Dukes Archive Dark Souls

--[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.

Ethan Valtore opened his eyes to an unfamiliar world, a world he once knew only as a novel. In his past life, he had been an avid reader, fascinated by the grand fantasy epic Legends of Arcadia. Now, he found himself reincarnated as Ethan Valtore, the eldest son of Duke Valtore, a character destined to become a mid-level villain in the story. But this time, he had knowledge of the future, and he wasn't about to follow the script.

Estella was betrothed to Viscount Alistair Ravensdale, a man in his seventies and old enough to be her grandfather. The thought of belonging to him made her sick. But she had no choice. As the illegitimate daughter of the Baron of Cleverview, she had known only servitude under her stepmother, the Baroness, and her twin stepsisters, Geraldine and Georgina. Estella became the price of his silence when the Baron embezzled public funds to indulge his wife’s extravagant tastes. The Viscount, willing to cover up the debt, demanded her as payment. She would be his fourth wife and the only one still alive. Estella would rather die than waste away in an isolated castle bound to a man she loathed. Duke Félix of Châteaubriant was engaged to the King of England’s daughter, Coralie. No one had forced him into it, and no one could. He needed a duchess to manage his estates and was growing tired of fleeting affairs. To him, marriage was a contract and a practical arrangement. But that was before Estella. A chance encounter at Lady Agatha’s ball left the Duke and Estella in a compromising situation. Seeing an opportunity, Estella blackmailed Felix into granting her the one thing she had always wanted: freedom from her family and the future they had imposed on her only if the Baron and Baroness would let her go without a fight. Would her gamble pay off, or had she only succeeded in trading one cage for another?

``` Anak perempuan baron, Alessandra Barrett, telah memakai masker sejak usia muda karena sebuah cedera. Banyak yang mengatakan jika Anda melihat wajah di balik masker, Anda akan terkutuk dan mati tidak lama kemudian. Dia dilihat sebagai hantu, dihindari oleh semua yang mengunjungi rumah baron sampai dia menjadi istri duke. Tak seorang pun bisa mengerti mengapa duke memilihnya sebagai istri. Apakah dia ingin mati? Apa yang akan terjadi pada gadis yang dulunya bersembunyi di bayangan tetapi kini menjadi pusat perhatian sebagai istri ber-masker duke? Apa yang akan semua orang katakan jika mereka mengetahui kebenaran bahwa dia adalah dalam pernikahan kontrak dengan duke? Urutan linimasa cerita Kebangsawanan Castro - Istri Raja yang Tak Bisa Dihancurkan Pelayan Misterius Sang Kesatria Istri Ber-masker Sang Duke ```

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!

A mysterious VR game company has unleashed a revolutionary MMORPG, Ascension of Souls, a game so advanced it threatens to blur the line between reality and fiction. Marketed as a groundbreaking innovation, it promised to change the world—but for Leo, it’s far more than just a game. It’s his only hope for survival. Thrown into an expansive, ever-shifting world, Leo fights alongside a growing circle of powerful allies—each with their own ambitions, rivalries, and hidden pasts. Like them, he can level up, grow stronger, and carve his path through a world where strength is everything. But unlike anyone else, he possesses a pair of mysterious bracelets, a power seemingly tied to him alone, unlocking fragmented memories of a past he doesn’t remember. As whispers of forgotten legends surface and unseen forces pull the strings behind the game’s mechanics, Leo realizes that survival isn’t just about leveling up—it’s about unraveling a truth buried deep within the game itself. But uncovering the truth comes at a cost—one that could rewrite everything he knows

This is a journey to gain wealth and power and all those things. Join our hero as he uses his knowledge and memories of the future to get it. ........ All events, characters and names in this novel are fictional, and any resemblance to reality is the result of the reader's imagination. { Patreon has early release chapters as well as extra Art } https://www.patreon.com/Author159?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator

The cold duke, the charming princess, the delicate loli... When each and every hard hurdle appeared in front of Lin Peng, it was either crossed or... Directly buried. Facing the terrifying Evil Lords, the arrogant Dark Dragon Clan, and the so-called Demon Clan everywhere, Lin Peng could only harden his head and top it...

#ACTION #ADVENTURE #BETRAYAL #TRAGEDY #WAR#ANGST ______________________ In a world fractured by storm and prowling with monsters, survival is both an art and a curse. Governed by elemental resonance, where individuals known as Resonarchs wield the forces of nature, Ezra, a young scavenger with a sharp tongue, finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of secrets and ancient powers. Life on the outskirts has always been harsh, but when a terrifying encounter with a terrifying beast awakens a mysterious light within him, his life takes a dangerous turn. As Ezra begins to uncover hidden truths about resonance, his abilities, and the world beyond, a dormant ancient force threatens to unravel the delicate balance of the elements. With the fate of the world hanging by a thread, Ezra is thrust into a battle against time, alongside a group of fractured allies, each harboring their own dark pasts. As he ventures deeper into the heart of the fractured world, the line between man and monster blurs, and Ezra is forced to confront the darker aspects of his own existence. But one ally harbors a secret so devastating, it could doom them all. As Ezra’s powers grow, so do the stakes. Will he unlock the mysteries of resonance in time to save the world—or will he be forced to watch everything he loves fall to ruin? One thing is certain: the world will never be the same. And not everyone will survive. As enemies close in and the echoes grow stronger, Ezra must decide: will he remain human, or embrace the monstrous truth that might destroy everything he’s ever known?

In a world where hybrids are nothing more than pests. Rem finds herself blessed with a loving family. However, a terrible hex given to her at birth makes it hard to control her rage. Not only that, but she has fallen in love with a man hell-bent on destroying the world she lives in! “Come with me if you want to live!” She declares, holding her hand towards the craziest Lycan to ever live. -Second Book of The Gate of Shadows- -Updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday-

In a world where dreams and reality collide, a young, whimsical girl from the 21st century finds herself inexplicably transported to the tumultuous 18th century—a realm brimming with demons, angels, enchanted beasts, shifters, and powerful witches. In this fantastical landscape, two lonely hearts from completely divergent worlds are drawn together in an intoxicating dance of fate. With a mere touch, the embers of love can ignite into an inferno, giving way to a tempest of passion, longing, and danger, where even the most forbidden desires can come to life. Just before her impending wedding to a much older general, Ava Philips stumbles upon a captivating stranger, a chance encounter that spirals into a whirlwind romance under the stars. As they open up about their heart-wrenching truths, they find sanctuary in each other's arms, igniting a fire neither anticipated. But as dawn breaks, the stranger vanishes without a trace, leaving Ava shattered and alone, her heart in ruins. Months later, Ava's world becomes even more complicated when she discovers she's pregnant with the child of this enigma—an imprint of love that lingered for just one night. With society’s scorn raining down upon her, she faces unbearable humiliation from her family, ultimately leading her into a desperate arrangement: marriage to a wealthy nobleman from a neighboring kingdom, bent on hiding a dark secret. As Ava embarks on this new chapter, she steps into a life fraught with ancient magic and perilous intrigue. Transformed into a Duchess and matriarch in a foreign land, she captivates not only her husband but also the noble prince and the Duke’s brooding brother, both vying for her heart amidst the chaos of her new existence. But the shadows of the past are relentless. As Ava navigates through deception, dark spells, and the intricate politics of her newfound life, she must confront her desires and unravel the secrets that bind her to her memories. What awaits Ava as she uncovers her true strength in a world where danger lurks at every corner, and love might be the greatest risk of all? Adventure, passion, and the fight for freedom beckon—will she seize her fate, or will the ghosts of her past consume her?

Three hundred years ago, humanity was brought to the brink of extinction. Unknown to man and products of horrific myth, creatures of eldritch origins — aptly named as Terrors — appeared and ravaged human civilization as we know it. Forced into the mega-city of Aria, humanity refused to cower, however. Nearing the tercentenary of death, the Phantoms still continue to resist their endless assault. Unfortunately, the tide of battle had been shifting. With the waning remnants of resistance coming to a halt, the appearance of a mysterious young cadet just may change the fate of the world.

[MATURE CONTENT WARNING: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK] Welcome to the fancy world of the elite, where Seraphina Alaric, a delicate and fragile girl always relying on medicine to get better, is just trying to catch a break before her life gets turned upside down by an arranged marriage... Seriously, who wants to be tied down when you’re still figuring out what you want in life? During a swanky banquet, she bumps into the enigmatic Duke of Everwyn. And the craziest part? She has no clue who this guy is—just thinks he’s some mysterious stranger. Out of nowhere, feeling adventurous (and maybe a bit reckless), she suggests a secret rendezvous that turns her whole world upside down. In that hidden moment, Seraphina dives headfirst into her wildest desires. But plot twist—turns out, the guy she just spent the night with is none other than her future husband. Oops! So much for a mysterious stranger—she just spent the night with her future husband! "Duke, It Hurts..." invites you into a whirlwind of self-discovery, steamy romance, and the sweet chaos of love when you least expect it. Can Seraphina break free from societal chains, or will she find herself tangled in the very web she tried to escape? Join her on this thrilling journey, and discover how love can be both liberating and complicated. Don’t miss out—your next obsession is just a page away!

[WSA 2025 Entry] [Progression-Fantasy | Overpowered | Kingdom Building | Monster Girls | Literary RPG Mechanics] [ACHIEVEMENT UNPRECEDENTED] [You have successfully embraced the Origin: Celestial Archive] [You have earned the talent: Summon (Rank E)] [You have been gifted the ability to summon a single SSS-Rank creature] [You have unlocked a new talent: Talent Copy] [You have summoned Amara - Night Queen (SSS-Rank)] [You have awakened the talent: Blood Monarch (Rank SSS)] In the Kingdom of Eirland, Hunters battle vicious monsters that emerge from mirror dimensions known as Events. Markus White awakens a Common Tier Origin, 'Scout', at the age of 15, dreaming of making it big as a Hunter. But Hunters like him are a dime a dozen, their efforts insignificant in the grand scheme. One day, while clearing an Event Rapture with his team, an unexpected incident leads him to encounter a dragon. Now armed with the Supreme Tier Origin 'Celestial Archive', which allows him to summon powerful Monster Girls, how will Markus use his newfound abilities? And what impact will his existence have on the world? --- Before reading this novel, I sincerely implore you to read the note I left in the auxiliary. That will give you an understanding of what you're getting into. Acknowledgement: The cover belongs to Author.

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 Saga of Souls ** In the depths of pain and weakness, lives **Ethan**, a boy who faces bullying and humiliation every day. Despite it all, he returns home with a fake smile to comfort his sick mother, helping her with dinner and cleaning the house with kindness. But one dark night, while releasing his heartache with screams in the forest, he falls into a deep pit. There, he discovers a mysterious chess piece, which merges with his arm, causing excruciating pain, leaving behind a glowing bull tattoo. With every step he takes, Ethan realizes that this power is not just a gift, but a test. Will he use it to seek revenge on a world that wronged him, or to discover his true self? --- A tale full of mystery, power, and incredible transformations. **"The Saga of Souls"...** When pain turns into power, destiny is reshaped. But little by little, he learns that he is not the only one who is different............... soon

Test, test, check, check. Okay... Ekhem... This is working... My name is Eclair Vin. One of the Archivists at the Ophelia Institute. Although our organization is still a secret, even the public knows nothing about us... Supposedly... However, we are still open to if you find something strange around you. Just send your statement or anything connected to it to our–

The world ended without warning. Cities fell. People died. And yet, the true nightmare was only beginning. Luca was never a good person, but in this new world, that hardly matters. Survival isn’t about strength—it’s about adaptation. Some call him a monster, others a necessary evil. He doesn’t care. As long as the people he values stay alive, nothing else matters. But survival comes with a price. Power always does. And as the line between man and monster blurs, Luca is forced to ask himself: When does survival stop being enough?

Twin siblings Jade and Jake share an unbreakable bond forged in loss and tested by dark secrets. After their parents died, Jake sought refuge in the Veiled Covenant—a cult that promised college students protection and academic support but ensnares them in dangerous rituals. Determined to safeguard Jade, Jake joins the Covenant, unaware that the cult’s hidden agenda brings more peril than protection. Jade’s life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Alex, a gentle yet mysterious cult member who offers a forbidden love that challenges everything she thought she knew about security and desire. Amid campus unrest and secret meetings held in hidden locations, Pastor Michael—a kind community leader haunted by his own tragic loss, offers guidance to those caught in the Covenant’s grip. Meanwhile, jealousy and betrayal ripple through Jade’s inner circle. Emily, once a loyal childhood friend, betrays Jade by aligning with Victor, a trusted friend of Jake who dreams of rising within the Covenant and harbors a secret crush on Jade. As these loyalties clash, another twist emerges; a reverse harem dynamic complicates matters when Joanna, smitten with Jake, competes for his attention, even though his heart belongs to Mandy—a non-member who remains indifferent, spurred by her own envy of Jade’s brilliance. Caught between the protective love of her twin and the seductive promise of a dangerous passion, Jade must decide which path leads to true freedom. With every secret meeting and ritual, the Covenant tightens its grip, and the stakes grow higher. Love, sacrifice, and betrayal collide in a struggle that will determine not only their futures but also the fate of their world.

My name is Cassius Blackwood, I am the illegitimate son born between the greatest swordsman in the empire, and the master of the Magic Tower. Yes, the one people expected to be a 1-in-a-million genius. As a result, I grew up in a house full of love and kindness despite being illegitimate. That is, until my tenth birthday when I failed my awakening ceremony. You can imagine how people started treating me after that. My parents, who had high hopes for me, abandoned me. After 10 years of training in hopes of awakening, I succeeded. But only as a "systemless hunter." And as we know, it's impossible to succeed as a hunter without a system. When 'The Blackwood Trial' took place, which is meant to determine the next head of house Blackwood, as everyone expected, I was the first to die. So, why did I go back to when I was 10 years old right before my awakening ceremony? *** Tags: #transmigration (the MC isn't the transmigrator) #regression ( the MC is the regressor) #reincarnation #no-harem #romance #singlefemalelead #revenge #evil #cruel #mage #swordsman #returnee #fantasy-empire #dungeons #system( Fake system) #cultivation (done differently) #rarebloodline #action #fantasy #secretidentity join my discord: https://dsc.gg/Rerian long link: https://discord.com/invite/wARbcq8kzG

The world has been split between two kinds of people - ones with powers and without powers. Yamikuro Asaki, a seemingly ordinary boy, wakes up from a nightmare that feels far too real and strange powers awaken inside of him in a life-or-death situation forcing him to turn his back on the normal world. Yamikuro now finds himself being constantly hunted and his and others safety around him are always in danger. Due to this Yamikuro joins the outcasts of society, others like him who were risking their lives in the normal world that help him find his purpose in this universe. But as gods have decided to take action due to the circumstances of Yamikuro gaining the darkness powers he must always seek to become the strongest. Betrayal, loss and a journey to the unknown await him as he keeps trying to fulfill his goals. With limited time, Yamikuro must make a decision to either be the savior or fall into the darkness.

“Inherit the relic. Rewrite the rules. Reign or be erased.” Once every century, the Archive awakens—a tower that pierces the sky, filled with shifting dungeons and forgotten relics left behind by ancient kings, tyrants, and warlords. These relics are not just weapons. They're legacies—powerful, sentient, and cursed by memory. To enter the Archive is to be chosen as a Writ-Bearer, someone capable of bonding with relics and wielding their power. For most, it's a path to fame, glory, and power. But for Kael Renn, a seventeen-year-old orphaned scribe from the outer slums, it's a death sentence. He was never supposed to be chosen. Yet, when a sealed relic buried in the tower’s forbidden floor calls to him—a relic known only as The Crown of the Nameless King—Kael becomes the first bearer of a Lost Writ that even the Archive itself cannot classify. Now hunted by relic guilds, kingspawn, and corrupted Writ-Bearers, Kael must survive deadly trials, manipulate ancient laws, and resist the growing voice of the relic within him. Because the Crown is remembering who it was. And it wants its throne back. MC: Kael Renn Age: 17 Background: Orphaned slum-born scribe, worked as a record keeper and relic cataloger in the outer zones. Never trained, never ranked. Visual Design: Hair: Ash-black, ragged at the ends, slightly covering his left eye Eyes: Pale gold—seem dull at first, but glow faintly when he invokes Writs Markings: Black ink-like veins spread from the back of his neck downward when relic power activates Clothing: Faded cloak stitched with old kingdom scripts, layered with relic sigils he draws himself Weapon: None at first—uses Writ-based combat, then later reforges an ancient relic blade with a forgotten command

[COMPLETED] Aideen Ruan, though a royal princess, was always unwanted due to the circumstances of her birth. Born blind to a hostage concubine, she possessed an intriguing beauty; however, her disability rendered her utterly useless to the royal family. Even when the struggling Count Crueder reluctantly agreed to take Aideen as his wife to secure the royal dowry, her life failed to improve. A year into their marriage, Aideen's inability to produce an heir sealed her fate. The princess was destined for exile to the Temple, consigned to spend the remainder of her days in isolation and abandonment. Contrary to her anticipations, instead of the Temple, Aideen found herself within the cold walls of Duke Tillian Valentine's castle. Duke Valentine, the last scion of the once-revered Valentine family that ruled the Kingdom before the "Fratricide Rebellion", now presided over the desolate Northern lands. Faced with fear and confusion, Aideen expected her life to perpetuate its cycle of misery, only to discover that Duke Valentine might hold the key to a new opportunity, a chance at a life she had never envisioned. "You bewitched my body and soul. Put an intoxicating spell on me, shackled my heart to yours with your magic. If I could exchange my eyesight with you, I would do it just to make you see what a man dying from love looks like."

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.)

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.

The two men couldn't have looked more out of place on the cold afternoon streets of New Hadepee. The first was a scrawny fellow, no taller than five foot eight, wearing a white shirt marred with ugly reddish-brown stains and a pair of plain tan pants. His companion, by contrast, carried himself with an air of quiet authority—a regal-looking man with a neatly trimmed black beard, wrapped in a great black coat with a red scarf pulled snug around his neck. "I heard the man himself has come back," the one in the stained shirt said, carefully balancing on the curb with his arms outstretched. "Oh? And where did you hear that?" his companion asked, turning his head with amusement to watch the precarious balancing act. "Welp, the sergeant major told me to go down to Olker, so I figured that could only mean he's back," the man in the white shirt replied. "Vistor has close cultural and political ties with the kingdom of Olker. Don't you think it's just a protection job?" the older man in black inquired, a hint of humor in his voice. "Oh, come on, Mang, you know they'd never give someone like me a protection job," the man in the white shirt scoffed, jumping off the curb and spinning around a lamppost. The older man—now known as Mang—came to a halt, reaching into his coat and pulling out an envelope. "Well, Tai, I suppose you're wrong." Mang handed the envelope to him. Tai peeled open the envelope, sliding out the letter and studying it carefully. "Oh wow, so Marlin is marrying the queen of those people?" he asked with a shrug. "She is not a queen. Don't let anyone call her that," Mang snapped. "And if her people weren't so damn difficult, we would have annexed them already." "So we let them succeed but not Gascon? Whose idea was that? They're more like us than those humans are," Tai said, frowning. "Gascon was willing to sell to the Emperor for a small chunk of change," Mang quipped. "The Noctrous family was not." "Ok so what's that matter, all we need is a little persuasion to change their minds? We killed the chief of Gnomandale and sent his stuffed head back to them, then they sold Gnomendale to us. All we need to do to get Olker is beat the hell out of Sylvie and she will sell." Tai folds the letter and places it back into the envelope. "Tai, the people of Vistor don't have the heart to see us beat up the Eladrin people like we did the Gnomes, and plus their Chief tramp Silvye is much too pretty for us to put her head on a stick."  "Welp, it's our loss," Tai muttered, spitting onto the sidewalk. "No, it's not. Not if Chester is back…" Tai frowned. "What's Chester gonna do?" "Last I recall, his fallout with Sylvie wasn't just a petty disagreement. Before he died, he built a fleet of ships and hid them in a cove somewhere. If he wanted revenge, all he'd need is an army." "And who the hell would fight for him?" "The same people who fight for us—the poor." This is a prequel to Then Maker, another story of mine. The writing may feel somewhat outdated compared to my more recent work, but it consists of a series of scenes that occur before the main events of the novel. The description is one of my most recent pieces, which is why it differs in style from the rest of the book.