”
“We’ve already had a lot of meat. You eat more.”
Ariana looked at them suspiciously for a moment, then focused again on her soup.
Louie whispered to Cyrus.
“Just watching the Concubine eat fills me up.”
“Indeed.”
“Since the Concubine seems to like fish, I’ll prepare fish for meals from now on.”
“Alright.”
“Do you not need to eat, my Lord?”
“Didn’t you say just watching her eat fills you up?”
“Yes, but I meant for me…”
Cyrus rested his chin on the back of his hand and quietly watched Ariana.
Ariana, pushing back her flowing sky-blue hair, heartily ate the hot soup.
Her body was so thin the bones were showing. Would she gain weight if she kept eating like this?
Watching Ariana chew the fish flesh, Cyrus thought.
‘I feel the same.’
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.]
