Oxford bull's Book
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Lucian the devil's son
The Bargain of Blood and Fate The story begins in a world where kingdoms exist not only in political power but in the shadow of ancient magic. The novel opens with the perspective of Princess Hazel, daughter of the King of Decresh, a kingdom ravaged by internal fears and external threats. Hazel is no ordinary princess-she is smart, skeptical of courtly life, and deeply attached to her younger brother, whom she protects fiercely. Hazel's kingdom is politically unstable, and the king-driven by ambition and desperation-strikes an unlikely alliance with the feared and mysterious Kingdom of Decresh's northern ally, led by the infamous Lucian, the so-called Son of the Devil. Whispers abound that Lucian is not merely powerful-he is supernatural, born of darkness, with powers that no mortal should possess. Stories describe him as cold, cruel, and inhuman-possessing a terrifying aura and unmatched strength. Some say he sold his soul; others believe he never had one to begin with. To solidify the alliance, Hazel is forced into an arranged marriage. She is to become the bride of Lucian, a man she has never met, only feared. Despite her pleas, her father remains unmoved. He believes this is a noble sacrifice to save the kingdom-and to be fair, he's right in one sense. But for Hazel, it is a betrayal. Hazel departs her homeland in a heavily guarded carriage, escorted through dangerous mountain passes. She is filled with dread, her imagination running wild with images of a demonic husband who might consume her soul on their wedding night. Her fear is not just of the unknown-it is of the very real magic that lingers in the air of the northern lands. Her arrival at the castle marks the next stage of the story. Decresh is a place steeped in gothic splendor-black stone halls, whispering winds, and hauntingly beautiful architecture. Hazel is greeted not with warmth but with cold stares and veiled hostility. Servants fear Lucian; others avoid speaking about him altogether. The castle feels more like a prison than a palace. Then, she meets Lucian for the first time. Lucian is not what she expected-he is tall, striking, with piercing eyes that seem to see into her soul. He does not act like a monster. Instead, he is composed, controlled, almost dispassionate. But his presence is overwhelming, and his power is palpable. He does not mistreat her, but neither does he comfort her. He simply informs her of their impending marriage, lays out the rules of the castle, and leaves her reeling. Hazel's first days in the castle are suffocating. She is watched, limited in her movements, and treated with suspicion. Yet she begins to notice that the fear others have toward Lucian is not entirely unfounded-strange events happen in his presence, and his body seems to radiate something unnatural. He never eats in public, and his moods shift with eerie unpredictability. Despite everything, Hazel refuses to be cowed. Her spirit-one of the most compelling aspects of her character-emerges as she begins to assert herself. She explores the castle, challenges the staff, and tries to uncover the truth behind Lucian's origins. Rumors abound: that he has lived for centuries, that he was cursed as a child, that he communes with devils. Hazel begins to wonder what is myth and what is fact. She also meets some of Lucian's trusted confidants-most notably Pierre, his loyal advisor, and Ivy, a maid who becomes Hazel's closest ally in the castle. Through these relationships, Hazel begins to piece together a fragmented history of Lucian's life-a past filled with betrayal, loss, and a legacy bound to dark magic. As the wedding day approaches, Hazel and Lucian begin spending more time together. What begins as an awkward co-existence slowly shifts. Lucian, though distant, shows glimmers of compassion-especially when Hazel is threatened or disrespected. She witnesses his temper but also his restraint. He defends her in subtle ways, though he never speaks of affection. One night, Hazel stumbles upon Lucian in a trance-like state, his body engulfed in fire-like shadows. She watches in horror and fascination as he returns to normal, unaware he was being observed. This is the moment Hazel realizes: Lucian is not just metaphorically linked to the Devil-there is actual power coursing through his veins. The wedding finally arrives. It is a grim ceremony, held under the cover of night. Hazel wears a black dress, symbolic of mourning rather than joy. Lucian does not smile. Vows are exchanged, and Hazel becomes his wife in title-but there is no warmth between them. The union is a political pact, not a romantic celebration. But from this moment onward, Hazel is no longer a prisoner. She is a queen in the north, a symbol of alliance-and, perhaps, a woman capable of changing the fate of a man caught between light and darkness. What she does not know is that her presence is already beginning to change Lucian. Unbeknownst to her, Lucian's demonic powers are not permanent.