Forsaken Starfall - Chapter 48 - IS NOT

[ Late check-ins accepted. Abyss residues surcharges apply. ]The Last Neutral Inn, a small establishment run by a retired man named Aldous. He serves good soup, honest tea, and the only guaranteed neutral ground between the mortal world and the Abyss.He used to change the world. He doesn't do that anymore, but he has opinions about bread. He will share them.In a place where exiled gods need somewhere to sleep, demon courts require neutral venues for negotiations they can't afford to lose, and abyssal entities older than civilization occasionally need a simple word with someone who won't panic, Aldous runs the only establishment that qualifies. His guests aren't only human. His inn shouldn't exist. The Abyss stops exactly at his property line, which nobody has satisfactorily explained.Aldous makes soup. He fixes the stairs. He files the paperwork.He is no hero. No king. He runs an inn.The question nobody had the courage to ask yet is why.

With one strike of the sword, I cut through the path of life and death, and slay all those who have betrayed!......I don't want to be the sword; I want to be the swordsman.I don't want to be a pawn; I want to become the chess player.An ordinary person who insists on living his own life in this world.Unfamiliar roads lie ahead, destination unknown.As I carry on, unconsciously, it has been a journey of trials and tribulations. Behold the new world I create.

Ethan Carter, a failed office worker from his past life, wakes up as the spoiled heir of the Carter family—a young man infamous for his laziness and scandals. Armed with the Cheat Investment System, which can predict future market trends, Ethan sets out to transform his life from a disgrace to a legend.As he climbs the ladder of success, Ethan must face ruthless rivals, scheming family members, and the brutal corporate world. With each step forward, his empire grows larger, but so do the stakes. Will Ethan use his newfound power to crush his enemies and secure his legacy, or will his ambition lead to his ultimate downfall?Follow Ethan’s journey from a “worthless heir” to a world-changing tycoon in this epic story of wealth, betrayal, and redemption.

Princess Anastasia of Orsenia is regarded as the kingdom’s treasure. However, she carries a heavy secret— she is diagnosed with an incurable illness. She is fated to die before she turns 18.

For years, her parents desperately searched for a cure but to no avail. That is, until a mysterious letter arrives, claiming that the only way Anastasia can escape her cruel fate is to send her to a monster:

King Caspain, the ruler of Sorvando, a vampire kingdom.

The letter prophesizes that Anastasia will live, only if she makes that bloodthirsty King fall in love with her. However, Anastasia knows it’s nearly an impossible task. Sorvando is filled with dangers. And she is only but a weak human.

Yet, her will to live won over her fear. No matter how cruel the king may be, Anastasia will still try to win his heart.

Now, if only she can keep her own heart from falling for him as well.

***

[Excerpt]

“Cas-pian…”

And he looked back to see that she was biting her lower lip as though she greatly enjoyed that kiss.

He smirked again and whispered in his deeply seductive voice, “I like my name even more ever since I started hearing it from your beautiful lips. And I like it even further when you say it in that hushed tone.”

Anastasia had no idea what Caspian was hinting at yet.

So he dropped some more hints, “Wife, weren’t you asking me what the first night meant? Let me show you.”