The Crown's Seduction - Chapter 19: The Power Structure

When college student Heather returns to her childhood sanctuary—her aunt's house—she never expects to find herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Tasked with caring for her aunt's newborn, she's transported back to the summers of her youth, where laughter and secrets filled the halls. But what she didn't anticipate was the rekindling of an old flame: her childhood best friend, now a renowned singer.As Heather and her childhood confidant navigate the complexities of adulthood, their undeniable chemistry simmers beneath the surface. Yet, fate has other plans. A new suitor captures Heather's heart, leading her into a relationship that feels right but lacks the spark of true connection.When circumstances tear Heather and her childhood friend apart, misunderstandings and heartache follow. Years pass, and destiny reunites them at a wedding. But the joy of reunion turns to shock when Rhys discovers Heather harbors a secret: amnesia has stolen her memories, replacing them with a life he never imagined. Engaged to another, with children of her own, Heather seems lost to him forever.As they confront the painful truths of their past and the bittersweet reality of their present, Heather and Rhys must decide if love can transcend the boundaries of time, memory, and circumstance. Will they reclaim what was lost, or will they be forever bound by the threads of fate?

I used to think obsessive male leads were kind of hot. You know—the intense stares, the undying devotion, the way they’d burn the world for the woman they love? Swoon, right?Wrong.That fantasy went up in smoke the moment I woke up in the body of Sonia Mitford—the heroine of The Crimson Devotion, the first obsessive romance fantasy novel I ever read. The one that ended on a mysterious hiatus. The one with Marius Wittelsbach—a charming, possessive psychopath who thinks an ankle shackle is a love language.Now I’m trapped in a velvet-draped prison, shackled to a bedpost like some porcelain doll in a gothic fairytale. And Marius? He’s worse than I remembered. Sweet, soft-spoken... and utterly unhinged.“You don’t need to be afraid. I’ll take care of you.”Translation: I’ll murder anyone who blinks in your direction and serve you tea over their corpse.“Anyone who bothers you... anyone who looks at you the wrong way... I’ll get rid of them for you.”I thought I was playing the role just fine—smiling, nodding, pretending not to be horrified.But then—plot twist! Alessio Slovene, the forgettable side character, walks in looking like a golden retriever knight and drops this bomb: he’s actually the crown prince in disguise. And he’s investigating Marius.Finally—a lifeline. Maybe.Because people are vanishing. The body count is rising. And every time Marius kisses my forehead and calls me “Nia,” I feel one step closer to becoming the tragic heroine in a blood-soaked love story.Obsessive male leads aren’t dreamy.They’re terrifying.And I might be in way over my head.

In the era of pirate riots, who is the real overlord of the sea?

The four emperors standing at the top of the pirates?

The mighty Qiwuhai?

A revolutionary army that emerges from the strong?

Or the navy that suppresses the sea?

No, not at all, there is only one real overlord of this sea.

“That’s me, Fire Dragon Kahn!”

Kahn’s life creed is: “As long as you pay, this old man can perform a hand-splitting dragon man!”

Kahn, formerly known as Xu En, has traveled through pirates for fifty years, and has become a vice admiral from a small soldier with his own efforts.

Kahn, who is already seventy-two years old, is getting old and is no longer in peak condition. He is spending his days leisurely in the East China Sea. He has even submitted his application for retirement, and he is ready to put himself to death until the end of his life.

Congratulations to the host for reaching the system opening conditions, and the super money system is loaded!

The sound of the system interrupted his plan.

Kahn: “Can you buy life?”

System: “Yes, a portion of the water of life can restore the host to its peak state.”

Kahn: “Is it possible to live forever?”

System: “Yes, a portion of Eternal Water can completely free the host from the restriction of life.”

“Are there any devil fruits?”

“have!”

Kahn was instantly overjoyed.

“Hancock, wait for me, I’m just old, not dead!”

But then Kahn was taken aback.

“How much are these two things?”

“The water of life is 20 billion Berries, and the water of eternity is 500 billion Berries.”

Kahn:? ? ?

Then, looking at the oil and water that I had worked hard for several years, the feeling of satisfaction disappeared instantly.

In the end, he decided on a goal, first earning 10,000 small goals before considering retirement!

- Description from novelbuddy

As the “illegitimate child” of the Shen family, Shen Jun is cunning, ambitious, and good at forbearance. In order to become an official, he had to endure the bullying of Chengjue’s younger brother. Enduring it, he suddenly discovered that the other party’s bullying behavior didn’t seem to be what it appeared on the surface.
Overturn his wine, the actual wine is poisonous.
shoot his horse, there is something wrong with the actual horse
He seems to be contemptuous of him, but actually provides him with opportunities everywhere.
Shen Juan suddenly felt that his little brother was not that annoying, and even a little…
—
Shen Fengzhang is a vicious male supporting role dressed as a woman disguised as a man. When she opened her eyes, she saw that the male lead, who would dominate in the future, was being beaten in an alley by her.
Looking at that face, she resolutely went up to make amends. From then on, while bullying the male lead, she secretly helped the male lead under the system’s requirements, just waiting to get off the line safely before the male lead ascended the throne.
Unexpectedly – the hero rebelled ahead of time! Surrounded by elite soldiers, Shen Fengzhang decided to commit suicide in order to avoid being hacked into pieces, but saw the male protagonist grab the dagger, and said convincingly, “I know you did those things because you love me.”
Shen Fengzhang:? ? ?
—-
[Small Theater] Everyone knows that when His Majesty was trapped in the shallows, Shen Fengzhang, Lord of Shixing County, insulted him in every possible way. Now that His Majesty is enthroned, in order to please His Majesty, Shen Fengzhang must die! The ministers of the Manchu Dynasty participated in the memorial, and the county magistrate made things difficult. However, the impeachment memorial became thicker and thicker day by day, and His Majesty never said a word. Until one day after Shen Fengzhang asked His Majesty to stand up, His Majesty threw the notebook on the ground, his eyes were cold, “You don’t want to marry! Shen Fengzhang, who do you want me to stand up for?!”
[Reading Tips]
1. Keywords: women disguised as men, enemies become lovers
2. Both the male and female protagonists are not good friends and have no blood relationship
3. Ambitious, duplicity, black lotus male protagonist X sword slanted, unconventional female protagonist
Content tags: court marquis wearing books women disguised as men above court
Search keywords: Protagonist: Shen Fengzhang, Shen Jun ┃ Supporting role: The ancient saying “Nothing but Good-looking” ┃ Others: Women disguise themselves as men, enemies become lovers

- Description from novelbuddy