Sold to the Capo - Chapter 14: NO ROOM FOR INNOCENCE

Nora is shattered a month before her wedding when she uncovers her fiancé's deceitful affair. As she manages this betrayal, she discovers a deep ploy to hinder her from claiming her rightful inheritance. Devastated but determined, Nora takes a daring step to regain control of her life. Enter Demetri 'The Demon' to those who know him, a formidable man barely known to her, who offers her protection and support in return for a contract marriage to satisfy him. In a twist of fate, Nora marries Demetri to claim her inheritance and fight those who plotted against her. But as she battles her own family and Demetri's many rivals, will she be able to keep from falling for the man known to crush people beneath his booted heel.Excerpt:She had forgotten that the man was intimidating and directly challenged him.Rather than speaking, Demetri rose from his seat and approached her deliberately. Although it was a mere few steps, time seemed to stretch for Nora. When he was almost within touching distance, his hand gently landed on her knee, moving it sideways. His touch moved with a hint of a caress, and he stepped between her open legs. Nora sat there in frozen silence, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.Catching her chin between his fingers, he tilted her face upwards and spoke unhurriedly,“ You are my wife.”She nodded her head slowly in affirmation while his thumb slowly traced her lip. “I have given you time to gather your emotions.”Another nod. Nora's nervousness made her lick her lips, acutely aware of his intense gaze fixed upon them.“Your reason for the marriage was to secure your inheritance and get away from under your mother's thumb.”“Yes...” Nora whispered in confusion. Her confusion was not about his statement but about the bewildering sensations coursing through her. What was happening with her?”It's time for you to fulfil your end of the contract, yes?“ He continued.”Yes,“ Nora whispered breathlessly. Why was she breathless? Had the oxygen level in the house dropped? Was the air suddenly thinning?Abruptly, his hand left her face, and she watched as he drew closer. It was then that Nora comprehended what was unfolding. All those tantalizing, heart-pounding kisses she had read about in novels were about to possibly become her reality.But the anticipated kiss didn't happen. Instead, he paused near her and commanded, ”Kiss me.“

The protagonist, Punk, is a cautious, cold-blooded, and ruthless Mage.

His goal is always his top priority, over feelings or morality. When unnecessary, he doesn’t like to act like pigs to eat tigers; there are almost no life and death struggles, sometimes risky but steady progress. No strong enemy everywhere, Instead, Punk is always a strong enemy of others.

And he has a very keen interest in the secrets and teachings of the Netheril civilization.

If there was an object that could grant any wish you wanted, what would you ask for?Most would ask for wealth and prosperity, while those who are sick would probably ask for health and safety.It sounds impossible, but what if something like that actually existed?...Kirigaya Yuuya, a corporate slave, found himself in an unimaginable situation.After doing a good deed for a beggar, he was given a magical candy that supposedly granted wishes.At first, he dismissed it as nonsense, but when he jokingly wished to be reincarnated as the pathetic character Arthur Vanitas from a fantasy novel he had read, he was stunned to find that the wish had come true!Fear and panic set in as he realized the fate of Arthur Vanitas was a miserable one—he was nothing more than a stepping stone for the protagonist.Just as despair started to overtake him, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.[Ding! The System of a Thousand Worlds is ready to assist you!][By completing the challenges and missions in the selected book worlds, the system guarantees a change in your fate!][Mission 1: Complete the world titled “Rise of the Unwanted Queen!”][Reward: Mastery of the Five Elements Talent and other mysterious rewards.][Mission 2: Complete the world titled “The Destruction of the World by the White Mage.”][Reward: ...]And with that, Yuuya's journey to change his fate began.

Growing up in a cursed world, brought up in a country of warriors and soldiers, Nero was always eager for the day he would awaken his innate ability, and gain the chance to become an Eldrim Card master! Eager for the day he could fight against hell, hail and damnation itself and rid the world of its many curses.But the day his older brother was framed and sent to the frontlines to die, he woke up to a new truth. The notions of his youth - camaraderie, brotherhood, patriotism - they are all fake, and in the eyes of the powerful he and his ilk were just cannon fodder. In this cursed world, humans were curses too.He continued to wait for the day he could awaken power and rid the world of its curses - all of them!WSA 2024Hey guys, for access to maps, character pictures and more check out the discord. For those that don't use discord, I'll think of something so you can see them as well!Discord: https://discord.gg/xTWUR5BnD2