Short, Light, Free - Chapter 1: The Knowing

He Youran grew up in the countryside. Her father did not love her, her stepmother did not love her, and her grandmother was very annoyed with her.

When she was 18, her father gave her away to the handicapped Lu Qingzhuo to cancel out his bad luck.

On the first day she moved into the Lu family, she fell to the ground and almost broke Lu Qingzhuo’s manhood.

On the fifth day after she moved into the Lu family, she ruined Lu Qingzhuo’s famous painting worth ten million with a cup of coffee.

On the 20th day after she moved into the Lu family, she burned down the kitchen.

Lu Qingzhuo, who could not move easily, nearly choked to death from the smoke.

He Youran, “I’m really sorry. As compensation, let me treat your leg, okay?”

Lu Qingzhuo, “…Is this country bumpkin wife of his dumb?”

The Lu family heard the news and happily waited for the Lu family to kick Youran out of the family, only to find out that things did not progress the same way they expected them to be.

The best hospital in Imperial Capital, “Professor He is the best surgical professor our hospital ever has.”

The number one school in the world, “He Youran is the most excellent student our school has ever produced in a century.”

Hua Country’s virology research base, “Professor He is our department’s highest executive officer.”

The most sought-after singer in the entertainment circle, “Allow me to introduce He Youran to everyone. She’s my number one composer, Lan Zhao.”

Everyone who knew He Youran nearly went mad.

A certain handicapped man posted on Weibo: [@heyouran, baby, when are we registering our marriage?]

He Youran: [Huh? Didn’t we agree that our marriage is canceled?] The Lu family, “...”

How did the world transform so rapidly suddenly?

Setting: Female lead: Seemingly innocent and scatterbrained, but truly possessed impressive powers.

She was the creme de la creme in many fields. Male lead: Silent, reticent, loyal, and sincere.

“I lost everything again...?”Kain had to work hard to feed himself, in a small village on the edge of the forbidden lands. Unlike the others, he hated Keepers, the only people capable of fighting the creatures from the Astral Dimension. Everyone saw them as heroes, but Kain blamed them for the greatest tragedy of his life - the death of his parents.Ironically, the sacrifice of one Keeper allowed Kain to obtain a Rune Brand - the key to begin a trial, the outcome was either power or death.Facing another world, Kain discovered that his blood was cursed, and misfortune would always haunt him.But death would avoid Kain, wanting to keep such a valuable sacrifice for a god. Only failure would await him, but if it was possible death would pass by.Now, Kain must break his curse and take fate into his own hands for the first time in his life or remain a nameless offering.

After everything that Zaroth had was stolen from him, he decided to live solely for his desires, morals be damned!Close to his death, he resurrects and tames a mythical dragon, who turns out to be a breathtaking woman.Learning that in order to explore her body, he must grow stronger so he doesn’t die during the act, Zaroth sets a clear goal for himself: to get stronger.“But I’m curious about something.”“Hm? What is it?” Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.“You said you judged me. How did you do that? Why was I worthy?”Luna’s smile darkened, her eyes glowing with a dangerous intensity.“Despite knowing you would die, you didn’t pray to the gods. On the contrary, you declared that you would kill every single one of them like the dogs they are. In my life, you’re the only one who’s ever made such a declaration, which is why I couldn’t leave you behind—someone who dares to share my dream.”

[COMPLETE] Can a royal Romeo and Juliet find their happy ending?

Ayleth, Princess of Zenithra, is secretly trained in hand-to-hand combat, and collects swear words she doesn't know how to use. During the Festival of Peace, in which every royal son on the continent will be at the castle for a month, she is instructed by her parents to find a husband. Yet, Ayleth has never even been kissed—until the very first ball, when she meets the man in the Lion mask.

Etan is a seasoned warrior, and the Prince of Summitras. He attends the Festival hoping to find a powerful wife who will help him conquer the dark sorcery of their bloodsworn enemies, the Kingdom of Zenithra. But at the very first ball, he discovers the masked woman who captures his heart is the Heir to the evil empire.

Ayleth and Etan face an impossible battle. Will their love survive? Or will their parents' dark dealings keep them apart forever?

[Mature content. No sexual violence.]

******

“You…” She stepped back. Then back again, her mouth dropped open. “You… You cannot be…”

“I am,” Etan said, and his hair raked back as he pushed his mask off his handsome face. So handsome her heart raced.

His hair was ebony black, his skin a warm brown that threatened to fade in in the winter months. He stared at her with glittering green eyes, over high cheekbones and a noble nose, his jaw tight and shadowed this late in the day. His chin was high over the pillar of his neck that she’d just touched with its hard lines and steel strength, so different to her own. And his chest... She gasped and covered her eyes. She’d humiliated herself revealing her stupid, childish curiosity.

“No, Ayleth. This changes nothing.”

“How can you say that? It changes everything!” She was horrified to realize she was crying.

“Ayleth, please.” His voice cracked on the plea and she stared at him, shoving her mask up and off, despite how it would pull her hair out of the beautiful twist the maid had managed for her.

His eyes locked on hers and she couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe.

She had met her One. And he was the son of her bloodsworn enemy.

She stared at him as he stepped forward again, offering both hands, palm up. “Touch me,” he whispered. “Hold my hands. This is real, Ayleth. I don’t know how it happened, but this is real. Please don’t deny it.”

She couldn’t resist. She raised a trembling hand to his cheek, letting her palm catch on the scruff of his jaw. He blew out a breath and put his hand over hers, and that jolt that happened whenever they touched shivered through her again.

“Please, Ayleth.”

“I cannot deny it,” she whispered.