Dark Heart, Gentle Hands - Chapter 12: Did I just cheat?

Nine heavens and nine earths, there are many souls.

The strong stand in the nine heavens, like shining stars, while the weak creep on the ground like tiny ants.

The young boy Bai Ye accidentally unlocked the mysterious heavenly soul, cultivated supreme soul skills, guarded the soul and sword, rushed into the nine heavens and swept the stars, and the legend began…

- Description from MTL

Zhou Shiguang realized that everything she owns stemmed from a misunderstanding. That day an incident occurred and changed her fate. Now, she has nothing. Facing continuous harassment from her adoptive parents and Zhou family’s true heiress, Shiguang feels like she’s at a dead end.

In her desperation, she clings to Meng Yungui, the third heir of the Meng family. But this heir is definitely not an easy man to please. He may be rich and powerful but he’s got an awful personality. And yet Shiguang decides to persevere. She walks on thin ice with Meng family and every step must be taken with caution.

During this time, her career as an aspiring actress also begins to grow rapidly. From extras to lead roles, her experiences slowly extinguish her innocence and kindness, hardening her heart. And seeing this change makes Yungui gradually fall for her…

- Description from Novelupdates

Eighteen years ago, blood stained the halls of the Full Moon Gala.The Vampires came slaughtering nearly every wolf shifter at the gala, including the visiting royal family. Blood drenched the earth, and when the carnage ended. Prince Ambrose, soaked in the screams of his people, he rose from the ashes with a single vow:Blood for blood.Eighteen years later, Ambrose is now Alpha King, ruthless, unyielding, and revered by his pack. But his thirst for vengeance never dulled. His target? Princess Odette.Odette isn’t a delicate doll. She’s fire wrapped in silk. Born of power, and unafraid to destroy. Raised by the very monsters that broke him.Ambrose wants to break her. But this princess doesn't break easily.Captured. Kidnapped. Claimed.The girl he wanted to destroy becomes the woman he can’t stop watching. Touching. Needing.Their bond is dangerous. Twisted. Forbidden.Can love be born of vengeance?What if a terrifying and dangerous threat rises from the shadows? Can a millennia long blood feud be overcome or will they destroy themselves before the enemy even has a chance?Ex:I started the shower and then looked to her and ordered her “Take off your clothes.”She almost snapped her neck with how quickly she turned her head to face me. “Excuse me?”“You heard me, Take. Off. Your. Clothes. Princess.”She looked at me dumbfounded, she couldn’t believe I was asking her to do this. The sheer audacity of me.She’s rich. Ha.“No, absolutely not.” She narrowed her eyes at me and lifted her lip a little, showing part of her fang. It was a warning glare.“I’m not a patient man. Strip or I will strip you of your clothes.” As I spoke those words, a sense of thrill shot through me. I've seen plenty of women naked. But my enemy’s daughter. Stripping her of her dignity, forcing her to humiliate herself.My wolf purred inside.“I will not.” Odette stood firm in her stance.“I will only tolerate so much disobedience.” I growled at her, I moved quickly, closing the distance between us in an instance.I grabbed her sleeve and tore it off her. She jerked back covering her arm with her hand. I moved closer to her. Ripping off another shred of her dress.She screamed “Stop it. Don’t touch me. Dog.” She napped.I snarled “Call me a dog one more time princess and see how I punish you.”“D.O.G. DOG” She said firm and slow.“I’m not actually, I am the Alpha King, the strongest and most powerful Alpha there’s ever been.” I was getting tired of the disrespect.“Keep feeding that ego of yours, maybe one day it’ll be a reality.” She hissed back.I grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground. She thrashed and squirmed in my grip. But I held firm.Getting in close I whisper in her ear “Watch your little wh*re mouth. Before I shove something in it to keep it busy.”

The daughter of a duke, the stuttering Maximilian, married a knight of lowly status at her father’s coercion.

After their first night, her husband departed for an expedition without another word.

He comes back three years later, this time as a famous knight in the whole continent.

How would Maximilian face him on his return?