aerie
Stories
12
Chapters
857
Words
4.7 M
Comments
32
Reading
16 d, 8 h
Shh. Enveloping her in his embrace, he whispered into her ear. “Someone’s coming.” ︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵ By the time Anais, frozen by the sudden movement, began to understand what was happening, the Grand Duke was already leaning in, listening through the crack in a barely opened door. Still held in his arms, she forgot even to cry. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she went completely still. Anais stood quietly, her back…- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- Just as Anais stood there without the strength to move, Nectar opened his mouth again. “Whatever it is, it's too soon for the poison. She might still be useful.” “That’s why I only gave her one bottle. After all, she needs to take several, right? Didn’t that woman die after drinking three bottles? So she should be fine.” “If she’s anything like her mother, that should be the case.” She had thought there was nothing left that could hurt her. But then, what came out of…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- Hearing this for the first time, Anais’s face turned pale. In the Empire, illegitimate children weren’t considered nobles. By law, children born out of wedlock weren’t even recognized as family. That was why Rex Orelcian was registered as the son of the Viscountess, not a mistress. Unless a noble family made a rare exception and quietly accepted the child, they were thrown into orphanages and raised like commoners. “A grand duke born of an imperial consort and a princess’s illegitimate…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- Diego, who had been staring at Anais’s room window, tightened his grip on the apple he was holding and muttered coldly, “This family doesn’t treat Anais as someone worth cherishing.” Her simple dress stood in stark contrast to the lavish gowns worn by the mistress of the house. In addition, her room was small and tucked away on a different floor entirely, separate from where the family and mistress resided. Thud. As he recalled the scene he had keenly observed, the apple he had tossed…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- “Then, when would you like the wedding to be?” His tone was so sincere that Anais tilted her head slightly in confusion. “…Do I have a say in it?” “Of course. The wedding date will be set entirely according to your wishes, Lady Anais.” A strange phrase followed her name. ‘…According to my wishes.’ Anais repeated those words to herself. For someone who had always followed her father’s will, Diego’s question felt startlingly unfamiliar. If she were truly allowed to…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- “If you're not going to tell me, I’ll go find her myself.” As the Grand Duke stood up as if he were ready to storm out of the parlor, Rex deliberately gave him a pointed look. “Not only have you arrived unannounced, but now you want to barge into my sister’s bedroom? Our father will be here shortly, so please wait.” “Ha.” Diego let out a short, mirthless laugh. The tension in the room, once tolerably calm, turned cold in an instant. “I’m here to see my bride. What right…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- “Did you forget Nectar’s order to refuse all visitors and deliveries?” Jade grumbled, clearly annoyed. “Tch. And here I was, finally having a bit of fun. Now the mood is completely ruined.” The maid recoiled and lowered her head even further. “I-I’m terribly sorry, Madam. It’s just... the G-Grand Duke himself is here. He’s asking to see the young lady.” “What?” It wasn’t just Jade who was shocked. Anais, who had been standing in a daze, snapped out of it and…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- The portion she tore from the book was a small, hand-drawn map of the Grand Duchy. “I should start by memorizing the locations of the castle gates leading in and out of the Grand Duchy.” Her first step was figuring out how to escape the Grand Duchy safely. After studying the map thoroughly and carefully folding it away, she moved on to search for another book. 〈 Marriage in Noble Society. 〉 It was a book she had read countless times in preparation for marriage, following her father's…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- Step. Step. Seeing this, Nectar moved to stand beside Anais as if to shield her, his eyes locking onto the Grand Duke. However, their silent standoff lasted only a moment. When the Grand Duke, standing more than a hand’s span taller, cast a cold gaze down at him, Nectar instinctively recoiled and pulled his head back Still, there was no escaping the man’s piercing gaze. Clearing his throat in an attempt to compose himself, Nectar spoke with forced ease. "Ahem. Th-this is our first meeting.…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
- “I would like to propose a contract marriage.” Once she had spoken, the rest wasn’t difficult. Anais met the Grand Duke’s gaze with her clear violet eyes and continued. “I know that marriage is unavoidable due to imperial decree. But when this marriage no longer holds any value, I hope for a divorce.” “....” “When the contract period ends, I’ll disappear from your life completely.” After finishing her words, Anais held her breath and waited for the Grand Duke's…
- 190.1 K • Ongoing
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