us's

like deliberate torment. Each one sent with a smile a

schemes that made sleep feel like a trap. But lately, those schem

until Rav

..

warily, expecting poison in my food or traps hidden in her gentleness. When I saw her handling my cloth

said. "You're

t belie

s out in the courtyard to dry. The once dusty study was spotless. Shelves that hadn't been touched in years gleamed faintly.

it... h

at no other had in years, not through deceit or

, to call it a trick, another lie. But som

dane kindnesses she offered made something stir insid

to a tall shelf, I pressed a hidden switch behind a row of ancient

. My sanctuar

ent, my power crippled. But I was no helples

to build kingdoms, conquer nature, and shape the world. I learned from them. I stu

submission, i

g I asked for?" I asked t

secret. Former criminals, rogues, outcasts. Men with nothing left to lose.

ng me a thick file. "Everything we co

my chest. I flipped through the pages, skimming fact

ci

once been

losed the file with force. "S

with unmistakable affection. The rage that had qu

er reason for

to me... be

o apart. And yet... I felt a flicker of something el

e now?" I as

with

order. "Let Flora continue observing her. If anyt

owed low. "

bound by a curse, but I would be

-

n's

ured that part out. Now, the real chal

, even if no one treats me like

ught how to seduce, how to touch, how to... do that. My cheeks flamed at the very t

mbarrassed but curious. When it came to m

that. I'd nearly jumped out of my skin. That thing had been hu

there w

couple. Which meant I had to take the lead. The very tho

at could help, but found nothing useful. A

or

. But she had experience, and right no

itchen, fiercely gua

I said, a

ven think about taking mine. I

kly, raising my hands in peace. "I j

uspicious, but

voice. "It's about men.

for a second. "You'l

now, the... bedro

she let out a slow, wi

with His Highness? You're his wife and

my face burning

't done a thing, have you? That's why you're he

uttered. "Do you

own kind of magic,"

hreatened me for food just days ago. I already g

id hurriedly. "Just some help..

y, casting furtive glances around before stopping behind a storage cabi

"Detailed. Explicit. You'll find what

oly relic. "Thank you. I'

'll have to approach this like humans do. Seduce him with your body. Show skin. Lie

ounding. I didn't

st two pages in, I was already sweating, my hands tr

in control. I imagined it. Me, gui

, and I felt dizzy fro

re you

art s