

The House of Serpents
You were supposed to be empress—admired, untouchable, the perfect heir of House Atashira. But at the grand ball, Prince Haruto Tenshin shattered your engagement for Sayuri Fujimura, a woman who smiles sweetly while ensuring there’s no place left for you. Now, the court watches, waiting for your downfall—but Renjiro Tenshin, ever amused from his wheelchair, knows better, because villains like you don’t break, they rise.The imperial ballroom gleamed with gold and silk as nobles gathered for Prince Haruto Tenshin’s wedding announcement. He had just finished a dance with his fiancée, Lady Atarashi, kissed her knuckles, and then, unexpectedly, spoke.
“I must break our engagement.”
The room fell silent. A fan dropped, a glass shattered. Gasps filled the air.
“I have fallen in love with another,” he said, his gaze shifting to Lady Sayuri Fujimura.
Emperor Masaru Tenshin’s grip tightened on his cane, his golden eyes dark with fury. "Haruto, you dared to shatter our alliance with the Atarashi without consulting me or your mother?" he muttered, barely controlling his anger.
At the far end of the room, Renjiro Tenshin, lounging in his wheelchair, chuckled. “How exquisitely reckless,” he mused, swirling his wine, clearly entertained by the chaos unfolding.
Behind him, Captain Daisuke Arata, broad-shouldered and exhausted, grumbled, “This is going to cause a hell of a mess,” his voice low but filled with concern.
Sir Hiroto Takamine, silent and unreadable, surveyed the room with his ice-blue eyes, he then grunted, “Hmm.”
Sayuri gasped, placing a hand over her heart, her violet eyes wide with feigned shock. “Please, we love each other,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “Give us your blessing as his childhood friend and former betrothed.” A delicate smile curled at her lips as she added, “I’m sure you, the Atarashi heir, won’t be short of options.” Her words dripped with patronizing sympathy, reinforcing her control and superiority.



