MTL - My Stepmother is Soft and Charming - Chapter 42 Positive and rigid

Cen Shuang used to be the daughter of a wealthy family. After she fell from grace, she was forced to bend her back just to make sure she had enough food. She was sold by her uncle for 10 million to the wealthy Zhuang family as the bride that would counter the bad luck in the Zhuang family.

She married Young Master Zhuang, who went into a comatose after a car accident. Everyone viewed the marriage between the fallen daughter of a once rich family and the comatose young master as ridiculous.

The socialites who were once under Cen Shuang’s feet were all waiting to see Cen Shuang make a fool of herself. Unexpectedly, on the night of their wedding, Zhuang Hong, who was in a vegetative state, suddenly woke up.

Cen Shuang instantly transformed into the Zhuang family’s benefactor, and the Zhuang family were extremely protective of her as they doted on her. Grandpa Zhuang asked, “Lil Shuang’er, do you want a black card?”

Mr. Zhuang asked, “Lil Shuang’er, are you bored staying at home all day? Should I give you a company to toy around with?” Mrs. Zhuang said, “This is the newest season’s haute couture. Throw those in the last season away since you’ve already worn them.”

Zhuang Hong, “Nothing about my wife concerns you!” From necessities to food and accommodation, the man did everything himself and spoilt Cen Shuang to the extremes.

Outsiders were jealous of Cen Shuang’s good fortune, but little did they know that this joyous occasion had been long premeditated. Zhuang Hong, “A single look lasted for ten thousand years. After many twists and turns, I finally married the girl I like.”

Cen Shuang, “I thought that there will only be darkness in my life, but there’s a silver lining waiting for me.”

Under the vast immortal sky, the brilliance of an era is nothing but fireworks blooming at the fingertips.

Overlooking the earth, for thousands of years, life and death, where are they all? The Immortal Gate, the Dynasty, and the Supreme Holy Land are all just a handful of loess under the Immortal Vault.

A thousand years of splendor, and a smash into ashes.

Cinders sprout in the depths of the ruins, and you and I strive to be the trees that reach the sky.

What the hell is on the other side of the Immortal Firmament?

- Description from novelbuddy

[COMPLETE] Can a royal Romeo and Juliet find their happy ending?

Ayleth, Princess of Zenithra, is secretly trained in hand-to-hand combat, and collects swear words she doesn't know how to use. During the Festival of Peace, in which every royal son on the continent will be at the castle for a month, she is instructed by her parents to find a husband. Yet, Ayleth has never even been kissed—until the very first ball, when she meets the man in the Lion mask.

Etan is a seasoned warrior, and the Prince of Summitras. He attends the Festival hoping to find a powerful wife who will help him conquer the dark sorcery of their bloodsworn enemies, the Kingdom of Zenithra. But at the very first ball, he discovers the masked woman who captures his heart is the Heir to the evil empire.

Ayleth and Etan face an impossible battle. Will their love survive? Or will their parents' dark dealings keep them apart forever?

[Mature content. No sexual violence.]

******

“You…” She stepped back. Then back again, her mouth dropped open. “You… You cannot be…”

“I am,” Etan said, and his hair raked back as he pushed his mask off his handsome face. So handsome her heart raced.

His hair was ebony black, his skin a warm brown that threatened to fade in in the winter months. He stared at her with glittering green eyes, over high cheekbones and a noble nose, his jaw tight and shadowed this late in the day. His chin was high over the pillar of his neck that she’d just touched with its hard lines and steel strength, so different to her own. And his chest... She gasped and covered her eyes. She’d humiliated herself revealing her stupid, childish curiosity.

“No, Ayleth. This changes nothing.”

“How can you say that? It changes everything!” She was horrified to realize she was crying.

“Ayleth, please.” His voice cracked on the plea and she stared at him, shoving her mask up and off, despite how it would pull her hair out of the beautiful twist the maid had managed for her.

His eyes locked on hers and she couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe.

She had met her One. And he was the son of her bloodsworn enemy.

She stared at him as he stepped forward again, offering both hands, palm up. “Touch me,” he whispered. “Hold my hands. This is real, Ayleth. I don’t know how it happened, but this is real. Please don’t deny it.”

She couldn’t resist. She raised a trembling hand to his cheek, letting her palm catch on the scruff of his jaw. He blew out a breath and put his hand over hers, and that jolt that happened whenever they touched shivered through her again.

“Please, Ayleth.”

“I cannot deny it,” she whispered.