From a Beggar to a Bastard
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
Emperor's Decree (2)
The room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, shadows flickering lazily across the walls. The air was thick with the faint scent of jasmine, a fragrance meant to calm and entice, but tonight it felt suffocating.
Elian sat near the window, his face half-hidden in shadow, his eyes distant and glassy, as if his soul had detached from his body. His thoughts seemed far away, lost in some painful place, his chest rising and falling with shallow, steady breaths. He appeared more broken now than ever, the weight of his fate crushing him into someone barely recognizable.
Izan hesitated in the doorway, his breath catching in his throat. His heart twisted painfully at the sight of Elian, his body still, his spirit fractured. Elian looked nothing like the lovely, fiery man he had fallen for. Now, he seemed smaller, hollowed out by the betrayal of the world around him, no, by his betrayal.