webnovel

the heart's desire

Fantasy
Ongoing · 5.3K Views
  • 33 Chs
    Content
  • ratings
  • NO.200+
    SUPPORT
Synopsis

In a kingdom steeped in intrigue and dark secrets, Third Prince Hyeon carries a reputation for being a wife killer. When Mi-Suk, a sweet and determined young woman, is forced to marry him to save her mother from a mysterious illness, she discovers that the palace is a dangerous terrain, full of conspiracies and betrayals. As Mi-Suk fights to survive and uncover the truth about Hyeon, dark forces plot to destroy the kingdom. Between unexpected alliances, family secrets and the search for a mythical flower capable of saving lives, Mi-Suk will have to face impossible choices. Can love flourish amid distrust? Or will the heart's desire be your undoing?

Tags
10 tags
Chapter 1Chapter 1

The sky was heavy, laden like molten lead, as relentless rain poured down in torrents, battering the trees surrounding the imposing Jun Mansion. Each drop seemed to hammer the leaves, creating a steady, hypnotic rhythm while makeshift streams snaked through the waterlogged grounds. The mansion's glass windows, framed by delicate carvings of dark wood, were fogged by the humidity but still reflected the flickering glow of candles burning inside.

The Jun Mansion, an ancestral structure of intricately crafted wood adorned with details that whispered tales of glory and power, seemed alive under the stormy sky. Every element, from its curved roofs to its ornate columns, exuded an aura of authority and tradition. Yet, the darkness enveloping the mansion felt like more than just the consequence of the storm.

Inside, in the grand sitting room, Mr. Jun sat in a carved armchair adorned with dragon ornaments. The chair's high back and arms reinforced his commanding presence. A middle-aged man with features weathered by time and a piercing gaze that seemed to see beyond the visible, he wore a black silk robe embroidered with golden dragons, their shimmering forms catching the dim light of the crackling fire in the hearth.

In his hands, he held an ancient scroll, his fingers firm yet deliberate, as if the object carried a symbolic weight beyond its contents. His dark eyes moved slowly over the words, as though each line held secrets he needed to uncover. The silence in the room was absolute, broken only by the soft crackle of the fire and the rhythmic drumming of rain against the windows.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried, hesitant footsteps echoed from the entrance hall. The floorboards groaned under the weight of wet boots, followed by the distinct creak of heavy wooden doors being opened. Mr. Jun lifted his gaze, his expression impassive, though his posture betrayed a flicker of irritation at the interruption.

A messenger entered the room, completely drenched. His clothes clung to his body, and he trembled slightly, a mixture of cold and nerves. Each of his movements was cautious, as though he feared the consequences of his intrusion.

Mr. Jun: "Who dares disturb my peace on a day like this?" His voice cut through the silence like a blade—low but brimming with authority.

The messenger immediately fell to his knees, his head bowed in a gesture of submission. His trembling hands held a sealed cylinder bearing the imperial emblem, while raindrops dripped from his hair onto the polished floor.

Messenger: "Your Excellency, I beg your pardon for my audacity. I bring an urgent decree from the Emperor!" His voice was tense, almost pleading, every word a supplication for clemency.

Mr. Jun rose slowly, his movements deliberate and measured, as if to emphasize his superiority. He approached the messenger with firm steps, the sound of his sandals echoing in the silent room.

Mr. Jun: "A decree from the Emperor?" he murmured, extending his hand to take the cylinder.

He inspected the imperial seal carefully, as though every detail might reveal something beyond the official message. Only then, with meticulous precision, did he break the seal and unroll the scroll.

Mr. Jun: "An unexpected honor," he commented, though his expression remained neutral.

The messenger, still kneeling, tried in vain to wipe the rain from his face as it dripped from his soaked hair. He dared not lift his gaze but could feel the tension in the room mounting as Mr. Jun read the scroll's contents.

Mr. Jun's eyes moved slowly over the text, his expression hardening as he read. He closed the scroll with a firm motion, his demeanor now somber.

Mr. Jun: "An arranged marriage..." he murmured to himself, pacing the room with his hands clasped behind his back. "With the Third Prince, no less."

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, the messenger cleared his throat nervously, as though trying to ease the growing tension.

Messenger: "Yes, Your Excellency. The Emperor wishes for one of your daughters to marry the Third Prince to strengthen the bonds between the houses." His voice trembled slightly, but he kept his head bowed, awaiting Mr. Jun's response.

Mr. Jun stopped abruptly, turning to face the messenger. His gaze was sharp as a blade, and his words came slowly, each one carefully considered before being spoken.

Mr. Jun: "The Third Prince... his reputation is dark. I have heard of his volatile temper and his... eccentricities."

He let the sentence hang in the air, but the messenger understood the unspoken disdain. The silence that followed was as heavy as the storm clouds outside, and the sound of rain against the windows seemed louder than ever.

The messenger, clearly uncomfortable, attempted to ease the situation.

Messenger: "They are only rumors, Your Excellency. The Emperor firmly believes this union will bring prosperity and glory to your family."

Mr. Jun stood in the center of the room, still holding the now-folded scroll. His rigid posture reflected the growing tension within him, though his face remained unreadable. The firelight cast shadows over his stern features, accentuating the deep lines etched by time and responsibility.

Mr. Jun: "Glory, you say? It is also said that the Third Prince has a peculiar habit of... disposing of his wives."

Messenger: "Lies! Baseless gossip!" the messenger blurted hastily, though his voice trembled as he spoke.

You May Also Like

Omega's Rebirth

What was worse than death itself? Well it was dying knowing that no one would miss you, knowing that your death was a favour to everyone you ever knew. This was exactly how I felt the day I died. I was the love child of the Eclipse Alpha King, in a time where the mate bond was considered sacred, a child born out of wedlock was nothing short of sacrilegious... 'It was his fault, he loved someone other than his mate...' 'It was his fault, he had carnal knowledge of a human woman.' 'It was all his fault, my only crime was being born out of his lust.' But why was that Alpha King father of mine perfectly safe, while I was hated, scorned and blamed for everything instead? Why did I have to be my father's bargaining chip, used to achieve his goals? Why could I not get a rejection like everyone else but was instead murdered by my own mate? Why was I killed before I even had a chance to live? I had a thousand questions and yet there was no one to answer and this was exactly how I died... So why then did my eyes flutter open to that day, a month before my death? Was it because of my little secret? A secret I will tell no one else but you... From the title of my tale, you must think I am an omega wolf... No, you got it wrong... I am not an Omega wolf, I am an Alpha wolf and my name is Omega. ~Second Book in the Werewolf Rebirth Series. *Not a prequel or sequel to 'The Alpha King's Nemesis', both books are not related save for the world setting and Werewolf Rebirth concept. *Cover art sourced from the internet, all credits to the original artist.*

JHeart · Fantasy
4.7
751 Chs

Stolen by the Rebel King

As a princess who could not wield magic, Princess Daphne’s only value to her kingdom was her arranged marriage. The task was simple, but when Daphne was kidnapped and brought to the cold mountains of Vramid, she realized that she was in over her head. She had heard of these cursed mountains before― rocky terrain, freezing temperatures, and the land was ruled by a man feared by many within the continent. King Atticus Heinvres, the blood-thirsty ruler of the North. Even though she had never met him before, tales were spread of King Atticus’s ruthlessness. Some said he was a monster, others claimed he was the devil himself, but whatever the story was, everyone knew of the man who had powers beyond anyone’s imagination. He could topple armies and crumble nations with just one wave of his hand, aided by what others rumored to be a cursed obsidian ring. No one outside of Vramid had ever met the fearsome king before. Not until Daphne. However, upon meeting the formidable man, Daphne found out that the king might not really be the monster others had claimed him to be. In fact, what was hidden under that obsidian shield could just be a diamond in the rough. ― [Excerpt] “Now… where should I put you both?” he asked casually, not expecting a reply. “It’s regretful that I only have one chandelier.” “Underneath my bed? No, no, too dirty. My dust bunnies don’t deserve this,” Atticus mused to himself. “The mantlepiece? How about the vanity table? I suppose if I lop off one of your heads I could mount it over… Wife, which head do you want to stare at while you do your hair?” “Atticus!” Daphne screamed. “I don’t want any heads! Let them go.” “Fair enough.” Atticus shrugged, and flicked his fingers. There were two identical cracks as both necks snapped at once. Daphne gasped, horrified. This man, her husband, had just killed two men with a flick of his finger, as though he was snuffing out candles. “I told you to let them go!” Daphne cried out. “Yes, I let them go,” Atticus said. Then, his eyes darkened. “To receive divine judgment from the heavens.” ― Discord Server: https://discord.gg/7HAMK2bRYU Spin-off/Prequel: The Hidden King's Stolen Wife (WIP)

saltedpepper · Fantasy
4.6
578 Chs

The Dragon Queen and her mates.

Mature content: ‘You are not my craving my dear, you are my obsession.’ “ She was our light and we were her darkness—- and just like every opposites we were obsessed with the idea of having her.” The Evil Empress, the one whose life was filled with debauchery and betrayal to her mates was supposed to die tonight. Being the Empress of the Dragniere Empire and the mother to all dragons, she was supposed to live a life where she lived for her people and the country, her exquisite powers were alone enough to make her the ruler of the entire continent and with her face that was as beautiful as a shining pearl in the moonlight, with hair as fine as Pima, and her curves so luscious that any man would have died of desire with just one glimpse. With powers that were beyond humans, shrouded with the air of aristocracy and with a personality that was as cruel as Medusa, The Evil Empress continued to rule over the people of her Empire with her tyranny. Brianna Cage, nicknamed ‘ Bree, The hellion’ for the convenience of her acquaintances was a rowdy young woman. She had a fierce sense of justice, she was dependable and despite not being the most beautiful woman in her department, she was sought out by a lot of men because of her alluring nature, she rejected them all because in truth she was in love with —— all the Daddies in the comic books she has read. Behind her aloof and dependable persona resided a Weeb who was always cheering on the characters of her favourite books. One day she came upon the book ‘ The Maid’s route of survival of the fittest’ and decided to read it just for the heck of it since the Empress shared the same name as her. But soon Bree found out that the Empress was the Villainess, she even betrayed her mates one by one and what was even more gut-wrenching she was killed by her mates! All for the sake of the maid who reincarnated into the book with a system to help her. Bree though angry decided to throw the book at the back of her head but oddly enough the book vanished and Bree found herself waking up in the room of the Evil Empress just three weeks before she was executed by her mates! Startled but not having the time to freak out, Bree started to take care of everything that the Evil Empress has done wrong. She thought that she would be able to live a peaceful life away from her bloodthirsty mates who didn’t seem too fond of her. But unfortunately, things didn’t go as she planned as five sets of eyes fell on her despite all the precautions she has taken against them. And once those eyes locked on her, they refused to let go of their possessiveness. The Evil Empress was theirs, to begin with who dares take her away?

fairytail72 · Fantasy
4.8
278 Chs

ratings

  • Overall Rate
  • Writing Quality
  • Updating Stability
  • Story Development
  • Character Design
  • world background
Reviews
WoW! You would be the first reviewer if you leave your reviews right now!

SUPPORT