로그인Sherry took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and turned around.When she opened them, she was looking straight at her own reflection."So pretty!" The shop assistant clasped her hands together, eyes bright. "So, what do you think?"Sherry studied herself carefully in the mirror. The beaded white gown had a fitted corset that cinched at her waist and an overflowing skirt with a long train. It was exactly right. She gave a soft smile."This is the one."It was her third time in this boutique: the same showroom, the same assistant, a different dress. The only thing that was completely different this time was the reason she was smiling.The assistant beamed and fixed a delicate organza veil into her hair, stepping back to admire the result."Do we call your fiancé in?"Sherry shook her head. "I want it to be a surprise."She twirled once, satisfied. "Let's finalize this one."***Levian had been waiting in the indoor café. By the time Sherry walked out, there were four empty coffee cups on
"She begged," Aldrevon said simply. "Your mother. The whole time, she begged. Not for herself." His eyes stayed on Sherry's face. "For you.""The pure horror on their faces as they watched me carry you away, a crying mess..." Aldrevon shuddered. "That's when I realized how sweet this emotional torture tastes."He tilted his head. "And then I remembered something. You. Three years old, unaware of everything. The perfect piece to finally get the perfect revenge on the Lona family.""So I thought, wouldn't it be interesting? Let her grow up in complete ignorance. Let her believe her parents died ordinary deaths. Let her live peacefully, happily, completely unaware. And then, one day, bring her back. To the land her family abandoned. To the ashes of her ancestors. And make the last blood of House Lona kneel before me." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Only then would I have killed you.""I spent a lot of manpower and resources on you. You should feel honored." He continued smiling as if he
As the tanks crossed the border and rolled into Northern territory, the soldiers began cheering.It started with one voice, then spread down the line until the whole column was alive with it, fists raised, rifles lifted toward the sky. They moved like men who had already won, the armored vehicles advancing in a loose, confident formation that looked more like a victory parade than an invasion.Aldrevon watched from his command vehicle with quiet satisfaction."Report," he said.Adannael Poe, who had finally earned a merit after delivering Andreas like a wrapped gift, was the first to respond. "Your Lordship, the northern soldiers appear to have deserted their posts entirely. The sector is empty. It seems the air strikes this morning drove them out."Aldrevon's eyes narrowed slightly. "The entire sector."Belingjun Joe, Team Leader of Team Badagar, confirmed it without hesitation. "No resistance whatsoever, Your Lordship. The road to the capital is open."The cheering continued around
The first explosion came without warning.The windows of Saul’s residence shook violently, rattling in their frames as a deafening blast rolled across the city like a wave. The teacup in Sherry's hand slipped from her fingers and shattered against the wooden floor. Everybody froze in their seat. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke.Then the second explosion hit, farther away but harder, and the building shuddered around them.Sherry was on her feet before she realized she had stood. "What was that?"The answer came before anyone could speak. A siren cut through the air, sharp and high, and then another joined it, and another, until dozens of them screamed across the city all at once.Saul placed down his cup as he stood up with a solemn expression. "It has begun."Outside, the streets transformed within seconds. People poured out of shops and doorways, stumbling into the open and looking upward at the thick column of smoke already climbing into the morning sky. "What happened?""Was that an
The meeting room adjacent to the main hall was small. It had a long table, eight chairs, and a large map pinned to the wall with colored markers pressed into various points along the border. Six generals were already seated when they entered. Older men, mostly. Saul took his seat at the head of the table. "Gentlemen. As I mentioned, Mr. Smith has been operating inside the South for some time. I'd like us to hear what he knows."All eyes moved to Levian. He had sat across from harder rooms than this one. He folded his hands on the table and started talking. “He has already formed alliances with other nations for rations and medical support.” He began speaking. “What about the weapons?” One of the old generals asked.Levian turned to look at him, “He had everything shipped to him. He is ready for the war.” Then he turned to look at Saul. “Maybe even more than the Northern Udyous.”By the time the meeting wrapped up, the room’s atmosphere was heavy. The generals left one by one after
The dining hall was far more modest than Sherry had expected.For someone who controlled the entirety of Northern Udyous, Saul Kaelhart's residence had none of the excessive luxury she had imagined. The room was spacious, certainly, but simple. A long wooden table stood at the center, surrounded by tall windows that looked out over a quiet garden.Fresh bread, eggs, soup, and tea had already been laid out.Sherry sat beside Levian while Victor took the seat across from them.For the first few minutes, the conversation stayed light. Saul asked mostly about their journey, and Sherry was grateful for it. Her body was still exhausted. Her mind even more so.Now and then, she caught Saul studying her. Not openly. Just glances, quick enough that someone less tired might have missed them.Finally, Saul set his cup down. "Miss Sherry."She put down her fork and looked at him. "Yes?""Can you tell me a little about your family?"The room grew slightly quieter."Everyone's gone," Sherry said, w
“I am here to pick you up, High Chancellor,” the bodyguard who had driven them to the villa curtsied as he opened the car door. “His Lordship is waiting.”“Let’s go,” Levian spoke in a dry voice as he pulled Sherry towards him and climbed inside the car. The bodyguard sneaked a peek at the couple
‘Vincent Troy?’ Sherry’s expression darkened almost immediately the moment she looked at him. ‘What is he doing here? Did he follow me?’ She tightly gripped her wine glass as she sidestepped away from the railings of the balcony while making sure her gaze not once left Vincent’s. Maintaining a calm
“We, we can’t, Levian, as much as I want to feel you inside me like crazy, we can’t!” Sherry whispered as she cupped his face in her palm. After everything that happened today, she felt like shit, like her world had collapsed and the only pillar she had was the man that was lying underneath her righ
“Have you calmed down now?” Levian asked softly as he handed Sherry a steaming cup of green tea. Sherry gave a gentle nod in response as she took the cup. “Thank you,” she whispered under her breath. Turning her head, she looked outside the window that was wet as the raindrops continuously hit it, b







