Etienne didn’t want to accept the duke’s invitation. Duke Schupraher had contributed to the downfall of her family and had stood by as her family crumbled, so her feelings towards him were not favorable.
If her feelings for Fernando had been even slightly less, her response might have been different when the emperor asked if the duke was involved in the treason. Despite her strong dislike for the duke, it was difficult for her to refuse a dinner with Fernando.
It wasn’t because she still harbored feelings for him or had any other intentions. She simply wanted to help him and ensure a perfect closure to their shared ordeal.
“Seeing you now, the drenched and pale girl from earlier seems to have disappeared, leaving behind a lovely young lady.”
“Thank you.”
As the duke complimented her with a smile, Etienne responded calmly and turned her head. She really disliked him. Once she disliked someone, everything about that person became displeasing.
Wanting to leave early, Etienne looked at her parents, especially giving her father a meaningful glance. The duke gestured for her to eat quickly.
‘I need to talk to Father…’
She needed to tell him to keep his distance from the duke and not to accede to any of his requests.
“Etienne, don’t you like the food?”
Startled by the voice next to her, Etienne twitched her shoulder and turned her head. Fernando, who had been happy to see her enter the dining room, had taken the seat next to her and continued to show interest.
“No, it’s delicious.”
She said so, but Etienne just held her cutlery, lost in thought. Fernando seemed to have been observing her. Etienne contemplated whether to eat ostentatiously but eventually put down her utensils.
“I’m full and can’t eat anymore.”
“But you barely ate anything…”
Fernando looked at her plate. True to his words, Etienne hadn’t eaten much. However, she shook her head slightly.
“I’m done eating.”
The thought that Fernando was concerned for her was new. In the past, she might have forced herself to eat just because he showed interest, but not now.
‘I don’t need to act to please Fernando anymore.’
Even if he was concerned, she didn’t want to eat anymore, so stopping was the right thing to do. Etienne decided to act according to her own preferences, not based on Fernando.
“Etienne doesn’t eat much.”
However, she couldn’t help but listen to Fernando’s mutter. She had resolved not to be swayed by him, but feelings don’t just vanish overnight.
Still, she considered herself quite firm and allowed herself a small smile.
“Ah? You smiled.”
Caught by Fernando pointing at her and expressing surprise, she quickly wiped the smile off her face.
“Why don’t you focus on your meal?”
Unable to bear it, Etienne pointed at the dish in front of Fernando. His steak looked untouched. She worried about his food while he worried about her not eating much.
“Are you worried about me?”
“What?”
Her comment was meant to prompt him to take care of his meal.
But Fernando misinterpreted it as concern, and Etienne looked at him in disbelief before being taken aback. His shy smile was one thing, but…
‘Why is his face red?’
Seeing his face, Etienne internally screamed. Fernando, looking embarrassed, picked up his fork and knife but hesitated to cut the steak, then nodded slightly.
“You’re worried, so I’ll eat.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Etienne waved her hand, trying to correct Fernando’s misunderstanding. She hadn’t meant it out of concern.
“I can eat well. And eat a lot. Ah. Later, I’ll eat what you leave behind.”
“Why would you eat that?”
“Why would the heir of a ducal house, especially one raised in luxury, say he’ll eat leftovers? Moreover, the table was laden with more than enough food for everyone to eat their fill.”
Etienne responded as if it was strange, but Fernando, still blushing, shyly asked, “Then we’re a good match, right?”
What is he even talking about?
“Just eat. For now, just start eating.”
Giving up on understanding him, Etienne inwardly shook her head and replied. Adapting to Fernando’s changed behavior since she saved him from the water was challenging.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Suddenly joining in, the duke’s voice made Etienne look at him unconsciously.
“Whether you’ll become the lady I protect or my wife for life, it’s good to start getting accustomed from now.”
Etienne wore a look of incredulity at the duke’s words. Fernando was strange, but the duke, who seemingly approved of it, was no less normal.
It seemed like he was deliberately echoing Etienne’s earlier words about taking Fernando as her knight or husband.
‘I really want to get up and leave now.’
She disliked both the duke and Fernando at this point. Etienne swallowed her rising sigh with some water. Deciding to stop eating was the right decision. Otherwise, she would have surely felt sick from the prolonged meal.
The dinner lasted until late, ending when Etienne was nearly exhausted.
“See you again.”
“Sure.”
Ignoring Fernando’s burdensome gaze, Etienne turned away.
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.]
