Once Promised to Be the Finest

Deep within the palace, there was no soul unaware of the Seventh Prince Jason's devotion to the maid Nova. Once, he had solemnly vowed that if he ever became Crown Prince, she would be his principal consort. On the very day he first gained an audience with the Emperor, his foremost request was for permission to marry her. Though he knew full well the contempt he’d endured due to his own mother’s lowly origins as a maid, he stubbornly insisted on wedding a palace maid anyway—throwing the imperial court into an uproar. In those days, his eyes held only her. Yet, on the day he was officially named Crown Prince, he returned with a woman from another world: Kimberly. Spouting strange ideas about “equality for all,” she effortlessly won the adoration of every servant in the Crown Prince’s Palace. On her very first day, she took it upon herself to gather all the gold, silver, jewelry, and even the love tokens Jason had given Nova over the years—and distributed everything to the servants. “Since we all live under the same roof,” she declared, “we’re one family. We should share the wealth!” Nova’s eyes stung with furious tears. And Jason, standing beside her, turned a blind eye. Back when they could barely keep food on the table, he had forbidden her from selling even a single keepsake. Now, he let Kimberly give them all away. When Nova looked at him, her eyes brimming, he merely said calmly, “Kimberly has a point. This is how we win loyalty. As the future mistress here, you should lead by example.” Later, when assassins struck, Nova threw herself in front of Jason, taking a fatal arrow meant for his heart. In the chaos, a guard was also gravely wounded protecting his master. With only one life-saving pill left, Kimberly spoke up. “Isn’t a guard’s life a life too? Without this pill, his arm is ruined forever. But Miss Nova’s injury is too severe. Even if she takes it, she might not survive.” She gently took Jason’s hand, her voice soft and persuasive. “You understand, don’t you? Which choice truly wins hearts?” So Nova watched, helpless, as the pill that had nearly reached her lips was taken back by Jason. Tears streamed silently down her face as he met her gaze, cold and indifferent. “Kimberly is right. Public favor is everything—and so easily lost. You know better than anyone how hard this road has been for me. Today, whether you live or die is in fate’s hands.” With that, he turned and left with Kimberly. From a distance, his tender murmur reached her: “You are always so clever, Kimberly, easing my burdens at the most critical moment.” Watching their retreating figures, the pain in Nova’s chest became unbearable. More agonizing than the arrow wound was the gradual chilling of her heart. Her whole body grew cold, trembling, as she felt life slipping away. In her delirium, she remembered the days before Kimberly appeared. Back then, Jason was a discarded son whom everyone could bully. His mother’s lowly status as a maid meant he was overlooked by the Emperor and humiliated even by other palace servants. It was Nova who stole food to pull him back from death’s door when he lay dying. On her deathbed, his mother had personally entrusted him to Nova’s care. She taught him how to conduct himself before the Emperor, how to win imperial favor, how to survive in a palace that devoured the weak. So when he knelt before the throne to ask for her hand, she was terrified. “Have you lost your mind? You’ve finally earned the Emperor’s notice—now you want to throw it all away?” But he gazed at her, gentle yet intense. “I know the cost. But I promised I would marry you, Nova. If I become Crown Prince, you will be my Crown Princess. If I become Emperor, you *will* be my Empress.” “For now, I can only ask you to bear the shame of being my concubine.” That day, the Emperor’s wrath was terrible. Jason was beaten until his flesh was torn and bloody. Once again, he fell out of favor—yet he never showed a hint of regret. Ultimately, he proved his worth and regained the Emperor’s approval, earning a single concession: “Youthful folly. If in six months you still insist on this, I will permit it.” Before that half-year had passed, Jason brought Kimberly back to the Crown Prince’s Palace. The first time that woman laid eyes on Nova, she looked her up and down with an undisguised, appraising stare—one that felt deeply unsettling. “So you’re Jason’s concubine?” Her tone was flippant, a slight smile on her lips. “I heard you’ve pinned your entire existence on a man.”

Chapters

Chapter 4

Jason paused, his wine cup halfway to his lips. Though his smile remained, a flicker of unease betrayed itself in his eyes. "The half-year deadline has yet to arrive. Matters of state must come first."

His evasive reply sparked an immediate ripple of whispers among the guests.

Sharp-eyed courtiers exchanged meaningful glances. "It seems His Highness's heart truly lies with Miss Kimberly..."

Hearing this, Kimberly could no longer suppress the smile tugging at her mouth. Feigning nonchalance, she raised her voice. "His Highness and I share a bond of loyalty and trust—we are true allies." Her gaze drifted pointedly toward Nova. "Not like some, who waste their days drowning in trivial romance, tying their entire worth to a man."

Every eye in the room shifted between the two women, weighing the unspoken balance.

And Jason remained silent, letting that wordless insult hang in the air like a blade, slowly stripping away her last vestiges of pride.

Nova could no longer keep her composure. She rose abruptly and left the banquet hall.

Cold moonlight bathed the lotus pond in the rear garden. Standing in the wind, she hurled the tightly clutched sachet into the water with all her strength.

As the embroidered silk sank and surfaced, she seemed to see him again—that youth who would turn to ice at the slightest disrespect shown toward her.

Would the Jason of old ever have tolerated anyone diminishing the dignity of the Crown Prince with the casual label of "brother"?

And now he spoke of such nonsense as "treating each other as equals"...

Yes, feelings change with circumstances. Love shifts, affection fades.

Nova was about to leave when Kimberly's laughter sounded behind her.

"Sister Nova, you're not angry with me, are you? I didn't mean to steal your spotlight. If I made you jealous, I apologize right here." Her tone turned lightly mocking. "Honestly, fighting over a man is so pointless."

Nova turned, her gaze fixed on that deliberately innocent face. A chill shot up from the depths of her heart.

"Spare me the act," she said coldly. "I know exactly what you are. Whatever is between you and His Highness is your business. Don't put on this sickening display in front of me."

With that, she turned decisively to leave. Yet Kimberly's voice clung to her like a shadow.

"Is that so? But what if His Highness... just happens to dote on me?"

Before the words had fully faded, a panicked cry and a loud splash erupted from behind!

Nova spun around to see Kimberly already struggling in the icy pond, crying out for help.

"Someone! Help her!"

Jason's furious roar was already at her back. He didn't even wait to understand what had happened before rushing up to Nova, his eyes burning with a rage she had never seen. Every word was a blade.

"Nova! When did you become so vicious?! She merely offered helpful insights to ease my burdens, and you, out of petty jealousy, would try to kill her?!"

Nova stood frozen, staring at this man who had become a complete stranger. She felt the hot prick of tears, her eyes reddening instantly.

In all their years, when had he ever shown her even a hint of such severity?

Now, for the sake of another woman, without even asking for an explanation, he branded her "vicious."

"I did not push her."

Nova's voice trembled, but she kept her spine straight. "She jumped in herself. Your Highness, you know my methods. If I truly wanted to deal with her, would I use such a clumsy way?"

The fire in Jason's eyes intensified. "So this is your revenge for her having your heating removed in the dead of winter? Pushing her into an icy pond—when did your heart become so cruel!"

Nova suddenly began to laugh, a low, bitter sound soaked in sorrow. "Your Highness, do you know why I have never touched her? Only because I feared it would hurt you... But why do you keep hurting me, over and over?"

When she looked up, all warmth had fled her eyes, leaving only a glacial sharpness. A cold smile touched her lips.

"Yes, it was me. I pushed her. I saw Miss Kimberly's room overflowing with extravagant warmth, a sheer waste. Since she advocates for frugality, I thought she could use a chill—good for the constitution, and it saves the Crown Prince's Palace some expenses."

"You...!" Jason was speechless with anger, his pointing finger trembling slightly.

Nova took a step forward, each word dropping like a stone.

"If the very sight of me has become so repugnant to you, just say the words—'I never wish to see you again'—or write a letter of divorce. I, Nova, swear to heaven I will not cling. Otherwise, grant me the respect I deserve."

She looked at him, a thin film of tears rising in her eyes.

"Do you remember? When your headaches struck, it was you who held my hand all night and said, 'Sister, if not for you, I'd have died in pain and no one would have known'... And now, you think the sachets I blended for you are unworthy."

Jason stood stunned, the anger ebbing from his face, replaced by dawning regret. "Nova, I—" he began, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

"Jason... I'm so cold..."

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I flew to London with a custom engagement ring, ready to surprise my boyfriend for our anniversary. Instead, I found him wearing a matching "couple's bracelet" with his "anxious" female best friend, Britney. He even ditched our anniversary dinner because she had a "panic attack" over a chipped nail. Realizing I was the third wheel in my own relationship, I quietly transferred to a university in Berlin to escape. But Graham wouldn't let go. He followed me across the continent, dragging my mother along to guilt-trip me into coming back. When that didn't work, he handed me a "farewell gift." As I opened the box, a sickly sweet smell hit me-he was trying to drug me to kidnap me back to New York. My legs gave out, but I didn't hit the floor. I fell into the arms of Harrison McKee-Britney's terrifyingly powerful uncle and my new professor. "Find another side chick, Graham," Harrison growled, pulling me close. "This one is taken."

Action Adventure Modern

7.4

Broken Vows, A Scientist's Revenge

7.4

My husband, a powerful tech mogul, stole my sister' s posthumous research award. He gave it to his young protégé. The same woman who killed my sister. He didn't just steal her legacy. He threatened to destroy my lab and my life's work-the cure for the very cancer that took our family-if I didn't publicly endorse his mistress. When I confronted him, he let her destroy my irreplaceable samples. Then, he had my hands, the hands of a neuroscientist, systematically broken to ensure I could never work again. He imprisoned me, forcing me to sign away my entire career and publicly apologize for crimes I didn't commit. He called it "discipline," a lesson I needed to learn. How could the man who swore to protect me become my personal tormentor? But as I lay in a hospital bed, broken and alone, a text message lit up my screen: "Need help? I owe your family a debt." He thought he had erased me. He had only forged me into a weapon.

Action Modern Mystery

7.7

Brotherzoned

7.7

"My brother is off-limits. And you're really not the type to break promises." Those were the words Sienna gave me the day I moved in. But she didn't know how hard it would be when I walked into the house to find her older brother, Zayne Bellandi, dark, dangerous, and annoyingly attractive, waiting for me. Not just in my new home... but in every corner of my life. And let's not forget how my last relationship ended: watching the guy I thought I loved marry someone else. But here I am, falling into the one thing I promised I'd never touch.

Action Modern Romance

9.2

Deal With The Devilish Wall Street Tycoon

9.2

Ami Cleveland's family empire was destroyed overnight by a malicious short-selling attack, leaving her mother facing federal prison and hunted by ruthless loan sharks. To secure a hundred-million-dollar lifeline, Ami risked her life as a blindfolded co-pilot in a deadly cliffside street race, all just to get five minutes alone with Jerad Kidd, the elusive Wall Street titan she had accidentally slept with the night before. But instead of saving her, Jerad completely crushed her dignity. "What makes you think you are worth a hundred million dollars?" He mocked her desperate pitch, calling her family's equity garbage, and coldly walked away. Two days later, he forced her onto his Miami superyacht as a political decoy, making her wear a backless silk gown that offered zero protection and throwing her into a sea of wealthy predators. When a drunk tech billionaire pinned her against a sofa and tried to rip the thin straps of her dress, Ami screamed for help. She looked up at the VIP balcony in absolute despair, only to see Jerad looking away, treating her like she didn't even exist. She didn't understand why he was torturing her. Why did he let her risk her life in his car, only to humiliate her and feed her to the wolves? With no one to save her, Ami grabbed a whiskey glass and violently smashed it into her attacker's face. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the man's brutal retaliation slap. But the hit never came. A large hand, wearing a heavy Patek Philippe watch, shot out of nowhere and clamped down on the man's raised arm like a steel vice.

Action Billionaire Modern

8.6

Do I Have A Thing With My Professor?

8.6

Lilac Stone once wanted nothing more than being unnoticed. But everything changed the moment she met Adrian Cole, the new lecturer. He's distant and completely off-limits. She's quiet, guarded, and unprepared for the way he sees right through her. What begins as harmless conversations after class quickly turns into something far more dangerous-something neither of them can stop no matter how hard they try. But then they're living in a world where rules are meant to be followed, and their connection is one line they were never supposed to cross. Whispers turn to accusations. Secrets are exposed. Their futures are at risk. They are merely two opposites-a lecturer and a student, a male and a female-but they are bound to destroy each other as long as they are huddled in one space at the same time. What then can they choose: forfeit their futures and embrace their happiness, or let the latter slip while keeping their careers intact?

Action Sci-Fi Young Adult

8.6

Marrying His Rival: The Jilted Wife's Sweet Revenge

8.6

"Her blood type is a match. It’s the only option." I froze outside the conference room door, the quarterly reports digging into my ribs. I knew that voice. It was Ben, my husband’s best friend and doctor. But the next voice, cold and devoid of warmth, shattered my world. "Then we do it," my husband Ethan said. "Chloe cannot wait any longer. If Ava is the match, then Ava is the solution." For the past month, Ethan had been obsessed with my health, insisting on daily "vitamins" and endless checkups. He called it love. Standing in that hallway, I realized he was actually shopping for spare parts. "She is your wife, Ethan," Ben argued weakly. "You can't just harvest her like a crop." "She became my wife because she was useful," Ethan replied, his indifference cutting deeper than any scalpel. "Now, she can be useful for this." The realization hit me with the force of a physical blow. The nausea I’d been feeling wasn't stress. I was pregnant. And those "vitamins" he fed me every morning? They weren't supplements. They were poisons designed to ensure I remained a viable donor. He was killing his own child to save his mistress. To him, I wasn't a partner. I was livestock. An asset to be liquidated for parts. I didn't burst into the room. I didn't scream. I walked away in silence, my hand hovering over my stomach. He wanted my kidney? He wanted to carve me up? I decided right then. I wouldn't just leave. I would terminate the pregnancy, fake my death, and burn his entire world to the ground.

Action Modern Romance

Once Promised to Be the Finest

Chapter 4

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