champilyn

Chapter excerpt: 

Charlton knew what was running in her head and in truth he wanted to mock her. ’You truly are a whore, aren’t you?’ he wanted to say. However, he was not planning to make this a one-time thing and he had more in store for her. So instead, he leaned forward as he started kissing her tears away. "Serena, I love you so much, do you know that? So please, don’t give me that look."

Serena’s tears did not stop but what was the use. They were already like this and no matter how much she denies it, that she even let something like this happen… there’s only one conclusion. She still loved Charlton. Or at least she was that greedy for his love. She could not push him away so she could only raise her arms and envelope him in her embrace. 

"We’re going to burn in hell for this…." She whispered.

Charlton burrowed his head on the juncture of her neck. He licked and kissed that part, careful not to leave a mark as they still will be meeting with the others later. He smirked when he felt her tremble. Why was she so easy? Regardless, he was enjoying what she can offer before he ruins her himself. 

"All the more reason to get as much heaven as we can now." He said, then he started moving.

--

A year after his father’s death, grand duke Charlton Daniel finally responds to the summon of his uncle, the king, to return to the capital. Of course, his reason for compliance was not due to his subservience to the crown. 

Four years ago, his life has been turned upside down. His lover betrayed him for his cousin, the crown prince. His father was sent to prison because of a crime with dubious evidence. While he, himself, was sent to exile with a mission to capture the revolutionists. All of which, he took in strides because of his steadfast belief in humanity and justice. However, time changes everyone.

Four years may seem short, but to some, it’s enough to change their perceptions and priorities. 

Once a pacifist at heart, Charlton is now going to return to the royal capital with a personal vendetta. 

--

To the public eye, Serena William, nee Maxwell, was living the perfect life. She was beautiful, rich, happily married, and has the unwavering support of her maternal family. Oh, and did I mention that she was also the crown princess and the most loved personage? Yes, that she was. Kind, generous, and approachable. She was a woman who was completely unlike any other. No one in the royal family was as well loved by the masses as she was. At least, that’s how her life was perceived to be.

Behind closed doors, life was not as glamoured up as it was in the tabloids. Her first pregnancy ended up in stillbirth, while the next two ended up in miscarriages. Was this her retribution? She could not help but ask herself. This led to her guilt and self-blame which further developed her insecurity, and even inferiority complex. Aside from what she was undergoing herself, it doesn’t help that the queen mother kept on rubbing salt to injury by implying that she should let her lady-in-waiting, the queen’s first choice for crown princess, take over.

Crown prince Geoffrey William was Serena’s saving grace, her knight in the shining armor, the man who sticked with her through thick and thin. Would she ever be willing to make way for another woman for his own good?

Then worse, comes her old flame who seems to still be enamored with her. What lengths would she be willing to take to keep the pandora’s box shut? 

However, there are no secrets that time does not reveal. What will she do when she later finds out what her greatest champion did to her?

--

Hearts will break, heads will roll. All is fair in love and war. This novel is not for the faint hearted.


—

This novel is the sequel to the first titled, ‘Making the second male lead fall in love with me, the Villainess’, and is set four (4) years after the royal wedding. (But you don’t need to read the first to understand this one, sequence is not important)

Treacherous hearts: Return of the Second Male Lead

When the king and queen left the room, Serena found herself surrounded by people who wanted to congratulate her for another successful ball. Again, though the Charlotte's ball was hosted by the royal family, it was no secret that she's the one heading it. 


Usually, Serena would entertain everyone, taking time to speak to them. However, seeing Leonard approaching and understanding why, she excused herself. 


Leonard noted that there were fewer people surrounding Serena than usual. It's not surprising though, for even in their own faction, the attitude regarding Serena's position has already been divided. 


As he neared his sister, their eyes met and thankfully, she chose to break-away from the crowd. When they stood opposite each other, before she could speak, he bowed "Your royal highness," he greeted, then he offered her his hand. "Would you honor me with a dance?" he asked. 


Chapter 55: Charlotte’s ball VIII