[Mature content, R18, no rape] "Who has done this to you?" Azel asked softly, his jaw tightly clenched as he stared into her teary, bright amber eyes, his fingers itching to caress her cheek. "Tell me," he whispered, "and I will sever his head and present it to you upon a platter of gold..." *** Her birth alone left her mother in a terribly weakened state... Adelia, the only daughter and child of the Veldon house, was… strange. Neither her birth mother nor her beloved father, nor even the witches posing as servants in the castle knew what she truly was. Adelia herself was clueless. She blamed herself for her mother's illness, and with each passing day, both grew worse—the affliction and her guilt. For her mother's sake and for hers as well, Adelia willingly enters into a ruthless deal, a path to salvation that was bound to lead to her demise, one that would deny her the experience of love. Still, she didn't care for the consequences and sacrifices, for the need to cure her mother was far greater… But fate, ever mocking her resolve, throws her onto the path of an insolent stranger, a man with the power to alter her desires... *** Obsidian armor. Strong. Ruthless. These three words defined a single knight, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard of him. Countless tales spoke of his exploits, yet his identity remained shrouded in mystery. Azel Latham, the embodiment of this figure, was known by none, for his face had never been seen in battle. With a single stroke, he could fell twenty warriors in an instant. Azel had many secrets. His presence was strange, his appearance even more peculiar. A mischievous and playful look on the outside but a shattered and enclosed heart within. …It would not remain frozen for long, however, for an amusing encounter with a captivating woman would leave him wanting more… **Cover art does not belong to me, credit to the artist!
At Azel's question, the woman in front of him responded with a simple blink. Then with an elegant gesture, she stooped down to retrieve her fan and masterfully unfurled it, hiding most of her face behind it.
"Yes," she answered curtly, "Peasant."
One of Azel's brows rose slightly and his lips tugged in amusement. The woman's response was terse, and her forest green eyes bore into his without flinching.
Her lustrous, wavy hair was a vibrant shade of red, nearly blinding him, and her skin was reminiscent of alabaster.
She wore a dress matching the color of her eyes, adorned with intricate lacework and pearls. Her jewelry glistened with pure diamonds that caught the morning light.
Azel couldn't help but think that her attire was far too extravagant for a casual stroll through the city, yet a quick glance would tell anyone she was of noble lineage, and a high-ranking one at that.