LightReader

Love's Last Rites

manar_ashraf
7
chs / week
The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 7 chs / week.
--
NOT RATINGS
237
Views
Synopsis
In a world torn by war, a marriage is meant to bring peace. But when the bride isn't who she claims to be... and the groom is the man who destroyed her home — what begins as a royal union quickly spirals into a deadly game of secrets, revenge, and unspoken scars. She was supposed to be a symbol of alliance. But she came as a blade. What happens when the last survivor of a slaughter is forced to wed the very man who led it?
VIEW MORE

Chapter 1 - chapter 1

The flutes played a pale melody,

as if they knew that joy did not dwell here...

The hall was brimming with light and gold,

and red flooded the corners like blood dried on the corridors of war…

But every heart inside was steeped in darkness.

Talin entered—not bound by chains,

but by royal decree.

She was the hostage bride,

to be wed to the enemy's son,

to end a war that had lasted decades.

She wore a crimson gown,

and her long black hair draped over her shoulders,

tied with golden ribbons.

She stood before the platform,

where Tai Lan, the victorious king's son, awaited.

He was too slim to resemble a warrior,

dressed in red robes with a fragile frame,

and hair whose white color made everyone wonder—

for it was snow-white, though he was only in his early thirties.

His face was pale, his features calm and beautiful.

Lips like cherries, eyes like pearls that drew prolonged gazes.

But within those eyes… a certain sorrow,

like ash that clings even after the fire is gone.

Perhaps from the recent war—

for as you know, [war never truly leaves those who survive it].

Tai Lan stepped closer.

Talin bowed slightly—

her body unwilling to obey,

but forced to do so.

Her posture tightened like a drawn bowstring,

her face hidden beneath a fine silk veil—

yet her coldness and beauty

were too strong to be veiled by mere fabric.

Tai Lan bowed to her and smiled,

but his smile quickly vanished when—

he heard her voice for the first time,

quiet but cold as the edge of a blade:

"I would've preferred death...

to being wed to the shadow of a man like you.

But they chose disgrace over a coffin for me."

Her eyes didn't look at him—

her pride forbade it.

Tai Lan smiled faintly and spoke in a calm, reassuring tone:

"Do not worry.

I will treat you as a guest… nothing more.

Women in my kingdom are not forced to love."

Talin asked, with the brittle tone of pride:

"Then why did you agree?"

Tai Lan stepped closer and leaned in slightly,

speaking with a silky sarcasm:

"They said peace requires sacrifice…

and here I am, sacrificing."

Talin raised her brows,

not expecting such boldness.

She snapped back in rising anger,

pointing her finger in his face:

"You're truly seeking your death!"

But before Tai Lan could respond,

the great hall's door swung open.

The head of the royal guards entered,

his steps measured.

He bowed slightly and announced:

"It is time to appear before the guests,

Your Highness and My Lady."

Drums rolled,

and the procession moved.

The bride and groom stepped into the open palace square,

lined with crowds on both sides.

They stood before the stone altar,

as the audience looked on like statues.

The high priest approached solemnly and declared:

"Let the sacred union rite begin…"

First: A bow to the heavens.

Second: A bow to the parents.

Each turned to face their families.

Tai Lan bowed to his father, seated on the throne.

But Talin…

stood still, facing empty space.

There was no one for her.

No mother, no father,

and no kingdom to celebrate her.

Tai Lan noticed her from the corner of his eye,

but said nothing—

he simply continued the ritual.

Third: A bow to each other.

Tai Lan bowed first.

Talin followed in silence,

without meeting his gaze.

The Cup of Union was presented.

Tai Lan drank from it,

and Talin did the same.

Then the two walked together through the crowds,

their hands joined beneath the grand crimson arch—

neither smiling at the other.

But now… they were married.

**In the grand banquet hall:**

Tables stretched like jeweled rivers,

overflowing with roasted meats,

pyramids of rare fruit,

and silver pitchers of wine.

The glow of candles danced

like the spirits of the dead.

Dancers moved to faint music,

their shadows swaying on the stone walls—

a quiet tension hung over the gathering.

But the real tension

was at the far end of the royal table,

where the newlyweds sat.

Tai Lan sat tall and composed.

Beside him, Talin looked more like a general than a bride—

a warrior stripped of her sword,

but still bearing a small blade at her waist,

as if ready for war even in a wedding hall.

A silent reminder that peace was still an illusion.

Suddenly, a voice like stone shattered the hush.

**Elias**, one of Talin's kingdom's generals,

tall and broad-shouldered, sharp-featured,

raised his goblet high and proclaimed:

"To victory—

the kind earned through blood,

not ink on a marriage document."

Some nobles chuckled sarcastically.

Others coughed to hide their grins.

Elias turned to Tai Lan,

wearing a fake smile, and added:

"And to you, Prince—

the first man to win a war without lifting a sword."

It was an insult—

to the prince, to the victory, and to the peace.

Anger rippled through the crowd,

many ready to strike back—

but silence fell once more

when Tai Lan raised his empty goblet and said,

in a sharp yet calm tone:

"Thank you… *boy*."

Elias's smile dried.

His tone hardened:

"I am no boy—

I am a warrior!"

Tai Lan:

"Oh, forgive me…

I thought only children could excuse such rudeness.

But it seems insulting a guest in the name of bravery

is one of your tribe's traditions."

Elias's face changed color.

Laughter and whispers fluttered across the hall.

Yet some exchanged tense glances.

Everyone knew Tai Lan was quick to anger—

but this time…

He continued, still holding his cup aloft:

"Calm yourselves.

This is a marriage for peace,

not for war.

But it seems hospitality here walks the blade's edge."

Faces shifted between shock and awe—

Tai Lan hadn't retaliated with blood,

only words.

He gently set his goblet down,

then bowed lightly to Talin's court,

ending with a cold, faint smile:

"Forgive me if my words offended your royal tastes…

but I am far better at retreating

than I am at being vulgar."

He turned, without waiting for a reply,

walked up to Talin—

didn't offer his hand,

just looked at her and said calmly:

"Will you stay here?"

Talin stared at him for a moment,

then rose with slow, guarded steps

and walked beside him…

No consent in her eyes,

but no protest either.

Only a silent march toward an unchangeable fate.

---

**The Bridal Suite**

As the door shut behind them,

the echo of the hall faded,

replaced by a heavy silence—

as though even the walls held their breath.

Tai Lan approached Talin and asked softly:

"May I?"

Talin nodded silently.

Tai Lan reached out,

lifted the silk veil from her face slowly,

and studied her features for a moment.

Then said:

"You're not the princess."

Talin smiled faintly, wickedly.

In the next instant,

Tai Lan felt a sharp pain in his side.

He looked down—

Talin held a small dagger,

half-buried in his flesh.

A piercing gleam lit her eyes as she said:

"I thought you were smarter

than to fall for such an easy trick."

Tai Lan didn't push her away.

He stood still as stone,

blood soaking through the silk.

He spoke in a sharp tone:

"They used you as a human shield…

to protect the king's precious daughter."

Talin smiled,

pushed the dagger deeper, and replied:

"I don't care about my fate.

I just want to end yours.

I want mine to be the last face you ever see."

Tai Lan stumbled back,

his breath faltering,

but he stood his ground despite the pain.

His voice came strained:

"Why?

Killing me… won't change anything."

Talin lifted her head,

looked at him from beneath heavy lashes, and said:

"Oh, but it will."

She stepped closer,

whispered near his ear, her face motionless:

"Do you remember a village called *Hang Sui*?"

Tai Lan froze.

His eyes widened,

as though the name had pierced him deeper than the blade.

"That village…

that was destroyed…

and you were the commander of that campaign."

His face twisted with pain.

He dropped to his knees, gasping,

his hand soaked in blood.

Talin continued with sharp, quivering emotion:

"I saw everything.

I choked beneath the corpses…

I saw my mother burn in front of me.

I was… just a child."

Tai Lan stared at her with lost eyes,

muttering silent words.

Talin stepped back,

her voice cold and final:

"And now the child restores balance."

She yanked the blade from his body and walked away,

wrapping herself again in the silk veil.

She vanished behind the heavy curtains…

leaving Tai Lan lying on the ground,

awaiting his end in silence,

facing the ghosts of his past,

while blood spread slowly beneath him,

drawing a red circle…

from which there would be no escape.

**To be continued...** ❤️❤️

**Characters:** *Luo Yunxi & Bai Lu*