I Decline the Ex-Boyfriend of the Regretful Male Lead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 2
It wasn’t the pain that was the problem.
Being dragged into exile in the remote provinces by this garbage-truck male lead was the bigger issue.
I must’ve been insane. I’d practically dug my own grave.
I wanted to smash the head of my past self—who’d thought, ‘I can survive as long as I stay by Serdis!’—with a clay pot.
I’m going crazy. What am I supposed to do now?
Lying in bed with my eyes closed, replaying this situation over and over again made my head hurt even more than when my memories first returned. I wanted to deny it wasn’t real, but—
[Trash Goes in the Bin: Serdis smells like garbage.] [Trash Goes in the Bin: This is recycling overkill. Is there even a real male lead separate from him?] [Trash Goes in the Bin: Hey! Author? Author???]Eventually, the love line between Violet and Serdis took over.
[Trash Goes in the Bin: Don’t let our Violet sister smell that garbage stink!]The memory of leaving those scathing comments came back vividly—I couldn’t deny it anymore.
“Awake?”
I snapped out of deep thought at the sound of a man’s voice, soft like birdsong.
“Anette. How are you feeling?”
“Huh!”
My body instinctively shot upright.
The man I’d spent all night groaning and vowing to avoid was now standing right before my eyes.
Plus, it felt like stepping into a phytoncide forest—my breath came easier… Ah, no, that’s not it.
“W-Why are you in my room, Your Highness?”
“Surprised? You collapsed at the café yesterday, so I rushed you back to the count’s estate—but I was too worried to stay away.”
For the first time, that voice sounded unpleasant. He wasn’t my savior anymore—he was the garbage-truck male lead destined to ruin me.
“Does that mean you can just barge into someone else’s room?”
“I couldn’t sleep at all, I was so worried. Sorry if I startled you.”
Serdis handed me a teacup as I sat up in bed.
“Here. It’s warm water. Drink.”
I deliberately avoided his gaze as I asked,
“But why didn’t you go home?”
My sullen tone made his face flush with embarrassment.
“When I said I was worried, the count himself insisted I stay the night.”
“Father did?”
“Yeah. He’s also the one who told me to check on you in your room.”
Useless father!
He probably welcomed Serdis with open arms—after all, his ‘lifelong single’ daughter had finally brought a man home.
I pressed my still-throbbing forehead.
“You’ve seen me now—please leave.”
“Still in pain? Lean back here for now, Anette.”
My head’s going to split open because of you, you rolling barrel.
Serdis gently placed an extra cushion behind my head and eased me back slowly.
“I appreciate it, but please go now. I need more sleep.”
“Alright. But drink the soup and take your medicine before sleeping.”
Knowing the original story, I saw his eyes clearly—they belonged to a man utterly smitten with love. It almost seemed like little hearts were faintly glowing in his eyes, as if blinders had been firmly strapped on.
‘I’m losing my mind.’
Just how infatuated is he with me?
In the original, he’d already been rejected by Anette—this wasn’t ordinary affection. Judging by his gaze, I doubted I could shake off this male lead just by avoiding him.
“I made the soup myself.”
What?
“It’s my first time making it, so I’m not sure how it tastes. If it’s bad, you don’t have to eat it.”
He even blushed shyly on his cheeks. Yesterday, I’d have laughed it off as typical kind-hero behavior—but now that I knew the original plot, his actions gave me chills.
Serdis wasn’t naturally gentle. Behind closed doors, he was a rotten scoundrel who reveled in cruelty. Therefore, that innocent act was nothing but a facade to impress me.
He’s really set on ruining me completely.
If I smiled and thanked him now, he’d later go to Violet and say:
‘Anette was so happy over just one bowl of soup I made—like she owned the whole world… But you only ever look to me. It’s exhausting, Violet.’
He’d even embellish the memory with his own nostalgic buff.
I can’t get tangled up with him anymore.
Gripping my trembling fingertips instead of my racing heart, I spoke firmly.
“Why go to all that trouble to make it?”
“Because you were sick, obviously.”
“Well, I’m sorry—but I always skip breakfast and go straight to dessert when I wake up.”
I called out to Betty, who was peeking at us from the doorway.
“Betty, what’s for breakfast today? Yesterday I dipped croissants in heaps of fresh cream, so I want something different today.”
Betty’s eyes widened in confusion, as if wondering what nonsense I was spouting. I gave her a subtle wink—Betty, who’d been like a sister to me since childhood, would surely understand my intent.
“Yes?”
Not just ‘yes’—I need you to play along, Betty!
“Hurry up and bring it! You know I spend all day running to the bathroom if I eat soup for breakfast, right?”
I subtly pushed the soup plate away, then glanced at him sideways. I expected a pitiful, puppy-dog look like yesterday.
But instead—
‘He’s smiling?’
Serdis wore a chilling grin, as if this were good news.
“Actually, that’s perfect.”
His gleaming white teeth in that smile made cold sweat bead down my spine.
“Perfect?”
I forced an awkward upward curve to my lips. Serdis, the male lead, was utterly unpredictable—impossible to read.
Still smiling, he cleared away the soup bowl and rose from the chair beside the bed. My eyes followed his movements.
“I actually packed those special macarons we ordered yesterday but couldn’t eat. Just have those instead.”
“Special macarons?”
I remembered. The Crown Prince had pre-ordered them yesterday—macarons filled generously with a rare fruit exclusive to the neighboring kingdom of Alberca.
“We could’ve eaten them yesterday if you hadn’t felt ill. But it’s fine—I kept them safely packed.”
“Oh…”
I trailed off, trying to show reluctance. But since I’d already loudly declared I’d eat dessert for breakfast, I couldn’t flatly refuse now.
Meanwhile, Betty came skipping over excitedly.
“You love macarons, Miss! Just eat those. I’ll go get them!”
That’s not it, Betty.
I shook my head subtly, but Betty—winking and beaming with genuine support for her mistress’s love—hurried out.
I watched her disappear with heavy eyes. The door clicked shut tightly, leaving only Serdis and me in the sealed room.
“Hem hem.”
He must’ve found the situation stimulating—otherwise, why clear his throat so conspicuously?
‘Get a grip.’
But how do I get rid of Serdis?
Even if I pushed him away, he’d likely bounce back like a roly-poly toy. After a brief hesitation, I stood up.
Let’s start with the classic method.
“Your Highness, could I borrow your ear for a moment?”
“Huh? Sure.”
I pressed my face close to Serdis’s ear. Seeing his earlobe instantly redden, I took a deep breath and exhaled sharply through my mouth.
“You know… hoo.”
Well? How’s my morning breath!
After sleeping solidly for twelve hours, it had to be foul—no need to even sniff it.
“I, uh…”
Serdis flinched. I blew even harder—considering I hadn’t brushed my teeth last night, it must’ve been truly awful.
This smell should’ve shattered his blinders instantly.
But then—
“Pfft.”
Laughing again?
Serdis, who should’ve recoiled from the stench, chuckled softly—without a trace of disgust.
He definitely smelled it…
“Anette.”
“Y-Yes?!”
I jumped, answering loudly in surprise.
“Planning to tickle me again? I want to tease you back too.”
It didn’t work at all.
“I even want to pick the sleep from your eyes myself.”
He went even further.
“Every single morning.”
“I’ll pass. I could never dare do such a thing to Your Highness.”
He adored me even with sleep in my eyes—this wasn’t normal blinders.
Clearly, old-fashioned tricks like bad breath wouldn’t shake Serdis off.
I rubbed my eyes with my sleeve and wracked my brain.
Before I could think of anything, Serdis murmured shyly, cheeks flushed:
“If we got married, I wouldn’t care even if I lost my title as Crown Prince…”
Outrageous nonsense.
Just then, Betty walked in—and must’ve heard him, because she staggered back in shock. The teacup on her tray clattered to the floor.
My thoughts shattered instantly too—it felt like my heart dropped straight down.
Did I just hear that? I must’ve misheard…
“Be careful.”
“Y-Your Highness… I’m so sorry!”
“The macarons are fine, so it’s alright.”
Seeing the shy smile he turned toward me from Betty confirmed it—I’d heard him clearly.
‘Marriage? With me?’
A faint smile lingered on his lips. Meanwhile, my heart turned ice-cold.
This can’t go on.
If Serdis formally proposes to me, as a mere count’s daughter, I won’t dare refuse him. I’ll be trapped beyond escape.
‘Then… there’s only one way.’
An eye for an eye.
A tooth for a tooth.
It was time for a powerful repellent.
Resolving firmly to exit the original story at all costs, I cleared my throat once.
“Betty, be careful.”
I approached Betty as if concerned, patting her shoulder lightly, then whispered just loud enough for her to hear:
“From now on, just agree with whatever I say.”
“Miss?”
Betty’s face clouded with worry—clearly thinking, ‘What reckless thing is she planning now?’
“I trust you.”
But I didn’t explain further—Serdis was watching me intently from the side.
She’d understand this much, no matter how clueless she seemed. After all, we’d been through thick and thin together for ten years—practically family.
“Wow! These macarons are stunning, Your Highness!”
I clapped my hands, shifting the topic to the macarons.
Heart-patterned shells, white filling, red unknown fruit flesh, white chocolate—everything I loved. Realizing he’d already figured out my tastes sent a slight chill down my spine.
“For something called ‘special macarons,’ these are honestly the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”
I turned with my hands clasped behind my back and smiled. Serdis’s anxious expression melted away softly.
“I’m glad you like them. You must be hungry—go ahead and eat.”
“But thinking that today might be the last time we get to enjoy macarons together like this makes me sad.”
“Last time?”
His expression hardened instantly. This time, I’d truly poured cold water over the male lead to snap him out of it.
“I’m getting married, Your Highness.”
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
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MANGA DISCUSSION
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Chapter Comments (13)
Did violet already meet serdis? I wonder if violet was like crazy stalker or follower?
That offline was kind or not? Just my feeling, someone who likes abusive and rude person like cp kinda same character
Young-ae, young-shik, young-young author him, what’s that mean?
Inline Comments (6)
Perhaps because I’m certain he’ll never love me.
Lol girl. You don’t know anything about him. He is obsessive 😂
“As I said before, I can only cast a forbidden ritual to remove divine abilities
Casting a ‘forbidden ritual’ to remove divine abilities sounds like practicing black magic. So Violet practices black magic? What is her true goal?
He collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Only the ring on his finger glimmered fa
I have quite a few things to say about the function of this enchantment. Right now though the main thing is that if the enchantment functions in this way…what happens if Anette dies while he has the ring turned on?
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Blairwoods
Serdis wasn’t naturally gentle. Behind closed doors, he was a rotten scoundrel who reveled in cruelty. Therefore, that innocent act was nothing but a facade to impress me.
What’s inside the author’ head, make them write a story with bad ML? 😭