A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City - Chapter 36

Being a wolfless hybrid was bad? Yes, but not as bad as being rejected by your groom three days before your wedding, in favor of your younger sister!~~~Sue was an outcast from birth, and she grew up stomaching ridicules and insults despite being a princess in starlight pack. Instead of wallowing in self pity, Sue strives for strength and soon becomes a strong fighter.Having been rejected multiple times for being the pack’s freak, Sue was over the moon when she unexpectedly gets accepted by her present mate whom she’s presently engaged to. However, when she’s rejected again, and is replaced by her sister this time, she believes all hope is lost for her, not knowing fate has something else in store for her.In a mission that’s supposed to kill her, she ends up coming across her mate in the monstrous enemy she was sent to capture, and by the end of it all, she discovers said mate has two brothers who’re also her mates, and not only were they willing to accept her, they forcefully took her along with them against her will, making Sue dislike and want nothing to do with them.Too bad they were stupidly hot and utterly breathtaking.Cursed because of the sins of their ancestors— Angelo, Landon and Damon lived as part monsters and part wolves, a deadly curse which would end up taking their lives if they didn't find their fated mate, the key to breaking the curse. Which was why as soon as they found her, there was no way they’d be letting her go, no matter what. Even though she was the daughter of their greatest enemy, even though she was wolfless, and even though she definitely wasn’t the fire breathing, powerful mate that was prophesied for them decades ago.~~~ | ~~~“I bet your nipples are hard right now. And are you wet between your legs as well? I should be able to smell it if I focus hard.” he husked out in a sultry voice, the dark eyes of his drinking me up and I wished the ground would open up to swallow me up at once.“N- no…” I managed to hurl out but he only laughed, then he leaned even closer and my heart lurched into my throat after his next words.“Why? You hate hearing the truth?” He demanded then I felt his large hand settle on my thigh.“I can check right now for you, to see if you’re dripping and making a mess of your little panties.”My cheeks felt so red, it felt like they might go up in flames at any moment from now.“A- are you crazy?” I managed after what felt like ages, while gaping at him as an immense amount of shock went through my entire body.He flashed me a dark grin, his fangs gleaming in the moonlight.“Couldn’t you tell?” He drawled and I let out a huff of disbelief.This man wasn’t just crazy. He was mad. Him and his two brothers.

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

With the advent of steam power, mankind has advanced and ushered in the industrial revolution. This is the age of steam locomotives, guns, and cannons, as well as curses, magic, artifacts, and the supernatural.

Hidden in the shadows are a group of extraordinary people who wield enormous power and strange abilities that normal people cannot even begin to comprehend. They are known as Transcendents!

Bryan lost his parents at a very young age and was forced to live on the streets. That is until his whole life turned around when he was shown the Path to becoming a Transcendent.

The Theft Path specializes in deceit and illusions. It can steal everything under the heavens. Even the powers, thoughts, and dreams of others.

Follow Bryan on his journey through this dangerous and treacherous world as he steals from gods and robs the mortals.

This is the story of The Deceitful One.

Delia's life was a cruel reality: the neglected and abused illegitimate daughter of a noble family, the Ellington family, she yearned for the love of her stepmother, Baroness Augusta, and younger sister, Lady Anne, who relentlessly mistreated her.Her world crumbled when she discovered a double betrayal: her beloved husband, Lord George had secretly pined for Anne, marrying Delia only to be near her sister. Simultaneously, her step mother framed her for a crime Anne committed.Overwhelmed and heartbroken, Delia's attempt to escape a death sentence led to a fatal carriage accident.But death was not the end. Delia awoke one year in the past, finding herself still engaged to George. This was her second chance, and the naive girl was gone, replaced by a woman consumed by a burning desire for revenge. Her first target: Duke Eric Carson, the powerful and wealthy man her sister Anne desperately pursued.Delia boldly approached Eric with a proposition for a contract marriage. To her surprise, Eric agreed, but with a condition: their fake marriage would become real and they can go their separate way after a year, hiding his own secret agenda. Now, armed with Eric's unexpected devotion and his willingness to lay down his life for her, Delia meticulously begins to dismantle her family's world. With Eric's help, she exposes the secrets they hide, manipulates their desires, and turns them against each other, orchestrating George’s demotion, Anne's downfall and seizing everything her sister coveted, including Duke Eric love and obsession.Will Delia and Eric be able to conquer all odds to get what they want? What happens when Eric doesn’t want their contract marriage to end? What happens when the last petal of that indicates her second chance falls?———————EXCPRET“I can’t return your feelings, your grace,” Delia whispered, her back against the cool wall.“But I can,” Eric murmured, stepping closer.Delia’s voice trembled. “It’s not the same.” She choked out. “ No one can love me without hurting me.”“Then teach me,” he said, his breath warm on her cheek. “Teach me how to love you the way you deserve to be loved. I’m a quick study.”When she stayed silent, he sighed contentedly, a soft smile playing on his lips.“It’s alright. Just… use me. Anything you need. if you want money, ask the treasury, take as much money that’s needed. if you want power, use my name. if you want security and love, use my body.”His breath warmed her skin, his chest rose and fell with hers. “As long as it's from you, I'm happy.”