The Vicious Role I Never Wanted

The black Rolls-Royce moved smoothly through the grand iron gates, its sleek body reflecting the bright winter sunlight. The road ahead was lined with untouched snow, and in the distance, a breathtaking structure slowly came into view.

An Wenzhe's breath caught in his throat.

Looming ahead, a grand palace stood tall and magnificent, its blue and white facade gleaming under the soft glow of the winter sun. Despite the frost-covered landscape, the palace exuded an otherworldly beauty. The sunlight reflected off the freshly fallen snow, creating a shimmering effect that made the entire structure seem almost unreal.

Gold accents along the roof and window frames glistened against the steel-gray wintry firmament, adding to its regal splendor. Icicles hung delicately from the eaves, catching the light like crystal ornaments. The grand columns and intricate Baroque details of the palace stood in stark contrast to the white expanse surrounding it, as if untouched by time.

His fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of his coat while he stared out of the window, unable to look away. The palace looked like something out of a fairy tale.

Beside him, his aunt noticed his stunned expression and smiled proudly. "That is the Catherine Palace," she said, her voice carrying a hint of admiration. "One of the royal properties owned by the Romanov family."

An Wenzhe tore his gaze away from the palace, turning to his aunt in shock. "Romanov?"

He had heard that name countless times. The Romanov family was legendary, appearing in almost every international movie about European royalty. Whether it was historical dramas or modern adaptations, their name was always present—a symbol of wealth, influence and power. Now, he was staring at one of their palaces in real life.

The Rolls-Royce slowly approached the main entrance, where towering white columns framed the enormous golden doors. The tires crunched softly against the snow-covered driveway as the car rolled to a gentle stop. The driver quickly stepped out and walked around to open the door. Stepping out of the car, An Wenzhe was immediately greeted by the crisp, icy air. His boots crackled against the freshly fallen snow as he stood frozen in place, his gaze fixed on the sheer scale of the palace up close.

His aunt gently patted his broad shoulder. "Come, we need to meet the Duchess." she said, leading the way toward the grand entrance of the palace.

Walking beside his aunt, An Wenzhe couldn't stop his eyes from wandering. The moment he stepped inside, warmth enveloped him, a stark contrast to the cold outside.

The palace was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Tall, arched ceilings stretched above him, adorned with intricate golden patterns that shimmered under the warm glow of the chandeliers. The polished marble floors reflected their figures as they moved, while the air carried a faint scent of fresh flowers, likely from the elegant vases placed throughout the halls. The corridors stretched endlessly, lined with tall windows draped in heavy velvet curtains, adding to the palace's grandeur.

His aunt walked with familiarity, her pace steady, as if she had done this a thousand times. An Wenzhe, on the other hand, felt like a lost tourist in a history museum.

"Stop staring so much." Aunt An whispered with a small smile. "You'll get used to it."

"Get used to it?" he muttered under his breath. He wasn't sure that was possible.

They continued walking through the long hallway until they reached a set of wooden double doors. Aunt An pushed them open, revealing a warm and refined study room. Unlike the grand hallways, this space had a more intimate atmosphere. Shelves lined with books stretched along the walls, and a large wooden desk sat near the tall windows, where soft natural light streamed in.