"Eresh is my Queen as I am her King," I said, and I don't know whom I was trying to convince at this moment. Shielder chuckled. "I am her real King, Fourth." "No..." I said while shaking my head. Damn this bloody wound! If not for this, I would snatch Eresh away from him! I don't care if Tracer gets angry, but I need my Queen beside me! But I'm feeling so weak. My strength hasn't returned yet. I could only watch as Shielder held Eresh's waist. Eresh flashed me a smile. "You're used to it anyway. Being a pretend King." Her words were like a thousand daggers piercing right through my chest where my heart is. It hurts to hear her say that. But I know her. Her eyes were telling me that she's lying right now. She's planning something again, and I don't like that she's doing it alone. I don't like the idea of her leaving me because of this plan. "Kneel, Fourth. My Queen might consider staying with you." I will do everything just so she will stay with me. "Beg," Shielder said after I knelt on the ground. I saw surprise in Eresh's eyes. See this, my Queen? I'm willing to do everything for you. "Eresh..." I looked at her while kneeling on the ground. She might see me as someone so low, a royalty kneeling for his Queen. But damn it. I'm desperate. "I'm never anyone's first choice. But I want you to choose me. Please..." Thoughts flashed in my mind as I begged her to stay with me. My father who chose not to treat me as his child for this game. My mother who always followed what my father wanted. My butler who got married the moment I freed him. The EL Ordre that made me the King as bait. And Daphne who chose Apollo over me. "Don't leave me. I'm begging you..." If my father were to hear what I'm saying, he would punish someone important to me again. As a Von Amstel, we never beg. Still, Eresh left me that night.
Prologue
Why was I born as a woman? That question echoed in my mind as I gazed at my reflection in a full-length mirror, wearing nothing. It allowed me to see the contours of my body, noticing its slender form.
My blonde, curly hair cascaded down to my waist, veiling my back from view in the mirror. I could only see the front, flawless skin, perky breasts, small waist, and slender thighs and legs.
A sneer played at the corner of my lips, my eyes smoldering with frustration. Disgusting. This feeble and delicate body is utterly repugnant.
I lifted my chin, attempting to exude a commanding presence. My expression remained impassive as I arched an eyebrow, yet it was futile. I still appeared feeble. I resembled an innocent child trying too hard to be a bully. "Pathetic," I murmured.
A knock at the door snapped me from my reverie. I merely stared at it until someone entered. I didn't bother to shield my nudity.
Pierre displayed no surprise upon seeing my bare form. His gaze barely lingered for three seconds. He headed for my walk-in closet and selected a dress for me.
"You should get dressed. It's cold," he advised as he assisted me in donning the garment.
In truth, I offered no assistance. I stood still, unmoving, fixated on his face. He looked grave while adorning me. He dressed me while I gazed at him. He even assisted with my undergarments.
Yet, despite my nakedness before him, I detected no unsavory emotions on his face. There was no... lust or desire in his eyes. All I saw was his concern for me. After all, I'd been undressed and fixated on my reflection for a while. "Are you gay?" I blurted out.
He paused in buttoning up my dress. It was a black button-down dress with a slit on the left side, thus he took his time with the buttons. However, he resumed after studying me for a few seconds.
"I am not," he replied. I snorted and decided to brush my hair. I understood that teenagers his age were often curious about matters of intimacy. We were of similar age. Yet, here I stood, displaying my body, and all he did was clothe me like a doll.
He was always like this. Whenever he caught sight of me undressed and gazing at the mirror, he promptly attired me, asserting I'd catch a chill if I lingered.
Perhaps he truly was gay, desiring only to adorn me. He gazed at me once he'd finished buttoning my dress. I returned his stare while brushing my long, blonde hair. My countenance remained impassive, and he appeared as if attempting to discern my thoughts.
"Am I not beautiful then?" I inquired. I glimpsed a trace of emotion in his eyes, but it vanished swiftly. He sighed and relieved me of the hairbrush.
"You are and will always be the most beautiful woman to me," he asserted, continuing the task I'd begun earlier.
I smirked, the expression evolving into a chuckle. Yes... That was the truth. I possessed beauty and intelligence, but not physical strength. Women like me could rely solely on their allure against adversaries. That was my sole advantage.
Why was I born as a woman?
"Are they ready?" I questioned while he tended to my hair. He tucked a few strands behind my ears before meeting my gaze.
"They're only waiting for you."
I grinned and tapped his cheeks. "The party won't commence without me. Let's go." I finally departed my room. I couldn't discern how long I'd been entranced by my own reflection until Pierre entered. Perhaps an hour? He wouldn't have interrupted me if I hadn't lingered so.
Consequently, my visitors had likely been waiting for me for an hour already. I chuckled. This was how it should be. People should wait for me because I was an exceptionally important person. I shouldn't be kept waiting. Everything must be prepared before my arrival.
I descended the stairs and observed my visitors in the living room, standing up as they awaited my descent to the final step. They'd reserved a seat at the head of the lengthy table just for me. The chair exuded extravagance, as if only a Queen like myself could occupy it.
"Take a seat, my dear chess pieces," I said. They quickly obeyed my command, which pleased me greatly. Yes. That's right. Take my every word as an order that you should follow.
I scrutinized each of them. My chess pieces were complete. These were the people who would follow me. These were the people who would serve me.
Joshua, who looked so young, would be one of the Pawns. I decided to call him Sieg.
Liam and Kenji would be the Rooks and my pillars. With codenames Black and Dyke.
Bryle and Codee would be the Knights. Their codenames would be Ross and Alter.
Pierre would be my Bishop. The Queen's Bishop. I would call him Enkidu.
Then there was the last girl, who also looked very young. I guessed she was about the same age as Alter. She seemed out of place, head hung low while fidgeting. I smiled sweetly. I wanted young people like her. Easy to mold.
"Lirae..." I called her. She looked up, fear in her eyes. My smile widened. "Your new name will be Yucca. You will guard the King."
She opened her mouth but chose to close it again. I chuckled and called her again.
"Lirae... From now on, we will call you Yucca. You should get used to it." I looked at Codee, who looked as confused as Yucca. I smiled at her. "Codee, my dear. Come."
She quickly left her seat and came over to my side. I was pleased. I had a feeling she would be my favorite piece.
"I will call you Alter, okay? You will be my Knight."
"Knight, Ate Eresh?" she asked. I couldn't help but pinch her cute cheeks.
"Yes. You have to protect me, so you must learn about computers, okay?"
She beamed at me. "Of course, Ate Eresh! I'll do my best!"
I chuckled and pulled her into a hug. I caressed her hair, hoping she would remain as innocent as this forever.
But I was certain she would grow to resent me.
I returned Alter to her seat and faced them all. Enkidu stood beside me, ready to do whatever I commanded.
"My dear chess pieces," I began. "Our time has come. We will now play the Bloody Human Chess game. As you all know, we will serve as the chess pieces while defeating our enemy, the EL Ordre."
"Chess pieces? If we're chess pieces, it feels like something's missing," Black interjected. "Where's the most important piece in the game? Where's the King?"
The smile I wore faded from my face. I looked at Black, who dared to interrupt me during my speech.
"King Lancer is not here," I said firmly. But it seemed he didn't understand what I was trying to convey.
"He should be here, and he should be the one sitting in that chair," he said, pointing at the chair where I was seated. "You're just the Queen."
Why was I born as a woman?
"The Queen is the most powerful piece in the game of chess," Enkidu stated. "Watch your words."
Black shrugged. "I'm just curious. The King's Bishop is here, but where's the actual King?"
I gritted my teeth but still managed to smile sweetly.
"My dear Rook, you are just a mere Rook, yet you dare to question my authority?"
He laughed. "I am not questioning your authority. I was just asking why King Lancer is not here."
I gave him my sweetest smile. The sweetest yet the most dangerous smile I had.
"Gather as many Pawns as you can."
"What?" Black asked, looking so confused.
"We need Pawns that we will use as bait. Don't come back here without results."
"What the actual fu鈥?"
"I may not be the King, but I am still the Queen. A much higher piece than you. I have the right to give you punishment if I want it, my dear Rook."
Black remained silent and just stared at me. I saw the anger in his eyes, but he couldn't do anything against me. So instead, he sighed and leaned back in the chair.
Yes, this is how it should be. Everyone should fear my words.
"You are all dismissed except for Yucca and Alter," I said.
The others quickly stood, but Yucca and Alter remained in their seats. Enkidu stayed by my side. It was fine by me. He'd been my loyal servant ever since.
"Yucca..." I called her. Her hands were shaking as she looked up to me. "I have a mission for you."
I could feel Enkidu's surprise beside me. Of course, Yucca was only seven or eight years old, but I was entrusting her with a mission already.
"I chuckled at the thought. 'Protect our King. Do everything you've got just to protect him. When you come of age, I have something that I need you to do. I have a plan and only you can do it, Yucca.'"
"I stared into her eyes, a rare color filling them. They were filled with fear, her hands trembling uncontrollably, so I held both of them. 'Can I trust you on this, Yucca?' I asked, never breaking eye contact. She looked at me, hesitation evident, but eventually nodded."
"Thank you," I said, hugging her tightly. Youngsters. So easy to manipulate.
"Ereshkigal!"
"The small hairs at the back of my neck stood up as I heard that authoritative voice. I quickly let go of Yucca and stood up straight, looking at the owner of the voice."
"Father..."
"Rage is very evident in his eyes. I looked at him, making sure that there is no emotion in my face. 'In my office! Now!'"
"I smiled reassuringly at Alter and Yucca, who looked more scared than me. I caressed their hair before I followed my father into his office. Enkidu remained at my side."
"'Stay here,' I said when we were at the front of the door of my father's office inside the house. I saw the worried look in his eyes."
"'But, Eresh...'"
"'Call me Your Majesty. I am your Queen, Enkidu,' I said as I opened the door and went inside my father's office. I left Enkidu outside the room."
"I approached my father, who was standing by his table, his back to me. I could tell by his breathing and stance that he was really, really mad. I smirked. Oh, I knew what would be the ending for today."
"My father abruptly turned to face me, so he saw the smirk on my face. But I didn't bother to hide it. He saw it anyway, so why bother hiding it? Rage filled his eyes, and I wasn't surprised when his palm landed on my cheek with force. Wow! That really hurt! I almost stumbled, but I didn't allow myself to kneel."
"I remained standing, still poised. Remember, Eresh... You are beautiful. You are smart."
"'You dared to laugh even with everything that you've done!' my father angrily said. 'You are a selfish, murderer, bitch!' Why, father? I got those from you, right?"
"My face remained stoic. I didn't let myself feel the pain of his words, even though they hurt more than the slap. Held your head high, Eresh... You are beautiful. You are smart."
"'Remember that you are the cause for all of this! If you hadn't been born, then my plan would be fulfilled!'"
"Why was I born as a woman?"
"'I hate the sight of you! Get out!' You told me to follow you in here yet you will tell me that you hate the sight of me? So funny."
"I quickly turned around and went out of the room. I saw Enkidu the moment I opened the door. He glanced at my lips, concern in his eyes."
"'Your Majes鈥?'"
"'Can I trust you?' I asked him. He looked taken aback, but quickly recovered. 'Yes, Your Majesty. I offer you my life. I'm willing to serve and protect you until the day I die.'"
"I smirked. I could feel the pain on the cut of my lips, but I didn't pay much attention to it. 'Then do that. Help me defeat the EL Ordre,' I said and walked away."
"I gritted my teeth and balled my fists when tears started to pool in my eyes. I swallowed hard to push down the lump in my throat. No, I mustn't cry. Fuck it, Eresh! Stop! My father might see me!"
"I must be strong. I must look strong. He hated weak women. He will kill my pieces if he sees me like this. I should stop. I mustn't cry. I mustn't show any weakness."
"If he sees me as a weak person, then I should use the only advantage that I have. If I use it wisely, then people will start to fear me and obey my words. I must try hard. I must. 'Cause this is the only chance that I have to win this game."
"Why was I born as a woman?"
"Yes, let's say I fucking love it." he said making me smile. We stayed in that position for a while and I shivered again for the second time. he changed our position so he was on top again. He put his hand on my side and moved freely on top of me. "Ohhh! Fa-Faster please." "I can't hear you, baby?" He was still teasing and slowed down his movement as he entered with full emphasis. I held his seat to make him lean more. "Alright, hurry up." "Next, baby." he said and sped up again. While he wasn't moving as fast as he was, he was relentlessly kissing my lips. I like this. I want to give him everything. he is the man who made me feel strange feelings. I feel that I will be very hurt when he leaves me. So I will do everything to be the only woman for him. We hugged each other and I was amazed by his last strength. I rested deeply and accepted the warm liquid he released from my insides. We kissed again and smiled at each other. He pulled out his length and left on top of me. He stood next to me and hugged me so I leaned on his chest and closed my eyes. "Flirt!" I woke up when someone grabbed my hair so I winced in pain especially when it pulled me down on the bed. "Suzanne!" "You're an animal! You're an animal, Atreo!" I was confused as I wrapped the blanket around my naked body. I looked at the woman who was beautiful, sophisticated, well dressed, and maybe the same age as Kuya. "Suzane, please, don't come here." I looked at both of them because I couldn't understand why the girl was crying. The woman looked at me when I stood up. I was shocked when he slapped me so I held my cheek and looked at it. I can see his tears and anger on his face. "You're flirtatious! You managed to hook up with my husband!" I was almost pierced and couldn't breathe from what he said. Husband? Is Atreo his wife? I looked at Atreo Ripler Alvarez. The guy I thought was single. The man I thought I could have. "Grace, let me explain." I cried and almost wanted to sink to the ground in my situation. I hate myself. I ran outside with only a blanket covering my nakedness. I could hardly see the road because of my flooding tears that blurred my vision. "You're flirtatious! You managed to hook up with my husband!" "You're flirtatious! You managed to hook up with my husband!" "You're flirtatious! You managed to hook up with my husband!" What the woman said kept echoing in my mind. I sat down on a rock and hugged myself as I continued to sob. "You are nothing but a mistress, Grace."
"ELLESA WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON !!!" I woke up because of that thunderous voice. I got up and looked at the person at my bedroom door. And immediately a blanket covered my body "D-dad?" My answer is shocking. The person next to me moved and I felt stunned by it as well. "YOU'RE A DISGUSTING WOMAN. ANY MAN YOU MAY HAVE BROUGHT HERE! YOU'RE JUST LIKE YOUR MOTHER! YOU'RE JUST GIVING THIS FAMILY SHAME!" He added. I want to cry because of dad’s insult to me. I wanted to defend myself but I lost word. I can't talk back to my dad. "Mr. Craig? How did you get here? As far as I know your house isn't here." Dad's Sarcastic Promise. None of us spoke. "A lot of media is out because someone saw you last night in a parking lot at a club. REALLY? OUTSIDE YOU REALLY DID IT? YOU ELLESA! YOU'RE AN EDUCATED WOMAN RIGHT? BUT YOU ACT LIKE A LOWLY SLUT." He is there again for his insult. "I want you two to get married as soon as possible." Authoritative he said. "WHAT? HELL NO! I WILL NEVER DO THAT MR. GIBB!" Nate shouted. "Whether you agree it or not, you're going to marry my daughter. Or else I'll bring down your company. Don't fight me Mr. Craig." After that dad turned around.
It repeatedly enters my mind that what I am doing is wrong but I can’t step back now. I peeked into the grand mansion. The monster's house That's what they call the man who lives here. I haven't really seen him yet but because of rumors. I couldn't stop my curiousity so here I am. I'm sure my Mama will scold me again when she finds out what I'm doing. I kept hearing so many things about the man named Alexendris Courner. About how ruthless he is and short temper. I wonder, if it's really true. Based on what I see. He is extremenly rich. He has a two storey mansion. I think. His land area is 8 hectares and it is not just a mansion that stands here. "Odd. Why does it seem so quiet?" I asked in astonishment I looked around before approaching the guard house and was surprised to see nothing there. He doesn't have a security guard? In the size of his house. Isn't he afraid to rob? I was hesitant to enter. I know it's trespassing but I can't help myself. I slammed the gate. I almost drowned when I pushed it open. My eyes widened. "A-aren't they already robbed?" Nope! This is not trespassing. I'm just checking. Later they are actually robbed. I'm just a concerned citizen! I shared the sight across the house. I see three sports car parked in the right side. Is there anyone inside? I'm even more nervous e. I made my way through the door. My hand was still shaking as I knocked on the door. No one's answering. "Knock Knock-" I was interrupted by someone speaking behind me. "You!" My chest throbbed when I heard that baritone voice as if the was ready. I slowly turned away. Our eyes met. His deep sharp blue eyes bore at me. There's a dangerous glint in those orbs that pushed me back. He took big steps until he could get close to me. He held my hand and drew me harshly. "You shouldn't be here ... young woman."
"Let's get a divorce"- His wife looked at him, he stood up and approached his wife. "What do you mean Divorce? Are you really gonna leave me?"- he said while stroking her wife's cheek, Charlotte removed his husband's hand and stepped back "Yes! and I'll do anything just to get rid off of you!"- she shouted, her husband just grinned at her. "If you can"- he said and went back to where he was sitting and drank some wine Charlotte was holding tightly to her pants......
I sighed a few more times before driving my car away. I don't care about him anymore. but I forgave him a long time ago even though I was very hurt by what he did before. Oh God! I hope our paths never cross again.
"You're really rude! Be respectful!" Dad said angrily. I smiled bitterly because of what he said. "Rude? You're the reason I've been rude! If only you hadn't been so selfish, I wouldn't have been that!" I answer back. "We didn't become selfish children, we did it for you — for your future. We want your life to be peaceful when you graduate." Mom said tearfully. "Is that your solution for my future? You must be stupid then. I can work after I graduate. What you said is that you did it for yourself-so that you can be even richer and be known by all over the world and- " “How dare you talk back to your mother!”-Dad. I winced at what Dad had done. Its the second time he slapped me. I was grabbed by my sore cheek and started crying again. But instead of acting, I wiped away my tears and smiled wryly. "There you are again. Does it feel good to slap your daughter over and over again Dad? Is it comforting? Because I felt like slapping me is becoming your habit." I said to him. Dad didn't speak right away because of what I said. Mom kept crying as she hugged Dad's arm. "I'm sorry daughter." Only Dad said. I ignored them and started walking up the stairs. Mom tried to stretch my hand to stop me but I just tapped her and left. "Do you think you can stop this agreement? Sorry daughter but you have no other way. You need to marry him! Because I say so!" Dad chased after me but I just ignored it. You're wrong Dad, there's still a way.
Warning: This book has high sexual assault displays, but does not support any form of rape. I, Alpha Edward Parker, swear that I will keep you tied to me until I make you pay for what you did to my mate," he swore, gripping my chin in a bruising hold. "Not only will you wish for death, but you will beg for it, and it will be too far from you." I could feel the eyes of the whole pack on us. They probably came to experience a normal wedding, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I was being married off to a groom because he wanted revenge. Tears welled, and I wanted to scream, "I am your mate; I'm the one who saved you, not her." But I knew no one would believe me. I was his mate, how could he not recognize me? Four years ago, Amanda happened to save a total stranger, but due to a string of misunderstandings, her sister took her place. The stranger then promised a vow of betrothal to his savior. Not seeing any use in correcting the error, Amanda allowed it. That was her biggest mistake because the stranger ended up being her own mate. Caught in a web of lies and confusion, she decides to set herself free by speaking the truth. But her plans are thwarted when her sister turns up dead, and she is pinned as the main suspect. A mate out to seek revenge for another, a forced marriage, an underlying plot, a web of lies, and many dark secrets. How can Amanda navigate all these without losing sight of herself? How will she speak the truth when she has already lost her voice and has been destroyed by her own mate?
Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly’s first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart. Lexi Gilbert. The woman Pierce could never forget even if he had already been arranged to marry Kelly. *** Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. *** Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. *** Her Prince Charming vs. Her Devil Stepbrother? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate?
Scarlett was left betrayed and broken beyond repair when her best friend Megan set her up with the male escort who stole her virginity...Or at least, that's what she thought he was. There was something odd about the strong and strikingly beautiful man that she spent a night with. Despite the pure hatred she felt for him, the deals he ended up offering wasn't one she could refuse. Scarlett always thought she'd marry her soulmate but turns out, that won't be the case for her. But could her mysterious husband make his way through her broken heart and fix it? It's hard to imagine but love has funny ways to manifest in places where it's least expected....
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?