Elian, a beggar with nothing to lose, died tragically, only to awaken in the body of the despised bastard son of a powerful Grand Duke in the Arcanoria Empire. His second chance at life quickly turned into a nightmare when the Grand Duke’s household was executed, and Elian was sold into servitude as a courtesan. In this cruel new existence, Elian crossed paths with Izan, the enigmatic crown prince who harbored dark secrets of his own. As they grew closer, a forbidden love began to blossom, one that could upend the delicate balance of power in the empire and destroy them both. Torn between survival, betrayal and desire, Elian and Izan faced impossible choices. Could they defy the forces threatening to tear them apart, or would the empire crush their love before it even had a chance to begin? --- Warning: This book contains mature themes. Join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/NJJKETf4
Lucas took a step forward, his voice low but urgent. "Lord Cedric has been arranging… boys and girls for Prince Lucian. Children."
Izan's gaze locked onto Lucas, his entire body tense as if preparing for the blow that he knew was coming.
"They're between the ages of ten and fourteen. The empress is aware, she pays Lord Cedric to provide these children for her son. There's a secret chamber in Cedric's manor where Prince Lucian… satisfies his obsessions."
The air in the room thickened. Izan's blood ran cold, each word Lucas uttered pressing down on him with a sickening weight. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat louder and more deafening than the last.
"Are you telling me…" he began, his voice strained with disbelief, "the empress knows about this?"