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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 · Lịch sử

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Chapter 19: The queen and the crown princess VI

Serena always felt a bit insecure of Annalys because she knew that she was the queen's first choice as Geoffrey's crown princess. However, she looked pass that and still chose her as her lady-in-waiting because she trusted Geoffrey's love and that, well, the Cross family held a huge chunk of the military power in their kingdom.

Although Serena's intentions weren't pure, after Annalys became her lady-in-waiting, she did try to truly befriend her. As they got to spend time together, she realized that Annalys' though spoiled, was only misunderstood. She may be honest and tactless to a fault, but given her social standing, what can one expect? Overtime, she grew to become fond of the younger lady.

Serena treated Annalys like her younger sister, daughter even. She helped Annalys build a positive reputation, guided her to improve herself, and she just made her shine.

That's why for queen Loretta to mention Annalys' name, Serena was rattled.

Annalys' standing, compared to her, wasn't far off. As her lady-in-waiting, Annalys was well accepted by her own social connections. Then, there's also the fact that she was an esteemed lady of her own right. Annalys was beautiful, young, she hailed from a ducal family more powerful than her own, and more importantly, she was unmarried. If Annalys had the ambition, she could replace her.

If Serena were to be more honest, those were also part of the reasons why she has kept Annalys close from the beginning.

Thankfully, her kindness to Annalys has paid off.

After the queen mentioned it the first time, Serena casually voiced her concern to Annalys. The reason was not because she had the intention to make it happen. Rather, it was to, one, share her burden, the other, to test her.

Annalys did not disappoint. She determinedly told her that she had no intention to become Geoffrey's second wife and even promised that she would never come between them. Although there's a possibility that they might just be empty words, the resoluteness in Annalys' eyes made her believe them.

"Mother, I already talked to Annalys but she rejected even the possibility." Serena defended.

"What made you so sure that that's how she truly felt? In my opinion, Annalys only said that because she's a real respectable lady with a generous heart. She knew how much you love Geoffrey. However, if you were to expressly tell her that you support the possible union, I'm positive that she would agree." Queen Loretta argued.

Serena at a loss for words for once could not answer. What could she say in rebuttal? That she saw it in Annalys' eyes? Even if she were to say that, if would only become laughable even to her, because how could anyone presume what's truly in the human heart?

Queen Loretta smiled at Serena's speechlessness. Invigorated with the feeling of winning their conversation for once. "In any case, I know that there's still some truth to what you said. I have spoken to Duchess Cross (Annalys' mother), and she mentioned that Annalys was indeed averse to the idea of becoming Geoffrey's second wife, citing you as her prime consideration.

Now, duchess Cross, on the other hand, has been quite taken with the idea. Thus, during one of our conversations, she and I have come to an agreement to have Annalys marry as Geoffrey's second wife. However, her concern was that Annalys might cause a ruckus if she were to force her into it.

So, we decided to delay it to the end of the season so that Annalys would feel like she had the choice. Of course, during that time, I expect you not only to ensure that her attention doesn't stray towards any other man, though I hardly find any man worthy as Geoffrey's competition, but also to ease her to the idea of marrying Geoffrey."

Hearing those words, Serena's eyes instinctively widened in disbelief. Try as she might to show that she was unaffected, she couldn't.

Queen Loretta seeing the expression on Serena's face felt some sort of satisfaction. "I can expect that you can accomplish at least that much, am I correct?"

Serena was not able to answer at once.

Queen Loretta smirked. "Serena, you're agreeable to that, aren't you? Unless… you have been against letting Geoffrey take a second wife in the first place."

Serena, as we all know, was truly against it. But how could she admit it given her current circumstances? It would mean that she, despite being the one with defect, purposely hindered Geoffrey to perform his duty because she has let her jealousy and selfishness cloud her judgement. If the queen had a recorder hidden inside the room which she does not know of, she could even use it to incriminate her.

Gathering her wits, Serena shook her head and smiled. "Please don't misinterpret mother. I was only thinking of how good it is that Annalys would be truly part of our family soon."

Queen Loretta's brows furrowed, not believing Serena's words at all. "If that were the case, then that's for the best."

"Of course, mother. But do tell, does Annalys know about this? Also, when is the wedding expected to take place? I need to know so that I could better prepare how to go about convincing her." Serena asked enthusiastically.

Queen Loretta doubted Serena's intention. However, there was no other way to go about it than to let her know and have her take the necessary steps for it to happen. "Annalys does not, but you may tell her so long as you were to say that it was your idea. There's no exact date for the wedding yet but it should happen before the year ends."

"Alright. I understand, mother. Then, if there's nothing else…" Serena said, to indicate that it was time for her to go.

Queen Loretta also did not want to spend more time with Serena as necessary. Satisfied for getting her point across, she nodded her head.

"Then, mother, I shall go ahead. Thank you for your counsel." Serena said as she stood up. She was at the door when suddenly, queen Loretta called her name. So, she turned back to face her.

Queen Loretta did not feel exactly right about Serena's reaction, so she deigned it to remind her of one thing. "Serena, let me emphasize lest you forget that the Cross family holds a huge chunk of the total military forces in our kingdom."

Serena raised both ber brows, "of course, mother. I know. But thank you for the kind reminder." She mirthfully replied before finally exiting the door.

TBC

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