(Bl) Transmigration: Seducing and making Cinderella's prince mine

A drop of liquid splashed on his face, stirring him from sleep. Kayden rolled over, trying to swat away the annoying droplets until a sudden, bone-chilling splash of cold water drenched him completely, forcing him upright with a violent shiver.

"The fuck!!!"

His teeth chattered as the cold bit into his skin. He was only wearing a thin linen shirt—one Lilian had swapped him into to avoid attention—and his pants barely clung to his frame. The memory of Lilian's sacrifice hit him like a gut punch. It left him uneasy, low. He wasn't used to people risking their lives for him, and he certainly wasn't ready for that kind of burden.

But all those thoughts vanished the instant his eyes met a pair of crystalline ones watching him.

The cold disappeared. In its place, a strange heat surged through him. Sweat beaded on his skin. What now? Was he going to be killed? But if that were the plan, the stranger would've done it already.

Realizing his presence was frightening the drenched man, Thane rose from the rock he'd been perched on and approached slowly. Kayden, still seated and dazed, picked up the scent of water nearby—they were close to a stream or a river, he figured.

Where did this prince drag me to?

Thane squatted before him and opened his palm, revealing a fruit—round, ripe, and glistening with juice. Kayden's mouth watered at the sight of it.

Oh god, that looks heavenly.

"Okay, great. How do I know you won't poison me? And why the sudden generosity?" Kayden quipped, masking his hunger with suspicion. He couldn't just reveal how desperate he was—it might give this man the upper hand.

Thane smirked, amused by the performance.

"What a show-off," he said, almost to himself. "Trying to look brave?"

He let out a low chuckle. "You see, young man, I saw you when you were peeking at me. Normally, I would've walked away, but not only did you peek—you fainted. And if my guess is right, that was thanks to hunger. Now here you are, questioning my offer instead of taking it."

Thane's smile widened into something dangerous, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Well then, I suppose I'll just keep the fruit for myself. Seems you're trembling just looking at it." Thane stood, turning as if to walk away.

"Stop, please!!!" Kayden's voice cracked with desperation. Shame be damned—he was tired, weak, starving. He couldn't let pride kill him now. Not after escaping the wrath of Mira only to fall victim to hunger.

Thane allowed himself a small, victorious smile.

He turned and walked back to Kayden, offering the fruit again. This time, Kayden didn't hesitate. He snatched it with such speed that Thane blinked, startled, then watched as Kayden devoured it like a starving animal.

The taste exploded in his mouth—sweet, juicy, otherworldly. It reminded him of paradise, not that he'd ever been to one. He'd never seen a fruit like this in his life. Was it poverty that had hidden such delights from him?

"Mmm..." Kayden moaned, lost in the taste as Thane observed quietly. The level of patience he exercised surprised even himself. But he wouldn't lie—this stranger intrigued him.

He was sure he'd seen him at the Imperial palace Ball. And if he wasn't mistaken, his little cousin had been utterly smitten with him.

No one else noticed, but Thane—the ever-watchful—had caught that look. And the scandal it could cause? Absolutely delicious. How long had it been since he felt this alive? The memory of snatching the golden slipper from beneath the Crown Prince's nose still made his chest swell with pride.

Thane's gaze lingered on Kayden, studying the way he ate, the way he moved. There was a hidden elegance about him. Even in plain linen, it was impossible to miss. The way he walked, carried himself—he wasn't a peasant. No, Kayden was something else. Maybe including him in his little scheme wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

"That was refreshing. How do I ever thank you for feeding my poor stomach?" Kayden said between bites, offering a genuine smile. All he wanted now was a warm bath and clean clothes.

"Now, about payment," Thane said smoothly.

Kayden blinked. Payment? His stomach dropped. Thane never mentioned payment before. How could he be so stupid to trust a man like him?

"Pardon? I don't get your message," Kayden replied, playing dumb.

Thane's smile widened again, more wicked this time. He stepped closer, so close Kayden instinctively tried to back away. But before he could escape, Thane caught him and pulled him back with swift precision. Kayden lost balance and stumbled into his arms.

"You see, young man, no escape. Unless, of course, you want me to raise an alarm and accuse you of theft. I imagine the villagers would love to burn a thief alive," Thane said coolly.

He leaned in, his lips nearly brushing Kayden's flushed cheek. "How does that sound, peasant?"

Kayden froze. For a moment, all he could do was stare. Damn, why were all the princes so beautiful? But no matter how attractive Thane was, Kayden had just marked him as an enemy.

No one used him—not like this. One day, Thane would pay.

Kayden drew a shaky breath. "And what payment are we talking about?"

Thane's eyes sparkled. "You saw the golden slipper I held. You, boy, are going to put on that slipper and present yourself to the royal family as the Crown Prince's bride. Got it?"

Kayden reeled. The audacity. The insanity. Pretend to be the mysterious bride? That was a scandal waiting to explode.

"Don't take me for a fool, prince," he spat. "I may have accepted your help, but I'm not offering my head as tribute."

"All for a fruit? Do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?"

Thane only chuckled at his fire.

"That's life, Kayden. It's all about bargains. And you, I'm afraid, just bargained away your freedom." His voice dropped to a purr. "Besides, you saw things. Things not meant for just anyone."

"Consider this... a little compensation."

Kayden felt his heart thunder in his chest. His mind was spinning. A peaceful life? That dream was slipping further and further away. And come to think of it—wasn't he holding the golden slipper earlier? How had Thane gotten his hands on it?

"So let me get this straight," Kayden said slowly. "If I don't comply, you frame me for molestation and I get beheaded."

Thane nodded with a maddening calm.

"And if I run, you incite the villagers to burn me alive."

Another nod.

"Fantastic." Kayden let out a bitter laugh. "What choice do I have? Fine. I go with you, pretend the slipper fits me, and afterward... you let me go?"

Thane gave a sly nod. Kayden sighed. He knew it. Everything was about to change.

If he walked into that palace claiming to be the Crown Prince's bride, he was either going to be executed or married off to a psychotic prince.

What a joke.

"I'm Kayden," he finally muttered. "And you?"

"Thane Nightshade," the prince said with a devilish grin. "And we are going to have so much fun."

The word fun made Kayden's skin crawl.

******

Walking toward the palace was torture. Villagers stared, some bowing to the prince while shooting Kayden suspicious or predatory glances. Especially the men. Their eyes lingered too long.

Kayden walked faster, staying close to Thane, though the prince clearly relished his discomfort.

This gave Kayden time to think.

Thane made it clear—Kayden was the one who had to speak in court. And if he so much as slipped his real name, Thane would kill him on the spot. The cold certainty in his voice still echoed in Kayden's ears.

He was alone now. No Lilian. No fairy godmother. Just himself.

As they passed the golden towers of the palace, his stomach twisted with anxiety. The closer they got, the heavier the air felt.

Finally, after questioning at the gate and walking through the palace gardens and massive courtyard, they arrived at the throne room.

Time froze.

The royal family were gathered, a serious discussion clearly underway—until a guard stepped forward and made an announcement that changed everything.

"The slipper and its owner have been found!"

Kayden stepped forward under the weight of a hundred stares, wearing the ridiculous golden slipper. Silence followed.

And then—

"Why is a man being presented as the maiden?! Who did this!!!" Emperor Gerald thundered, his fury shaking the throne room.

Kayden braced himself.

He had walked straight into the lion's den.