Chief Minister

Auriel, the Goddess of Balance, was once revered among the pantheon of deities for her immense power. However, her chronic clumsiness and inability to manage divine tasks without causing unintended disasters have made her the laughingstock of the gods. After one particularly disastrous mistake (accidentally flooding an entire celestial city), she’s banished to the human realm as punishment. Her mistake? Seducing the Chief God's daughter and make her fall for Auriel? Her next task? Select the next ruler of Earth. Her problem? Every "candidate" is a strong-willed, talented woman who, instead of vying for Earth’s throne, seems more interested in vying for Auriel’s heart. ____ Will have r18, smut, futa, harem and so much more

In Japan of 1992, just after the economic bubble burst, society's public safety began to deteriorate. Xu Tianze finds himself transmigrated into the body of a detective named Aoyama Hidenobu, and the moment he opens his eyes, he discovers himself bound up tightly... Entering the new century, a prestigious magazine proclaimed that although Japan has lost a decade since the 90s, they gained a legendary figure like Aoyama Hidenobu. Regarding this, some Japanese nationals expressed: 'Damn it! We'd rather lose another 100 years than have this traitor to our country!' This book is also known as 'This Tokyo is Somewhat Hot.' PS: The protagonist is a rascal, acting with contempt, decisive in killing and fighting, purely for the thrill, not for the faint-hearted.

Shangjing Hospital’s intern, Xiao Yifei, stumbled upon some scandalous behavior from the chief doctor and subsequently faced the hostility of the chief, making his work life extremely difficult. Little did he know that shortly after, Xiao Yifei would inherit the legacy of the Jade Dragon Eye. X-ray vision, control, all within my sight. Lolis, beautiful women, all within my embrace. From then on, Xiao Yifei embarked on a life that was nothing short of spectacular!

She, the world's chief doctor of the 21st century, the legendary overlord of the medical world, was killed and her soul transmigrated… She, the useless miss of the Windcloud Empire, was ugly, silly, and obsessed! She died in her own sister and fiancé's hands… When she reopened her eyes again, she had the soul of the strong but the body of the weak… When she became her, her fate would be rewritten and a miracle would appear… This was a story of a two-faced person meeting another two-faced person. With pure hearts, they would end up together.

The entire world knows that the heir of the Jiang family is smitten with Miss Lu, but Miss Lu doesn't see it that way. Lu Jing thinks Jiang Ye has too many unbearable traits and doesn't want to indulge him. One day, the heir runs to the Lu residence. "Lu Jing, when will you finally grant me a formal status?" "Lu Jing, don't accept their things, whatever you want I will give you!" "Lu Jing, you are mine, and you can only ever belong to me in this lifetime!" Lu Jing: "Scram~ Stop disturbing my sleep!" (1v1, reunion after separation, pursuing wife to the crematorium.)

She was supposed to be a lady of the Marquis' mansion but became a farmer's daughter due to a mix-up at birth. After painstakingly growing up into a beautiful and graceful lady, nobody came to propose to her. Many said she was ugly and mentally challenged or a cursed child who brought misfortune to her parents. But her husband, whom she picked up along the way, was actually the future Prime Minister. The little monk she adopted on the mountain was one of the six Divine Generals. Even the old lady she rescued without much thought turned out to be the current Empress. A certain man said fiercely, "Dear, I'll deal with anyone who dares to bully you!" The Divine General said, "Sister, just tell me whichever territory of the six kingdoms you want. I'll conquer it for you!" The Empress said, "The Emperor bullied my darling? Just wait! I'll depose him right away!"

Duo Duo's new book "Daily Life of the Beloved Wife in the House" has been released. Welcome all to read it--- A large brick bed, a big black wall, a room all deserted. A suit of clothes, not long enough, washed to a bleached old gown. One day, she woke up ten years younger, ending up with a beguilingly good-looking husband. But she just beat him up this morning--Damn, how to deal with this? A certain wickedly charming man coldly looked at her: "Tell me, what trouble have you run into this time?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PS: Duo's completed works, "Gentle and Cute Wife Comes to Tease", "Fall in Love, Chief Executive", "National Film Emperor is too Good at Flirting", are rich and highly recommended for reading. Regular readers group: 285699337, knock on the door... names of any of Duo’s book characters are accepted. VIP readers group: 611482740. Fans with a score of 2000+ or those who have a full set of any of Duo's books can join.

Cesare Traon Karl Erzet, the Imperial Commander-in-Chief. After three years of service in the war, he returned to propose to Eileen. Eileen struggled to believe that Cesare’s marriage proposal was sincere. After all, from the moment they met when she was ten, The affectionate man had always treated her like a child. “I don’t—I don’t want to marry Your Highness.” For so long, her love for him was unrequited. She did not wish for their marriage to be a transaction. Was it because of the long war? The man, who was normally cool and rational, had changed. His impulsive actions, his unbridled desire for her—they were all too unfamiliar. “This should only be done with someone you love!” “You can also do it with the person you plan to marry.” Eileen was intrigued by this change. And yet, the closer she became with Cesare… She discovered things that defied reason or logic. Eileen learned about her husband’s many evil deeds not long after. “I couldn’t even have your body, Eileen.” Everything he did was for her. He became the villain, only for his Eileen.

[Warning: MATURE/R-18 Content] Noah Ashford, the son of the village chief. And also, he was a reincarnator, who accidentally died by an unexpected event. Since childhood, he was always considered smart by his friends. Unfortunately, his talent was too low, leaving him far behind. Due to his low talent, he was always the object of ridicule, always talked about by the villagers. Luckily, one day when he was almost killed by a monster, something strange happened to him. He got a system, called talent increased. *** Others tags: Adventure, Weak to Strong, Strong to Stronger, Killed, Level Up, Revenge, Hated Protagonist, Academy, Netori, No incest, Princess, Priest, Hero, Knight, Dragons, Demons, Magic Mana, Divinity, Skills, Rewards, Potions, Training, Hard Training, Body Enchament, Spirits, Elves, Dwarfs, Necromancer, Beast Taiming, Beats, Dryads, World Tree, Contract Spirits, Divinity, Holy Magic, Saints, Commander, Milf, Kings, Continent, Imperials, Nobles, Kingdoms, Tournament, Rivals, Emperors, Prince, Princess, Resistance, Conflict, War, Power Level System, Longevity, Cold Protagonist Slice of Life: WPC JUNE 2024 *** Donate me: Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/dylanhusand Paypal: paypal.com/dylanhusan *** Disclaimer: the cover on this book is not mine, hope u all understand. No Plagiarisme, No Rasisme, No Cultivation, No Yuri Simp! REMEMBER! NO NTR TO ALL PROTAGONIST WOMEN!

In the ancient realm of Cadearus, the malevolent Green Spirit once manipulated kings like pawns, sparking wars that scarred the land for generations. Imprisoned by a council of mages led by Tesior, their chief dark mage, the spirit lay dormant under a powerful curse for centuries. Now, whispers of its awakening send tremors through Cadearus. Richard, an unsuspecting youth, becomes the unwitting vessel of the Green Spirit's resurgent power. As Richard grapples with newfound abilities that threaten to consume him, Tesior's dark influence resurfaces. He seeks to harness the spirit's ancient power for his sinister ambitions. Caught in a deadly game of fate and magic, Richard must unravel the secrets of his past and confront the imminent threat of Tesior's dark machinations. With alliances tested and ancient prophecies unfolding, Richard races against time to thwart Tesior's plans before Cadearus descends into chaos once more. Little does he know, his journey will lead him down unpredictable paths filled with adventures he never imagined.

Synopsis – The Pale Monarch In a vast multiverse, five Monarchs balance the forces of existence, ruled by the divine Benevolent Eyes. But when Raziel, the Monarch of Shades, betrays and kills Alistair, the Monarch of Light, darkness spreads across the universes. Unknown to Raziel, the Monarch of Souls secretly preserved a fragment of Alistair’s soul and placed it in the lifeless body of Cedric, the son of a town chief on Low Earth. Now reborn as Cedric, Alistair exists in a human body, stripped of his full power. He must grow, learn, and struggle as he rediscovers himself—not just as a Monarch, but as a human. But when Raziel discovers his survival, he unleashes Pandemoniums, monstrous demons that devour mana and destroy worlds. The invasion forces Low Humans to flee to the floating Sky City, where they must live under the rule of High Humans, the privileged children of the Monarchs. As Cedric fights to protect the weak, he begins to unlock his lost power, but the High Humans see him as a threat. Betrayed and cast down to the ruined lands below, he must now survive alone against terrifying creatures—while discovering the truth behind Raziel’s betrayal and his own purpose as the last hope against the darkness. A journey of power, destiny, and humanity begins.

The first thing Nyell did when he met his destined mate was try to punch him in the face. Why did it have to be the chief of that darned tribe? He hated his guts before meeting him, and he still hated his guts after meeting him. But as destiny would have it, this man asked for him in exchange for helping solve the disappearances plaguing Nyell’s village. As the chief’s son, Nyell took his duty of protecting his people to heart, and though it pissed him off, he accepted to become his. Now, it was only a matter of time before ending the serial disappearances and another before falling in love. Or not.

Feng Xiangling, the daughter of the Prime Minister, embarks on a journey with her brother, Feng Yichen, on a business trip. Along the way, she encounters Prince Xu Liangchen, who saves her life during a fierce battle. The two form an undeniable bond, falling in love without knowing each other's true identities. As their journey concludes and they return to the capital, fate takes a twist when Xu Liangchen discovers Feng Xiangling’s true identity, though he still hides his own. Emperor Xu Tianguan, the ruling monarch, arranges for a marriage between his son, Prince Xu Liangchen, and the beautiful yet mysterious Feng Xiangling, much to her surprise. Forced into an unfamiliar life, she becomes the wife of a stranger, with her wedding night revealing the complex layers of their relationship. Despite the tension, Feng Xiangling proves to be clever and resourceful, navigating the treacherous waters of the imperial harem while uncovering secrets of her past..... Hope you appreciate reading

As a treacherous minister, I embody a simple creed: when the emperor calls, I answer; when officials kneel, I stand. I spend the treasury's silver freely and control the kingdom's military might. In this tale of ambition and deceit, I navigate the complex corridors of power, relentless in my pursuit of influence. Immerse yourself in the World's First Traitor System, where the protagonist, armed with a unique set of skills, blurs the lines between loyalty and betrayal. If you like the story and wish to support me, join my patreon. I tend to make all the chapters free, just that they'll be slower. https://www.patreon.com/ZenpaiTrans

Song Yue transmigrated into the body of a deposed emperor disguised as a man. On the very day she arrived, a treacherous minister, who held immense power, rebelled, stormed the palace, and confronted her directly. Before she even had a chance to warm the imperial throne, she died on the spot. After her death, Song Yue was reborn. System: "Now that the traitorous minister is still young, there’s still time to turn things around! Host, hurry up! Befriend him! Win his favor! Charm him!" Song Yue: "No, I’ll adopt him instead. I’ll correct him, guide him, and raise him to be a loyal and virtuous minister! Once he becomes my sworn son, surely he wouldn’t lead troops to overthrow his mother, right?

Anakin Sawyer has no particular goal in life nor a plan for himself, his only purpose was for his sick roommate–Kairo, to have a peaceful and normal life. However, one dusky evening, out of his sanity, Anakin found himself gripping a knife in his hand inside his apartment together with his roommate's corpse. Anakin was arrested as the primary suspect for killing his roommate. Unable to prove his innocence, Isaac Waldron, a chief of police, vowed to defend him. Nevertheless, with all the evidence pointing him as the primary suspect. Proven guilty and out of control, the Authority suggested transferring Anakin under the care of a well-known organization called: Hydra System. The Hydra System is a place away from the city, hidden deep in the middle of the unknown. Surrounded by a massive wall where captives are imprisoned. But every place has its own secrets. Beneath the illusion of government-approved reform, Hydra thrives on something far more sinister, turning its captives into something unrecognizable. Determined to escape and uncover the truth behind Kairo’s death, Anakin finds himself trapped with Kage Seijuro, a suicidal man who is a very difficult person to please and would rather see him die than offer a shred of help. One longs for death, while the other clings to life—two enemies forced to coexist in a place where trust is currency and betrayal is inevitable. Now that everything fell into ruins. Anakin's eagerness to escape succumbed. He must fight the battles that are about to come while his freedom still remains out of reach.

Alex was one of the oldest players of a game which was declining recently. After emergence of various othe games which took less time of players although those games were completely different from what he was playing the still suffered a huge decline as that game required a lot of patience and mind and players do not have much time in todays fast world. His friends stopped playing it . But he was discouraged . He became one man army he made several accounts and crushed his opponents but one day his attacks were failing his tribe lost war all due to troops simple attacking mindset and lack of Tribesmen. While he was cursing the troops and his fate . He found himself in a forest which of very dense which reminded him of forest sorrounding his villages. After a screen came in his view which showed [ CHIEF ! YOUR VILLAGE IS BEING RAIDED BY GOBLIN CHIEF PROTECT YOUR VILLAGE ] .............. [CHIEF YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED FOR ROYAL BALL BY THE DEMON KING WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT THE INVITATION] JOIN ALEX ON HIS JOURNEY OF THE WORLD OF ' THE CLASH KINGS ' Yes inspired by the game the which once had ruled the hearts of old gamers this the story i have started.

Year 2121 commemorates the official 100th anniversary of Neo Schao establishment, after a biological and nuclear war that destroyed nearly three quarters of the island. Rour Walden is a poor citizen of Sector X. He's an outstanding Mover—a Patrioteer who guards the country's borders from mutant monsters. But he struggles to rise through the ranks, due to his Northern Schao ancestry, which had committed rebellion in the past. One day his fate changes drastically after he saves the youngest son of the Minister of Defense, Security, and Stability from a fatal sea monster attack. His bravery earns him an exemption, an award, and a promotion to become the Eliteer's Guard. However, he was placed in a special unit that was a thousand times more dangerous, as a Hunter—a beast tamer. Capturing and collecting them for a super secret experiment. As a Hunter, Rour then uncovers many dark truths about his country, the mutant monsters, and what lies beyond Neo Schao’s borders. In the end, Rour must not only fight monsters but also against the deep-rooted power of the Colbert family that rules the nation.

(UPDATES: EVERY SUNDAY 2 P.M IST) "You have always been the joker of this gamble of lives my dear, and now is the time to use our Ace." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To the world, she is an angel fallen from hell, but for him, she is a doll made of glass, and he is scared that his slightest move would break her. Her eyes are the most innocent things he had ever seen in his entire life; they melt him down, and her wrath is something he admires most. His lady, his chérie, his 'Lia. When the broken, scared girl accidentally encounters with the Chief of a Republic Security Stability Organization, 'Lewis Hanniel,' he finds what he was looking for. He decides to create her as a weapon, but her life takes twists and turns after meeting Lewis's son, Cade. Her safe place, her fantasy, her king. Under her control... NOTE: This story is in AU and nothing to do with this universe. It does not support anything which is going around in this world.

In a city where power is currency and betrayal is inevitable, Han Yeijin’s life was never meant to be her own. The daughter of a prominent minister, she was raised in a world of privilege—one that shattered the moment she fell into the hands of Kang Minjae. A man with too many secrets and no mercy, Minjae is the name whispered in backrooms and feared in boardrooms. Ruthless, untouchable, and always in control. Until her. Bound by circumstances neither of them chose, Yeijin becomes a pawn in a dangerous game, caught between the man who holds her chains and the echoes of a life she can no longer claim as her own. But in a world built on deception, even the most carefully laid plans can unravel. Because the most dangerous lies? Are the ones we tell ourselves. __________________________ She shouldn’t want this. She shouldn’t want him. His hands are rough, demanding, as they drag her forward. His mouth grazes the shell of her ear, breath warm, voice dark and full of pure possession. “Say it.” Minjae murmurs, his fingers threading into her hair, tilting her chin up to look at him. She refuses. Her lips part—only for a sharp gasp to escape when he presses her against the desk, trapping her between his body and the cold wood. “You were mine before you even knew it.” he breathes, dragging his lips down the curve of her throat. His teeth scrape her skin, a warning, a promise. She shivers. She hates him. She wants him. “Say it.” he demands again, voice rough, almost desperate now. Yeijin clenches her fists. But her body betrays her. “…I’m yours.” The groan that leaves him is pure sin. And then? Then he ruins her all over again.

　　Wan Ling traveled through time and space, from a kitchen god to an inconspicuous little maid in the prime minister's mansion. 　　Good news: The Prime Minister’s Mansion is extremely wealthy, and all the servants live a prosperous life without having to worry about food and clothing. 　　Bad news: The prime minister's residence was ransacked and all the servants were to be sold again. 　　Wan Ling felt that she was a big victim. 　　"All the guilty officials and their relatives in the Prime Minister's Mansion will be exiled to Lingnan." 　　Lingnan. 　　Wan Ling was a little embarrassed. 　　Isn't this her hometown? 　　***** 　　Thinking that she was about to be sold to Yanliudi, Wan Ling was so scared that her legs went limp. 　　She pounced on the tall man who was the leader of the exile team. 　　"Prime Minister, don't you want me anymore? We agreed to stay together forever. Even if I have to be exiled, I will follow you!" 　　[ If you expose me, I will curse you to be constipated for three days! ] 　　[ I am so kindhearted that I am willing to use my cooking skills to save your family. Don’t be ungrateful! ] 　　[ Nod! Nod quickly! I want to go back to my hometown to revitalize the countryside! Strive to be a builder of the times! ] 　　The man drooped his eyelashes, and his eyes became darker. 　　"You are my beloved concubine, I can't bear to let you go..." 　　"Separated from you." 　　Wan Ling: ... 　　***** 　　The game starts with a shabby thatched hut, a pot and a knife. 　　Wan Ling gritted her teeth. 　　No one can stop her from making a career in this wasteland.

In an alternate world, the year is 1947, and as India steps into the dawn of its hard-won independence, an extraordinary twist of fate unfolds. A soul from the future, unexpectedly transported back in time, finds himself thrust into the highest office of the land, Prime Minister of a nation on the cusp of rebirth. What follows is a journey through the corridors of power, where betrayal lurks at every corner, and internal strife threatens to tear the fledgling nation apart. Faced with impossible choices, this modern mind must navigate a country marked by political intrigue, international pressures, and the weight of a people’s hopes. But beneath the surface lies a larger ambition, the vision of an Akhand Bharat, a united and unshakable India that rises from the ashes of its tragic past to forge a bold new future. As history begins to unravel and destiny is rewritten, the stakes grow ever higher. What will it take to unify a divided land and bring forth a nation powerful enough to redefine its place on the global stage? In a tale of courage, sacrifice, and the power of leadership, witness the birth of "A New India" unlike any before, a force to be reckoned with, ready to stand among the world’s greats. If you want to support me via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/Clausmic 1/2 Chapter Daily depending of the word count. For Bonus Chapters:- 150 Power Stone - 1 Chapter 5 Golden Ticket - 1 Chapter Massage Chair - 2 Chapters Castle - Mass Release (10/15 Chapters) Do read my New Work: Rise Beyond Earth's Final Shield

Li Qing traveled back to the early Ming Dynasty. By a stroke of fate, he became a disciple of Zhang Latta and had been living an easy life. In the 15th year of Hongwu's reign, Empress Ma was seriously ill. By a strange twist of fate, Li Qing became the attending doctor. From then on, Li Qing embarked on his journey in the Ming Dynasty. He had experienced the bloodshed in the Hongwu period and had been involved in the cruel war of the Jingnan Campaign. He had witnessed the grandeur of all nations paying tribute during the Yongle period and the prosperity of the Renxuan Reign. He had served as a member of the Jinyiwei and had also become a cabinet minister. He had fought against the Tartar and Oirat tribes and had also battled against Japanese pirates. He was a close friend of Wang Yangming and had also frequented brothels with Tang Bohu... He was a man forgotten by the long river of time.

This book is my first book and English is not my common language In World Called the Blood Planet where Wars is a common thing. This planet is A hundred times bigger than earth Mu Chen was Born in one of the biggest Empire in the central continent he is the Eldest son of the current emperor on his birth he was accompanied by a phenomenon the whole world seems to turn red like blood an image of gigantic Blood red Evil Dragon was coiling above the castle. The oracles in the kingdom thinks that was bad omen many suggested to the emperor to kill his newborn son but the emperor did not His mother died after his birth after 1 year the emperor married another woman the daughter of the the prime minister from the Wang clan the most influential Clan In the Empire second only to the royal clan she Became the empress and gave birth to a son who also accompanied by ah strange phenomenon in the sky an image of a Gigantic Golden dragon coiling in the castle where his brother was born this was a good sign said the Oracles kneeling infront of the empress castle. His father the emperor died when he was 5 years old He was strip of his a title as a Crown prince and was banished from the empire to a small kingdom in the North Continent Follow Mu Chen in a journey of cultivation and his path as a conqueror

The peaceful, beautiful island of Wasis is attacked by Thorne, an evil brute. Andrew the chief is killed and his wife Janice is to be taken as wife to Thorne. She prefers death instead. It is up to an angel to save her from her disastrous predicament. But first he must give up everything he has in heaven. A story of forbidden love between an angel and a woman.

In a Europe like world an empire consisting of 21 countries thriving with population in trillions every country has its own king, a prime minister, states, army and magic, and a general council, but despite all these, all 21 bow down to a single throne ruling them all, with dragons and angels under its feet the throne rules three continents out of the five continents in existence, it all started 3000 years ago as humans became capable of absorbing the four natural energies of the world, dark light, space and elements found within the surface of earth, allowing humans to grow stronger. they exceed two hundred years life expectancy. gaining every single species under their control. with hundreds of battles, a single family with exceptional bloodline. as if gifted by the gods, they managed to subdue three whole continents. and managed to increase their lifespan by 500 years. our main protagonist who's just 8 years old. quite ambitious, and cunningness in his blood. secretly aims to overthrow the current empire and win over the throne. (this will be a very long story exists, inspired by game of thrones and one piece. starting few chapters are worth persisting for )

Animesh, a man reincarnated into a parallel world in India, finds himself selected as the puppet Prime Minister in 1996, right after the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the BJP has collapsed. Waking up just days before taking the oath of office, Animesh discovers that he has been granted access to a powerful system designed to aid in the management of the government. With his parents serving as influential members of parliament, Animesh has the support and connections needed to sway the political landscape in his favor. Determined to restore India to its ancient glory, Animesh harnesses the capabilities of the system, aiming to lead the nation back to its rightful place. Will he be able to make India great again, embodying the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the idea that the world is one family? --- This is all fictional world and nothing to do with reality.

A tale of intelligence, survival, and connection, 'The Fall of the Druids' chronicles the rise and struggles of an advanced but fragile race-the druids. Facing extinction at the hands of homo sapiens, their peaceful nature and brilliance shine as they seek understanding and collaboration. Through the eyes of a young chief, this story explores themes of resilience, hope, and the potential for unity between disparate peoples, setting the stage for a profound interspecies legacy.

As the son of the Minister of Health, Han Minjun had always led a privileged life, shielded from the harsh realities of the world. However, when he met the enigmatic Kim Seungjoon, his life took a dramatic turn. The attraction between them was instantaneous, but little did Han Minjun know that his love for Kim Seungjoon would plunge him into a world of chaos and uncertainty. The mysteries surrounding Kim Seungjoon were many, and as their relationship deepened, Han Minjun found himself embroiled in a web of intrigue and danger. Did he know what he was getting into when he fell for Kim Seungjoon? As he embarked on a new journey with Seungjoon, he pondered about the unknown future that lay ahead of them. Questions swirled through his mind about the enigmatic person he had chosen to spend his life with. How many secrets did Seungjoon keep hidden? What mysteries would they unravel together? The anticipation of what was to come was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking....... As the story unfolded, it became apparent that the idyllic fairytale was taking a dark turn. The once-balanced scales between life and death began to tip precariously, and the characters found themselves in the midst of a harrowing nightmare. It was impossible to predict who would emerge from the ordeal unscathed.......

In 2076, the sun vanished, plunging the world into eternal night and ushering in an age of vampire dominion. Humanity crumbled under the matriarchal rule of the Queen and her Prime Minister, Aaron Von Ichi, as love and loyalty became dangerous games in a world ruled by desire and power. Astorine Vaughn Alder, born human but raised amidst the decadence of the Earthen Empire, struggles to find her place in a court teeming with betrayal and bloodlust. As secrets about her lineage and destiny begin to unravel, Astorine is drawn into a dangerous dance of love, lust, and ambition. Her humanity is both a strength and a weakness as she navigates the treacherous paths of power. But as her rise begins, whispers of her transformation hint at a fate far darker than she could have imagined—a fate that will bind her to the night forever.