
The Name of the Rose
He is the most terrifying man in the Empire—Hadrian, the Lord Protector. Cold, ruthless, and dictatorial, he rules the chaotic world with an iron fist, crushing rebellions without mercy. To the world, he is a monster devoid of human emotion; a tyrant who bathes in blood.
She is a rose growing in the mire—an ordinary, low-born girl struggling to survive in the slums. She possesses nothing but her pride and a fragile life.
Their worlds should never have collided. But in a twist of fate amidst the smoke of revolution, the lofty Dictator set his eyes on the humble commoner.
He didn't know how to love, so he used the only method he knew: Conquest. He clipped her wings, trapped her in his gilded cage, and forced her to bloom only for him.
"You fear me," Hadrian whispered, his fingers tracing her trembling lips. "Good. Because in this lifetime, you will never escape me."
In a game of power and submission, can a tyrant learn to kneel for love? And can a bird in a cage tame the beast?
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Chapter: Hostility喧闹的酒吧里挤满了人,随着夜色渐深,酒吧里变得更加热闹。呼喊酒保的声音此起彼伏,夹杂着调情、嬉闹和饮酒比赛的声音,构成了一幅独属于这个夜晚的景象。醉醺醺的顾客们唾沫横飞地吹嘘着,妓女们则在人群中穿梭,寻找顾客。一旦谈妥价格,她们便会在二楼一间破旧的房间里完成交易。无数寻求欢愉的男男女女曾光顾过这里,而这种肆无忌惮的寻欢作乐日复一日地上演着。当晚,两名不速之客爬进了其中一扇漆黑的窗户。费格拉上厚重的窗帘,点燃了桌上的油灯。火焰摇曳片刻后稳定下来,照亮了狭小的房间。这间小屋里只有一张床、一个衣柜和一个小小的卫生间。梳妆台上散落着廉价的首饰,床上的被褥胡乱堆放着,几件旧裙子随意搭在椅子上,显然女主人并不爱收拾。空气中弥漫着香粉的味道,费格微微皱起了眉头。林依兰环顾四周。“这是什么地方?”“楼下有个酒吧,”费格说道,不愿多谈。“我们暂时先避开外面的线人。人多的地方不会引起怀疑。这间房间很安全。”林怡兰没有继续追问。费格捡起散落的裙子,塞进衣柜,抖了抖被褥,抚平了床单。“你可以休息了。天亮我带你出去。”林依兰愣了一下。“你……要放我走吗?”“惊讶吗?”费格凝视着她的脸,神情中带着一丝自嘲。“在你眼里,我一定是那种披着虚假仇恨外衣,沉溺于各种卑鄙无耻行径的人。”林依兰抱紧自己,疲惫而茫然。“我不知道。你已经厌倦我了,而且我姓林……我父亲……我想你会讨厌我,所有人都会……”“累了吗?”费格重复了一遍这个词,表情有些苦涩。“你是故意让我看到这一幕的,对吧?”林依兰靠在橱柜上,抱紧了自己。“没有人比你更了解贫民窟的动静了。我一进来你就知道了。安排那一幕……其实完全没必要。如果你不想见我,直接说就行了。我根本不会多问一个字。”“你当然不会问。”费奇轻蔑地说道,“你一向很会把握分寸,从不越界。”林依兰察觉到一丝淡淡的讽刺,不禁有些惊讶。“这不正是你所期待的吗?”“我很惊讶你竟然选了我。”费奇没有否认。“你应该知道,跟我玩游戏是最危险的人。”林怡兰哽咽着笑了笑,久久没有回答。“宜兰,告诉我,我是谁。”菲格抬起下巴,不给她任何回避的余地。被迫直视那双深邃的眼睛,林依兰终于开口说道:“你是反叛组织的首领。”“为什么?”“我养伤期间大概猜到了一些。”他充满压迫感的目光迫使她继续说道,“谁敢在贫民窟里公然窝藏士兵?谁能让前任首领的儿子保持沉默?谁敢从秀
Last Updated: 2026-03-01
Chapter: Light of the GodsNo one could have imagined that directly beneath the Xiuwa base lay an astoundingly massive space.Compared to Sector A on the surface, Sector C was stricter and quieter. The enormous area was entirely free of dust. Smooth, flat, pale blue walls were inlaid with a row of crystal lights, illuminating the space regardless of day or night. Serene, stable, rigorous—everything within the space was perfectly organized. Even the researchers passing by shared a similar temperament. Time seemed to have stopped here."Only a few people in the Research Center can enter Sector C. Although they both belong to the Imperial Research Institute, their levels are different, and Sector C's management is extremely strict."Lin Yilan listened quietly to the introduction, put on the white coat Casey handed her, and blended into the uniform pure white."Sector C is divided into multiple areas, such as the experimental area, the reserve area, and the disposal area. I'll show you the first two; you probably w
Last Updated: 2026-03-08
Chapter: Sector CLin Yilan received an unexpected letter.The letter was not long, accompanied by an exquisite velvet pouch, penned by Natalie. The uninhibited handwriting perfectly matched the writer's fiery personality.*Dear Yilan,**I apologize to you for my rudeness last time. Please forgive your friend's unreasonable words, forgive her unfriendly posture, forgive her indiscreet behavior, and forgive her extremely abnormal reaction to your kind advice. She is a fool who has made a complete mess of her life and situation.**Yilan, my dear friend, your advice was right.**My impulsive actions turned me into a frivolous and wanton woman. I teased and mocked every man, and they only saw me as an object of desire. This stupid behavior left me with nothing but fleshly pleasure, and my former reputation is completely gone. Do you remember my father's mistress whom I used to ridicule at the academy? That vulgar, indulgent, unrestrained, pleasure-seeking, and spendthrift woman—I have become no different f
Last Updated: 2026-03-08
Chapter: Secret ReportThe door to the Military Administration Office was half-open. The officer behind the desk had his feet propped up, reading a newspaper, idly browsing the recent gossip from the Imperial Capital."Sir, that guy Dana is here causing trouble again."The orderly's report interrupted his leisure. The officer behind the newspaper didn't even lift an eyelid. "Let the guards handle it.""He's been making a scene at the gate for a long time. He even alarmed his former superior, who dropped a hint that we should handle this with a bit of discretion."The officer cursed under his breath, folded the newspaper, and tossed it aside, extremely dissatisfied with constantly having to clean up after other departments. "If that bastard's boss cares so much, why doesn't he just handle it himself?""Probably afraid Dana will ask to borrow money. That guy is up to his ears in debt, and his reputation is terrible.""So they dump the headache on us." The officer stood up and grabbed his military cap. "Alrigh
Last Updated: 2026-03-02
Chapter: The Past"You must have heard many rumors about the Lin family. They might not all be true, but one thing is certain: the Lin family is one that only recognizes the strong, and the style of the family head has always been forceful and ruthless. My father is the same. He campaigned year-round and rarely stayed in the Imperial Capital. Before I was seven, I hardly ever saw him. And my mother..."The soft voice slowed down as Lin Yilan fell into distant memories."My mother came from a prominent family in the Empire and was a true lady. She loved literature, fine food, art, painting, gardening—everything that made life beautiful. She was optimistic by nature and kind to everyone. She taught me etiquette and poetry, planted flowers and pruned grass with her own hands, making our days rich and wonderful. However, she was often ill and spent most of her time in bed. But even so, she was very happy. I often draped a bedsheet over myself in front of her bed, playing characters from operas, wearing jew
Last Updated: 2026-03-02
Chapter: Night WhispersThe time was nearing midnight, and the clamor downstairs remained loud. Feige locked the door, and peace returned to the room."I know this room... makes you uncomfortable, but the situation forces us. We have to wait until the search relaxes." Feige still held her, explaining stiffly. "Don't worry about Jiaofu; she will definitely do what she promised."Lin Yilan only smiled. "Thank you. I understand."She couldn't get out and couldn't find a safe path to leave this maze-like territory. She could only humbly, helplessly, and without any other option rely on his mercy, hide behind him, and live in fear of his possible hesitation. She even had to be grateful for his protection; for her, he had betrayed his companions and even spoken coldly to his new lover...Her trembling fingertips dug into her palms, and she struggled her wrists a little.Feige stared at her face, paused for a moment, and let go. "There is food on the table."A tray rested on the low table, the items he had taken fr
Last Updated: 2026-03-01