From Shadow to Crown

Melissa’s secret—that she had lived as a man for fifteen years—was uncovered by accident, stumbled upon by Paul, the young marquis. He snatched up the linen binder that had slipped from her chest, turning away in a flustered rush as he thrust it back toward her. “Brother Melissa… No, Miss Melissa. You hid it so well… I nearly entered the monastery. But today, at last, I see my own heart.” Watching the tips of his ears burn crimson, Melissa laid her own heart bare. “The torment of longing… has been my constant companion as well.” With that delicate pretense stripped away, Paul could no longer hold back his devotion. At the Academy, when a young noble sneered at Melissa as an “effete bookworm,” Paul cut out the man’s tongue—an act for which the Old Marquis broke his son’s leg. When Minister Oliver harassed her drunkenly at a banquet, Paul stabbed him in the groin right there in the hall. Three days later, he submitted evidence of Oliver’s corruption. Oliver’s entire household—thirty-two souls—were executed without delay. On the day of the execution, Paul galloped the length of the Capital’s main avenue, Oliver’s bloody head mounted upon his lance, a warning to every noble family: “Anyone who touches Melissa will share this fate.” To guard her secret, Paul became her near-constant shadow. She loved dessert soups, so he compelled Janet’s Sweet Shop to invent a new flavor daily, fetching each one himself. On her birthday, she wore the maiden’s dress he had given her—for the first time. Before the bronze mirror, the gown was fastened, then torn away—and with it, her innocence, given freely to him. After that night, Melissa resolved to abandon the Imperial Examinations fifteen days later. She would reclaim her identity as a woman and become his wife. But when she went to find him, Caleb’s excited exclamation stopped her cold: “We’ve all misunderstood Paul! He actually has a woman he likes!” Academy classmates crowded around. “Really? Whose daughter could possibly catch his eye?” Melissa’s heart hammered—had her secret been found out? Well, it would have to come out sooner or later anyway. Just as she drew breath to confess, Caleb laughed loudly. “What daughter? It’s Janet, the girl who sells dessert soups on East Glory Street!” All color drained from Melissa’s face. She looked up to see Paul riding in on horseback, holding Janet tightly in his arms. In full view of everyone, he swept Janet up and carried her into the Academy, laying her on Melissa’s own bed. Facing Melissa’s stricken gaze, he spoke with detached calm. “To pay for her sick mother’s medicine, she lost her stall and was sold to a brothel. She refused to take clients—was nearly beaten to death. If I hadn’t saved her, you’d never taste her sweet broth again.” Gently, he brushed a tear from the corner of Janet’s eye, his voice softening. “Bear with it fifteen days, Janet. Once I pass the Imperial Examinations, I’ll reopen your shop. The Academy is my family’s estate. Stay here.” Examinees here shared rooms, two to a chamber. Melissa, owing to her fastidious nature, had been granted a single room—a special favor from Paul. But now, his eyes held only pity for Janet. He had forgotten her entirely. Forcing her voice steady, Melissa asked, trembling, “If she’s in my bed, where do I sleep?” Paul looked blank. He truly hadn’t thought that far. Brian from the next room spoke up. “I have an empty cot. Would you make do, Brother Melissa?” Paul glanced at Brian, then said softly to Melissa, “He’s harmless—cares only for his books. You’ll be safe.” Melissa swayed. Before she could refuse, Paul, citing Janet’s need to change, ushered everyone out. Inside, Brian buried himself in his books, never glancing her way. Melissa lay down fully clothed, her mind replaying Paul holding Janet tightly on the horse. He had once said that place on his saddle was reserved for her. That once she lived as a woman again, he would take her riding across every corner of the Capital. Knowing her fastidiousness, he’d had her bedding changed daily. No one entered her room except the cleaners. But now, all these privileges were yielded to Janet. Perhaps even he hadn’t realized it yet—his heart had already leaned toward that delicate, soft-spoken girl. Something clenched tight in Melissa’s chest, a pain so sharp it stole sleep. In her half-conscious daze, a sudden weight crushed down—Brian had thrown himself heavily atop her! He chuckled lowly, his voice a leer. “I’ve known you were a woman for a while. Since Brother Paul is done with you… why not let me…” His hands went straight for her chest, eyes devouring her. Panicked, Melissa fumbled under her pillow, found the dagger, and stabbed upward with all her strength! A scream tore through the night. The courtyard soon blazed with candlelight. Paul, seeing Brian’s hand half-severed, stared in shock before turning furious eyes on Melissa, still clutching the bloody dagger. “What happened?” “He…” H

Chapters

Chapter 3

For three days, Melissa drifted in a feverish haze.

Through the fog, her mother’s final sigh echoed in her ears, and Paul’s resolute back—walking away with Janet in his arms—replayed behind her eyelids.

On the fourth morning, she forced her eyes open. Paul was there, seated vigil at her bedside, his face etched with worry.

Seeing her awake, he spoke, his voice rough. “Your mother has been laid to rest with dignity. The fault was mine. Your father has been… magnanimous. He has agreed to let the matter drop.”

A knife twisted in Melissa’s heart.

Her mother’s family had long fallen into decline. Though the lawful wife, she had been cast aside in favor of a concubine, surviving only because of the ‘son’ Melissa pretended to be.

Now, with her mother gone, her father could elevate that woman without delay. This so-called magnanimity had surely been purchased with Paul’s money and influence.

Silent, she watched as Paul took the medicine bowl himself. He blew gently on each spoonful before bringing it to her lips.

Melissa opened her mouth woodenly and swallowed. The brew was bitterly potent, scraping her throat and forcing tears to her eyes.

“I know you hate the taste. I had some sweet soup prepared for you.” Paul opened the door. There stood Janet, head bowed, obediently offering a steaming bowl.

Melissa glared at her with pure venom. “Get out!”

Paul’s voice softened to a coaxing murmur. “Janet has been unwell herself, yet she still made this almond soup for you. Be good and drink a little, hmm?”

Melissa turned her face away, her expression hardening.

Paul frowned. “Melissa, your mother struck her head on that pillar. Her death was… an accident, a twist of fate. Janet lost her mother too, yet she cooked for you while ill. Won’t you take even a single taste?”

When she resisted, his grip tightened on her chin. He forced her mouth open and poured the soup down her throat.

Melissa gagged, vomiting up the liquid along with the medicine she’d just taken.

“If it’s sweet soup,” she rasped, “why is it bitter?”

Tears sprang to Janet’s eyes. She snatched the bowl back and drank what remained.

“I’ve been helping my mother make sweet soup since I was three. Do I not know sweet from bitter? Why must you always persecute me, Young Master Melissa? Are we common folk just meant to endure your bullying?”

She turned to Paul, her voice catching. “Taste it, Young Marquis. You tell us—is it sweet or bitter?”

Then she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his.

Caught off guard, Paul moved to push her away, but his hands found her waist instead—sliding upward almost of their own accord. Just before they brushed her chest, he jolted back to himself and shoved her away violently.

“What disgraceful behavior!” he barked, though the tips of his ears flushed red. “You are an unmarried maiden. I will not speak of this, for your reputation’s sake, but you must never do such a thing again.”

Janet hung her head, sobbing. “I was just so wronged, I lost my composure. Thank you, Young Marquis, for your kindness in thinking of me.”

Fury made Melissa’s head swim. She grabbed the sweet soup bowl and hurled it to the floor. “Get out! Both of you, get out now!”

Porcelain shards flew. One grazed Janet’s cheek. She whimpered and dropped to her knees.

The sound brought the Academy Master, who was passing by. He pushed the door open, eyes widening at the sight of Janet kneeling on the floor.

“Miss Janet,” he asked in surprise, “what happened to your face?”

Through tears, Janet poured out her grievances. “Young Master Melissa said the sweet soup I made was bitter. When the Young Marquis spoke a few words in my defense, he threw the bowl at me. I truly don’t understand. If Young Master Melissa is a man, why does he always act so… jealous? Could it be the Young Marquis has a penchant for men? Is that why Young Master Melissa…”

The Academy Master’s face darkened with anger as he glared at the two of them.

Rumors in the town don’t spring from nothing. If this were true… this Melissa could not be allowed to stay.

Furious and desperate, Melissa opened her mouth to declare she was a woman.

But Paul stepped in front of her, addressing the Academy Master with deference. “Sir, I treat Melissa as a younger brother. There is no such… unnatural inclination between us.”

Hearing this, Melissa felt all strength drain from her body. She slumped back, utterly defeated.

The Academy Master’s expression eased slightly. He gave a cold snort. “The Imperial Examinations are approaching. Mind your conduct!” With that, he turned and left.

Paul hurried after him to see him out.

The room held only the two of them now.

Instantly, Janet’s tears vanished. She leaned close to Melissa’s ear, her voice a soft, venomous whisper.

“I’ve known you were a girl for a long time.”

Melissa’s body went rigid.

A faint smile touched Janet’s lips. “He waited by my stall for sweet soup every day. And while he waited, all he talked about was you. Your brilliant literary talent, rivaling even Brian’s. Your little tempers—he loved that liveliness in you most. Your fastidiousness, how no one but him was allowed to sit on your bed…”

“His utter devotion… it stirred something in me too. I thought perhaps I could be his concubine. But the moment I saw you—” Her voice dropped lower. “I just wanted you dead. Otherwise, he would never love me in this lifetime.”

Blind rage surged. Melissa’s hand shot out, striking Janet hard across the face.

Janet clutched her cheek, stumbling backward before falling deliberately onto the bed of broken porcelain.

Paul walked back in just then. He saw Janet lying amidst the shards, her plain dress stained with spreading crimson.

Pain flashed in his eyes. He rushed forward and gathered her up.

“It seems those twenty lashes taught you nothing about restraint.” His voice was cold. “I’ve spoiled you. Today, you will learn some discipline.”

He grabbed Melissa, dragged her from the bed, and forced her to her knees on the sharp, glittering fragments.

Melissa looked up, meeting Paul’s icy gaze. A low, quiet laugh escaped her.

So this was how it felt when a heart died. You couldn’t feel the pain anymore.

Continue to next part

I spent a decade as Ashton Maxwell' s shadow, building his empire and warming his bed, only for him to announce his engagement to a senator's daughter right in front of me. When assassins struck that night, he didn't just choose her; he used my body as a human shield against a grenade and then shot me himself to prove his loyalty to her family. I survived, reinvented myself as Grecia Munoz, and returned to burn his world to the ground, eventually forcing him to hand over his entire empire in a desperate plea for forgiveness. He promised to disappear so I could find peace with a kind doctor named Garrick. But Ashton' s definition of love was a sickness. To "protect" me from what he called a weakness, he secretly destroyed Garrick' s career and reputation, driving the only innocent man I ever loved to jump off a bridge. He thought this would drive me back into his arms, into the safety of the monster he created. Instead, I drove to the Hamptons, to the pristine dream home he had built for our future. He knelt before me, begging for understanding, claiming he did it all for us. I didn't offer forgiveness. I raised the pistol he had once given me, aimed at the heart I had already broken, and ended the nightmare once and for all.

Action Modern Mystery

9.5

Betrayed Luna's Silent Escape

9.5

On our fifth anniversary as mates, I decided to surprise Alpha Cristian with a special dinner. I returned to the Silver Moon Pack’s estate early, eager to celebrate, only to walk in on him tangled up with Kyra, a Delta warrior, in our bedroom. Her voice carried over, dripping with anticipation. "When will you make her uterus mine?" His response was icy. "Tomorrow, I’ll have her go for a medical check-up. I’ll arrange for the Healer to tell her she needs surgery for cancer, and we’ll take it then. But if anything happens to her, you won’t get away with it!" I couldn’t grasp how the man who once claimed to cherish me could plot against me like this. Yet he wasn’t aware that I was already carrying his pups. "Don’t fret. I know you care about her.

Action Romance Werewolf

9.2

BEYOND REDEMPTION

9.2

Kora's world shatters when her mate-her Alpha-betrays her with her own best friend. Stripped of her title as Luna and marked for death, she barely escapes their murderous scheme. But fate intervenes in the form of a powerful, enigmatic Alpha who saves her life. Just as hope begins to flicker in the shadows of her pain, Kora uncovers a new twist in her destiny-she's pregnant with his child. Determined to protect her baby and believed to be dead by those who wronged her, Kora vanishes into the night. But she won't stay hidden forever. With fire in her heart and vengeance in her blood, she vows to return-not just to face her past, but to make them all pay.

Action Romance Werewolf

9.6

DANGEROUS CRAVINGS: SINFULLY TANGLED WITH MY STEPBROTHER

9.6

Ezran Williamson never asked for a new family, especially not one that comes with a stepbrother he can't stand. At twenty-one, Ezran is sharp-tongued, rebellious, and determined to graduate and build a future in programming on his own terms. But when his mother remarries a powerful businessman, his carefully controlled life collides with Lucian Banks, his cold, dominant, and dangerously untouchable stepbrother. Successful, older, and infuriatingly composed, Lucian is everything Ezran hates. Slowly, hatred turns into tension, tension becomes chemistry, and chemistry ignites something neither of them is prepared to face. What begins as resistance slowly unravels into a forbidden obsession, one that defies family, morality, and control. As secrets surface and pressure mounts, Ezran and Lucian are forced to choose between duty and desire, legacy and love, because some feelings don't fade and some obsessions are worth every consequence.

Action LGBT+Mafia Modern

9.1

His biker girl, Her biker prince

9.1

He lifted his hand and brushed a strand of hair from my face, fingers grazing too gently. I snapped, "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me?" His mouth curved, the faintest smirk. "You walked in here looking like a fucking temptation. And you think I'm not supposed to touch?" I tilted my chin, refusing to back down. "Funny. I thought you said I didn't look good." He leaned closer, voice low, eyes burning through me. "You don't look good. You look dangerous." My chest tightened, heat crawling under my skin. I rolled my eyes, masking the pull I refused to admit. "Get lost," I muttered, shoving against him. "You're mine, Tessa," ****** His Biker Girl | swore l'd never get tangled up with bikers. Then I met him. Jason "Viper" Kane, the ruthless prince of the Black Serpents. Arrogant. Untouchable. Dangerous. Every girl on campus wants him, but not me. He thought I'd be easy to break. He was wrong. Her Biker Prince She's fire wrapped in leather, and every time she rides, she tempts me closer to the edge. Tessa Monroe, bold, defiant, impossible to control. I wanted to crush her pride, ruin that ego, make her beg. But the more I chase her, the more I burn. She's the one thing I shouldn't want. And the only thing l'll never let go.

Action Mafia Young Adult

8.3

Lost in sin

8.3

Juliet Romano was born into privilege and power, until the LaRussos destroyed everything her family built. Overnight, the Romanos fell from grace, left with nothing but debts, shame, and broken pride. Years later, Juliet swore she'd never forgive them. Never forget. But fate has a cruel sense of humor. When Ryan LaRusso, heir to the empire that ruined her father, walks back into her life, all the hate she's clung to begins to blur into something dangerous. He's everything she should despise, arrogant, powerful, untouchable, yet every glance, every argument, pulls her deeper into a forbidden fire neither of them can control. One night shatters every boundary between them. And one secret changes everything. Now Juliet carries the child of the man she was raised to hate. Ryan will risk his legacy to protect her. His father will destroy them both to keep the LaRusso name pure. Love and vengeance collide in a world ruled by power, pride, and old sins. Because some stories aren't written in innocence, they're carved in betrayal, obsession, and the kind of love that demands everything. When the truth comes out, one question will decide their fate: Will love be strong enough to survive the sins of their families?

Action Modern Romance

From Shadow to Crown

Chapter 3

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