Trampled and Broken (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 38
‘But he didn’t say anything rude like “Don’t look,” so…’
Thus, Hestia finally allowed herself to openly take in Aslan with her eyes.
His straight, thick eyebrows and high nose bridge.
His prominent brow bones, as if revealing his character, cast deep shadows into his eye sockets, making Aslan’s facial contours appear even more resolute.
Hestia swallowed a sigh and thought,
‘Hardly anything of his old face remains.’
He had grown more masculine—that was undeniable.
After an awkward silence passed between them… words soon ceased altogether.
Only then did Hestia finally tear her gaze away from Aslan, and as if waiting for that exact moment, he lifted his eyelids.
Without sparing her even a glance, he opened the carriage door first and stepped down.
Now that no one was watching them anymore, he wouldn’t bother showing kindness.
Just as Hestia, having anticipated this, began to rise shakily to follow him—
her legs suddenly gave out, and she sank back down onto the seat she’d just vacated.
“Come here.”
Surprisingly, Aslan had already turned back toward the carriage and was reaching out his hand to her.
Caught off guard by this unexpected kindness, Hestia’s violet eyes flickered slightly. She swallowed hard and slowly extended her trembling fingertips toward Aslan.
Instantly, a strong force pulled her forward, and before she knew it, Hestia found herself nestled in Aslan’s arms—just as she had been when boarding the carriage.
“Please… put me down. If you’d just help me stand, I think I can walk.”
Hestia mumbled in an embarrassed, barely audible whisper.
But Aslan didn’t set her down.
“Staying still is how you help.”
At his curt remark, Hestia gave up insisting on walking.
Though she’d felt somewhat better since leaving the banquet hall, it was true her legs still lacked strength.
Thus, she had no choice but to admit that accepting Aslan’s help, as he suggested, was the least troublesome option.
Then, a figure she’d pushed to the back of her mind suddenly came to her.
‘Angela must be worried.’
The only person on her side within the palace.
She should’ve sent word ahead.
‘Then again… I didn’t expect things to turn out like this either.’
As she sighed once more, Aslan strode quickly into the mansion.
“Master, you’ve returned already? But…?!”
Robert, who had bowed respectfully, gasped in utter shock upon seeing Hestia cradled in Aslan’s arms.
Meeting the butler’s eyes, Hestia lowered her brows.
She felt too awkward to even greet him—and if possible, she wouldn’t mind fainting again right then and there.
Meanwhile, Robert swiftly composed himself and smoothed his expression with practiced ease.
“It might take a little time to prepare a guest room. If you could kindly bear with that, I’ll have it ready immediately.”
“Forget it. I don’t need any of that.”
Aslan’s blunt reply, delivered without a moment’s hesitation, left the butler—who had just barely regained his composure—stunned once more.
Yet offering no explanation whatsoever, Aslan strode purposefully toward his own bedroom, still carrying Hestia.
His pace was so hurried—
that despite knowing full well he’d never drop her, Hestia couldn’t help but fear she might fall.
She clutched the front of Aslan’s coat even tighter.
He reached his room in an instant.
The butler, trailing behind with an expression torn between urgency and uncertainty over what to say, bumped straight into Aslan’s back when he abruptly halted.
“S-sorry!”
Clutching his nose, Robert hastily stepped two paces back and bowed his head.
Aslan turned toward Robert with an irritated glare and let out a heavy sigh.
“Robert, just how far do you intend to follow me in?”
At Aslan’s displeased tone, Robert flinched.
“My apologies.”
“Just open the door and leave.”
It was an order born of necessity—Aslan’s hands were occupied holding Hestia.
But Robert hesitated.
A bedroom was an intimate space.
True, Hestia had entered his room once before, on a rainy day.
But Robert wasn’t foolish—he’d long since noticed the atmosphere today was entirely different from that day.
And after all, considering who the other party was… The butler reluctantly began to speak, determined to try dissuading his master at least once.
“B-but Master…”
Yet Aslan remained resolute.
“Don’t disturb me until I call for you myself.”
“Yes… sir.”
The butler had no choice but to give the answer Aslan wanted—but his lingering hesitation kept him rooted in place.
Only after Aslan jerked his chin toward the door a second time did the butler, with a crestfallen expression, finally carry out his instruction.
Aslan entered the room still holding Hestia. The butler, pausing briefly, slowly closed the door behind them.
Click.
With that soft sound, the bedroom was swallowed by darkness.
But eyes soon adjusted to the dimness, allowing shapes to be discerned.
Perhaps because the fireplace wasn’t lit,
the room seemed even more desolate and barren than the last time she’d visited.
Moreover, the soundproofing must have been excellent—aside from their breathing, not a single noise could be heard.
Thus, Hestia couldn’t help but startle at even the faintest sounds: the rustle of Aslan’s collar, the soft tap of his shoes against the floor…
She admitted it.
Only then did she truly become aware of her own tension.
Still holding Hestia, Aslan walked straight toward the bed.
Naturally, she couldn’t help but panic.
‘R-right now?’
She’d assumed she’d at least be given time to wash up…
Should she ask to freshen up now?
But what if that made Aslan change his mind?
Her thoughts churned chaotically, like muddy water.
In the meantime, Aslan gently laid Hestia down on his bed.
The soft sheets brushed against her hips, and she swallowed hard.
But…
contrary to her expectations, Aslan immediately pulled away from her.
“This is the only proper room in the mansion.”
“…What?”
Ignoring her question, Aslan rose to his feet.
His golden eyes, gazing down at her, feigned indifference.
“Just sleep here and leave.”
With those brief words, he turned away.
He should have simply walked out—but his foot barely lifted before he froze in place.
“Wait.”
It was because Hestia had reached out from behind and grasped the back of his coat.
Of course, her grip was feeble—yet somehow, he couldn’t take another step.
Was this what it felt like—to be a helpless beast ensnared in a snare?
Aslan felt an unfamiliar tightness clutching his chest.
Meanwhile, Hestia had expected him to immediately shake off her hand—but his unexpected silence left her momentarily stunned.
Gathering her courage, she quickly sat up with a determined expression and wrapped her arms gently around his waist from behind.
“Don’t go.”
“Are you mad?”
A hoarse voice escaped Aslan’s lips.
“I can’t let you leave like this. If you don’t hold me now, everything will just return to how it was before.”
Aslan exhaled deeply.
From the roughness of his breath, she sensed something like heat simmering beneath.
“Don’t run away.”
Hestia pressed him a little more.
“Or… are you not ready to hold me after all?”
“…You’re not even funny.”
Gritting his teeth, Aslan tried to pry Hestia’s hands from his waist.
But Hestia had no intention of backing down—she interlaced her fingers tightly and held firm.
“A man like you has a heart as fickle as a reed—I can’t trust you at all.”
“…What?”
“I mean you’ll probably change your mind as soon as the sun rises.”
So absurd was her remark that Aslan couldn’t help but laugh.
He raised a hand and covered his eyes with it.
Hestia knew she couldn’t afford to miss this chance. In a voice so fragile it seemed ready to snap, she spoke.
“Give me certainty. Just like you declared to those nobles curious about our relationship at tonight’s banquet.”
“…”
“If you don’t, then you’re nothing but a braggart.”
“A braggart.”
Had her final provocation struck home?
Aslan easily loosened Hestia’s hands from his waist and let them drop.
Then, without a sound, he turned around.
The moment she met his utterly expressionless face—devoid of any readable emotion—goosebumps prickled across Hestia’s skin.
For the first time, she felt a flicker of fear toward Aslan… and instinctively took a step backward. But with no space to retreat, her knee immediately hit the edge of the bed.
Thump!
Her body toppled backward onto the soft mattress as if pushed.
Aslan placed one knee onto the bed and leaned his weight forward firmly.
Then, caging her small head between his arms braced on either side, he stared down at her with the fierce eyes of a predator.
“That’s your problem—you’re utterly transparent. Do you honestly believe that flimsy provocation would work on me?”
Though the situation was undeniably intimidating, Hestia merely lifted the corners of her lips.
That smooth, unbroken curve strangely stirred something within Aslan.
“Yes.”
Bathed in moonlight, her smile was unbearably alluring—and without realizing it, Aslan’s Adam’s apple bobbed sharply.
“And it seems to have worked.”
Her voice, half-lidded and seductive.
Aslan clenched his jaw until it hardened.
“You really don’t know how frightening men can be.”
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
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