All Chapters of The Return of the Emperor: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The moment Vanessa stepped into the hotel suite, the door slammed shut behind her. A sharp gasp left her lips, but before she could even turn, cold steel pressed against the delicate curve of her throat.Zane.Her back hit the wall, her pulse hammering as his body caged hers in the dim light. His grip was unyielding, one hand wrenching her wrists above her head, the other keeping the blade steady against her skin. But even through the quiet violence of his touch, all she could focus on was him.His scent—clean, crisp, with the faintest hint of smoke—wrapped around her like a shackle. The glow from the city skyline seeped into the room, casting a halo of light around his sharp, impossibly beautiful features. His jet-black hair fell over his forehead, just brushing the long scar that slashed across his right eye. He was breathtaking in the most dangerous way—tall, broad, his toned muscles stretching beneath his dark shirt, his presence a storm of barely restrained power.And she was utte

Present Day"Leave me!" a woman’s cry echoed in the air, bringing a knocked out Zane back to his senses.He blinked his eyes to clear his vision, to see what was going on. His hands straining against the ropes that restrained him ,Though, the severe pain in his head prevented him from opening his eyes properly. It didn't take him long to realize that his wrists and feet were tied. Even his mouth was taped shut.After some attempts his vision finally cleared. The sight in front of him made his stomach drop, that too, for the first time in his life.Vanessa was right in front of him, sobbing, her eyes red and puffy, a single cut across her cheek causing blood to drip. She was struggling in Lorenzo’s grasp who had roughly clutched her hair in his fists and was now marking a cut across her neck, right where Zane had left a hickey.The white shirt she wore was drenched in blood, with a tear in it precisely at her left rib cage, the spot of her Lorenzo Kim tattoo. Several other cuts all acr

7 years agoZane sat with John in his room, indulged in alcohol and a game of chess. "How can you trust a person you just picked off the streets?" John asked, his tone careful yet concerned. "She doesn't even have a name-""This is exactly why I can trust her," said Zane, smirking. He wasn't so naïve to trust a stranger without first evaluating all the possibilities. He had done his homework on her, and he knew why she was a solid candidate for the position he was searching for."She's a weapon, John," he replied, sipping his drink, his mind racing through calculations. "Untamed, raw. If trained well, she’ll become exactly what I need."He moved his queen across the chessboard, claiming victory over John's king. "A queen," he added with a grin, "like on a chessboard—fierce and loyal. Who’d put her own life on the line to protect me, the king.”"Excuse me, Mr. J-," a voice said, followed by a tap on the door, interrupting their conversation."What are you doing here at this hour?" Zane

One Day Ago in Kangyu DynastyThe royal convoy from Dharakand entered the boundaries of Namgyeol, with a palanquin carrying Princess Vaani of Dharakand and a procession of horses ridden by the princes and their troops.Namgyeol, the southern capital of Kangyu, unfolded before them in all its splendor. The air was calm and refreshing, the city exuding an inviting, peaceful atmosphere. The gentle breeze brushed against the princess’s face as she peeked through the curtains of her palanquin, her eyes taking in the vibrant, alluring sights of the capital.At the city’s entrance, a group of Royal Guards, led by their captain Kim Insu, welcomed them.“His Majesty wanted to welcome Your Royal Highness personally,” Captain Insu said while bowing in curstey, “but he had to attend to the preparations for the tourney.”“Is there some special occasion today?” Prince Vir, Princess Vaani’s half-brother asked, excitedly.“Indeed, Your Royal Highness. Since it’s your first visit to the Kingdom of Kan

“How did you get these cuts, Your Highness?” the royal physician asked, carefully wrapping bandages around Vaani’s arms and wrists.“I-I… fell down the stairs,” Vaani stammered, avoiding his gaze as her eyes flickered nervously.The physician’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Certainly, you didn’t happen to take part in the tourney to get injuries like these, did you?”Her heart skipped a beat, and she blinked at him, puzzled. “Uh… what do you mean?”He chuckled softly. “I’ve treated all kinds of injuries, Your Highness. By now, I can tell the difference between cuts from a sword and bruises from a fall.”Vaani’s cheeks flushed. “Please don’t tell anyone,” she whispered, her voice filled with urgency.The physician chuckled again, his smile reassuring. “Why would I?”Her curiosity piqued, and she tilted her head. “You seem awfully young for a royal physician. How old are you?”“You’re quite observant, Princess. I turn twenty soon,” he replied.Her brows shot up in surprise. “You’re