KING OF RUIN - Chapter 4: The Awakening

[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.]

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“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.

The legitimate daughter of the Duke Mansion, Shen Ruoxi, married into the General Mansion, spending two years alone in an empty room. She devoted herself to serving her in-laws and supporting the household. However, her husband returned triumphant, bringing back a pregnant woman, and even promised to marry her openly as a secondary wife!Fine, she had long had enough of being the General's wife; there was nothing to linger for. A divorce letter cut things cleanly.Upon meeting again, she had already become the army's renowned miracle doctor. Why does the heartless man now look regretfully abandoned? Staring at her stunningly beautiful face, his eyes reddened.The jealous and furious Prince Zhan, embarrassed by his anger, said, “General Xiao, Ruoxi is now this prince's princess consort. If you wish to die, this prince will grant you that wish.”

“Hmph, my dumb big sister is in danger!” A mischievous grin spread across his face. “Hehehehe... this gives me the perfect excuse to finally use this treasure I’ve acquired but never bothered with!” He rummaged through his belongings, carefully selecting various items. “A bit of this... and this... and a dash of this.” Boom! The explosion of energy sent a ripple through the air as he laughed maniacally. “Hahaha! It’s done! Now, all I need is a compatible host for it.” Years later... “Did I overdo it?” he wondered in awe, watching as his creation wreaked havoc, conquering world after world with ease, as though stealing candies from children.

“Where did he go?” I murmured, realizing I was alone.My heart sank as I scanned the room for any sign of him. But It was just me, an empty wine bottle on the floor, and memories of the night before.I pushed myself up, feeling the dull ache in my body.The alcohol still lingered in my system, and I had no idea how many times we had... well, how many times we had done it. But despite everything, I couldn't deny I had enjoyed it.“You're such an idiot Kim!” I scolded myself, running a hand through my messy hair. “You didn't even ask for his name.” I sighed, embarrassed at my recklessness.How could I let myself go low with a stranger like that?I glanced down, realizing I was completely naked. “Oh my gosh!” I yelped, grabbing my dress off the floor and quickly slipping it on...★★Humiliated and betrayed, Kimberly Fray's life as a powerful Alpha's daughter of the Moon Stone Pack crumbles when Alpha Derrick of the Night Walkers Pack rejects her.But as she uncovers her true identity, Kimberly finds herself caught between two ruthless Alphas who desire her.Torn between Alpha Derrick, who begins to see her worth too late, and the Alpha King, Kimberly's strength and courage are tested like never before.In a world where love, revenge, and power collide, Kimberly must decide who she truly is, and who she's meant to be with between the two Alphas chosen by the Moon Goddess!