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
It was late at night and the entire palace was immersed in a profound slumber. However, I still couldn't sleep. I took off my nightgown and slipped into a simple dress, then picked up my black hood, quietly awaiting the arrival of that person.The cool moonlight shone through the garden, casting a glow upon the dressing table beside the window. Concealed in the dark corner by the curtains, I saw my pearl necklace carefully stored in a box."Meow~" A feeble meow resonated, breaking the silence of the night, acting as a peculiar warning."How can there be a cat in the palace? Guards! Quickly remove these intruders!" Susanna's stern voice carried through the night.Without any delay, the sound of guards' footsteps echoed down the corridor.Seizing the opportunity, I pushed open the window and concealed myself beneath the black hood. Just before I made my escape through the window, an inexplicable impulse compelled me to take the necklace with me.I minimized the sound of my footsteps. Th