Catherine's povSlap!Slap!Slap!With each sound, another whip mark was left on my body. In the darkened room, I knelt on the frigid floor, surrendering to the relentless lashes that tore my clothes apart."Does it hurt?" My father, Elder William, asked me in the darkness."Not at all." I clenched my teeth, biting my lips until they bled. I heard myself utter the response, and words escaped through the parting of my lips.Pa!The whip struck my back, releasing my father's wrath. It coiled like a venomous serpent, devouring my nerves, causing involuntary tremors to course through my body."Catherine," my father's voice descended from above, "I need an explanation."Struggling to steady my near-collapsing body, I maintained my silence, steadying myself.In obscurity, nothing was visible, yet my sense of touch grew acute. I felt my father lifting my chin with the whip, the sweat on my face gliding and moistening it.Gazing at my father's blurred silhouette in the darkness, I mustered a
Bud's POVIn the dimly lit underground dungeon beneath the palace, I held a lantern and opened the heavy door of the cell. Inside, I saw several warriors with scarred bodies and they were tossed into a pile of decaying straw.One person's clothes were stained with dried brown blood. His hair was caked with dust. I could no longer recognize his former appearance."How is he?" I asked."General, he has passed out from the pain. The doctor administered basic treatment and expects him to regain consciousness tomorrow," a soldier answered respectfully."I understand. You can leave now.""Yes, General."As the candle flame flickered, the soldiers departed the cell in an orderly manner. The cramped room became somewhat more spacious. I gazed coldly at the face resting on the straw. With my sword, I brushed the hair aside. I recognized a handsome, vaguely familiar visage.Lancaster.Wow, what a coincidence, we met again, I thought, mocking.My sword tip glided slowly down, slicing through his
Catherine's POVI sat at the vanity by the window, gazing at the roses outside.Even in the darkness of the night, the castle remained beautiful. The roses bloomed passionately, their beauty undiminished by the arrival of the night."Snap," I reached out to break a flower. I looked at myself in the mirror, placing the rose into my hair. The fragrance wafted to my nostrils, but my eyes were cold."Smile, Catherine," I commanded myself in my mind.In the mirror, the muscles at the corners of my mouth slowly tugged, forming a smiling expression. It reminded me of the woman who always smiled in my memories."Catherine, smile," her words echoed in my ears. I felt as if my mother were still alive, her words lingering around me.My mother possessed long, red curls. Her exquisite lips were constantly adorned with a smile. She had a pair of black eyes, resembling mysterious gemstones. When she glanced down at me in her embrace, her eyes shimmered like stars in the night."My Catherine, my darl
Catherine's POV"Ding!"The black armor clashed against my bed, producing a crisp sound."Who would have thought the cold-hearted General Bud would lie on my bed like a hungry hawk?"I straddled his waist, facing Bud's hot gaze, slowly unbuttoning his clothes until his chest was exposed.As I touched something hard between his thighs, Bud suddenly sat up, gripping my shoulders."Catherine, are you... really sure about this?"He strained to suppress his voice, his facial muscles twitching, and his eyes flickering with struggle.His hands met mine and I felt his calluses from training. They're radiating burning heat.I almost burst into laughter. We were already lying in bed, and he thought I was joking?I remained silent, slowly leaning over."Open your eyes, Bud. I want you to see how I'm going to 'eat' you."A sensual warmth enveloped my face.My face descended towards his lower half. Through the fabric, I traced the shape of his aroused member with my tongue.Saliva wetted his pants
Alen's POVAfter being carried back to the palace by Kral, Delia fell into a strange slumber. When the doctors couldn't determine the cause of her unconsciousness, Kral commanded Vivian to concoct a potion that would awaken Delia.In exchange, Vivian had access to anything within the palace, including me, which was much to Susanna's disapproval. I opened the storage room under Susanna's disapproving gaze, allowing Vivian to select whatever she needed."Mercury, golden dragon scales, poppy flower extract. Ah! And mermaid bones and deep-sea pearls."Today, Vivian adorned herself in her favored silver robe. Her golden hair was braided into a long plait. She was delighted in perusing the royal collection, murmuring to herself."There's nothing wrong with Delia's body. She's just tired and will awaken soon. Prince Kral is overly worried. But he truly possesses a plethora of treasures. Tsk tsk.""Well, you can take advantage of this opportunity to request something you fancy from him," I ch
(Alen's memories)"Father, where did Kral's parents go?"I asked, leaning against my father's chest as we made our way home from the palace."Don't call him Kral; he is His Royal Highness, the Prince," Father said, giving my ears a gentle pinch, his expression serious.I made a face playfully. I was just a child, still holding onto my mischievous nature."Okay, then. Where did His Royal Highness's parents go? He hasn't seen them for a whole week. During today's lesson with the elders, he couldn't hold back his tears."In my heart, I called him Kral. He was taller and stronger than me, but he never bullied me.When my father sent me to study at the palace alongside Kral, I felt nervous. The palace was grand, filled with intricate stone sculptures. As I cautiously entered the study, I remembered my father's advice: "Don't oppose the Prince."I expected the Prince to be proud and aloof, but as soon as I opened the door, I saw a young boy with golden eyes fixed upon me. He patted my shoul
Delia's POV"Woo~" I opened my eyes under the brilliant sunlight.Before me lay an endless expanse of a lake.A gentle breeze softly rustled my hair. I glanced downward and saw my own reflection in the water—a young, white puppy.!I widened my eyes in astonishment, and the young wolf in the lake also tilted its head, staring at me in surprise.What's going on?!I confirmed that my memory was intact. I remember passing the Queen's trial. Guided by the Moon Goddess, I found my wolf. Her name is Pearl. But why has Pearl become so young? Why have I become smaller after shifting?"Woo!"I howled at the lake's surface, but there was no response.I gazed at my reflection. The mirrored image in the water gazed back at me. In my childhood, I yearned to succeed in shifting so that my father wouldn't abandon me. But now, I no longer care about my father's opinion.There was a vast stretch of grassland by the lakeside. Sunlight illuminated the water, casting shimmering golden ripples. Anxiously,
Delia's POVWhen Alen brought that man before me, I could hardly recognize him as my once proud father.Oh no, I no longer wish to call him father; he is now simply Mr. Orban.Unlike our encounter in the temple, this time I could scrutinize his appearance more directly.He looked completely aged. His partially white hair lay limp against his scalp. His once upright posture had slouched. There was no longer a longing for power in his eyes, only a sense of elderliness that hardly resembled an alpha."Your Royal Highness... and Delia, greetings to you both."I was adorned in a specially tailored royal attire, seated on a gilded high-backed chair, while my father—Mr. Orban—stood before me with eyes cast down, visibly restless.Who would have thought we would meet under such circumstances? During the pack, I was the overlooked, ridiculed girl, wearing a face of fear, while he was the towering alpha. Now, I have finally captured his attention, but I realize that I no longer care much about
Sibyl’s POVBefore I know it, time is running out like a river. My two children, who began as finger-sucking babies in cradles, can now run around the palace. Perhaps they inherited Nuri's strong physique, and even the quiet little princess Terese was full of energy. The wet nurses had run to follow her but she was not tired at all.Today, after breakfast, I caught them trying to sneak out again."Sit your asses down!" I said sternly.The two little ones made faces and sat back in their chairs.Unexpectedly, the child's father suddenly protested. "Children are young. They are at an active age now. Why should you restrain them?""Have you forgotten what day it is?""What day?" asked Nuri, doubtfully, putting down her cup.I knew it! I took a plate of peeled grapes from him and said, "Selene and Lowa are coming to visit us today. Lowa is bringing her little girl!"Shortly after my children were born, Lowa returned to Werebird kingdom with Manolo. Within two months of their return, I rec
Sibyl’s POVSince the birth of the little prince and Princess, the whole palace has become lively. Nuri's excitement is hard to describe. He immediately declared the young prince, Baron, a crown prince and gave him an estate. However, he is still young and currently lives with his sister in a bedroom in my palace.In order to take care of the two children, Nuri arranged for each of them to have three wet nurses and eight maids. He had even begun to think about their playmates.Carol was even more excited to see them every day. She came in the morning as soon as the sun rose, and left reluctantly after dinner.Now all eyes are on the two children."Our Baron and Terese are very popular. Whose credit is that?"Nuri rocked the cradle and looked at me like a big dog with a face full of praise! I couldn't bear to watch. I picked up Terese, who was munching her fingers, and kissed her soft, white, meaty face."Little Terese, who is your mommy?"The little guy looked at me in a daze and sudd
Roth’s POV"Sibyl... my baby..."Blayze's voice travels in Nuri's ears. His hands were tugging at Nuri's, blood gushing from his mouth, but he did not stop, calling the Queen's name again and again.Beowulf pounced. His broken arm was flailing feebly in the air, and Nuri dropped Blayze to avoid his attack. I climbed over and pulled Blayze aside to sit against the wall."How could she be Azariah? Didn't she die in prison?"Blayze didn't answer my question. He didn't even look at me. He just stubbornly called out the Queen's name. Does this really work? Can we wake the king?"Nuri, wake up! Sibyl is unconscious because of you. She is pregnant with your child! She almost died because of you!" Bellowed Beowulf as he dodged Nuri's attack, shouting Sibyl's name along with Blayze. Tears blurred my vision. I wiped my face and joined them loudly.May the gods protect us. The love between the King and Queen could be the antidote to this disaster.For a moment, the council chamber was filled wit
Selene’s POVThe whole palace was in disarray. The doctors were all called in, and the maids went in and out like ants on a hot pan. Everyone was scrambling to do something, but they didn't know which way to go, because the only hostess was still lying in bed, unconscious."Stay calm. You are all trained. Follow the rules." Nuri's grandmother's voice rose into the night, suppressing the panic. She took the maid's hand and got down from the carriage. She glanced at the maids and the doctors, and everyone she saw lowered their heads."We don't need so many doctors. Those who are not good at delivering babies can go home."When she had finished, some of the doctors, after a moment's hesitation, came forward, saluted, and hurried off.“Amy, divide the maids into three groups. One group will prepare hot water, the other will clean up the delivery room, and the last group will serve the empress at any time. If anything goes wrong, the person-in-charge will be punished!”Amy hurried to assig
Sibyl’s POV"Your Majesty..." Amy hesitated."Are you asking me why I didn't kill her?" I stopped and looked up at the Black Sky, where the moon was shining brightly. The stars twinkled in the sky like jewels on a dress."Maybe the moon is too beautiful tonight. I don't want to spoil my mood."Many innocent souls stayed in the palace. Every brick and tile was soaked in blood, and I did not want to add to it any more.The maid thought she was going to die, too. She closed her eyes and waited for the poison to attack, only to find that the pain she had imagined for a long time had not come. She slowly opened her eyes tentatively and looked at me hesitantly."Ah..." when she opened her mouth to speak, she found herself unable to make a sound."I took your voice," I motioned to Amy with my eyes. Amy handed her a bag of gold coins. "This is my compensation to you. I will still keep my promise to you. You can leave the palace tonight. I will let you continue your life as a commoner."With t
Sibyl’s POVThe evening party went on as planned. On the rows of brass candlesticks, carefully carved candles burned brightly, illuminating the faces of each visitor. The scent of ladies' perfumes filled the air, and expensive jewelry glowed in the owner's hair, earlobes, and neck. Everyone smiled and complimented each other."What an elegant crowd." I stood in the shade outside the door and looked at the nobles in the ballroom. "If I hadn't seen the fierce faces of the jealous ladies and the greed of the men in calculating the wealth of the common people, if I hadn't seen the despicable ways in which ministers use their power to do evil," I paused, i turned to Amy. "This is heaven, isn't it?"Amy looked at me in silence, and I knew the question frightened her. How can the nobles be so easily judged? Most people would think so. Nuri still had a long way to go. If he did not change the concept that everyone feared the nobles as much as the gods, the new nobles that he supported now wou
Sibyl’s POVLowa shifts into a giant bird. I sat on her back and soon saw Aphrodite's palace. With no intention of slowing down, she dived straight for the palace door, causing the maids at the door to scream. I walked to the door with a sullen face. Lowa shaved her feathers and shifted back to being a sexy lady.Not surprisingly, there was another shriek from the maids, and several of them had collapsed to the ground. I saw a familiar face among the maids, whose name I can't quite remember, Anna or something. On Aphrodite's first day at court, I met the maid.She's not doing very well. No, rather badly. She was not a pretty girl, but she was impressive, and now her hair was as yellow as a weed, and her figure was unusually dry. The once beautiful eyes also lost their love of life like a pool of stagnant water.She felt my gaze and looked up at me quickly. Her eyes sparkled, but soon became dull. She changed in an instant. When I blinked and looked at her again, she was still lifeless
Sibyl’s POV"Nuri is exaggerating." Selene looked at the room full of clothes and sighed. "So many clothes. Even if there were a few more of you, you would never wear them all!"I looked at the rows of clothes, heart half sweet half trouble. Nuri is in love with me, but, as my sister said, I really do not have time to wear every piece of clothing again. Looking at so many beautiful clothes that I have no chance to wear them, it makes me feel very wasteful."These are all new. Do you like any of them? If you don't mind, just take the ones you like!" I said to Selene. When Lowa heard this, her face darkened and she looked at me angrily. "You have a real sister, and have you forgotten about me? You are so biased!"Selene looked at me awkwardly, worried that something might happen between me and Lowa, and I patted her hand. I smiled at her and said, "She's just kidding!" I turned to Lowa and rolled my eyes at her. "Why are you teasing her? Come on, I'll give you all the clothes in this ro
Nuri’s POV"What's all this?" Beowulf asked as he casually flipped through the notes on my desk. He gave me a smirk. I looked down and coughed."How come I don't remember us getting so close?" His tone was too casual and intimate, as if we had known each other for more than a decade, which made me very uncomfortable. He is the king of the land of the Bears. While I respect him as a hero, that doesn't mean my social distance from him can become intimate. But he didn't seem to feel that way at all."My wife is your wife's sister, and we are brothers, a family! We know each other like the back of my hand!" He took another book from the shelf, he exclaimed, "I always thought that you were an ambitious hero. You spent all your energy on running the country. I can't imagine that you're actually a nanny!"My bookshelf is lined with books on children, medical and educational, from infants to teenagers. On the desk are several thick notes that I have made. These are all the questions I ask doc