LovelyMay
Stories
93
Chapters
1,516
Words
6.7 M
Comments
0
Reading
23 d, 5 h
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Chapter 8 - A Fair Cousin and a Dark Brother explores the growing complexity of Rudolf Rassendyll’s role as a royal imposter, as he settles more deeply into the life of a monarch. Throughout the day, Rudolf undergoes intense training to replicate the King's routines and mannerisms with perfect precision. Colonel Sapt, ever diligent and stern, drills him on every minor detail—from how the King prefers his wine uncorked to which foods he silently avoids at banquets. These details may seem trivial, but…-
100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 9 - A New Use for a Tea-Table continues the tense masquerade of Rudolf Rassendyll, who remains firmly entrenched in his dangerous role as the stand-in King of Ruritania. With every passing day, the weight of maintaining the illusion grows heavier, and yet he manages to keep suspicion at bay with the sheer boldness of his act. When Colonel Sapt informs him that the real King is being held under close watch in the Castle of Zenda, guarded by the formidable trio of Duke Michael’s loyal men, the…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 10 - A Great Chance for a Villain draws Rudolf Rassendyll deeper into the complicated entanglement of duty, deception, and emotional sacrifice. Chapter 10 - A Great Chance for a Villain opens with Sapt presenting Rassendyll a confidential police report that confirms Duke Michael's suspected involvement in the King’s disappearance. It also outlines the close circle of allies supporting Michael, including the enigmatic Madame de Mauban. More importantly, the report reveals growing unease among the…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 11 - Hunting a Very Big Boar presents a pivotal shift in Rudolf Rassendyll’s moral and emotional journey, as the weight of his deception grows heavier. Though outwardly composed, he internally wrestles with the temptation to let the King remain imprisoned, which would allow him to retain both the throne and Princess Flavia’s affection. The idea creeps in uninvited, sparking a moral crisis that he cannot fully ignore. With the people of Ruritania growing more affectionate toward their…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 12 - I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook places Rudolf Rassendyll and his companions in a new strategic position, both geographically and tactically. Chapter 12 - I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook opens with Rassendyll and his loyal circle relocating to the Tarlenheim estate, a stately home situated close to the Castle of Zenda. Under the pretense of a boar-hunting retreat, this calculated move places them just five miles from the stronghold where the real King is held captive. Though the public…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 13 - An Improvement on Jacob’s Ladder opens with a rare moment of calm for Rudolf Rassendyll as he takes brief solace in focused work. This brief peace helps to steady his mind, if only for a while, before the storm returns. His composure is quickly shattered by the arrival of the ever-daring Rupert Hentzau, who delivers an outrageous proposition from Duke Michael: a safe passage across the border, a fortune of a million crowns, or death. The bribe is delivered with Rupert’s trademark…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 14 – A Night Outside the Castle opens with a calculated deception. Chapter 14 - A Night Outside the Castle finds Rudolf Rassendyll, standing in for the imprisoned King of Ruritania, sending out a message that he is severely wounded. This deliberate falsehood is designed to lull Duke Michael into complacency while simultaneously shielding Princess Flavia from immediate danger. The proclamation provides the hero with both space to operate and a moment of relief from mounting pressures. Though…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 15 – I Talk with a Tempter begins with the simmering conflict in Ruritania approaching a delicate crossroads. The kingdom, already on edge due to the ongoing power struggle between Duke Michael and the man impersonating the King—Rudolf Rassendyll—finds a temporary reprieve under the guise of diplomacy. To calm tensions following a violent encounter, Rudolf issues a public decree banning dueling. This strategic move, though necessary, is a double-edged sword. On the surface, it promotes order,…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 16 – A Desperate Plan begins with mounting tension as the protagonist, still playing the part of the King, realizes that his masquerade is nearing its end. His recent public appearances in Zenda, particularly his interaction with Rupert Hentzau, have drawn too much attention to sustain the illusion of the King’s illness. With every passing hour, Duke Michael’s forces grow more suspicious, and the tight grip on the castle intensifies. The political stakes rise dramatically as Michael becomes…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 17 – Young Rupert’s Midnight Diversions opens with the protagonist preparing for a high-risk infiltration into the castle at Zenda under the cover of darkness. Though he had hoped for stormy weather to provide natural concealment, the sky remains cruelly clear, amplifying every move he makes. Undeterred, he presses forward, armed with resolve and a simple arsenal: a ladder, his revolver, and waterproof clothing. He slips into the cold moat, fully aware that his success hinges on timing,…
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100.6 K • Ongoing
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