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
The Wedding Rehearsal
The palace buzzed with activity as the day of the wedding rehearsal arrived.
Elian walked through the grand halls, watching attendants rush around with scrolls and papers, florists weaving fresh blooms into the latticework above, musicians practicing melodies that drifted through the corridors.
The preparation, even for a mere rehearsal, seemed intense, almost overwhelming, and he felt the weight of it press on his chest. This was no simple affair, this was the wedding of a future emperor, and he would stand beside Izan, in front of an audience who expected perfection.
Izan, sensing Elian's tension, met him at the entrance to the hall. His calm smile was a balm, reassuring and steadying. Elian's heart skipped, realizing just how much strength he drew from Izan's presence alone. "Ready for our practice run?" Izan asked, reaching for Elian's hand with a gentle squeeze.