Bam!
Merck opened the bathroom door and entered. Dense humidity surged, revealing the silhouettes of two women facing each other.
The woman shining brilliantly with golden radiance, as the maid described.
Beside her stood another woman.
“Long time no see, Merck.”
More than anyone who shouldn’t be here, it was Lillian, the sister of the emperor and Merck’s unrequited love.
Restraint.
People feared that they would worship Merck more than the emperor himself.
Protecting the knights and people who shared this land, continuing the lineage of the Edkins family. Fulfilling his duty as a god.
Merck had lived for that alone.
But at this moment, his goal was being shaken to the core.
“Lillian.”
Merck walked towards the two women.
‘I plan to stay at the Winter Villa in the North for a while. Call me whenever you want to see me.’
Merck had never called Lillian.
They were in such a relationship. In the first place, gods and humans were not supposed to fall in love or marry. Lillian, an ordinary human, was trying to break that taboo.
Of course, Merck saw her as unyielding.
“I apologize for running without contacting you. But as the future lady of the North, I thought it would be proper to greet you. It’s not common for His Highness to bring someone to the castle.”
She was not unaware that she had been treated kindly during that time.
So, the term “future lady” was not suitable for Lillian.
“I see.”
But to avoid causing a disturbance, Merck responded to her performance.
The woman resembled the emperor in many ways.
In speech, personality, and even the face.
“Honestly, I was curious about what kind of person you are.”
Between a shyly lowering head of Lillian, Merck’s and Vercheria’s gazes collided.
The expectation that it might not be her was shattered.
Brighter than the sparkling golden hair were the eyes.
Like snow, white skin and little red-tinted lips.
The woman who appeared before him was like an afternoon lake reflecting the shining sun.
It was the sunset of a certain day laid on the clean winter sky.
The appearance of being condemned as a witch was itself.
But was it right for her to be condemned?
“Merck.”
In the silk robe that fluttered as it was made of silk, hiding the white skin and golden hair, created an alien harmony.
The feeling when he embraced her at that moment came alive again.
The sensation of a fragile body that would break if force were applied, and the limp textures.
A witch.
Appearing so weak, yet being accused of casting a cruel curse in the North. No, just a mere human being.
“Merck.”
“Ah.”
Lillian was now close to him.
“May I ask why you brought this woman here? What kind of danger was she in?”
“Danger comes in different forms, doesn’t it?”
“Ah. That’s right. You’re really kind, Your Highness.”
Looking at Lillian with her disheveled hair tucked behind her ear, Merck realized that he was missing something.
A lot, actually.
Even Merck, who had met all sorts of people as a god, couldn’t turn his gaze away from the blonde woman.
But why is Lillian so indifferent?
Even with the stretched-out blonde woman in front of her, her attention was entirely focused on Merck.
What kind of eyes could make that happen? Eyes?
“That ornament.”
Merck pointed with his hand at the yellow ribbon on Lillian’s clothes.
“It suits you well.”
“Huh?”
“Is red in fashion these days? It seems to catch the eye.”
Lillian covered her lips with both hands, then smiled shyly.
“Thank you for the compliment. It’s not a trend, but somehow I feel my heart leaning towards dresses with red decorations from tomorrow.”
Merck’s action of nodding his head seemed like he was responding to her words, but it was actually an unconscious reaction confirming his own thoughts.
Merck decided to wrap up the situation at this point.
“Lillian.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Could you step aside for a moment?”
“Huh?”
“We have something to discuss with the guest.”
Lillian’s expression momentarily stiffened, then soon brightened as if to say, “When have you done that?”
She clung to Merck’s arm.
“When you’re done with the conversation, are you coming to see Lillian?”
Some kind of coercion to give up one thing in exchange for another.
“Let it be so.”
Yes, no matter how you look at it, this woman resembles the emperor.
“Kyaa! I’m so excited!”
Lillian clapped her hands and approached Vercheria.
“Then shall we have tea time with the guest tomorrow at lunch? I really enjoy hearing the stories of commoners. It’s fascinating to see people diligently clinging to life even in difficult circumstances.”
When Vercheria remained silent without responding, Lillian, with a surprised face, covered her mouth with her hands.
“Oh my, was my expression too exaggerated? I guess talking with noble ladies has become a habit… Did I upset you?”
Vercheria calmly nodded.
Lillian smiled again, leaning in to Vercheria with a cute rabbit-like expression.
“So, will you spend time with Lillian?”
“No.”
In response to the unexpected answer, Lillian’s face froze in the same smiling expression.
“…?”
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
_____
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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