The Archduke's Songbird - Chapter 5: Nightmares

Ethan's head throbbed violently as he opened his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out his thoughts.“What’s happening…?” he thought, his mind sluggish, struggling to catch up with reality. One moment, he was asleep—or at least, he thought he was—and the next, searing pain forced him awake.His vision swam, shapes blurring together in a disorienting mess. But then, muffled noises filtered through the haze—frantic, panicked sounds. Someone was trying to scream, their voice smothered, choked by something.A cold shiver ran down his spine.As his sight gradually sharpened, Ethan's breath hitched.He was on all fours, looming over someone. A girl.Her body twisted and writhed beneath him, ropes biting into her wrists and ankles. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her cries. Her wide brown eyes, brimming with fear and fury, glared up at him.Ethan's body locked in place, his blood running cold.“What the…?” His mind reeled, thoughts slamming into each other in chaotic disarray. “What kind of bizarre dream is this?”Panic clawed at his chest. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he scrambled backward, only to realize his limbs felt sluggish, uncooperative, like they didn’t belong to him.“Is this… is this some kind of twisted fantasy I never knew I had?” A sickening thought slithered through his mind, making his stomach churn.The girl's frantic squirming slowed for a moment, her gaze flickering with confusion as she took in his expression—his trembling hands, his wide, horrified eyes. But the fear returned just as quickly. She struggled harder, her body arching, her muffled screams rising in pitch.Ethan wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but before he could force out a word, a glowing blue window materialized before his eyes.His breath caught.A translucent, hovering screen?“What…?”Lines of glowing text scrolled across its surface.---[System Activated…][Host Confirmed.][Simulating Previous Data…]Ethan awakens in a mysterious world, shackled by a curse that clouds his judgment and drives him toward choices he never wished to make. Burdened by guilt and responsibility, he must navigate the fallout of his actions while unraveling the truth behind the curse—and his place in this enigmatic new reality.

Zhang Ming has obtained the god-level anti-sign-in system, which can disguise the Holy Land, attract others to sign in, and draw 90% of the reward.

【Ding! Zhanhong, the son of planes, checks in at your Sword of Swords of Immortals (pseudo), and you get the Secret Scroll of the Heavenly Book·True]

【Ding! Daoist Qingquan, the illegitimate son of the plane, checks in at your ginseng orchard (pseudo), and you get Xisui Dan × 90%]

【Ding! The transmigrator Wang Hong signs in at your Tianshi Mansion (pseudo), and you get Tianshidu·True]

【Ding! The reincarnator, Chu Fan, checks in at your Nine Dragons Coffin (pseudo), and you get the Desolate Holy Body × 90%]

【Ding! The reborn Ye Xiaoxuan checks in at your Miaomu Mountain (pseudo), you get the immortal mode × 90%]

【Ding! The extraterritorial demon Wang Zanghai checks in at your lock demon tower (pseudo), and you get the water spirit bead·true]

【…】

“Young man, you have to pay taxes when you sign in, you know?”

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- Description from novelbuddy

Fast-paced and sizzling with a forbidden enemies-to-lovers romance, My Fault is the first book in Mercedes Ron’s Culpable trilogy. This suspenseful YA series untangles the threads of love, trauma, and secrets, perfect for fans of Ugly Love and After.Noah and Nick’s relationship started with the most passionate of fires, but after Noah’s mistake, it might have all just gone up in smoke. Nick can’t forgive her. Can’t trust her. Can’t be with her—but he also can’t stay away from her, no matter how he tries. And their inevitable crash back together will ignite the wildest flames yet. But Nick and Noah’s red-hot collision course is marked with a new and dangerous set of challenges, and the stakes aren’t just broken hearts—they’re life and death. The two will have to decide once and for all if they are truly made for each other, or if burning everything to the ground is their only chance at a future. Love might not be enough to save them, and sometimes even | forgiveness can’t fix what’s been broken.As the translator of the Culpable trilogy series Culpa Mia,Culpa Tuya,Culpa Nuestra ; by Mercedes Ronn, it is important to address the readers with a respectful permission and advice. Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that the story belongs to the author and all rights are reserved to her. As the translator, I've been granted permission to translate the story into English for a wider audience. Secondly, it is important to advise the readers to approach the story with an open mind and respect for the cultural and societal norms presented within it. The story is set in Spain and deals with themes such as love, family, and societal expectations. Some readers may not be familiar with these themes or may have different perspectives on them, but it is important to approach the story with an open and respectful attitude. Lastly, any criticism or feedback should be constructive and respectful towards the author and the translator. Personal attacks or derogatory comments will not be tolerated and will be addressed accordingly. The goal is to share the story with a wider audience and promote cultural understanding and appreciation.

After five years, Ning Xi has returned and is out to take revenge on the sister who turned her parents against her and the childhood sweetheart who betrayed her for her sister. She aims to fulfill her childhood dream and become a famous actress. However, her sister is still out to get her, and she has to avoid all her underhanded schemes.