Thanks to desperately pushing the food down my throat, a tragedy was averted.
“How dare I speak to the Crown Prince and the Duke? I cannot do such a thing.”
‘Between party members working on a special group assignment to save the world, the current distance is just right!’
As an MBTI introverted person, the suggestion to speak was burdensome.
Why are you suddenly acting so familiar? We’re not on such good terms.
Although the appearance was quite to my liking… I found the current clear boundary comfortable.
Despite my firm rejection, this nobleman remained indifferent.
“The Duke is a benefactor to me and my cousin Celeste Marquis. If I can’t allow this much to the one who saved my life, my dignity would be laughable.”
Agh!
‘Not laughable at all… No one entertains such dishonest thoughts…’
Certainly, the charm of the Northern Duke is the overwhelming charisma and cold beauty.
Added to this is the experience gained through years of struggles and the title of nobility.
As far as I know, among the survivors and local lords, there would be no one left ignoring Ashton. If you don’t want to die, that is.
But what? Is he worried about losing face?
If the zombie situation is resolved, who would dare engage in such shameful behavior with him, the future emperor?
However, I couldn’t answer this question with a no. It could be distorted to mean that I was making fun of Ashton.
According to the damned social etiquette, that’s how it is.
Ashton, who spent most of his life rotting away in the remote White Wood territory, still seemed to remember the aristocratic speech that troubled people.
‘Why do I have to care about the party members’ feelings when this is not a romance simulation game?’
My stomach felt like it was boiling.
But outwardly, without showing my embarrassment, I had to nod my head.
“…Then I will follow the order of His Highness.”
Unable to smile brightly, I raised the corners of my mouth ambiguously in response. Ashton’s expression became a bit grim.
Above his reddish eyes, long eyelashes cast a shadow, fluttering like the wind.
“…It’s not an order. This is a request.”
“…?”
If it’s a request from the only successor to the throne, it’s an order.
This was like when the president visits a military unit and says, ‘Hehe, don’t be nervous, just do what you usually do. Think of me as someone absent.’
Before the doubt could grow, Ashton hastily added.
“This is a request for me wanting to befriend the Duke… it is.”
“Yes?”
No, what did I do to make him want to be friends with me?
‘Did we develop comradeship because we killed a few zombies together?’
He has not been particularly kind to me during our time together.
‘Kindness? All I received were a bunch of rudeness, right?’
“Don’t die,” I held onto him by the collar, and when we had to deal with the Crown Prince zombie, I didn’t give him a straightforward answer in a stern tone.
No matter how much I think about it, the only thing I did to earn his favor was rescuing him and Celeste Marquis.
Even if it was an unnecessary question, I couldn’t help but be curious.
“Why…?”
What have you seen in me that makes you approach me with a friendly attitude?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned painfully while living in this world after my parents’ death, it’s that there is no such thing as baseless goodwill.
It was a lesson I learned while narrowly escaping numerous blows to the back of my head from a pack of foxes trying to steal my parents’ legacy.
It was frustrating, but this was still a hurdle that I couldn’t overcome.
I realized that sharp emotions leaked out when dealing with the Crown Prince, but there was nothing I could do.
“Why are you treating me with such favor, the one who was once called the devil of high society by Duke White Wood… I don’t understand at all.”
What’s with you and me?
In summary, that’s what the conversation was.
‘…I’ve said this much, so he should have a stiff expression.’
I expected a sharp rebuke, but what entered my ears was a voice as soft as a feather.
“It’s because I respect you.”
“Oh, respect… What did you say?”
“I said it’s because I respect the Duke.”
“…”
Like fish sleeping peacefully under the frozen lake, Ashton replied with a calm voice as if he was enjoying a peaceful nap.
His face, saying that, was unexpectedly warm with genuine affection, like the arrival of spring.
‘Well, what the…’
I couldn’t meet his sparkling red eyes that shone like a blooming rose. I avoided eye contact while finishing the remaining sandwich.
“What did I do? Rescuing the Duke and Celeste Marquis’s servants is a matter of course. It’s not something to make a fuss about… Anyone would have done the same, not just me.”
As I hastily chewed the sandwich, my pronunciation became unclear.
As a noble, I didn’t even realize that speaking while chewing was considered impolite. I just wanted to avoid this embarrassing situation.
But Ashton didn’t point out my lack of manners. Instead, he accurately understood what I said and spoke like this.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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