He sat frozen on the floor, his eyes locked onto the sword, terror and unease written all over his face. This couldn’t have been just a hallucination—the images were too vivid, too real, as if he had personally witnessed the carnage. That sword… it was no ordinary weapon.“No, it’s impossible… he…” Leon’s voice trembled, the words faltering, unable to form a coherent sentence. His breathing was erratic, and he became painfully aware of his own hands shaking uncontrollably like they had just touched something unimaginably evil.“Calm down, Leon. Calm down…” he whispered hoarsely, but calm was nowhere to be found. Desperation clawed at him as he scrambled to his feet, stumbling toward the bed. He grabbed the blanket and wrapped it tightly around himself, curling into a trembling ball.“Sleep… sleep… stop thinking…” he murmured under his breath, desperately clinging to the words, hoping they could shield him from the horrifying images. He buried his head deeper into the blanket, strainin
The door burst open with a resounding bang, and Jasper’s tall, commanding figure filled the doorway. His gaze locked onto Leon instantly, sharp and unwavering. For a moment, Leon forgot how to breathe. He watched as Jasper stepped inside, each movement deliberate and unhurried. His demeanor showed no hostility, yet the memory of Jasper’s furious departure the previous night sent a shiver down Leon’s spine. This wasn’t just anyone—this was a demon.Instinctively, Leon scooted back, his body acting before his mind could catch up. By the time he realized what he was doing, his back was already pressed against the edge of the bed. He had nowhere left to go.Jasper, meanwhile, made himself comfortable, sitting casually at the foot of the bed. His piercing eyes bore into Leon, unrelenting and impossible to ignore.Leon felt the blood in his veins had turned to ice, a tingling numbness spreading to his fingertips. Overwhelmed, he made a snap decision. Pulling the blanket over his head, he bu
Jasper looked up, his gaze softening, carrying a hint of apology. “That’s why I considered finding a human partner from your world. But I never imagined… even then, the wedding would be ruined.” He leaned a little closer to Leon, his voice low, filled with guilt. “Leon, I’m sorry. Because of my selfishness, I must’ve frightened you, and you’ve been through much suffering.”Leon was caught off guard by Jasper’s candid confession, and a faint blush crept up his face before he could stop it. While he was still processing the moment, Jasper’s hand slowly reached out, gently cupping Leon’s cheek.“I admit,” Jasper began, his voice low yet brimming with tenderness, “at first, I didn’t know you. But what I said last night—about love at first sight—was true.”His words were steady and sincere, and his gaze seemed to pull Leon into its depths. “So… will you forgive me? Let’s start over. If you’re not comfortable with marrying first and falling in love later, we can take it slow. We can date fi
"Yesterday's bravery or ignorance—I chose wrong. You’re just ignorant," Aric murmured, leaning closer to Leon's face, his voice low and laced with danger. "So, if it’s ignorance or cowardice this time, which are you? Shall we make a bet?"Leon swallowed nervously, his throat dry, his voice trembling. "A... a bet? On what?""If I’m wrong, I’ll leave immediately," Aric said, his smile tinged with a teasing mockery. "But if I’m right... then we continue."Leon’s voice wavered, barely audible. "C-continue what?"Aric leaned close to his ear, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur, like a dark, honeyed whisper. "Continue to let yourself be completely defiled. That way, you can stand tall in front of that brat and tell him with pride that Prince Aric has entirely claimed you. He won’t keep pestering you to marry him after that."Leon’s breath hitched at those words. He couldn’t help but shut his eyes, his body shrinking slightly as a chill ran down his spine. He could almost feel the mock
As soon as his words fell, the hall fell into a brief silence.Then, to Leon’s surprise, Zalethos's stern expression seemed to crack, and he burst into laughter. "Hahaha, this kid is interesting!"Rose gently shook her head, a bemused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You don’t need to worry about those formalities here, Leon. Those kinds of gestures are forbidden in our kingdom."Leon, feeling a bit embarrassed, awkwardly scratched his head. "Well... could you give me some tips then? I’m already at a disadvantage with the whole species thing so a little guidance would be nice. At least let me act normal, so I can at least seem a little... well, normal, in front of everyone."“Hahaha, as long as it's similar to your world, that’s enough,” Zalethos laughed heartily, though his gaze carried a hint of amusement.Leon blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Really? So... that means there are no royal protocols?"He hesitated momentarily, then, testing the waters, gave a slight bow towa
In the luxurious VIP room, Leon reclined on the soft bed, his mind finally at ease for once. The room was quiet and comfortable, even the sound of the wind outside carried a sense of tranquility. Stretching lazily, he thought to himself, “At last, I’ve shaken off those two clingy princes.”His gaze drifted to the candle on the table, lost in thought, and a hint of anticipation stirred within him—The human district. Would it feel more like home? At least there, he wouldn’t have to deal with those domineering, otherworldly demon princes and their constant entanglements. The idea made him almost giddy with excitement.Unfortunately, the peace lasted only a fleeting few minutes. Suddenly, the room was filled with a familiar presence.“Bang!”Leon was startled and quickly sat up, his eyes locking onto the faint distortion in the air before him. In the blink of an eye, Aric materialized like a phantom, standing right in front of him. Leon distinctly remembered the door hadn’t opened, and th
Leon tightened his grip on the photo, his voice low as he spoke. “I was studying out of town when I got the news that my father was sick. I rushed home, but as soon as I stepped out of the airport... I...” His voice caught for a moment before he continued, “I was kidnapped.”“Then sold at an underground auction, to Jasper, right?” Aric raised an eyebrow, his smile turning slightly mocking.Leon nodded; his voice tinged with resignation. “Yeah.”Aric suddenly chuckled, the tone almost playful. “And who sold you?”Leon’s expression instantly hardened, his grip on the photo so tight that his knuckles turned white. “I wish it had been some human trafficking gang,” he said bitterly. “But it wasn’t.”Hearing this, Aric’s gaze darkened. “So, you know something.”Leon lowered his head, staring at the photo as emotions of anger and hurt swirled in his eyes. “Before I passed out at the auction, I heard the intermediary making a call to his client. He mentioned two names—Janet Ma... and Randy Ma
After several days of waiting, Leon finally saw Iris standing before him. He looked at her, her hand holding a book that emitted a soft blue glow, her expression radiating joy."I can finally smell the scent of freedom!" he exclaimed. Leon had thought this day would mark the beginning of his release, the first step toward his escape to the human district and a new life. However, Iris' words came like a cold bucket of water, dousing his hopes."Leon, your herbs are indeed very effective," Iris said, her voice filled with genuine admiration, yet carrying a hint of something hard to pinpoint, something more complex. "Our patient used to take the medicine I made every day, but with yours, she only needs to use it once every three days."Leon froze for a moment, a surge of excitement washing over him, and his voice couldn’t hide its pride. "That’s great! Once I reach the human district, I can find even better herbs and send them back to you."However, Iris’ expression slowly shifted into s
The voices in the hall surged like relentless waves, crashing one after another against the minds of the still-hesitant judges. Jasper’s gaze deepened, his brow furrowing slightly. It was clear to him—the tide had turned. Almost everyone now stood in favor of Leon’s innocence.Slowly, he stepped forward, preparing to speak and declare Leon free of all charges.But just as the words were about to leave his lips, a cold, measured voice cut through the air."Wait."All eyes turned toward Lisa as she emerged from the crowd. Her steps were calm, steady, and deliberate, her gaze sharp and unyielding as it locked onto Aric and Leon. There was no warmth in her tone—only a chilling objectivity, as if she were dissecting a body on an operating table."Even if ignorance can be forgiven, even if he redeemed himself, and even if his physician’s heart saved Morgana," she said, each word slicing through the hall with surgical precision, "we cannot deny that he did make a serious mistake at the start
Her words crashed into the hall like a hammer, silencing the room in an instant. The once-building hope and warmth were abruptly chilled. A tense, suffocating stillness settled over the grand chamber.Jasper’s brow furrowed slightly. He crossed his arms, clearly torn. He had no desire to deal harsh punishment to Leon, but Selena’s accusation hung in the air, undeniable. His hesitation was evident—his eyes flickered between Leon and Selena, his thoughts visibly conflicted.Then, amid the suffocating silence, a voice rang out—cold, calm, and razor-sharp.“Attacked by her own pet—who else is there to blame?” The words cut through the tension like a knife through the taut fabric. Heads turned instantly toward the source of the voice, every eye-locking on its owner.At the grand hall’s entrance, a figure emerged from the shadows, his every step steady and deliberate. Aric, clad in a perfectly tailored charcoal-gray suit, seemed almost to shimmer under the flickering torchlight. His sharp f
Leon froze for a heartbeat before his brow furrowed. "So... I still can only meet you here, in dreams? Talk to you like this? My powers... are gone?"The female ghost shook her head gently, her voice carrying a hint of weariness. “No, my kind benefactor... It’s because I am too weak.”Leon stared at her, a flicker of concern flashing in his eyes. “Weak? Does it have something to do with the Forbidden Land? I’ve never seen you wield such immense power before. Did you exhaust everything you had?”The female ghost lifted her gaze, her eyes soft like a tranquil stream. But instead of answering directly, she remained silent for a moment. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, “My kind benefactor... I must leave.”Leon’s heart sank instantly. His voice grew urgent, almost trembling. “Leave? Where are you going? Don’t tell me you’ll fade away just because you helped me!”A faint smile graced her lips, delicate and fleeting like morning mist dissolving in sunlight. “No, my kind
Confused, Leon glanced at the soldiers’ commander, only to learn that this was Elian’s doing. He had negotiated with them, reasoning that Leon, a scholar with no record of violence, hardly posed a flight risk.The cell was cramped, dimly lit by a flickering lamp on the far wall. Aric leaned against the corner, his face pale and glistening with cold sweat. The worst of his pain had passed, yet his frailty was evident. His black hair hung messily over his forehead, clinging to his clammy skin.He stirred at Leon’s arrival, eyelids lifting slowly until their gazes locked.For a moment, silence hung between them like a thin sheet of ice—fragile, ready to crack at the slightest touch.“Leon,” Aric finally spoke, his voice calm and steady yet carrying a depth that rippled beneath the surface like the still waters of a deep lake. “You knew exactly what breaking into the forbidden land would cost you.”Leon bit his lip, lifting his gaze to meet Aric’s. His eyes grew misty, a sheen of unspoken
Without a word, Leon followed Elian and a squad of soldiers as they turned and made their way toward the Forbidden Land. Their hurried footsteps echoed through the vast palace corridors, the sound reverberating like the tolling of a funeral bell—a somber prelude to the greater storm looming on the horizon.Leon followed the team back to the Forbidden Land, his heart pounding like a war drum, breath ragged and shallow. The heavy iron gate groaned open once again, revealing the haunting sight before him. Blood stained the floor in thick, dark smears, the metallic stench hanging like a suffocating fog."Quick—find her!" Leon shouted, his voice edged with panic. He didn’t wait for a response, his legs moving instinctually as he charged into the darkness.His eyes swept across the ruins of the shattered magic circle, scattered stone fragments glinting dimly in the faint light. His gaze froze on a figure lying motionless just ahead.It was Morgana.She lay crumpled on the blood-soaked groun
Without wasting a second, Morgana’s fingers moved rapidly, weaving an intricate spell. Her voice grew low and fast, chanting a dark incantation. Shadows swirled around her hand, expanding into a black vortex above her. The ground trembled violently, dust and shards of stone spiraling upward as the vortex grew into a raging storm of malevolent energy.The air crackled with power as a fierce wind howled through the chamber. But the female ghost stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. A wave of pure, radiant energy surged from her body, pushing back the encroaching darkness. Her power expanded into a shimmering barrier of light, forming a protective dome around herself and Leon.Leon felt the power within him growing increasingly wild, like a blazing fire on the verge of an explosion, violently surging through his veins. "What does this power want from me?" he gasped, struggling to contain it. Yet the energy raged on like a feral beast, desperate to break free.But as he caught sight of t
Few dared to speak of it, and those who did rarely lived long enough to regret it. Even within the royal family, its very mention carried a weight of fear and taboo.If it weren’t for Aric mentioning it and his secret investigation, he would probably still be in the dark about the existence of this place. Even after looking into it, the details he managed to uncover were scant and superficial at best. All he ever heard were fragments of old tales—this was said to be the domain of a dark deity, a forbidden ground shrouded in myth, untouched by human footsteps for a thousand years.“What could be hidden in the forbidden land?” He pondered for a moment, his breathing growing heavy. “With Elian still focused on analyzing the samples and unable to inspect Selena’s workshop directly, I might as well take this chance to explore the forbidden land myself.”Under the cover of the night, Leon slipped quietly through the long corridors of the palace. The closer he drew to the forbidden land, the
Leon’s voice cracked a raw edge of desperation, cutting through the air. He stepped closer, his hands trembling slightly, but he forced himself to stay steady. “It’s me! Leon! You have to calm down! You can fight this!”But his words seemed to dissolve into the chaos, barely reaching Aric, who remained lost in his storm. His eyes flickered, blazing with wild, unchained energy, unrecognizing, unyielding. Leon’s pulse raced, yet he refused to back down."Come back to me," he whispered the plea almost a prayer, his voice trembling with fear and unbreakable resolve.No response.A flicker of despair passed through Leon’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an even stronger resolve. He drew a deep breath, then threw himself at Aric without hesitation, wrapping his arms tightly around him."If you don’t listen, I’ll just hold on to you! Hit me, shove me—I don’t care. Ignore me all you want, but you must calm down!"Bang!Aric struggled again, his immense strength flinging Leon away with ea
"Elian! I need to find Elian!"Leon didn’t hesitate for a second. He turned and sprinted toward the Medical Division, his steps fast and uneven, heart pounding painfully in his chest from both exhaustion and the weight of his emotions.He burst through the doors without knocking. Elian stood at a long table, a stack of potion analysis reports in his hands, completely absorbed in his work.“Elian!” Leon’s voice came out urgent and breathless. “Aric’s been arrested.”“What? Arrested? I’ll—” Elian froze mid-sentence, the shock clear in his eyes. It was obvious he hadn’t heard the news yet.“No, listen! I don’t need you to go to him right now. You have to analyze this.” Leon thrust a small vial into Elian’s hands, his words tumbling out in a hurried rush. "I need you to figure out who’s been making this potion recently. It’s critical. Even if it’s not directly related, it might give Aric a way out—an excuse to cooperate and mitigate whatever punishment he’s facing. This kind of potion bei