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
No Matter What
The seconds that passed felt like an eternity. Izan's heart hammered in his chest, the thud of it so loud in his ears that it drowned out everything else.
The door in front of him seemed impossibly tall, a barrier between him and the Elian.
When it finally creaked open, revealing Elian sitting on the other side with his friends, all of Izan's thoughts fled.
For a brief moment, their eyes met. Izan saw the uncertainty mirrored in Elian's gaze, a reflection of his own inner turmoil.
But beneath the hesitation, there was something else. A flicker of hope, a quiet, unspoken longing that mirrored his own. It was enough to keep him rooted, enough to keep him from fleeing.
Niko and Aria, sensing the tension, quickly rose to their feet. They exchanged quick glances with Elian before bowing politely to Izan. "Your Highness," Niko murmured, his tone neutral but respectful.