ANMELDENAs the first rays of dawn filtered through the magical barrier high above the tower sky, Roselyn slowly opened her eyes. The warm touch of the morning sun felt incredibly gentle against her skin.
A sudden, dull ache around her waist instantly reminded her of the sweet madness they had shared beneath the blanket of stars the night before. With a faint smile gracing her lips, Roselyn reached out, brushing her hand against the side of the bed next to her.
It was empty. The mattress
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 thundering hooves of the Valthorne and Odiley forces ground to an abrupt halt at a major crossroads, exactly half a day's ride after leaving the Capital gates.Standing directly in their path, a small detachment bearing the golden eagle crest blocked the road like a wall of shields."Grand Duke Valthorne." The leader of the detachment—an Imperial Marshal draped in a deep crimson cloak—offered a formal nod, not making the slightest move to dismount.His gaze carried a condescending look, typical of a watchdog acting grand simply because he carried the ruler's decree. "His Imperial Majesty commands you to return to the palace immediately.""I don't have time for this.""Forgive me, Grand Duke, but this isn
The first snow of the season began to blanket Lancaster just as Derrick’s carriage was getting ready to push toward Raipherze.Roselyn watched the scene unfold through a tiny parting in the curtains. Delicate white flakes drifted lazily from the sky, dusting the cobblestone road they were traveling on."The snow always hits this place earlier than the Capital," Derrick murmured, gently adjusting the hood of Roselyn’s cloak to keep the chill away. "My mother used to say the first snow is a good omen. A clean slate."Roselyn didn't say a word. The lingering numbness from the afternoon's drug still had her tongue tied. She could only stare blankly at every passing landmark she caught a glimpse of, desperately tracing a mental map for an escape route in her mind."How... much longer until we arrive at Raipherze?" Her voice came out clearer than she expected, catching her off guard.Derrick snapped his head around, pulling her a little closer into his embrace. "You're finally talking to m
Roselyn opened her eyes, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she was still trapped in a dream. The ceiling above was a pale cream, and a flickering candlelight danced softly at the edge of her vision.However, when she tried to curl her pinky finger, her body entirely refused to obey the command.‘What's happening to me?’ she muttered in her mind, unable to make a sound.The daughter of House Vogard could still feel the chill of the room. Though her movements were severely restricted, her eyes could still dart around.A small, greenish vial lay on the nightstand, half its contents spilled onto a cloth that was still damp beside the bed."Are you awake, Rose?"The voice echoed from a corner of the room, followed by the steady sound of approaching footsteps.Derrick sat down at the edge of the bed, staring at her with a look of relief tangled with deep anxiety."Don't be afraid. The effects are just temporary. You can hear me, right?" He gently stroked Roselyn's brown hair. “I make y
A sword blade swung directly for Kaelus’s neck before his boots could even firmly plant themselves on the D'Arest grounds.He ducked in a fraction of a second, feeling the sharp gust of wind whistle right over his silver hair. Seizing his attacker's wrist, he twisted it brutally and slammed the man onto the dirt.The hearts of the remaining guards shattered instantly."Don't let them step a foot inside!" the captain bellowed, his voice straining against the clash of steel that had already erupted.Three D'Arest knights charged at once. Kaelus drew his blade just as a spearhead tore through his cloak.His blade spun in a tight arc, parrying two consecutive strikes, before slamming hard against his opponent's hilt to send the weapon flying.Behind him, the Odiley and Valthorne knights surged forward, blades locking in a frenzy. Shouts and the frantic neighing of horses tangled into a chaotic roar, heavy with dust and ragged breathing."Hold your ground!" Kaelus kicked the last opponent w
An abrupt, heavy silence instantly enveloped the main hall after the servants unveiled the painting of Roselyn in the rose garden. The Valthorne knights on duty subtly shifted their hands back to the hilts of their swords, instantly alert and awaiting the slightest command.With such a blatant insu
The Valthorne castle bells chimed seven times, their deep resonance piercing through the morning mist that blanketed the entire North. The day everyone had been waiting for—and the day the Emperor’s faction dreaded the most—had finally arrived.The main hall of Valthorne had been transformed into a
An hour earlier.Dinner had been an absolute disaster for Vivianne. Instead of enjoying the meal, she had to sit for hours, enduring Vogard Sirius's endless babbling.All because Kaelus had suddenly skipped the banquet, claiming to have a mountain of work to finish. As a result, Vivianne was forced
Roselyn immediately rose from the bed. She hid her father's letter beneath her pillow, then walked toward the door.The moment she opened it, Kaelus’s towering figure greeted her. He was still wearing his cloak, but the lines of his face looked far more tense than before he had left. He stood there







