The clash of steel reverberates through the air as the silvery long sword slices effortlessly through its adversary, cleaving it in twain. With a resounding thud, the man clad in his metallic armor crumples to his knees, the weight of his breath heavy with exhaustion.
Across the battlefield, the imposing figure of a long-haired male, barely marked by the passage of time save for the faintest lines etched upon his face, raises his gaze. His boots, sturdy and commanding, pound against the earth, echoing the rhythm of war. With a deliberate movement, he lifts his head to meet the gaze of his adversaries.
Two pairs of feet, resolute and unyielding, stand before him. The glint of a sharp blade catches the light as it inches dangerously close to his chin, compelling him to tilt his head upward. His eyes lock with those of another man, his adversary, who stands above him with a smug and triumphant smirk adorning his face, a testament to his impending victory.
The deep resonance of Emperor Seungcheol's voice fills the night air, carrying with it an aura of dominance and victory. His muscular, imposing figure looms over King Minjae, a testament to his physical prowess even amidst the weight of heavy armor.
A chuckle rumbles from deep within Seungcheol's chest as he bends slightly, his formidable presence exuding confidence. "Now, now, King Minjae, did you truly believe it would take more than three swings to bring you to your knees?" His voice carries a hint of amusement, laced with the satisfaction of triumph.
But Minjae's feeble attempt to protest is swiftly silenced by the forceful impact of Seungcheol's clenched fist, encased in chains, striking his cheek with brutal force. Blood fills Minjae's mouth, his words stifled by the violence of the blow, as he coughs and struggles to regain his breath.
Seungcheol's laughter cuts through the darkness, echoing under the pale moonlight, as he seizes a fistful of Minjae's hair and yanks him upright, asserting his dominance with every movement. "Coward? Perhaps. But it matters not. I have bested you, and now your empire belongs to me," he declares, his voice dripping with triumph.
As Seungcheol brandishes a dagger, hidden within the layers of his clothing, Minjae's desperation peaks. He pleads for mercy, grasping at Seungcheol's legs in a futile attempt to sway his assailant's resolve. "Wait! Please, don't kill me! I beg of you. Name your price. Anything you desire—money, gold, even the treasures of my empire—are yours for the taking. Just spare my life," Minjae implores, desperation etched in every syllable.
A flicker of interest dances in Seungcheol's eyes at the mention of the courtesans, a glimmer of temptation crossing his features. The offer hangs in the air, a tantalizing proposition that could alter the course of their fates.
Emperor Seungcheol's voice takes on a deceivingly gentle tone, akin to a haunting lullaby weaving its way through the chilling night air. With a calculated display of mercy, he feigns loosening his grip on Minjae's head, coaxing forth the confession he seeks.
"What is it, Minjae? What holds more value to you than your kingdom? What is the very essence of your existence, the tether that binds you to this world?" Seungcheol's words carry a sinister undertone, dripping with a twisted curiosity.
Minjae's voice trembles with fear and desperation as he utters the words, his confession hanging heavy in the air like a shroud of doom. "M-my wife and my children," he stammers, his breath catching in his throat.
A chilling silence descends upon the battlefield as Seungcheol processes Minjae's admission. With a cold and calculated demeanor, he acknowledges the revelation, his eyes betraying a glint of malicious intent. "Ah, so that's it," he murmurs, a sinister smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
In an act of cruel dominance, Seungcheol forcefully shoves Minjae back onto the unforgiving earth, his heavy boot descending upon Minjae's trembling hand with merciless force. A gut-wrenching cry tears through the night, echoing across the battlefield, sending shivers down the spines of all who witness the horrifying spectacle unfolding before them.
The sound of Minjae's anguished screams pierces the stillness, a haunting reminder of the merciless brutality that reigns supreme in the wake of Seungcheol's conquest.
"I'll have one of your heirs...give me the most beautiful one," Seungcheol says with a soft whistle as he casts his eyes over the gate of the castle, scrutinizing the appearance of everyone present. There is no doubt that the Yoon Empire boasts the most beautiful humans alive; it is renowned for its beauty, after all. From the king's wife, Yoon Miyoung, to the commoners, each and every one of them seems to have been crafted by the hands of the moon goddess herself.
"Please, don't," Minjae whimpers beneath Seungcheol's feet.
"Either comply, or I'll kill you and claim this whole place as mine," Seungcheol grunts angrily, pressing his foot more harshly onto Minjae's hand.
"No, no, wait!"
"They are there," Minjae says, pointing a bloody finger toward the closed gate. Two guards stand trembling, while behind them, three more people dressed in royal attire and adorned with jewels and ornaments stand, their beauty only further enhanced.
"Beautiful," Seungcheol whispers in awe as he releases Minjae and strides towards the trio. Drawing nearer, he beholds three women, each as radiant as the moon itself. One boasts cascading locks that graze her lips, adorned with a delicate pink pearled crown. Beside her stands another, her beauty highlighted by shorter hair and lips painted a vivid red, contrasting against her fair complexion.
The third woman, however, meets Seungcheol's gaze with an unwavering stare, her lips pressed into a thin line and her neck-length hair secured in a bow with a wooden hair stick. Despite the imposing presence of Seungcheol, her glare remains steadfast.
"You are all so beautiful," Seungcheol chuckles, his fingers itching to trace the contours of their faces as they instinctively shrink back, seeking refuge behind the third woman.
"Which one do I choose?" he muses aloud, his movements drawing closer to them as he dismissively pushes aside the guards.
"Lord, I won't harm any of you...not yet," Seungcheol reassures with a laugh, advancing towards the third woman who stands her ground, chest pressed against his.
"My, my, what a beauty," Seungcheol admires with a whistle, his gaze fixated upon her.
"Back away," a soft yet firm voice interrupts, causing Seungcheol to pause in confusion. He scans his surroundings, perplexed, until a frustrated sigh draws his attention back to the woman before him. "I said, back the hell away from me," she asserts, placing a hand on Seungcheol's chest and exerting enough force to send him stumbling backward several feet, surprise evident on his face as he regards the figure before him.
A man, whose beauty rivals that of most women.
"Your Majesty, it's the oldest son of Minjae, Yoon Jeonghan. Should I make him kneel before you?" Seungcheol's royal guard, Mingyu, interjects, his familiar and authoritative voice cutting through the tension.
"No need. Only I can make him kneel if I choose to," Seungcheol declares, straightening his posture with newfound resolve.
Seungcheol considers the implications; Yoon Minjae's son is not just any man but the future ruler of the Yoon Empire. Playing with the dainty rings adorning his fingers, Seungcheol realizes that by choosing Jeonghan as his prize, he would not only satisfy his desires but also gain control over the empire. It's a strategic move, killing two birds with one stone.
"I think I know who I want to choose," Seungcheol declares, a glint of determination gleaming in his eyes as he strides forward and seizes Jeonghan's wrist with a harsh grip. Jeonghan winces at the tight hold, his resistance evident.
"Surely you can warm my bed for more than one night, can't you? Come on," Seungcheol taunts, ignoring the loud cries and pleas that echo around them as he begins to drag Jeonghan away. Jeonghan struggles against Seungcheol's grasp, desperate to break free.
"Please, not my son...don't take him, please," Minjae falls to his knees, clutching desperately at Seungcheol's legs, begging him not to take away his only heir. If Seungcheol takes Jeonghan, it would leave the kingdom without a ruler, effectively handing control over to Seungcheol since he had defeated Minjae first.
"You don't tell me what to do," Seungcheol retorts, shaking off Minjae's grasp as he strides towards his chariot, dragging the struggling Jeonghan along with him. Minjae is restrained by Seungcheol's soldiers, who push him back before following their king.
Seungcheol looks at his left see his now possession prize yoon Jeonghan who lokked at with a glare that could kill you if possible.
"Welcome to my world, my Divine," Seungcheol says, acknowledging Jeonghan's captivating allure with a modern twist. Jeonghan's gaze, intense and entrancing, carries a contemporary charm that enhances Seungcheol's possession with a hint of sophistication.
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-Vaish
I feel like I'm staring off too fast? Should I take a break? (But I can't be away from you all 🥹❤️) What do you think of the first chapter?