Duke Leto Ii

Life in a noble house isn’t all luxury. Luan Meskevela never expected to wake up as the third son of a powerful duke. But when he’s transported into the world of Sigil Online, he finds himself gifted with two rare and powerful Sigils—abilities that make him a force to be reckoned with. Now, Luan's got more than wealth on his mind. He’ll charm a priestess, exploit a merchant guild, and maybe even befriend a spirit or two—if it gets him a better vintage of wine. With a mix of charm, wealth, and newfound power, he courts beautiful women, explores the world around him, and builds connections that could shape his future. Yet, beneath the surface, political intrigue and family rivalries threaten to disrupt his carefree life. In this new world, Luan plays for the thrill, not just for power. But as he enjoys the perks of his life, he soon realizes that every decision has consequences, and the people around him may not always be what they seem.

Terra II, a world divided into seven vast plates by the mirror, where endless deserts and black zones carve through the land. It is a place haunted by horrors from beyond existence and nightmares birthed from within. The Common Era, an age where the very idea of happiness has been left behind. Here, no story begins with joy, and none end with peace. One mistake—a wrong word, a fleeting gesture—can seal your fate before you even realize it. At the heart of this desolate world is Sera, a woman whose life has been defined by loss. Her parents, ones she knew little of, were replaced by strangers in the aftermath of tragedy—only to lose them too. In a world so unrelenting, where trust is a fragile illusion and loyalty is a fleeting dream, how long can one endure before breaking? Seraniti fights not because she wants to, but because there is no other choice. Every decision she makes chips away at what remains of her conscious, yet the alternative is worse: surrendering to the darkness that threatens to consume her and everything she holds dear. Terra II offers no promises, only pain—but even in the face of an inevitable end, Seraniti stands, battered and unyielding, daring to face the horrors and make her choice, if only to survive one more day.

Lang Huan, a beautiful young woman, descendant of the prestigious Lang Clan in the modern world, is swept away by fate into another dimension—one where time and reality are entirely different. The long-dormant power within her awakens, transforming her into a formidable Wolf Warrior. Amidst the chaos of this unfamiliar world, she crosses paths with the cunning yet captivating The Eldest Princess Zhao Yi. What starts as a dangerous game of deception soon entangles Lang Huan in an inescapable trap—one that leads her not only to danger but also to an unexpected love. On a night when the moon shone brightly, the princess let her hair fall like a waterfall and wore a transparent gauze dress. She threw herself at Lang Huan. Lang Huan’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest—she almost had a heart attack. Lang Huan : “What are you doing?” Feng Yao : “Hug me… I am cold” Lang Huan : “……” Feng Yao : “Kiss me…” Lang Huan : ”Are you crazy? I am a woman…” Feng Yao : “No problem…I like woman” Lang Huan : “…….” #Yuri #comedyromance #palaceintrique #romance

The family is growing the bounty of law season hearts is an family of law

Space.... A vast area that withhold endless possibilities. It's a endless frontier containing everything. Wonders, tragedies, beauty, crudeness, fantasy, despair, all existed within this plane of reality. Infinite possibilities coincides as the world brims with the light of life, Born deep within the confines of isolation and despair, A lone girl trundles with pure survival in mind until one day she discovered salvation. 2 Siblings from another plane within this reality pulled her from the desolate world she knows. What awaits them in the future ? friends, enemies, joys, sorrows all will await these 3 misfits as they went on a journey of discovery aboard the starship Nebula III.

In his first life, Alexander Valtor was the feared Duke of Valtor, of the Aurelio Empire, known as the empire’s most ruthless noble. Accused of murdering his own family for power,even though he denied it he was eventually betrayed and executed, his name forever stained in history. But death was not his end. Instead, he was reborn in a completely different world—Earth. Born as Arthur Lancaster in 1918, he grew up in the United Kingdom and joined the military as World War II erupted. With the experience of his past life, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of Britain’s most decorated soldiers. He served under two queens, first Queen Elizabeth I and later Queen Elizabeth II, dedicating his life to the monarchy and his country. As the highest-ranking officer in the British Army, he commanded armies, shaped wars, and became a living legend. Even in old age, his loyalty never wavered. At 105 years old, after a lifetime of service, he passed away peacefully. But when he opened his eyes again, he was back in his 16-year-old body, standing in the empire that once condemned him. This time, he has no intention of bending his knee to an emperor he does not recognize. His only allegiance is to the queens he once served, even if they don't exist in this world. Leaving behind his noble title, he walks away from the empire, determined to live by his own rules. Yet as war looms on the horizon, his instincts as a soldier refuse to stay buried. The empire does not know it yet, but the man they once feared has returned—and this time, he fights on his own terms.

A Russian economics expert had been making money through long-short strategies during the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite his economic success, he felt deep regret about Russia's historical mistakes. He wrote on his blog that "Russia has been on the wrong path since the 19th century," critically analyzing Russia's history. Then, remarkably, he traveled back in time to 1891 and found himself in the body of Russian Crown Prince Nicholas II during his visit to Japan.

--[WSA 2025 Entry]-- Betrayed by his sister. Betrayed by chosen one's humanity. Betrayed by the Gods. That was how the life of Leonard, the Defier of Fate and the world’s greatest heretic, came to an end. When demons invaded human lands, he received a revelation from the Goddess. She commanded him to act as a spy, to infiltrate the enemy ranks and expose their secrets for humanity’s sake. To fulfill this mission, he had to sacrifice a part of his soul. He accepted a demonic contract, surrendered his soul, and became a demonic human. Risking everything, he provided critical information to the humans and helped them turn the tide of battle. But then, he had a shocking discovery. The war was nothing but a gambit between various gods and before he could act, the war was stopped out of nowhere. In an unexpected turn, humans and demons put aside their hatred and signed a peace treaty. Before Leonard could make sense of it, he was betrayed. Both demons and humans joined hands to kill him. "Fuck! If there is a next life, I swear I will tear you gods apart!" With this scream, he thought his suffering was finally over. But… When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in the body of Kael Veydrin, the son of the Grand Duke of the Heizen Empire. But this new life was no different from the last. His sister wanted to get rid of him. Born with clogged vessels and no talent, he was nothing but a disappointment. A subject of fun and ridicule among the fellow nobles. Despite rebirth, nothing seems to change. The cursed fate. The distorted history smearing his name. A world that was against him. Leonard, now assuming the identity of Kael, let out a low chuckle. "Don’t worry, Kael. I will have revenge for both of us." "They called me heretic right? I will show them how a true fucking heretic acts.” Follow Kael's journey, as he fights against the fates and injustices to drag the ones ruling above.

Reincarnated without memories, given a second chance as a chimera with a limited lifespan. Leon struggles through his strange new life. He attempts to improve his dungeon and evolve himself to live longer and become the strongest Dungeon Master—no. The Dungeon Overlord. Helped by his Dungeon System: the mysterious Ifrit, Zafira, a Level 100 Succubus Queen, and his band of trustee goblins. Leon aims to overcome his limits, survive and reach the pinnacle of the world. Whether through trade, domination, or tricking the hero's beautiful party members into becoming his private mercenaries. Leon will face the weakest and strongest beings in the magical world of Umbra and surpass all! —------ Please show your support. This is a novel for the WSA 2025 Competition. This is the Novel Discord: https://discord.gg/95KPzwhXrD

"Arise, Shadowmancer—defy the gods, wield the shadows of your shattered past, or be consumed by the void." I’ve died twice. Once as the prince of Avalon. Once as a soldier on Earth. Both times, I lost everything. But now, I’ve returned—a week before the world collapses. Before Earth merges with Avalon’s Fall, an online game that tears the fabric of reality, unleashing monsters and beasts into the real world, creating an apocalypse where survival demands power… or death. This time, I won’t be weak. I severed ties with the woman I failed to protect. I abandoned the person I was, hoping she might survive without me. But the world has other plans. In one month, the Devil will descend—the monstrous swordsman who has taken everything from me in every past life. This time, I hold the power of the SSSR-Rank Shadowmancer. I will command the shadows, bend them to my will. I will rise because I’m no longer the man who let fear dictate my fate. Yet nothing is perfect… The game branded me an NPC—not a player, but a pawn trapped in a system that controls my every move, limiting my growth, freedom, and humanity. Am I even real to you, Solaria? The goddess Solaria controls my fate. I don’t understand her motives, but I know she’s pulling the strings. Worse, Sena won’t stay away, bringing hope I can’t allow myself to accept… I don’t know why I was reborn, or if I’ll ever be truly free. But with my wits, my Shadows, and a power I was never meant to wield… I will defy the system and carve my own path. —------ Please show your support. This is a novel for the WSA 2025 Competition. This is the Novel Discord: https://discord.gg/95KPzwhXrD

D*mn this world isn't my world but am I the son of a duke of the kingdom it sounds good. Or bad. Join me on my journey to find out how it ends

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be known that this book wouldn't have made it this far without the support my dear writing buddy Rachel E. Canton who is a great writer of SINS OF THE SERAPHIM - https://www.webnovel.com/book/sins-of-the-seraphim_26438336605116805 and Derek J. Perna To Rachel & Derek, Thank you for everything! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When the last heir of Ardel lost everything, fate would bring her to her rightful protector. Anna Adhemar, the forgotten princess, found herself betrayed by the Regent. Hunted by the Bargesians and the ruthless slave traders, she desperately fled for her life. Rescued by a mysterious man, her newfound safety was short-lived as she succumbed to a potent aphrodisiac. Then, she awoke in the arms of the fearsome Knight Commander of Gerhard, stripped bare, in a foreign kingdom. Fear, confusion, and a sense of profound devastation enveloped her. But the man before her declared, "I am your husband. I married you last night." Then, with unwavering determination, he vowed, " You're my woman now. No one can hurt my woman." --- Kyren Raychard, the Crown Prince who had chosen to forsake the throne and became celibate, led the Knights of Gerhard to safeguard his kingdom’s border from slave trading activities. Outside his camp, he found Anna poisoned and delirious. The healer informed him of the only cure, of which he must race against time to give and honour her. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming instinct to protect and claim her as his own. Unaware of his deepening affection, he belatedly realised his feelings as he stood on the brink of losing her. Bound by a soul-binding spell, their fates intertwined…

Danish was reincarnated as Sultan Selim III of the Ottoman Empire. Regardless, when most significant event during that time were focused on european theater, this time we delve into another perspective as Ottoman empire right now faces several problems. From the efforts of modernizing the army through New Order or Nizam I-Cedid initiative, the conflict in the balkans, and the political conflicts from the Janissary factions itself. Armed with knowledge from his former life, Danish seeks to restore the empire to its former golden age—or surpass it. But can he overcome the empire's internal strife and foreign interference to reshape its destiny?

In his past life, Dr. Elias Valtor was a world-renowned pharmacist, a pioneer in medicine, and a man who had dedicated his life to curing the incurable. But in the blink of an eye, he dies—only to awaken in the body of a frail, sickly young noble in a dying aristocratic house. Now, he is Duke Alexander Aragon, heir to a crumbling dukedom on the brink of collapse in the small but strategically placed Kingdom of Velmoria, nestled in a vast continent ruled by warring empires, treacherous nobles, and forgotten alchemical arts. Armed with unparalleled pharmaceutical knowledge, an analytical mind, and a ruthless will to survive, Alexander refuses to let his family fade into obscurity. With no knights, no wealth, and no allies, he starts with the one thing he knows best—medicine. He introduces revolutionary healing methods, concocts powerful elixirs, and uses his knowledge of alchemy to create remedies unheard of in this medieval world. But in a land where magic and potions are monopolized by the powerful, his innovations shake the foundations of society. The royal court watches with suspicion, rival nobles plot against him, and the mysterious Mage Guild seeks to control his talents. As he cures the incurable, saves soldiers on the battlefield, and amasses influence through commerce and medicine, he realizes that healing alone won't be enough—he must play the game of politics, wield power like a scalpel, and carve out a future for House Aragon. From humble apothecary to feared noble, from the sickly boy to the master of life and death, Duke Alexander Aragon will rise. And in a world where both magic and medicine can be weapons, he will become a force that neither kings nor empires can ignore. The journey of a fallen noble, a forgotten house, and a man who wields knowledge like a sword begins now.

Kaen Blaze, the strongest warrior in history, found himself at the forefront of Demon invasion. However, despite his devotion and strength, he was betrayed by his own people for peace! Regressed to his 15-year self, he found himself in the past with a second chance, however, with a price to pay. Now, with his previous life's experience, he'd strive for strength to not let the future repeat itself, destroy the people who betrayed him, conquer all the empires, build a unified nation that can resist the demon invasion this time. With his secret organization, Sovereignty and his powerful subordinates, he'd grow and conquer everything in this life!

family of fit and wrestlers, one man heart and soul

William was but an ordinary man—until fate saw fit to thrust him fifteen years into the past. Yet, this was no mere journey through time; he awoke not in his own flesh, but in that of the third son of Duke Herne, the most formidable noble in the realm. Now, amidst the glittering halls of power, where smiles conceal daggers and honour is but a well-spoken lie, William must navigate a world where commoners are naught but dust beneath the boots of the aristocracy. In this treacherous game of deception and ambition, he must learn quickly—for in the world of the nobility, ignorance is a death sentence ---------------------------- Hear ye, my loyal readers… From this day onward, updates shall be limited to three chapters per day—no more! Alas, my quill grows weary, and my stockpile of chapters runs thin. The weight of silence presses upon this tale, and my passion falters… I ask but a simple boon—Golden Tickets and a flood of reviews! Shall this humble plea go unanswered?.

Lukas was just another struggling student on Earth, a chemistry major obsessed with flammable substances. But his fascination turned fatal when an experiment went wrong, engulfing him in flames and ending his life in an instant. Yet, death was not the end. Reborn in a world of swords and magic, Lukas finds himself as the sole heir of the mighty Ignis family—the legendary Children of Fire. But something is different. The flames that once consumed him have now become part of him, awakening a power unlike anything this world has seen. As he navigates noble politics, rivalries, and the looming dangers of a vast and mysterious world, one question remains: Will he rise as a beacon of power, or will his flames reduce everything—including himself—to ashes?

The next day I woke up, I am now the fiancé of the Duke of Dubois Castle, or known as Lemon. “I am a demon who lives by desire and greed, you have yielded with the contract that you have exchanged with your life?” “Then what do you want?” “I want the whole of you Veta Le Blanchet, not just your blood, heart and soul, it is the whole of you.” Theroux Claude, the third prince of the kingdom. “Lady Le Blanchet, just how can you stand still this demon duke? If you ever get tired of him, you are always welcome to my palace.” Another troublesome man, my childhood friend when I was at the academy, Durand Gagnon. “I have attained this nickname not just because I follow all his Majesty’s order, but because I want to have a stronghold in the knight position so that I can support you my Lady, remember that my oath is only for you.” Then, what is my cousin thinking that he would say such things? “Sister, I have finally inherited the title of the Baron, please come back to our fief, and I will make sure to bring back the glory of our family!” As I try to relinquish the past, the more troublesome it becomes. Is clinging to the tiny bit of my life a wrong choice? And why is the temple spying on me? “Lady Le Blanchet is the only descendant of the family, you shouldn’t involve yourself farther with the Demon Duke.” “It’s done my Lady, as long as it is you, I can give everything, even if I destroy this Kingdom.” Hold on, just what on earth this demon wants from me?

"Oh, My beloved Scarlet flame... Burn to your heart's content!" "Your wicked embers soothe and mend my broken heart and shattered spirit." "On that day, you took everything from me." "Tell me..." "Divine Emperor, do you regret it now?" "As your cities and people burn?" "Divine Emperor!" "This Regina el Ingnus is no longer weak or afraid!" "Her Scarlet Flames of Wrath will judge your sins." A woman staggered forward, tripping on burning rubble, her bloodstained hands slipping as she tripped. Her luscious hair was blonde like the radiant sun, while her eyes were like the blue sea. She stood frozen as the merciless flames danced across her eyes as if mocking her survival and weakness. Her body was still, watching silently as her beautiful village burned. All that remained was a ruined village bathing in the everlasting fires of avarice. All because she was a Holy Maiden. They were a blessed existence to the Kingdom, a cursed existence to the Empire. They were known as the Holy Maiden to the Holy Church of Amora, Goddess of the moon and fertility. But merely known as the Whore of Sin to the Empire and their Divine Son, rumoured to be descendants of the God of the sun and Justice. The Holy Maiden was an existence that was born only once in every 2,000,000 people. A Holy maiden had a powerful affinity for all magic, and increased physical capabilities, usually appearing as an ethereal and charming woman with both male and female reproductive organs. However, they were infertile due to a curse. The Divine Son was born the same year as the Holy Maiden. The Goddess Amora and the God Zelmot were bitter enemies, constantly at war; after suffering a close defeat, Zelmot created a curse that would torment all future Holy Maidens. As if to spite the goddess of fertility, Zelmot stained her beloved daughters with the curse of infertility. In revenge, Amora cursed the Divine Son of Zelmot. He would become enchanted and fall deeply in love with the Holy Maiden, eventually growing insane with their love towards her. The ancient texts rumoured that if the Divine Son lost to the Holy Maiden, he would become a female forever devoted to the Maiden. But if the Holy Maiden were to lose, she would lose her ability to use magic and become frail and hideous, like a monster. When the Divine Church of Justice learned of this truth, they began to hunt down ALL that displayed similarities with the Holy Maiden; this dark period of the Empire... Its given name was "The Purge of the Red Moon" After its 3,000-year history, the Kingdom has failed to protect and save a single Holy Maiden from death, abuse, torture or torment. Their only achievement was to stop the Divine Son from being the killer. In contrast, the Empire still worships the Divine Son's return each time one is born. At this moment, the Empire rode away, convinced of another victory. However, a female figure shambled forward with bated breath and a broken heart. Regina El Ignis, heiress of Baron Maxim El Ignis. Lord of the small village and land surrounding Ignia, bordering the Empire. She stumbled forward, Taking her first steps as the Holy Maiden of Scarlet Flames. "Alceste, my beloved... can you hear my lament, feel my love for you as I cut down our enemies?" The maiden stands on a pile of burnt corpses, her body twirling as if dancing on their corpses, a twisted smile upon her face. Armed with a giant black sword and scarlet flames, seven women wielding various magic accompany her as she steps forward like a fairy of brutal death. "They call me the Scarlet Empress of Obsession..." "However, My dear witches of calamity! I became Empress only for you~."

"In a world where power is everything, Kaisel de Ravengard, the enigmatic Duke of Ravengard, hides behind a mask of nobility while orchestrating a grand scheme of deception and revenge. Born into disgrace and marked by the fall of his family, he wields forbidden magic and the deadly power of the Seven Sins to dismantle the corrupt aristocracy from within. As shadows whisper his name and enemies fall one by one, Kaisel moves ever closer to his ultimate goal—vengeance for his mother’s murder and the complete domination of the Empire."

Upon awakening, Hope Williamson found herself transmigrated into a world teeming with strangers, devoid of all familiarity she once held dear. Previously an ordinary high school student, she cherished her wonderful and beautiful family and friends. However, following a weekday when she was hanging out with her companions, she succumbed to unconsciousness after being struck by a car. The subsequent memory she retained was that of awakening as the daughter of a duke.

Ayaka died at a very young age after refusing the Grand Duke of Sollaine Kingdom orders. She’s a servant at first but later on ordered to seduce the King to obtain his people and use it against the Emperor of Westeria. But Ayaka didn’t do what she was told. Instead, she was accused of killing the King’s son and was beheaded. Before she closed her eyes, she wished for a next life full of happiness.The moment she opened her eyes again everything changed. Ayaka became the eldest daughter of the Kestramore’s Kingdom Duke, Valeraine Thornfield. However, Valeraine is engaged to the Grand Duke of Sollaine Kingdom son, the people who murdered her. She will do everything in her new life to punish them even if it means to play a game with the new Emperor of Westeria, Eryx Vincent Seraphinius.

Humans thought the apocalypse happened when the barrier between worlds had vanished. When, the world of fey, spirits, humans, and demi-humans became one. However, it does not end, in fact the world got more interesting as magic was introduced. Technological advancements became bigger as many feats becomes possible to achieve. But as soon as the final barrier dissolves introducing the demonic race to the world, people shun the demonic race. No one likes the demon race and nothing can hope change the public sentiment whenever it is concerning the demonic race. Then, two demon kings decided that, "It's time for another apocalypse" "I will kill everyone who has no demonic blood" "I will reincarnate everyone so they all will have demonic blood"

Martin Weiher finds his great-grandfathers SS uniform in his attic. He tries it on and it whisks him back in time to the very trench his great-grandfather died in. He hides and manages to survive. He's taken to the Elsass where he starts working at the Reichsuniversity of Strassburg.

A Filipino high student from Leyte, named Basilio Valencia died in a landslide but was reincarnated into another world, which is a partial modern and fantasy world with some modern technology. But thanks to an ability called Tech, he still has his phone, journal, and laptop, as well as some pens and journaling equipment. Thus, he can still listen to his favorite songs and watch his favorite shows, anime, and movies from his previous life through his gadgets. Seeing his creature comforts being reincarnated with him, Basilio thought that he would recontinue his partially changed way of life, but his luck ran out when he almost died in a hostile army known as the Vamzom (Vampire-Zombie) Army. That army, which a Demon Sorcerer cursed to be blood-thirsty creatures that are more like a hybrid of both vampires and zombies, was killing humans and other races that had blood with combat helicopters, pistols, and swords for their blood. But then, the army regained their humanity partially when they realized what they had done to him and the other humans and races. So, they regretted their actions and worked hard to save him. But, while Basilio was in a coma, their leader, Ruslan Makesa, driven by guilt, took his own life by stabbing himself with his Blood Sword, before placing his powers as a Vamzom in a box; he intended to pass that and his leadership to the Basilio once he survive and wake up from his coma. And so, after Basilio had survived and woken up from his 2-month-long coma, the army apologized to Basilio and asked him to lead them, promising to be good to all races. Basilio was shocked but he forgave them, taking Ruslan's leadership with his own morals and ideals. So, after that, Basilio built a country with the Vamzom race that is civilized and friendly with his cultural traits and morals as a Filipino in his previous life, as well as modeling the new nation, known as the Ruslav Nation, after the Philippine republic. But Basilio discovered that there is a race called Otherworlders, which he was a part of, and took this as an opportunity to make alliances with them. But will Basilio adapt to this new life in a strange world? Warning: The photo used for the book cover is NOT mine! Credits go to the original owner!

Arakawa Hajime, a world-renowned detective infamous for his impeccable record of solving the most complex murders, abruptly announces his retirement. In his final press conference, he promises a sensational autobiography — one that would only be published after his death. The next day, Arakawa is found dead in his study, his throat slit from ear to ear, his own fingerprints on the murder weapon. The day after his death, his publisher reveals the autobiography's chilling title: "How I Committed Murder and Framed the Innocent."

[Version 1] “You wanted a serious marriage with me, that's what you said. And now you’re trying to secretly meet your brother,” Vance said, pushing Liquorice onto the bed. At that moment, their eyes met. Liquorice could see dangerous gold sparks radiating strongly from his usually harmless black eyes. And she can smell the scent of the forest after the rain, that was Vance’s pheromone. “Yes. I tried, but what you did was push me away. Vance, our marriage is only political, you said so,” Liquorice replied firmly. “Are you angry with me about it?” Vance took his duchess’s hand and placed a kiss on her beautiful hand. His voice was as seductive as the sing of the fairy Anastasia. However, this time, Liquorice wouldn’t be weak, “This is a political marriage, I have no reason to be angry.” “Then why do you keep saving me, over and over again?” Vance looked into his duchess’s emerald eyes, unable to hide his confident smile. Liquorice pulled her hand away from him, “I did it for my own benefit.” Vance leaned close to her ear and whispered, “You know you can’t fool me with such a fragile lie. Sweet Root, don’t go anywhere and stay with your husband tonight.” [Version 2] "Enter Jadeherb and destroy it from within, this is your mission," Duke Truman told her. "My dear little sister, go into Jadeherb and bring me valuable information to awaken the mystical dragon. When I become the king of the seven empires, no one will be able to harm you," her brother told her. "My duchess, my Sweet Root, come to me, I will protect you," Duke Barlow told her. For centuries, there were no kings, only 7 dukes ruling their empires, and the Council regulated power. This was how the world worked. In the Council, the no-end war between the Reds and the Blues was obvious. However, an unexpected political marriage took place. The groom was Vance II Barlow, the Duke of Jadeherb, representing the Blues. The bride was Liquorice Ryland, whose godfather was the duke representing the Reds, Klay Truman. The council informed the people that this marriage was a handshake of friendship between the Reds and the Blues, ushering in a new era of peace, but Liquorice did not believe it. Because she had been trained to be a spy for the past year. Liquorice understood that she was just a small pawn on the chessboard of men. Who will Liquorice choose? What will be the end of the battle between the Reds and the Blues? Are there any other plots going on?

A man desperate for salvation. A woman desperate for freedom. For as long as Althea could remember, she had been nothing more than a shadow in her father’s house—unwanted, unloved, and barely acknowledged. As the illegitimate daughter of Count Thornwell, she endured a life of cruelty, neglected by her father, tormented by her stepmother, and overshadowed by her perfect half-sister. But fate was not entirely unkind. One day, she discovered a gift hidden within her blood—the power to heal. For the first time, she had something that was truly hers. Something no one could take away. Then, she meets Duke Eldric Caelum—a man feared across the empire for his overwhelming elemental power. A man who, despite his terrifying strength, suffers in silence as his abilities slowly tear him apart. The first time she touched him, she felt his pain. The first time she healed him, he felt relief for the first time in years. And when the emperor commanded him to take a wife, Eldric didn’t choose anyone but Althea. Faced with a choice between a lifetime of suffering or a marriage to a ruthless but powerful duke, Althea made the only decision that could save her. She said yes. But she never expected that the man she married—the one she thought would be cold and distant—would hold her like she was precious, touch her like she was fragile, and look at her like she was the only thing that mattered. She never expected that amid duty, danger, and the weight of their pasts, she might find something else entirely. A place to belong. A heart that beat only for her. A love that even fate couldn’t take away… …Or could it? — "Why… why do you look at me like that?" Althea whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling fire. Eldric reached out, his rough, calloused fingers brushing against her cheek with agonizing gentleness. "Like what?" "Like I’m something precious." He exhaled softly, as if the very idea of her doubting it pained him. "Because you are. You are my salvation, Althea." Althea’s breath caught in her throat. "Eldric…" His forehead rested against hers, his voice a mere whisper now. "Stay with me. No matter what happens, stay."

In the penumbra of a fallen empire, **Lucien Valefor** walks alone, his shadow stretching across broken lands that once knelt before his bloodline. The last scion of the Valefor dynasty moves through the twilight realm between vengeance and despair, each footfall a testament to promises whispered in the dark. "Memory is the cruelest blade," he murmurs to the night, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand silenced screams. "It cuts deeper than steel, leaving wounds that time refuses to heal." The betrayal that stripped him of his birthright lives within him now—not as a wound, but as a companion, intimate and ever-present. His **Nyx Ascendance** pulses beneath his skin, darkness coalescing around his fingers like liquid obsidian. This power, born of sacrifice and suffering, is not merely wielded—it is experienced, a symphony of shadow that resonates with the hollow chambers of his heart. "They believed death would silence me," Lucien contemplates, watching the darkness dance between his palms. "But in death, I found a truth they fear to face—that endings are merely thresholds to more terrible beginnings." The moon bearing witness to his soliloquy casts silver light upon the scars that map his journey—each mark a verse in the epic of his fall and inevitable rise. His enemies sleep behind walls of stone and privilege, dreaming peaceful dreams of empires built upon his family's ashes. "The architecture of revenge requires patience," he tells the stillness around him. "Each moment of their false security is a stone in the monument of their eventual ruin." He is not the prince they remember—that man perished in the bloody theater of their betrayal. What returns to them now is something hollowed and hallowed by suffering, a vessel filled with purpose so pure it transcends morality. "I do not seek justice," Lucien acknowledges, his eyes reflecting landscapes of yet-unfought battles. "Justice implies balance, and some scales can never be balanced—only shattered and reforged." In the distance, the spires of his ancestral home pierce the horizon like accusing fingers. The throne that awaits him is no longer merely a seat of power but an altar upon which he will sacrifice those who believed him conquered. "They will learn," he whispers to the approaching dawn, "that nightmares do not fade with waking. Some terrors follow you into the light."