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A DUKE'S CRIMSON SCANDAL

Lucien's control was fraying. He watched Elian's shoulders shake, watched fat tears roll down those flushed cheeks as the younger man tried—and failed—to hold back broken sobs. The sight should have disgusted him. Instead, it ignited something feral in his chest. "Be quiet, Elian," Lucien warned, voice low and strained. Elian's head snapped up, eyes blazing through the tears. "No! I will not be quiet!" His voice cracked, raw and defiant. "I demand you let me go. Set me—ah!" Lucien moved before he could think. In one brutal motion, he slammed Elian against the nearest wall, the impact knocking the breath from both of them. Elian's back hit stone with a dull thud, his wrists pinned above his head by one of Lucien's large hands. "Be quiet," Lucien hissed again, forehead pressed against Elian's, their breaths mingling hot and desperate. Elian whimpered, twisting uselessly in his grip. "You monster… you—" Lucien's mouth crashed down on his. It wasn't gentle. It wasn't a kiss—it was a claim. Hard, punishing, devouring. Elian gasped into it, the sound swallowed instantly as Lucien pressed closer, body caging him completely against the cold wall. The taste of salt from Elian's tears mixed with something sweeter, something that made Lucien's blood roar. Elian struggled for half a second… then his lips parted on a broken moan. Lucien pulled back just enough to growl against his mouth, "I said be quiet." But Elian—trembling, furious, aching—only whispered back, voice wrecked: "Make me." **** Some truths are worth killing for. ​Son of a traitor, Elian Morel was meant to burn in the Duke's dungeon. Instead, the ruthless Duke Lucien pulls him from the darkness and keeps him locked in his private wing—close enough to watch, to touch, to break. Elian hides a dangerous gift: with one touch, he can drag out the truth behind any lie. Lucien is cold precision and merciless control, a man bound by a royal betrothal and secrets of his own. But the more he tries to possess Elian, the more his iron restraint begins to crack. In a world of court intrigue and deadly politics, their charged proximity turns into something darker—something hungry. Every defiance, every forced confession, every lingering gaze pushes them closer to the edge. Between captor and captive, hatred and desire, a forbidden bond begins to form. One that could destroy them both. Power, obsession, and a love that defies the throne.
Rosegold_n · 199.8k Views

FOOLISH WESTER: Orokana Seiyō Hito — 愚かな西洋人

He did not want to be remembered. He only wanted to disappear. Utsu Enzu spent twenty-three years learning to make himself smaller — smaller than the Osaka apartment where his family's warmth went cold, smaller than the Tokyo desk where a supervisor's voice carved out whatever was left, smaller than the four-point-two tatami mats he measured one sleepless November night because there was nothing else to do with a mind that had already decided. He died quietly, without a note, without a name left on anyone's lips that would take long to stop being said. He woke up screaming in 1865. Six years old. American frontier. Dirt under his hands and a sun that had never once been that honest about itself. A new name — Yasei Nishi — and a new mother who held his face in warm hands and a new father who passed him bread across a lamplight table, and for one impossible year the machinery inside him that had been rusting since he was eleven began, slowly, to turn. Then the sheriff came. Two gunshots. Clean and unhurried. And Yasei Nishi crawled out of a cellar at age seven and made a decision as cold and absolute as anything Utsu Enzu ever made — only this one pointed outward. FOOLISH WESTER is the brutal, heartbreaking, and extraordinary story of what follows. Of six years surviving the American frontier alone — stealing, bleeding, teaching himself to shoot in the dark before dawn. Of a kid who did not want a name becoming a legend across territory he never intended to inhabit. Of four broken children — Wyatt, Rion, Aran, Ken — who refuse to be left behind no matter how hard he walks. Of a corrupt sheriff who has never once lost sleep. Of a fifteen-year-old kid with a ledger and unsteady hands who has been filing terrible things away for years and cannot do it anymore. It is not a story about healing. It is not a story about easy redemption or the small truths of the wild west or the comfort of a second chance. It is a story about what depression does to a person across two entire lifetimes. About revenge and its hollow, costly promise. About five children in a dangerous era learning that survival alone was never the point. The west does not care about your pain. But the people riding beside you might. RATED MA21+ 彼は、誰かの記憶に残りたいとは思わなかった。 ただ、消えてしまいたかった。 ウツ・エンズは二十三年間、自分自身を小さくする方法を学び続けた――家族の温もりが冷え切った大阪のアパートよりも小さく。上司の声が残されたものを削り取っていった東京のデスクよりも小さく。そして、眠れない十一月の夜、四畳二分の一ほどしかない畳の広さを測った。もう何もすることがなかった。すでに心のどこかで、すべてを決めてしまっていた頭には。 彼は静かに死んだ。遺書もなく、誰かの唇に残した名前さえなく、その名が口にされなくなるまでに長い時間を必要とすることもなかった。 そして、彼は1865年に悲鳴を上げながら目を覚ました。 六歳。 アメリカ開拓時代。手のひらには土がまとわりつき、自分自身について、かつて一度たりともこんなにも正直ではなかった太陽が頭上にあった。 新しい名前――ヤセイ・ニシ。 温かな手で彼の顔を包んでくれる新しい母親。 そして、ランプの灯りに照らされた食卓で、パンを彼に差し出してくれる新しい父親。 あり得ないほどの一年間だけ、十一歳の頃から錆びつき始めていた彼の内側の機械が、ゆっくりと、再び動き始めた。 ――だが、保安官がやって来た。 二発の銃声。 迷いもなく、静かに。 そしてヤセイ・ニシは七歳で地下室から這い出し、ウツ・エンズがこれまで下したどんな決断よりも冷たく、揺るぎない決断をした。 ただ一つ違ったのは――今度の決断は、自分自身ではなく、外の世界へ向けられていたことだった。 **『FOOLISH WESTER』**は、そこから始まる残酷で、胸を締めつけるような、そして途方もなく壮絶な物語である。 誰にも頼らず、アメリカ開拓地を六年間生き延びる物語。 盗み、血を流し、夜明け前の暗闇の中で、独学で銃の撃ち方を身につけていく。 名前など欲しくなかった少年が、自分が決して住み着くつもりなどなかった土地で、やがて伝説になっていく物語。 置き去りにされることを拒み、どれだけ彼が歩みを速めても、決して離れようとしない四人の壊れた子供たち――ワイアット、リオン、アラン、ケン。 一度たりとも眠れぬ夜を過ごしたことのない、腐敗した保安官。 そして帳簿を抱え、震える手で、何年もの間ずっとおぞましい出来事を記録し続けてきた十五歳の少年。もう、それを続けることができなくなった少年。 これは、癒やしの物語ではない。 簡単な贖罪の物語でもない。 西部開拓時代の小さな真実や、二度目の人生という名の慰めを描く物語でもない。 これは、二つの人生を丸ごと通して、鬱が一人の人間に何をもたらすのかを描く物語だ。 復讐についての物語。 そして、その復讐が約束するものが、どれほど空虚で、どれほど高い代償を要求するのかという物語。 危険な時代を生きる五人の子供たちが、ようやく知っていく。 生き残ることだけが、最初から目的だったわけではないのだと。 西部は、あなたの痛みなど気にしない。 だが―― あなたの隣で馬を走らせる人々は、もしかしたら気にかけてくれるかもしれない。 RATED MA21+
Locke_Weisz · 8.4k Views

Ghost in the palace

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life. One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world. The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire. But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes. The Emperor loathed her. The mistress laughed at her. And the court whispered behind her back. Only she wasn’t truly alone. > “Finally, someone can see us!” “What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?” “Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.” Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace. When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court. Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity. > “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.” And Heaven sided with her. Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace. > “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.” “If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken. The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm. > “This is not palace fare,” he muttered. “It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.” Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead. From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured. Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm. Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire. She would not simply survive. She would rise. And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.
Ashima_Mahajan_ · 251.8k Views

The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

**Mature Content** Eilika Wolanski is the eldest daughter of one of Varos’ most respected merchants, but respect has never brought her kindness. A childhood accident left a scar across her cheek, and with it, a cruel label she can never escape. The “Unwanted Woman” of Varos. Mocked in public, pitied in private, and treated like a blemish to be hidden, Eilika grows up learning one painful truth, beauty matters more than character in high society. So when an unexpected marriage proposal arrives from the powerful House of Kingsley, no one believes it is real. The groom is Damian Van Kingsley, the widowed duke of Varos, feared for his cold temperament and admired for his unmatched looks and wealth. Rumors follow him like shadows. He has a secret mistress, a broken heart drowned in alcohol, and worst of all… A son he barely acknowledges. For Eilika, marrying Damian isn’t a dream. It’s the only option left for survival. Damian, once the kingdom’s most desirable nobleman, has been nothing but a hollow man since the death of his first wife. He has abandoned his responsibilities, pushed away his child, and lived with one vow burning in his chest. He will never replace his first wife. To force him back into duty, his mother arranges a second marriage, one he never asked for, and one he refuses to accept. Damian swears he will never touch her , will never look at her and will never treat her as his wife. But Eilika isn’t the greedy noblewoman he expected. She doesn’t ask for his affection. She doesn’t crave his title. She doesn’t even want his love. What Eilika wants… is something far more dangerous. A family. And perhaps that is the very thing Damian has been starving for all along. ~~~~ “This bed will remain cold until your last breath.” Damian’s voice boomed through the dark chamber. Eilika didn’t flinch at his words. Instead she replied gracefully, “I don’t seek love, Duke. You can visit your secret mistress every night… Just don’t come near me.” This marriage was never meant to become real, until the Duke's heart begins to betray its own rules.
Kn_star8 · 898.5k Views

The Kingmaker System

"The masterminds are cooler than heroes," I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game. Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit. Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not? *** [Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.] What? [Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.] Wait, what?! [Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.] And, why would I do that?! [Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.] Why would I save him?! [The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?] Ah! I give up... It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things. In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker. I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need? Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though. I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse! Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is... [Failure: Destruction of the World.] It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped. If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing. [Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.] "If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne." And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.
AnimeVerseGirl · 637.5k Views

Oops, My Ex Is the Emperor Now

Acquainted for five years, married for two — Mu Wan Yun had always felt her husband didn't love her at all, that he'd married her only out of pity. So when the Duke Mansion, the family who abandoned her as a child, finally came to take her home on the condition that she divorce her husband, she wrote the letter of divorce without a second thought. -- Acquainted for five years, married for two — Lu Jingxing had always believed he and his wife were deeply in love. He'd even gone as far as threatening his Imperial Father to grant Mu Wan Yun the title of Crown Princess Consort. He had planned to bring his wife back to Chang'an to be his princess, but was met with a letter of divorce instead. The woman he believed was madly in love with him had actually divorced him. -- Mu Wan Yun thought that after returning home, she'd be the high and mighty Second Miss of the Duke Mansion. She never expected the family she had longed for was a pack of wolves and tigers. After barely escaping their clutches, Mu Wan Yun was filled with regret for divorcing her husband. She wanted to return to the village, make amends, and live a blissful life with him. But she never imagined her husband was actually the newly enthroned emperor — an emperor who held a deep-seated hatred for the Mu Family!!! Even more unthinkable — the husband she had always believed didn't love her had long ago arranged for her the supreme position of imperial consort. Yet she had divorced him for the family that had abandoned her. And so, she could only silently embark on the path of winning her husband back…
May Pomelo · 112.8k Views