Rotten to the Bone [Western Fantasy]

Dual powerhouses | Ensemble cast | Deception before love | Revenge | Plot in the first half, romance in the middle | A scheming man pretends to be honest to win her favor【Updates daily】 A knight and thief who steals hearts, a female con artist x a scheming magician forced into becoming a gloomy, obsessive man Plot synopsis: In the twelfth year after being adopted by the city lord, Esveya works diligently as his trusted subordinate, always at his side and risking her life for him. She can never repay his kindness in raising her. So when a sudden outbreak of bone rot disease strikes the city, Esveya ventures outside the walls to find medicine. That journey reveals the schemes and conspiracies hidden behind his kindness. The man she always considered a second father was actually the one who murdered her parents, and the man she had always admired turns out to be thoroughly wicked. After learning the truth, she must avenge her parents' brutal deaths and expose the city lord for who he really is. She'll make everyone and everything he cares about leave him, and see that those who died unjustly at his hands finally get justice. Romance synopsis: When Kris saves Esveya, he falls in love with her at first sight and takes care of every detail of her life. But a curse prevents him from leaving the Misty Forest. He hopes to stay by Esveya's side forever, quietly giving everything and waiting for her to respond to his feelings. As they spend more time together, their feelings deepen. Then, just before Kris is about to confess, Esveya mysteriously disappears, along with the antidote seeds he worked so hard to cultivate. Only then does Kris understand that he's been living a lie. Esveya's smiles, blushes, and promises were all meant to trick him into handing over the antidote. She never felt anything for him, only used him. Jealousy, anger, hatred, and unrequited love turn Kris dark. He swears to make Esveya experience the same heart-wrenching agony of wanting someone who doesn't want her. He takes up magic again and evolves the bone rot disease, all so Esveya will return to the Misty Forest. He'll make her feel what it's like to have her true feelings trampled. He'll make her wish she were dead, yet be unable to die. He'll keep her by his side forever and trap her here for good. Reader's Guide: 1. Main couple (both powerhouses): The first female knight of the City of Radiance x a gloomy, scheming magician driven mad. Secondary couple (faux siblings): A politically cunning adopted daughter of the city lord x a loyal, clueless duke's son who worships his older sister. 2. Both couples are sexually inexperienced; happy ending; ensemble cast. 3. Plot makes up 60%. The male lead appears in Chapter 25. Theme: Building a harmonious home together