I Decline the Ex-Boyfriend of the Regretful Male Lead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
A few hours ago.
Osen had been brimming with dissatisfaction since early morning.
“Why have you kept smiling since yesterday?”
Ever since returning from the count’s residence, Hertian had been acting strangely.
Whenever Hertian wasn’t speaking, he’d gaze off into the distance and let out little chuckles.
Most likely, he was simply overjoyed at the thought of marrying Anette.
Knowing full well that Hertian wanted him to ask, Osen asked anyway.
“Anette says I’m precious to her.”
After hearing yesterday that Cassian was deeply cherished, memories of all the letters he’d written, sacrificing sleep, flashed through his mind like a reel of film.
“Congratulations.”
Osen even clapped for him, seeing how lost he was in happiness.
Then, suddenly, curiosity struck him.
“I can’t even imagine what Your Grace was like before meeting Young-ae.”
After all, Hertian had always carried letters with him ever since their first meeting.
“My former self?”
At that question, Hertian stopped walking and tried to recall a certain day from five years ago.
Soon, his crimson lips parted.
“I don’t even remember when that was anymore.”
He deliberately avoided looking back on the past.
Back then, Hertian had no family to return to, and enemies surrounded him on all sides. To protect himself, he’d grasped a sword with tender hands and spent lonely nights with fear as his only companion. Only after meeting Anette did color return to his once monochrome life.
“That was a useless question, Osen.”
Osen softened his gaze at his master, who was acting foolishly.
“One must know whether their beloved truly values them to be happy, right? When will Your Grace reveal your true identity?”
Hertian himself was deeply troubled.
What if Cassian, his close friend, found out it was him?
He feared Anette might cancel the marriage.
After all, she’d only proposed to him because she needed an escape.
Yet, if he revealed himself now, sweet-hearted Anette would surely feel guilty for having used her friend as a means to an end.
‘Without even knowing how desperately I’m in love with her.’
But it wasn’t the right time to confess to Anette outright either.
“I’ll reveal it.”
Hertian smiled as if delighted.
“After Anette has used me to her heart’s content. It won’t be too late to tell her afterward.”
Having said that, he moved on.
The salon bustled with its first guests of the day. As soon as Hertian entered, every staff member who spotted him snapped to attention.
“B-b-blanchiche Your Grace! Welcome!”
Then, a woman in splendid attire stepped forward.
“Your Grace. It’s an honor to have you visit. I’m Madam Luanna.”
Luanna’s salon was renowned even in the capital for its exorbitant prices and premium materials.
“As you requested, I’ve prepared the wedding dress in advance. This way, please.”
In particular, wearing one of Luanna’s wedding dresses was a symbol of wealth and the dream of every lady.
“Get the most expensive one here.”
His reply was blunt.
“Hold on. Commander… no, Your Grace.”
Osen, who had been anxiously watching his master from the side, sighed and stepped in front of him.
“You should look at the dresses first.”
“I heard women like the most expensive ones. Isn’t that right?”
“Who says that?”
“Max.”
At Hertian’s answer, Osen shook his head, recalling knights who’d never met a woman.
“Not everything expensive is good. Please look at all the dresses Madam has prepared.”
Madam gave Osen a knowing smile and naturally guided the Duke into a special client room.
“I’d have been disappointed if you’d just left. Now, please sit comfortably and take a look, Your Grace.”
As Hertian sat on the sofa, Madam and the salon staff brought in dresses one by one, each fitted on slender mannequins.
Perhaps it was due to the lavish lighting in the room.
The dresses before them shimmered like the Milky Way.
“Indeed. Your skill is exceptional.”
Osen was the first to admire them. But to Hertian, they all looked the same.
“They’re all elegant and pretty, I’ll give you that. But what’s the difference?”
One with more jewels, another with fewer?
That was the only distinction Hertian could perceive. Osen, expecting as much, spoke to him.
“Your Grace still has much to learn about a woman’s heart.”
“I heard that in situations like this, you just buy them all.”
“Who told you that?”
“Max.”
“You’d best erase Max’s words from your mind. That’s my sincere advice.”
Hertian furrowed his brows deeply and stared intently at the dresses. Of course, no answer would come from just staring.
“Just buy them all. Let Anette choose whichever she wants.”
He confidently pulled out a blank check. But even that was stopped by Osen.
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
Osen carefully tucked away the blank check and calmly persuaded Hertian.
“Now, imagine this. Picture Young-ae of House Leangberia stepping out wearing that dress.”
“Anette…?”
At the mention of Anette’s name, Hertian’s expression turned utterly serious.
“Yes. That first dress. How would Young-ae look in it?”
Her name was like a spell.
As if enchanted, Hertian easily pictured Anette stepping out in the first dress.
“Anette has smooth shoulders, so a dress with open shoulders would surely be beautiful on her. I like that it’s studded with many gems on the chest. But showing not only the shoulders but also the waistline? I don’t want others staring at her like that.”
These were words from someone who didn’t even know the basic ‘D’ shape of a dress. Yet, once he pictured Anette in it, his judgment became more meticulous than a designer’s.
“Exactly. You must examine each one carefully like that.”
Hertian smiled proudly as he alternated his gaze among several dresses.
“You’re useful after all.”
“I may not know much about other things, but I’m an expert at this. I have four older sisters.”
Though Osen himself wasn’t particularly experienced in romance, being dragged to salons by his sisters had made dress selection second nature to him.
Thus, Hertian seemed to be smoothly choosing a wedding dress—
Until he saw the letter from Count Leangberia rejecting the marriage.
[This is the timeline separator]And now, in the present.
Hertian, who had rescued Anette from the boat, was engulfed in furious rage.
Just yesterday, they’d been discussing marriage, yet not only had she sent a notice abruptly canceling it, but she’d also gone on a date with another man?
Upon hearing that Anette was dating some other fellow, Hertian’s eyes nearly rolled back in fury.
All he could think was that he needed to see her immediately. Even if she personally told him she wanted to call off the marriage, he wouldn’t accept it—but he had to see her face to face to feel any relief.
Yet, the moment he finally saw her, Anette collapsed right before his eyes, covered in blood and unconscious. For a moment, he felt as if his vision had gone black.
“How on earth did Anette end up alone on that lake? And in such a state?”
“According to the boat keeper, Young-ae suddenly boarded the boat and hid herself. Since it’s enchanted, once someone boards, it automatically departs after a set time.”
At Osen’s reply, Hertian’s sharp gaze turned toward Edward.
‘All because of this fool.’
He was already furious that frail Anette had collapsed.
“So it’s your fault she ended up like this.”
“No! I was only waiting because Young-ae said she’d wash her hands. Suddenly, she boarded the boat alone…”
“Nonsense. The mistake was bringing her to the lake in the first place.”
“Huh?”
Edward, who had been bowing his head deeply while making excuses, finally lifted his gaze.
“Didn’t you even know that Anette nearly drowned in an accident when she was young?”
Hertian demanded sharply. Just from Edward’s flustered eyes, the answer was clear.
“T-that’s…”
“Well, I suppose you wouldn’t care. She was just a political marriage candidate to you, after all.”
Edward’s face darkened instantly.
“No! That’s not true!”
“Get out. Anette won’t marry you anyway.”
His icy voice echoed through the hospital room. The atmosphere, frozen solid like ice, showed no sign of thawing.
“No, please! At least let me see Young-ae and apologize myself. I must!”
Edward pleaded to Hertian with trembling lips, bracing his legs firmly.
“Just until Young-ae wakes up…”
“I told you to get out.”
Yet, it was impossible to approach Hertian, who stood firmly guarding Anette—like he’d cast a protective barrier around her.
Edward felt suffocated at the thought that after finally meeting Anette again after so long, he might never see her again.
“Isn’t this none of Your Grace’s concern? I’m grateful you saved Young-ae, but this is strictly a matter between her and me.”
Frustrated, he shouted toward the Duke without fear.
Wrinkles formed between Hertian’s brows.
First, he worried Anette might wake from her deep sleep.
Second, the thought of this pest clinging stubbornly to Anette disgusted him.
And finally—
“A matter between the two of you? There’s no such thing. Not now, not ever.”
Edward’s lips twitched as if to retort, then snapped shut like a clam. He wanted to argue but only chewed on his lips uselessly. Hertian’s voice was wrapped in such rage it seemed he might tear out Edward’s throat like a beast.
“Just leave. Don’t ever show your face before Anette again.”
At Hertian’s sharp dismissal, Edward nervously picked at his nails before timidly replying.
“Today’s meeting was requested by the Count himself…”
“So you’ll meet again?”
“W-well, if the Count arranges another meeting, I’ll be there anytime.”
Instantly, Hertian’s hardened expression cracked. His eyes held the look of someone who, on a battlefield, might tear a man apart.
“Is it because you were raised too gently at home that you can’t understand polite words?”
“…”
“Do I need to draw blood before you finally understand?”
The murderous intent filling the room was chilling. Osen, who had been silently watching the pitiful man unable to even straighten his shoulders under Hertian’s aura, finally stepped forward—afraid Edward might end up hospitalized too.
“Oh dear, how pitiful.”
He patted Edward’s back a few times, trying to safely lead him out.
“Please leave Young-ae to us and go home now.”
Then, he subtly nudged Edward’s back—a quiet chance to slip away.
“Khh! What did I even do wrong!”
Contrary to expectations, Edward burst into tears at the polite consolation, his sorrow pouring out like a broken dam.
“Why does everyone tell me to give up on Young-ae? His Highness the Crown Prince, Your Grace…”
“Hey, please calm down first.”
“The Count himself permitted this! Then why! Why does everyone treat me like this!”
Osen stepped back, regretting his unnecessary interference. Of all times, he had to run into the Duke right after he’d received the Count’s letter and was already furious. Bad luck indeed.
“Do you really want to make an even uglier scene?”
Hertian tilted his head. Edward had nothing left to lose—he knew that if he were chased away now, he’d never see Anette again.
“Young-ae—no, Anette—isn’t just a political marriage partner to me.”
Hertian considered kicking Edward’s stubbornly standing back, but seeing him collapse to the floor like a crumbling wall, he pulled his foot back. Clear tears fell from Edward’s eyes.
“…Huh. Anette is my first love…”
“…”
“And I’ve been hopelessly in love with her for three years now…”
This wasn’t something one said before a Duke they’d just met. He’d never imagined he’d cry while saying it. But it was better than leaving as he was.
“Give up.”
Yet Hertian coldly spat the words, his face devoid of even a shred of sympathy. Edward’s tear-streaked face twisted even more miserably.
“Give up…? Can a person’s heart really just… *sob*… give up so easily? If only I could…”
“Five years.”
Hertian, who had been silently staring down at him, cut him off abruptly.
“Wha…? *Sob*… What’s five years?”
Edward, confused by the Duke’s sudden remark, lifted his bowed head.
“You’ve only loved her for three years. I’ve loved her for five.”
The time spent in unrequited love.
Understanding dawned in Edward’s blinking eyes. Osen shook his head helplessly at his master’s confession.
“Get lost, boy.”
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (1)
Wow, are prophetesses so common in this world that there are multiple renowned ones?
Inline Comments (8)
“Considering our past loyalty, I’ll give you a chance to speak.”
What’s all this about, then Are they co-plotters? With forbidden powers from the demonic beasts?
“You gave me false information and ruined everything—so you’re ready to be punis
Pfft What a loser. Curious how he learned that, though. Was someone following the maid?
“Is it really a matter of dislike…? I have my reasons for not wanting to get ent
What nonsense is this? How could it possibly be wrong to dislike someone?
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Blairwoods
“You’ve only loved her for three years. I’ve loved her for five.”
Now why would they were competing in who had long loved her 😂