Trading Places: My Fate With the Beast King

After we made our choice, we turned and told Dad.

He looked at me with worry. "The Beast King favors beauty. If Amber goes, he might dote on her for her looks. If you go…"

I knew exactly what he was worried about. He had thought the same way in the previous life.

In the previous life, Amber was given to Theron. She caught his notice for a while, but lost it because she never learned how to win him over. In the end, she died in the palace, and our family paid the price.

"Dad, don't worry. I won't let you down," I told him.

He saw the resolve in my eyes and finally sighed. "Very well. If this is your choice, there is little I can do. Just promise me… you'll live through it!"

Once the decision was made, Amber and I went our separate ways.

She looked back at the capital one last time, then surrendered herself to the beastfolk envoys and was taken to the breeding quarters.

Meanwhile, I climbed into a carriage headed for Theron's territory.

After the war, Theron had built a new palace on human land.

I sat with my fists clenched and promised myself this time wouldn't end the same.

The carriage reached the palace, and they quartered me in a remote wing.

I expected a summons within days. Instead, a month passed, and I never saw even a shadow of Theron.

After the war, many noble families sent their daughters to the palace. Surrounded by them, Theron could have forgotten me, even though I was a princess.

Perhaps Amber had endured the same waiting before he finally noticed her and made her a favorite for her face.

But I wasn't Amber. When I wanted something, I went after it.

Behind the King's hall, the garden lay buried in snow. I danced in red, not with the delicate grace of courtly dances, but with the bold, defiant power of a warrior's dance.

I spun the blade and thrust it forward.

Footsteps stopped nearby, but I pretended not to hear, letting the dance carry me on as the red moved through the white garden.

Then, I turned, raised the blade, and pointed it at the figure in the shadows. "This is the King's private wing. Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The man was stunned for a moment, with his fingertip at his mouth. He studied me before a smile tugged at his lips. "I haven't seen anyone like you in this palace."

I still didn't know who he was. I edged the point closer, my gaze turning cold. "I'm the King's concubine. How dare you speak to me like that? Guards, seize him!"

He blinked, then his smile widened, almost sincere. "I'm the King. Which wing do you reside in? How is it I've never seen you before?"

I stared at him, my manners forgotten as I backed away a few steps, probably looking like a startled rabbit trying to bluff. "You… You're the King?"

He wasn't angry. Instead, he seemed amused by my shock. Before I could drop to my knees, he caught my arm and pulled me against his chest.

My heartbeat thudded against him. Heat rushed to my face, and I couldn't decide whether to look up or down.

He laughed, lifted me effortlessly into his arms, and carried me toward the wing.

"What are you doing?"

In my panic, I forgot my manners and spoke to him as if he were any other man.

The attendants lowered their gazes, not daring to look up.

Theron didn't spare them a glance. He swatted my backside lightly, a smile tugging at his mouth.

"What else would I want?" he said. "Of course I want to enjoy what's mine!"