MTL - Enchantress Amongst Alchemists: Ghost King’s Wife (Phoenix Cry Firmament) - ~ 10. This fool is not simple

Sebastian’s life was defined by loss. Orphaned, abandoned, and beaten down by a world that seemed determined to crush him, he met his end alone on the streets, broken by poverty, sickness, and heartbreak. Yet death was not the end.He awakens in a void between worlds, confronted by a strange, otherworldly presence and a mysterious statue that hints at power beyond mortal comprehension. There, Sebastian burns and is reforged as Sebastian Nekros, an extra in the world of “The Celestial Arena.”Thrown back into the living world, Sebastian must navigate a realm where morality is relative and every choice carries weight. As he experiments with his abilities, he encounters allies, rivals, and enemies who test not only his strength but his understanding of what it means to wield life and death. With the line between salvation and annihilation growing thinner by the day, Sebastian faces a choice that will determine the fate of the world itself: embrace his powers fully and reshape existence in his image, or sacrifice everything to restore balance and prove that even the most broken soul can leave a mark on eternity.discord invite--- https://discord.gg/RYm8kCzKyh

[Status: COMPLETED]In her previous life, Adrienne Jiang had used all means to save her mother’s life. Her father had neglected her after marrying his mistress, allowing the mother-and-daughter pair to bully her to no end. The older brother whom she thought she could rely on gave her a cold shoulder and chastised her instead for not cutting their mother’s life support.In her despair, Adrienne almost fell into the trap set by her stepsister. In the end, she entered a contractual marriage with her best friend’s brother, Alistair Han, a man she’d been carrying a torch for from a young age.Only then did she realize that the man was manipulative and obsessive, not wanting her out of sight. She had been treated like a bird trapped in a golden cage.In the end, she met her demise at the betrayal of her brother and everything was lost in the fire. After being reborn, she was determined not to continue being a good-for-nothing person.Lennox Qin, the vicious young master of the Qin family, was set to become the next head of their family. However, because of an incident, he was crippled and deemed unworthy. When he and Adrienne’s paths crossed, they came to an agreement.“I’ll marry you to remove your bad luck and be your wife for two years. In return, allow me to use you to destroy the Han and Jiang families.”The man seated in a wheelchair merely raised a brow at her declaration. His lips then curled into a dashing smile and he agreed without batting an eyelid. However, when the time was almost up, he rushed to convince her to stay in their marriage.“Madam Qin deserves the best. If it’s the world you desire, I’ll bring it to you on a silver platter. You can have the entire world, but darling, do not forget that while everything belongs to you, you belong to me.”Adrienne furrowed her brows.“But you don’t even like me...” She reasoned out, thinking that her husband might have lost his mind.“No, I didn’t, but I do love you now. In fact, you are the only one I think of these days.”However, it seemed to her that not only her husband was trying to get her attention but her in-laws as well.Editor/proofreader: ninaviewsWarning for future r18 scenes and themes not appropriate for young audiences.Copyright2023 anjeeriku

***Completed***“I'll marry you if you promise to kiss me every day.”On the harrowing day she lost her family, out of all the men she knew, Marcella didn't expect those words from “Sweet Baby” Tony. She thought he was not interested in her.She had to ask him for the marriage as she wanted to fulfil her sister's last wishes.She got married the day she suffered a horrifying loss.Don DeAngelo's youngest daughter became the wife of Antony Crawford.She didn't wait to think why he wanted to marry her when every men she knew wanted her for who her father was. She trusted him that much.But in a day, she learned that Tony was not so different from other men.What choice can she make?She can throw away the marriage and lose custody of her nephew, or...She chose to be married to him. Their marriage can be a deal. She needed him, he needed her. It's all fine.Except...What does Tony feel? Is their marriage all but a business transaction for him? What is the secret he is hiding? Why can't he reveal it to her?-----*Excerpt*“We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell,” she said looking into his eyes. The alluring mystique behind those blue eyes made her heart skip a beat.How can she hate and love someone this much? She must be missing a part of her brain.In the silence of the dining room, the candle flickered. The curve of his lips widened and in the romantic ambiance, the thin lines around his eyes gave her a thrill.“Quoting Oscar Wilde?” he chuckled comfortably, leaning forward.“Isn't that true in our case?” she asked.She observed him, trying to digest every single expression on his face.He went silent. His lips pressed to a line. His pensive eyes never left hers except for the few seconds when he placed down his cutleries. She still couldn't guess what goes on in that smart brain of his.It is this, she thought. I am a decently adventurous person. He's an adventure. Maybe that's his allure!“Then, Birdie,” he stood up and walked to her.Marcella's back got stiff as she tried to figure out what he was going to do.Also, is that a pet name? Birdie? It's nice. But that came out of nowhere...She followed him with his eyes. He kneeled beside her and held her hand. Only when she felt the warmth of his big hand on hers did she realize that she had been holding her breath for a while.This man is going to be the end of her. It sucks when he does not feel even half of what she feels.“Let's be angels,” he kissed her hand. With a smooth smile that reached his eyes, he looked at her. “Let's be each other's angels, and let's make this world our heaven.”“You are...”Unable to find any words to say to him, she buried her face in her hand. Her chest was heaving as if she ran a marathon.This man surely is going to be the end of her.“What?” he chuckled while teasing her to show her face. “What am I?”“You're a brute, Mr. Crawford. That's what you are,” she said trying to hold her stoic expression to relay her “disapproval” of his methods. But in front of his goofy smile, she lost.She lost, and she didn't feel defeated.She felt delighted in his presence.“Mark my words, Birdie. I am taking you to the White House,” he said.Marcella opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. The determination shining in his eyes...He's not talking about a visit to the White House, is he?No way! No f*cking way!Her eyes widened. But he was smiling sweetly as always. He stood up and leaned to her ear.“Let's have today's kiss on the bed,” he said.Before she could form a resistance, he picked her up and walked up the stairs.Again, Marcell pondered the one question she's been asking a lot lately.Whom did I marry?

I’m an imperial uncle; his imperial majesty’s uncle.

Once, someone with nothing better to do took a comprehensive survey of the current dynasty, and summed up the imperial court’s three great cancers.

Wang Qin leads in corruption; the treasury is never full.

Yun Tang favours a few, forming cabals; leading to corruption in our politics.

Prince Huai plays with power, and serves as the head of a hundred poisons — thus causing instability to the throne.

When they talk about the most venomous of vipers, the wicked one who plays with power, the biggest cancer of them all, they’re talking about me: this insignificant prince, Prince Huai, Chengjun.

I can only say that I feel rather hapless in the face of these theories.

In truth, I have been ever dutiful, ever devoted, devoid of intention to monopolise power, and possess even less of a heart to covet the throne. In the entire imperial court, I dare say there is no loyal subject more loyal than I.

But, most tragically, in all the realm, the matter of my being a loyal subject is something that not many would believe.

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