Bambi And The Duke

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

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."

Selamat datang di dunia anggun para elit, di mana Seraphina Alaric, gadis yang lemah dan rapuh yang selalu bergantung pada obat-obatan untuk memulihkan diri, hanya mencoba mendapatkan kesempatan sebelum hidupnya terbalik karena pernikahan yang diatur... Serius, siapa yang ingin terikat ketika Anda masih mencari tahu apa yang Anda inginkan dalam hidup? Selama perjamuan mewah, dia bertabrakan dengan Duke of Everwyn yang enigmatik. Dan bagian yang paling gila? Dia tidak tahu siapa pria ini—hanya mengira dia seorang asing misterius. Tiba-tiba, dengan perasaan petualang (dan mungkin sedikit ceroboh), dia menyarankan pertemuan rahasia yang membuat dunianya terbalik. Dalam momen tersembunyi itu, Seraphina langsung menceburkan diri ke dalam keinginan terliarnya. Tetapi alur cerita—ternyata, pria yang baru saja dia habiskan malam dengannya adalah calon suaminya yang sebenarnya. Ups! Begitu banyak untuk orang asing misterius—dia baru saja menghabiskan malam dengan calon suaminya! "Duke, It Hurts..." mengajak Anda ke dalam pusaran penemuan diri, romansa yang menggairahkan, dan kekacauan manis dari cinta ketika Anda paling tidak mengharapkannya. Dapatkah Seraphina melepaskan diri dari belenggu masyarakat, atau akankah dia menemukan dirinya terjerat dalam jaring yang sama yang mencoba untuk dia hindari? Ikuti perjalanan mendebarkan ini, dan temukan bagaimana cinta bisa membebaskan sekaligus rumit. Jangan lewatkan—obsesi Anda selanjutnya hanya dalam jarak halaman!

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.

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.

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!

This is the stories of two different people from two different worlds (literally) She was raised in love, while he was raised in hate Her birth was celebrated, while he was despised She was protected, while he was abused everyday. She is gentle, warm and kind, while he is cold, cruel and vicious But with the twist of fate, their world collided. They will learn from each other. He will teach her to be hopeful and live for herself, while she will teach him the joys of Friendship and Love Together they will learn to understand each other, accept each other and love each other, and soon their love will change the fate of the world ________________________________________ Princess: Can you stop staring at me while I'm sleeping? The Lord: I can't... The Princess: Are you gonna stare at me the whole night? The Lord: Yes! The Princess: Can you at least act like a normal man who will take advantage of a maiden while in her room. The Lord: …this Lord would oblige The Princess: WAIT… This princess is kidding, just kidding, wait...!

Samuel, son of the Shadow God and the Demon Goddess, was sent to the mortal world due to a dark plot by a forgotten god. This god planned to use Samuel's body to obtain the power he had long desired. A powerful battle between the two gods ensued, resulting in a massive explosion and Samuel's expulsion through a portal to Laguna. There, he was found by Allen Casas and Maria Jane Reyes, who became his new family. As Samuel grew, his unusual abilities became apparent. His adoptive parents realized he was no ordinary child. However, they were unaware of Samuel's true origins-his status as the only child of the Shadow God and the Demon Goddess. A mysterious destiny awaits Samuel, a destiny that will connect him to the world of the gods and his true identity. Samuel is a cheerful young man, ready to face any challenge, possessing extraordinary courage. He fears no one except a girl named Shane. He once rescued Shane from danger in the forest, forging a close friendship. However, he feels a unique fear towards Shane, especially when she's angry-a fear unlike any he's experienced before. A mystery surrounds Shane, one that Samuel can't unravel. Shane is a powerful woman, the only one who can match Samuel in combat. They often test each other's strength, a competition that sparks a unique feeling between them. Samuel's affection for Shane drives him to become stronger, to protect the girl who has left an indelible mark on his heart.

They say myths are just myths, but in the world of unnatural myths are everything. I've always seen the unnatural, I seen two worlds in one, labeled crazy I kept it a secret, until the day I was stolen from my home and forced to learn the ways of living with the unnatural.

Año 1766. Desheredada por su propia familia por razones particulares, fue acogida por una criada a la edad de siete años para trabajar en la casa de los Carmichael. Los Carmichael eran una de las familias más respetables de sangre pura de Bonelake y, como en cualquier otra familia, tenían sus reglas. Reglas que debían ser seguidas por los sirvientes y criadas. Como a todos, se les enseñó a que no desobedeciera las reglas. Pero, antes de que aprendiera a caminar discretamente en las sombras como todos los demás, el hijo pequeño del duque la llama “Bambi” y todo se desencadena.

Tahun 1766 Tidak diakui oleh keluarganya karena alasan mereka sendiri, dia dibawa untuk bekerja di keluarga Carmichael pada umur tujuh tahun oleh seorang pelayan. Keluarga Carmichael adalah salah satu keluarga berdarah murni yang terhormat di Bonelake dan seperti keluarga yang lainnya, ada aturan-aturan dalam keluarga. Aturan-aturan yang harus dipatuhi oleh para pelayan dan pembantu. Seperti yang lainnya, dia diingatkan untuk tidak melanggar aturan-aturan tersebut. Namun, sebelum dia bisa berjalan di bawah bayang-bayang tanpa berbisik seperti yang lainnya, anak muda dari Bangsawan tinggi memanggilnya ‘Bambi’ dan semuanya menjadi kacau.

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…

The baron’s daughter, Alessandra Barrett, has worn a mask from a young age due to an injury. Many say if you were to see the face behind the mask, you would be cursed and die soon afterward. She is seen as a ghost, avoided by all who visit the baron's home until she becomes the duke’s wife. No one could understand why the duke would pick such a wife. Did he wish to die? What would become of the girl who once hid in the shadows but now had the spotlight on her as the duke’s masked wife? What would everyone say if they were to learn the truth that she was in a contracted marriage with the duke? Tales of Castro Nobility story timeline order - The King’s Unbreakable Wife The Knight’s Mysterious Maid The Duke’s Masked Wife

Rosellene Valentine, the eldest daughter of Earl Valentine, was the epitome of beauty, a fragile and untouchable rose that bloomed in the frozen gardens of the Valentine estate. After reaching the depths of despair. She returned unexpectedly, stepping back in time by seven years. Before fate and time had ruined her. Then, She met him...The Duke of Eryndor, the kingdom's guardian and shield. She had become gracefully attuned to the admiring glances and silent reverence of those around her. So much that she could feel the weight of every lingering glance, the unspoken affection in his eyes, as his love for her bloomed, undeniable and apparent...once again. "Should your joy be the prize, I would gladly place myself at your service." His golden eyes seems to glow faintly in the dark as he whispered softly. (The Prince charming X The Damsel in Distress)

Follow the story of a regular maths teacher that is now reincarnated into a cultivation world. yes the mc is a real life person, not only that he is also my maths teacher. I thought it would be a funny idea to write a parody story about him.

[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 simple daughter of a Baron, Silvia is sold into a marriage with a sickly duke—a union that proves devastating when the duke dies immediately after the wedding, branding her with the cursed title of widow. If that weren’t enough, her brother-in-law harbors lustful desires for her, insisting she become his mistress. Desperate to escape the gilded prison of the palace, Silvia’s every attempt at freedom is met with increasing hostility, chipping away at her sanity. Her spirit wanes as the walls close in, and hope feels like a distant dream. But then, her life takes a sinister turn when she crosses paths with someone she wishes she never had. Will Silvia ever find happiness again? Will she reunite with her true love, or will the merciless beasts of society consume her, piece by piece? (Warning: May contain Themes such as R*pe, Sui*ide, Prostitu*on)

She was left at the altar, humiliated before the entire kingdom. He was the man who abandoned her, bound by secrets too dangerous to reveal. Lady Isadora Everhart was once the most admired noblewoman in the realm—until Duke Killian Blackmoor shattered her world. Now, forced into an unwanted marriage with the very man who betrayed her, she vows to make him suffer. But Killian is not the cold, unfeeling monster she believes him to be. Beneath his ruthless exterior lies a man tormented by a past that could destroy them both. He is determined to protect her—even if it means keeping his distance, even if it means breaking her heart again. In a court filled with vipers, Isadora must navigate political intrigue, whispered betrayals, and forbidden desires. As secrets unravel and enemies close in, will she uncover the truth behind Killian’s betrayal before it’s too late? Or will she lose herself to the undeniable passion that burns between them? One thing is certain—this time, she will not be the one left behind. A gripping historical romance filled with tension, betrayal, and a slow-burn love that defies fate. Perfect for readers who crave powerful heroines, possessive dukes, and heart-stopping intrigue.

Two broken families were reshaped into one. Zora’s mother, after marrying Jax’s father, moved in with them, bringing Zora along. Jax, wild and untamed like a feral dog, was distant and aloof. On the other hand, Zora was as hard as bone—stubborn and nearly impossible to approach. But when the world's end draws near, who would you want by your side? For Jax, Zora is that one person—the only one he is willing to draw close to, the only one who feels like a lifeline in the chaos of his soul.

After reading an incredibly bad manuscript and then dying, our new protagonist is reborn into said novel. To live this new life as a mermaid, he must make sure the duke of the human kingdom survives the demon king war. However, falling in love complicates things, perhaps leveling up to 99 and becoming nearly unstoppable for the sake of passion wasn't the best idea. Can Yuri thaw this stone-cold Duke Lucius' heart? What will happen when he suddenly can't remember the duke and embarks on his journey with the original Hero of the story? Will the Duke be able to win back his love? -------- Yuri: "Luci! Luci! I love you!!" Lucius: "We can't, I'm your contractor!" -some time later Lucius: "Yuri...I mean Star, please look at me...please speak to me...please, love me again" Yuri: "Luci. Luci. Luci...I won't let anyone else but you near me. I love you! I'll keep you safe!" Lucius: 'That's not me though...' --------- Im super excited for this story, I just hope I keep with it haha ^^;

This novel presents epic battles and heart-pounding scenes, described in vivid detail that can carry the reader away in every chapter. Told from the first-person perspective of Elena Fearis, the story's protagonist, the story brings every emotion and action to life with incredible clarity. --- Elena Fearis, a Priestess of the Sun Temple, rushes into the sacred temple of Toffa Village. Her goal? To cast a forbidden magic spell—the Hero Summoning Ritual. This is her last hope and the only way to save her village, which is now besieged by a horde of savage orges who slaughter and prey on the villagers without mercy. With strong determination, Elena summons a hero from another world, and what appears is a samurai from the Edo period of Japan named Ryuji Honda. What will happen to them next? Will Ryuji Honda, a warrior from the past, be able to face the horrors of the orges and save Toffa Village? Or will they both be destroyed by the chaos that continues to threaten? Dive into this exciting story, where two souls from different worlds meet, bringing hope amidst the gripping darkness. (Follow my IG at @matakatra.writer)

Suddenly, something moved in the dark corner of the room, catching my attention. Startled out of my mind, I leaped back in fear, grabbing the first object my hands landed on... a lamp, and holding it in front of me defensively, like a weapon. From the farthest corners of the darkness, a figure gradually began to emerge, slowly taking shape as it stepped into the rays of sunlight pouring through the windows. Bit by bit, the light revealed his features. He was tall, with a lean, chiseled physique, and his shoulders were broad. Silver-blonde hair spilled from his head, falling loosely around his face, giving him both a wild and seductive look, and I couldn't look away. Not from this beautiful man. He had jaw-dropping facial features that consisted of a sharp jaw with equally sharp cheekbones, a straight nose, a perfect mouth, and by the heavens, expressionless eyes. Eyes of gold and brown. Eyes that stared straight into mine. I fought back a shudder, muttering a silent curse under my breath. So, this was Dragos. ********** Centuries after his brother’s betrayal, Dragos Nicolae Vlad III has chosen solitude over his destined role as the leader of vampires. But when Dawn Carter, a young woman with financial struggles, lands a job at the Vlad mansion, her immunity to Dragos’ compulsion stirs something long dead within him—worry. He needs to find out why. Dawn has no idea vampires exist, let alone that she’s living among them—or that the dangerously gorgeous Dragos is their chosen one. As feelings start to grow between them, old wounds and new desires surface, but their love isn’t meant to be. She is something else—something pure. And he? A being forged from dark magic, forever damned. A vampire, and not just any kind. Will Dragos give up the first woman to touch his heart in over four hundred years? Or can their forbidden love create a path to peace for both human and vampire species?

Kaisha McLarren wasn't the sweet, cheeky girl like before. No. Not anymore when she turned 16. A drastic change turned her life as exciting as it can be. After 3 years of keeping only to herself, her family decided for her to get back out there. To attend the most elite academy in the country for her college years. Sure. She could be surrounded with people again. Good luck with her mood swings, for she could pluck out anyone's head just by her hands, bite anyone's flesh and bone with her teeth, and kick anyone like a pebble just by a single flick of her feet. Yeah. Because to no one's knowledge, this beauty is also the Beast.

On his 20th birthday, Asher's mother confessed something he never expected. After the truth was revealed, she died giving her last blessing to him. That's when Asher found himself all alone, confused about his own identity and worrying about his future. What did she say? -He was someone special? -Someone people would come after? She said he was coming from a very rare but also a very special race called omega where men could get pregnant. Was it real? At first, Asher strictly refused to accept his mother's confession. But in the end, he had to believe it. Because it was the bitter truth. If he was really coming from such a rare race, and had such a special body, did he have to live all his life hiding so he wouldn't get caught and become someone's plaything? Was that the only way to avoid getting the bad ending his father got? Why was he even born as someone like this?! He just wanted a peaceful life. So, it wouldn't be as dangerous as his mother said if he just forgot he was special and lived like a normal person, right? People would not notice. Alas, it's been a long time since people last saw an omega and they must be believing no omega exists now. At least that's what he thought... He thought people might have forgotten about his existence and he would not have to face any problems in the future.  Whether he was special or not, he still became a target. When he was kidnapped and auctioned as a slave, he regretted ignoring his mother's last advice. "Don't trust anyone easily. Your safety is in your hands and protecting yourself is your duty." He could only blame himself and expect for the worst if his special identity was to get revealed and meet the same end as his father did. However, his fate gave him a second chance along with a huge surprise which changed his life for the better. Hopefully, Asher was saved by the so-called 'bloodthirsty monster' duke and brought to his mansion to babysit his spoiled 10-year-old little sister who threw tantrums declaring she wants Asher to pat her head and comfort her. Just to babysit this adorable, little girl.  He was safe. His secret was also secured within himself. Thanks to that chaotic sister and brother, Asher's life slowly took new turns and continued with almost no obstacles...till some point. The surprise? The duke happened to have some kind of a 'strange' illness that had no cure. Not long after when Asher discovered it, he ended up becoming the perfect cure for his illness. But how? -Remember? He was 'special'! Where would his specialty as an omega lead his life to? What kind of mysteries would he have to encounter with this duke wishing comfort from him?  Will the duke's 'strange' illness ever get healed? How would their story flow to that perfect happy ending with the twist of love landing in the middle of their 'just a deal'? ________________ Note:  This story continues in a historical timeline. Similar to omegaverse, but not the same omegaverse universe. Magic, revenge, dukes, royal families, curses, spells, heats, ruts... (The book cover is from Pinterest. Respect to the artist.)

The light is here because the darkness exists. Just like that, the human realm exists because the demon realm is here. And in the great palace of the Blade Empire, a crown touches the peak of its glory before it falls from its grace. Lush Von Blade was the royal crown prince of one of the greatest empires on the southern continent. He is loyal but betrayed. On the other hand, where even the Gods fear to set a foot on, a demon lord abides. His grace and cruelty have been unseen for centuries. He is the supremacy in the three realms. While Lush is the light, he is the darkness. Each exists because the other is here. *** Special Chapters Announcements! Per week- 8 Chapters [Regular] 50+Power Stones= 1 Chapter [Bonus Per week] 25+Golden Tickets= 1 Chapter [Bonus Per month] Super Gift= [Fan's requested chapters]

Meet Sophia Jang—the epitome of a modern woman. She's passionate about K-pop, K-dramas, and stays deeply connected to the ever-shifting currents of her country’s current affairs. With a Sharp-tongued, opinionated, and a master of 'cancel' culture, she never backs down from calling people out. But fate has a twisted sense of humor. After mocking a historical novel, suddenly finds herself trapped in one. Except, instead of the old Korea , she lands in the strict but fancy — Victorian era. Worse, she crosses paths with the most ruthless, ill-tempered, and dangerously influential man of his time - Raphael Von Veldt. In a world where her words hold no weight and her usual tactics are useless. Can she outsmart the merciless duke, or has she finally met her match?

"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."