登入February arrived alongside snowflakes that drifted down with increasing density as the Valthorne knights dragged Derrick past the courtyard gates.Roselyn stood there, on the inn grounds that were still stained with patches of frozen blood. Her gaze followed the black-haired man’s back unblinkingly until he completely vanished around the bend of the road. The piercing night wind slapped directly against her skin, which was shrouded only in a thin gown that was now torn and soiled in several places.Kaelus stood right behind her. Not a single word escaped his lips, nor did he make a move to touch his wife. He simply remained there, choosing silence as his solitary language while safeguarding his woman."Kael." Roselyn turned to face her husband. That look of deep anxiety had yet to fade from his features, even though Derrick had already been hauled away. "Einar... have you found him?""I have," Kaelus’s voice came out quietly, nearly drowned out by the howling wind. "I've sent him hom
Roselyn was still buried against Kaelus's chest when she felt her husband's body instantly lock up.His raw combat instincts as a seasoned knight made him immediately sense the danger creeping up on them.Without loosening his embrace, the silver-haired man spun them around, completely concealing Roselyn behind his broad, solid back."Rose, get back," Kaelus whispered, offering a gentle kiss to the crown of her head.Roselyn had barely taken a single step backward when a flash of metal came charging from the wide-open back door.Kaelus moved like lightning, parrying the sudden slash using his sword's scabbard—not even bothering to draw the blade yet.Trang!
Lancaster finally emerged from behind the thinning curtain of snow.The rooftops of the townspeople's houses peeked out from the distance, looking like a promise that was on the verge of being fulfilled.Kaelus pulled the reins of his horse right at the town gates, immediately deploying his forces in several directions at once."Check every single inn along the main road," he commanded the captain, his tone sharp and unwavering.The knights under his command scattered at once. The thundering hooves of their horses shattered the silence of the quiet streets, which had grown deserted due to the raging blizzard.Before ten minutes had even passed, one of the knights came dashing back, completely out of breath.
The silence felt like a blade held directly against Cedric’s neck. He stared at Kaelus for a long time, searching for a single flicker of doubt on that flat face.However, all he found was the chilling aura of someone who had long since carried the truth. Or more accurately, someone who refused to let that truth fuel a self-destructive hatred."Who told you?" Cedric’s voice finally trembled, coming out softer than he intended."That doesn't matter.""I thought the late Emperor had wiped out all of your father's loyalists. Even the records detailing the traits of the true imperial bloodline were burned.""A crime always leaves a trace, Cedric."The gold-eyed man fell si
Cedric stood by the grand window of the main hall, staring out at the blanket of snow beginning to whiten the palace courtyard."The Duke should be far away by now, right?" he asked his secretary."Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to your generous assistance, the Duke should be crossing the sea by now. It might be wise to stop detaining Grand Duke Valthorne, Your Majesty. He has been causing a massive stir since yesterday.""Tell our guest to come see me."The secretary bowed low, then turned and strode out of the hall. He walked briskly to meet Kaelus.The moment the heavy doors swung open, a terrifying glare from crimson eyes welcomed him.The middle-aged man, who was usually so
Within Derrick’s completely broken mind, there was no sight more breathtaking than looking at Roselyn lying submissively upon the bed.His delusional psyche truly believed that forcing a paralyzing drug down his beloved's throat wasn't an act of coercion, but rather a manifestation of pure love.As long as they were together, the man had absolutely no issue with carrying Roselyn wherever they needed to go."Are you awake, Rose?"The soft whisper brushed against Roselyn’s temple, followed by the warm touch of his fingers gently combing through her loose hair with the utmost care.Roselyn opened her eyes slowly. Before her, Derrick was already kneeling at the edge of the bed. He reached for a cup containing tea laced with the sedative, blowing on it gently before offering it to the Vogard princess."The snow is getting heavier outside," Derrick said, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Drink a little of this, alright? Your headac
The borders of the Hera Empire were slick with the remnants of last night's torrential rain.Kaelus Valthorne did not reduce his speed for even a fraction of a second as he thundered through the stone arches marki
The moon had reached its zenith in the highest crest of the sky, yet the King of Odiley remained wide awake.He lounged carelessly in his seat with his legs propped up on the table. A chalice of wine was cradled in one
“Get lost, you bastard!”Roselyn kicked Derrick straight between his legs. She delivered it with such force that the man collapsed onto the floor beneath the bed.
“I will make you love me again, Rose.”Derrick pinned his hand against Roselyn’s neck, forcing her to look into his blue eyes. There was no longer any pretense of the polite gentleman from her first li







