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#R18 #DARK #TRANSMIGRATION #VILLAIN #BETRAYAL #REVENGE #ROYALFAMILY #LOVETRIANGLE #PRINCESS #FORBIDDENLOVE

Treacherous hearts: Return of the Second Male Lead

Chapter excerpt: Charlton knew what was running in her head and in truth he wanted to mock her. ’You truly are a whore, aren’t you?’ he wanted to say. However, he was not planning to make this a one-time thing and he had more in store for her. So instead, he leaned forward as he started kissing her tears away. "Serena, I love you so much, do you know that? So please, don’t give me that look." Serena’s tears did not stop but what was the use. They were already like this and no matter how much she denies it, that she even let something like this happen… there’s only one conclusion. She still loved Charlton. Or at least she was that greedy for his love. She could not push him away so she could only raise her arms and envelope him in her embrace. "We’re going to burn in hell for this…." She whispered. Charlton burrowed his head on the juncture of her neck. He licked and kissed that part, careful not to leave a mark as they still will be meeting with the others later. He smirked when he felt her tremble. Why was she so easy? Regardless, he was enjoying what she can offer before he ruins her himself. "All the more reason to get as much heaven as we can now." He said, then he started moving. -- A year after his father’s death, grand duke Charlton Daniel finally responds to the summon of his uncle, the king, to return to the capital. Of course, his reason for compliance was not due to his subservience to the crown. Four years ago, his life has been turned upside down. His lover betrayed him for his cousin, the crown prince. His father was sent to prison because of a crime with dubious evidence. While he, himself, was sent to exile with a mission to capture the revolutionists. All of which, he took in strides because of his steadfast belief in humanity and justice. However, time changes everyone. Four years may seem short, but to some, it’s enough to change their perceptions and priorities. Once a pacifist at heart, Charlton is now going to return to the royal capital with a personal vendetta. -- To the public eye, Serena William, nee Maxwell, was living the perfect life. She was beautiful, rich, happily married, and has the unwavering support of her maternal family. Oh, and did I mention that she was also the crown princess and the most loved personage? Yes, that she was. Kind, generous, and approachable. She was a woman who was completely unlike any other. No one in the royal family was as well loved by the masses as she was. At least, that’s how her life was perceived to be. Behind closed doors, life was not as glamoured up as it was in the tabloids. Her first pregnancy ended up in stillbirth, while the next two ended up in miscarriages. Was this her retribution? She could not help but ask herself. This led to her guilt and self-blame which further developed her insecurity, and even inferiority complex. Aside from what she was undergoing herself, it doesn’t help that the queen mother kept on rubbing salt to injury by implying that she should let her lady-in-waiting, the queen’s first choice for crown princess, take over. Crown prince Geoffrey William was Serena’s saving grace, her knight in the shining armor, the man who sticked with her through thick and thin. Would she ever be willing to make way for another woman for his own good? Then worse, comes her old flame who seems to still be enamored with her. What lengths would she be willing to take to keep the pandora’s box shut? However, there are no secrets that time does not reveal. What will she do when she later finds out what her greatest champion did to her? -- Hearts will break, heads will roll. All is fair in love and war. This novel is not for the faint hearted. — This novel is the sequel to the first titled, ‘Making the second male lead fall in love with me, the Villainess’, and is set four (4) years after the royal wedding. (But you don’t need to read the first to understand this one, sequence is not important)

champilyn · ย้อนยุค

Not enough ratings

157 Chs

Chapter 47: Prelude to the ball II

Serena swallowed. Well, damned if she does, damned if she doesn't. Then, might as well take the leap.

"Father, to tell you the truth, it's not that I'm against Geoffrey taking a second wife in the future especially given my circumstance. However, Annalys has been my lady-in-waiting for almost 4 years. It's not that I don't want her to marry in, but rather, it would feel a little awkward. Aside from that, I have already talked to Geoffrey about it, and he was against the match." Serena explained.

King Edward's eyes curved. Truly, even cornered his daughter-in-law really knew how to play with words. In any case, he wasn't planning on replacing her anytime soon, so he'll let it pass. "Is that so? Then, that's quite reassuring because I for one am not in favor of the match. The queen, as you know have always been aggressive against me, for reasons you might already have heard of. I would not deny that I have committed some faults in the past. However, regardless of my transgressions, don't you agree that I have sufficiently made it up to her given the present?"

Serena did not really care what the king was alluding to, however, what she took note of was that he was also against the match, and that's good enough. She nodded her head.

"Before I made the royal decree betrothing you to Geoffrey, Loretta has already been negotiating with the Cross family to have Annalys marry my son. At that time, I intervened and chose you instead because I believed that you were the better match to my son. I think that based on your relationship with Geoffrey I have been correct. Do you agree?"

"Yes, father. And I thank you for your grace."

"However, as you said so yourself, the circumstance seems not to be in your favor. Serena, you have been and have always been my choice for my son, and I believe even now, that I made the right choice. Yet, be that as it may, my hands are tied. For if I were to intervene again, perhaps this time your mother-in-law and the Cross family would take that as a personal slight. So, tell me, what do you think should we do?"

Serena bit her lower lip. She's not stupid enough to believe that the king was telling this to her out of the goodness of his heart or that he's being sympathetic to her plight. There must be another reason and it must be that he wanted her to do something for him. But what? Has he caught wind of Leonard sending a letter to Annalys asking if he could escort her? Did he think that she was the one behind that? But what benefit would he receive with that match?

Yet, no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't find any other connection why the king was telling her this besides that, unless the king was being truthful which was more unlikely.

"Father, I know you might be disappointed in me, but in truth, another reason why I'm not in favor of the match was because my brother, Lord Leonard has been quite taken with Lady Annalys. In fact, if not because of his humble origins, my family would have already presented our suit to the Cross family." Serena uttered.

"Hmm… I see. Now that you mentioned it, I can see that Leonard and Annalys have the potential of being a good match, and you should know how much of a fan I am of love matches. I can understand your apprehensions though. The Cross family has always been strict with who their children should and could marry. In fact, even if they haven't had an agreement with the queen, which mind you was not with my consent, I wouldn't be able to simply issue a royal decree betrothing Annalys to your brother lest they petition that I'm abusing my authority. So, how about this? If your brother could make Annalys agree to marry him, then I would help the two of you settle the Cross family and the queen after." The king suggested.

Serena wondered if the king said those words because he truly was in favor of the match or that all along, his purpose for having her there was because of that. Did he want her to make that match happen? However, no matter his reason, the result would indisputably be favorable to herself. Aside from that, the king's message was clear. He still favors her, but it would depend on herself if she's capable enough to get herself out of her predicament.

"Then father, when that happens, my brother and I could not thank you enough." Serena finally said.

The king smiled, taking note of the word when. "No need to thank me. After all, it would still depend on Leonard and yourself how to make that happen. Anyhow, I believe that it's time we join the rest of the family." The king said as he stood up then offered her his outstretched hand.

Serena tried but ultimately failed from keeping a straight face. She could already imagine the expressions on queen Loretta, queen consort Floresca and her two sons, faces once they see her enter the waiting area with the king. She has no doubt that they were already thinking of ways to provoke her without Geoffrey by her side. Not that she would give them the satisfaction. However, with the king on her side for them to see, well, even she must admit that it was beyond her expectations.

"Thank you, father." She replied as she placed her hand in his. Though she did not like the king per se, it's a different story when they're standing on the same side.

King Edward V's lips tilted upwards. He has to say, although the main reason he chose Serena for his son was out of political considerations, he really did outdo himself on that regard. If his own father chose someone like her instead of Loretta, then he wouldn't have to seek satisfaction elsewhere.

TBC

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