Tao Hua's life is fucking miserable, and that misery somehow earns him the title of "Village Disgrace." 

In order to cope with the awful treatment, he often retreats into words untold, dictated by the flip of a page. These worlds leave him with the dream of escaping this piece of shit town. 

To his utter dismay, his wish comes true, but not in the way all those fairytales promised. His saviour is a man he becomes enthralled with and whom he names “Lord No-Name.”  

This male lead is a touchy man with many faces. And for lack of a better word, Tao Hua can’t decide if he’s either the story’s love interest or villain.  

But the two share a common sentiment. This prince, alike Tao Hua, is also fucking miserable.

But arguably worse! 

And instead of coping like a normal fucking person, he does the opposite. He doesn't escape. He doesn't cope. He just tries to fight against the already fated truth of his demise. 

0/10, worst prince ever written. 

Misery aside, this fateful encounter will force Tao Hua to make a choice, leaving him with only one question: 

"What was one mean-spirited beast to a town of people who despise a beauty's entire existence?"

──── ୨୧ ──── 

Beauty and the Thief is a slow-burn, stop to smell the roses, type of novel. That being said, the roses are beautiful, and upon closer observation they’re less floral than once thought. 

It follows the POV of Tao Hua, as he tries to navigate his new life in a place that actually values him, and the prince of this story’s mood swings. 

──── ୨୧ ──── 

!!!!Disclaimer!!!! 

EXTREMELY SLOW PACED! Character driven, before plot! 

This story borrows the premise of Beauty and the Beast, by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, relying heavily on the trope while also twisting it to smithereens. 

The beast element is exchanged for a power dynamic, and the curse differs from the original story. The narration borders on sarcastic and self-aware, while also targeting deeper topics. 

It often breaks the fourth wall as a stylistic choice. A lot of the work will be edited over time, but the bones will remain the same.

──── ୨୧ ──── 

CREDIT!! 

Cover Art by @Sayoto (VGen)
Illustrations by me (@meowssey) and zaza (@zazhah)

(Both commissioned artists are amazing to work with and I highly recommend their work!)

This a round up of pieces done that never made it in, or came from practice chapters (like cute fluffy things that can't happen yet, or other things, you KNOW). 


I'll be doing this from time to time so I don't put all the effort to waste--someone might as well see it! 


Oh and some other sketches! From the other novels! 


Practice fluffy scene between Tao Hua and Shan Si. 


Scrapped art piece for the reunion chapters. I just wasn't happy with how it turned out. Better here! 


Not the actual name but I don't reveal it until it's time to upload. 


Same deal, anything with project is unofficial. 


Sketch of my all time favourite character to write. 


Chapter 85 - [Intermission] Art Chapter