Chapter 1
001. I Became a Vegetable (H) Elena Frostwood lay on a bed draped in luxurious silk sheets, feeling two pairs of hands expertly kneading her legs. The warm palms glided smoothly from her ankles up to her knees, pushing and rolling in a fluid motion. It felt like a five-star spa experience but with a hint of something more intimate. The gentle fingers didn’t shy away from forbidden areas; when they traveled from her knees toward the root of her thighs, they dug deeper, teasingly exploring. They didn’t quite touch her most sensitive places but tantalizingly skirted around them. Elena was sprawled in a lavishly decorated chamber that resembled a high-class boudoir. The king-size bed was the centerpiece, with plush cushions and a headboard resting against the wall, while the three open sides of the bed allowed attendants to serve her with ease. Delicate layers of translucent yellow fabric hung like a soft veil, requiring one to lean close to catch a glimpse of the scene inside. Ornate candle holders adorned the pillars, standing firm despite the bustle of activity around the bed. The ambiance of the chamber was dreamy, illuminated by flickering candlelight. Apart from Elena, who lay on her side, there were two skilled masseurs and a handsome, long-haired man lounging beside her in a loose robe. His rich, chestnut locks cascaded down his shoulders, casually parted in the middle and held back with a simple hair tie, revealing a well-defined physique accentuated by the soft golden silk of his robe, which clung to every curve. Unfortunately, our leading lady, Elena Frostwood, couldn’t see a thing, as she couldn’t even open her eyes at will. When Elena had crossed over to this new world, she found herself confined within this unfamiliar body. Her last coherent memory was of being in a car accident on her way home, believing she had become a vegetable, unable to move. Yet, in the past few days, half-conscious and half-aware, she deciphered from the conversations around her that these people were not doctors or nurses; she must have traveled back to ancient times. At this moment, Elena lay on her back, every inch of her body examined and gently soothed. A warm cloth wiped away excess oil, and a light blanket was draped over her, from her shoulders down to her legs. Two attendants knelt on the wooden floor, respectfully addressing a figure they referred to as “Your Royal Highness, Queen Phoenix,” awaiting further instructions. “Leave me…” came a soft voice, the sound of a cup lightly touching the table being followed by a calm male tone that held an air of authority, even with a slight tremor, signaling the presence of another—a Marquis, perhaps. Elena suddenly realized she had been completely exposed to a third person this whole time. As the attendants departed and closed the door behind them, the room fell into serene silence, save for the distant chirping of frogs. Then, the gentle voice returned, now lowered, coming from beside her: “Your Grace, I am Jasper Knight, privileged to serve you this evening.” If only she could see, this would be the sight of a handsome man kneeling beside her, his fingers neatly aligned as he lowered his head to express his reverence. Despite knowing she was now essentially a vegetable, he remained as fully respectful and dutiful as if she were in peak health, performing his role with grace.
Chapter 2
Elena Frostwood lay still, her breath shallow as the handsome stranger placed his jewelry on the bedside table. She heard the soft clink of metal and felt her thin blanket being lifted, exposing the lower part of her body. Slowly, she felt his fingers brush her skin, and a jolt of excitement surged through her. The man inhaled deeply, grasped her leg, and positioned it to the side, revealing her most intimate area. She felt the cool air against her, a mixture of anticipation and mortification washing over her. Yet, her body betrayed her, reacting honestly to his touch. Elena's blush deepened as the man's long hair brushed her inner thigh. He lowered his head and she felt his warm breath. His lips closed around her, his tongue tracing its way up. Slowly, it reached the peak, wet and glistening from his ministrations. He slipped a cushion under her lower back, lifting her hips. She felt the firm grip of his hand, single-handedly holding her there as he shifted the cushion into place. His deliberate movements, the tension in his hands, all seemed to intensify the moment. Spreading her knees further apart, he paused, his breath quickening. Elena could sense his arousal, the warmth pressing at her entrance. Inch by inch, he pushed in, a soft, restrained groan escaping his lips. His approach was gentle, entering a little, then withdrawing, giving her time to adjust. Despite his initial lack of foreplay, Elena found herself already aroused from an earlier pleasurable encounter, making it easier for him to proceed. Jasper Knight, as she had come to know him, barely needed to stimulate her further before she was ready. Jasper continued his slow, measured thrusts, feeling the tightness of her body wrapping around him. He halted occasionally, letting both of them savor the warmth and closeness. Gradually, he moved deeper, his body trembling slightly as he adjusted. Elena could feel his chin resting on her shoulder, his hands holding her shoulders firmly. He began to move again, thrusting clumsily but steadily, his breath hot against her ear. She heard his soft murmurs, low and fragmented: "Mm... Uh... Oh... Ah..." Elena didn't feel the pain of a first encounter. She had been intimate before, but the sensation was different with Jasper. This wasn't her body, but it responded solely to pleasure. Meanwhile, Jasper appeared to endure a mix of enjoyment and discomfort, each movement causing him to groan softly. The scent of his woody cologne filled her senses, mingling with the faint smell of medicinal herbs. His hair and breath teased her ear, adding to the myriad of sensations overwhelming her. Her body had already relaxed during an earlier massage. The rhythmic motions, the tingling at her ear, and his warm presence above her only deepened her pleasure. Her cheeks flushed, a slight sheen of sweat forming at her hairline. Jasper Knight's movements quickened, driving them both closer to the edge.
Chapter 3
As the rhythm intensified, gasps and moans filled the room, each echo growing more desperate and profound. LittleJasper Knight remained deeply intertwined with her, seemingly frozen in place, pressing against her with an intensity that captured every ounce of his being. When Jasper Knight finally steadied his breath, he lifted his head to meet Elena Frostwood’s gaze. Delicately, he traced her features—her eyebrows, the bridge of her nose, finally landing a soft kiss on her lips. His lips moved, nibbling along her ear, hairline, and neck. Elena felt a resurgence within her, a renewed hardness pressing deep. Jasper withdrew slightly, taking a small, ribbon-thin string and tying it around his manhood. Bracing himself on both sides of her, he began a deliberate rhythm of nine shallow thrusts followed by a deep, profound one. His method was precise, each cycle measured perfectly. It started slow, the shallow thrusts a teasing caress, the deeper ones a commanding plunge, stopping just before reaching too deep. Gradually, his pace increased, from a leisurely post-dinner stroll to the urgency of someone darting through traffic. The shallow thrusts took on a more forceful nature, each deep dive pushing her to the edge of her limits. Jasper’s calculated movements resembled a sophisticated machine, yet he surpassed any mechanical intensity. Unlike the loud, monotonous machinery seen on adult sites, Jasper exuded warmth, strength, and a sensual finesse. The sensation of his long hair brushing against her sweat-drenched skin added an odd but pleasant tickle that enhanced her experience. For Elena, this was unprecedented. The man who had once exercised restraint now seemed to have mastered his craft effortlessly. Just as she wondered how much more intense his pace could get, her body responded, clenching tighter. Feeling her reaction, Jasper retracted his supporting hands, gripping her pelvis firmly as he began a fervent assault. As a modern woman, Elena understood the concept of climax, but this intensity was overwhelming. Muscle spasms ignited a blaze of pleasure from deep within, shooting up her spine and spreading across her scalp, leaving a sheen of sweat. She relaxed completely, her body collapsing back onto the bed, surrendering to the powerful waves of bliss. With her consciousness wavering, she slipped into a deep, exhausted sleep.
Chapter 4
002. I Became a Sacrificial Pawn Elena Frostwood regained consciousness amid the chirping of birds. Her eyes remained tightly shut, and she couldn’t even move her fingers. At times like these, hearing and touch become particularly sharp; she could hear distant voices clearly: “Commoner Lord Rowan Linwood, presenting my greetings to Her Highness, Queen Phoenix.” “Mother, please rise. Jasper Knight sends his regards.” Next came the sound of chairs scraping against the floor, cups being set down, and water being poured. Then a whispering rustle and what sounded like the door closing, plunging the room into a moment of silence. “Jasper Knight, I’ve received word that Lady Phoenix is gravely ill in Northland, and Queen Seraphina has left the palace to attend to her. Is this true?” Jasper Knight lifted a teacup, gently tapping the lid against the surface and replied, “I’m afraid I’m not aware of this, Your Majesty. The Queen Seraphina is indeed unwell and recovering within the palace. She has entrusted the management of the inner court to me but has instructed that I must not interfere with the areas of her palace.” Lord Rowan’s eyes gleamed. “Is that so? Jasper Knight, do you know what the most pressing matter is at this moment?” “Jasper Knight lacks the wisdom to discern, Mother, please enlighten me,” he said, his expression stoic as he met her gaze. “On the day of your wedding to Lady Phoenix, there was an emergency at the frontier. Lady Phoenix led her troops northward, and when she returned, she was… like this. Now Lady Phoenix herself is leading the battles in Northland, her life uncertain. The Lady is the only heir to the Phoenix title. If both of them meet with misfortune, then our Linwood Clan’s plans that have spanned three generations would be in vain. You must help the Lady bear the Phoenix heir; only then can you ensure your own safety and that our clan can genuinely rise to power.” Jasper Knight's face clouded with concern. “But… the Lady is hardly of age, and since the incident, she has weakened significantly. If she were to conceive, it could lead to complications…” Wait. At this moment, Elena Frostwood was shocked. She had just reached adulthood, hadn’t she? She remembered being in her thirties. This body she was inhabiting belonged to someone else. Also, as for this Queen Phoenix, if you’re worried about my difficulties in giving birth, who was it that had his way with me before? You already crossed that line, and now you’re bringing this up? Elena Frostwood felt bemused, but she couldn’t show it. “You didn't complete the marriage ceremony before the Lady departed. Should any of your gentlemen accuse you of not consummating your marriage, the situation would become even more precarious.” Lord Rowan lowered his voice. “Furthermore, regarding potential complications in childbirth. As it stands, it’s only a matter of time before the Lady meets her demise. When that happens, will you protect the Lady over your wife? Even more dire, even if the Lady were to feign pregnancy, you’d still need her to secure your future.” Elena Frostwood was stunned. What kind of conversation was this? She had thought that being transported to a noble identity would be an easy ride, but it turned out she was expected to be a mere breeding machine. Or rather, was she to be a surrogate in the broader sense? Indeed, the inner workings of the palace were as deep as the ocean; how long could she survive among them? After a moment of hesitation, Jasper Knight finally responded, “What you say is very true, Mother. I will obey your command and ensure the Lady bears the Phoenix heir, that I may not betray the teachings of the Linwood Clan.” “You have always been insightful and quick to learn... I won’t say more, but you must act quickly. If she bears a daughter, all will be well. If it’s a son… our clan has lengthy pregnancies, and the Lady’s health isn’t the best; we can’t predict how long she will last…” The underlying message was clear: even if they needed to substitute a child in her place, it must be before the Lady’s untimely passing.
Chapter 5
“Mother, there's no need to worry. The Lady is under my personal care every day, and she has improved significantly since her return. However, I require your assistance with a particular matter,” said Lord Rowan Linwood. Elena Frostwood wanted to scoff. “Personal care? More like you have been busy every night!” She had awoken in a haze, her senses slowly returning. At first, she could only hear sounds and sensed a vague awareness that she was not in the hospital. Once her touch returned, it was to the unpleasant realization of being handled way too intimately. How many times had this happened before? “It's about the Master’s situation,” Lord Rowan continued. “Now that I have Queen Rowan's mark on my hand, I can share the bed with the Lady every night without anyone holding me back. But the Palace is full of gossips… There are things that mustn't be revealed. Since I became the Lady’s companion in the palace, I have built a network of informants. Yet, the guards in the palace are not easily swayed. Jasper Knight wishes to borrow some manpower from Morgan's crew to ensure the East Wing is filled with our own people.” Lord Rowan slammed his hand on the table. “The elite guards from the Linwood Clan are meant to protect our family’s heirs! This is a crucial time for me to pass the family business to your sister. You know those aunts and town matrons are eyeing our assets like sharks. Just last month, we suffered a loss in our warehouse... Enough said about that. If it weren't for the tense situation at the border, I wouldn’t leave Southriver now. Some matters should be discussed in person.” Jasper Knight lowered his gaze and took a sip of tea. “Over the past decades, the Linwood Clan has nurtured many talented gentlemen. Whether in marriage or through examinations, Morgan isn't merely trying to rid itself of the foul merchants, but rather she hopes to avoid entanglements with those deeply rooted in ancient powers. If not for my years of interaction with the Lady, even a royal marriage would have been rejected outright.” Jasper set down his cup. “Despite the many young men we have sent into Cloud City, none have made a proper match or risen to higher ranks. I am just a single man, even with control of the harem; there are still many things I cannot manage on my own. If the Lady is pregnant, we need to keep it hidden even more.” Lord Rowan frowned, contemplating, and then suggested, “What if I send a few of Morgan's top apprentices along with some of the Yarrow Clan's trusted guards?” “Not enough,” Jasper interrupted. “We need reinforcement from the House of Fiona as well.” “House of Fiona? What are you thinking? They'd love nothing more than to see the Linwood Clan fall and get a slice of our business,” Lord Rowan retorted. “From a business perspective, if it benefits them, a temporary alliance is feasible. Please help me maintain communication channels; I will handle the rest. And I request that the Linwood Clan not take action against the House of Fiona for now.” “Ha! We are struggling internally, and you want me to manage outsiders as well? Fine. Focus on the House of Fiona to prevent those town matrons from colluding with them. I’ll help relay information, but remember, the Lady must give birth to a child.” With that, Lord Rowan hurried back to Southriver. Jasper Knight already suspected that his mother wouldn’t lend Morgan to him. No matter how skilled he was, he was still just a pawn in the Linwood Clan, overshadowed by the esteemed daughters. Mentioning the House of Fiona was just a ruse; he aimed to ensure that communication lines with Southriver remained smooth, swift, and accurate. As for the guards, he had already discovered some of their weaknesses through his network. Now, he merely needed to find a way to assign them to the East Wing.
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