“Did you think I would believe such a ludicrous story?”
Alicia’s reaction was as expected. She was not at all convinced by my insistence that we had to immediately set off to slay the Demon King. Instead, she looked at me with disdainful eyes.
“It now makes sense why you’re not the prime minister. Duke Donovan is a man of common sense. He wouldn’t put a fool like you in such a position.”
Her bright eyes turned triangular.
“But it’s clear that they are promoting you as an external prime minister. The reason must be… me.”
Was it a misunderstanding?
A slightly bitter voice was heard.
She stood up from her seat and clapped her hands sharply.
“Anyway, I can’t mistreat the granddaughter of the prime minister. I can’t help your grand plan, but you can take whatever you want.”
She shot a quick glance at the prime minister, who had been quiet all this time.
“And Prime Minister, remember that you are entirely responsible for the outcome of this matter.”
“I’m well aware.”
The Prime Minister responded softly.
“Isn’t that the way I’ve lived all my life?”
Alicia chuckled.
“Surely not. Even in this case, you return without a word, wasting valuable teleportation stones because you didn’t even report back.”
“Your Highness.”
The Prime Minister replied in a puzzled tone.
“Why did you go to Donovan?”
“……”
Alicia was silent for a moment. She looked intently at the Prime Minister and then shifted her gaze to me. She seemed hesitant to speak in front of me. I took the initiative.
“If I’m in the way, I’ll step outside.”
“There’s no need.”
Alicia responded coldly.
“I wanted to ask for your opinion anyway.”
‘……?’
While I was confused, Alicia handed me a letter. I blinked. Although the letter was halftorn, it clearly bore Hades’ seal.
“Read it.”
Alicia commanded.
I quickly unfolded the letter and began to read.
‘……!’
I took a deep breath. This is…
“Your Highness.”
I said, tremblingly, to Alicia.
“This letter was not written by Duke Hades.”
“Why not?”
I was at a loss for words. The letter, written in Hades’ handwriting and tone, contained blatant disdain and criticism of Alicia.
‘Hades would never do this.’
It wasn’t because he didn’t harbor anger toward Alicia. Hades had been extremely reluctant to the arranged marriage with her, considering it internal interference. Wasn’t that why he had appointed me as an external prime minister?
But this…
‘It criticizes the princess as a promiscuous woman. This is not Hades’ style.’
At a glance, the letter seemed like something Hades could write.
Certainly, in this era, a woman proposing to a man was considered a great flaw. But Hades never cared much about gender.
‘Hades has to clarify this himself.’
If Alicia went to Donovan in a rage, it could be a diplomatic disaster. Especially if this letter was really from Hades.
‘It’s a disaster.’
I swallowed. The problem was, I had no idea where Hades was right now. What if he had fallen somewhere even he couldn’t identify?
Alicia seemed to misinterpret my silence.
“Right, what guilt could you possibly have.”
Her tone was like that of handling a child.
“If you need my help, come find me.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
I bowed politely. Showing my displeasure wouldn’t do any good. Alicia soon left with Charlesford, leaving the Prime Minister and me alone.
“……We have to find Hades fast.”
The Prime Minister laughed out loud.
“Don’t worry. Isn’t he someone who can survive even in hell?”
“I’m not worried about his life.”
I pursed my lips. Honestly, if it was just about Hades, I didn’t care whether the princess misunderstood or not. Hades would survive even if the whole imperial army came at him.
But what about Donovan?
If he were to get entangled in a war with the empire, falsely accused of insulting the princess?
‘Besides, Hades suddenly left his post. No matter how capable William is, people will notice Hades’ absence soon enough.’
I closed my eyes.
Yes, it seemed time to admit it.
I had grown attached to Donovan as much as I had to Hades.
I would be distressed just imagining that crude place, so far from the splendid beauty of the imperial palace, burning down.
(This is a time separator.)
“Selfproclaimed Duke Nari, speak. What is your true identity?”
Hades forcibly calmed his boiling insides. There was nothing good about getting excited. Although it would be easy to break away right now and rush to the imperial palace, the result would be pursuit by the entire imperial army.
“I’ve already told you.”
He glared squarely at the captain.
“My name is Hades Croitner.”
“Interesting.”
The captain seemed genuinely pleased.
“You look like you’re trying to escape from prison, claiming insanity, but that trick won’t work on me.”
“I’m not insane.”
Hades responded coldly.
“If you provide a way to prove it, I will comply with anything.”
The captain’s eyes twinkled.
“You seem confused. Shouldn’t you be the one suggesting the way to prove it?”
Hades sighed. Technically, the captain was correct. But without a method, what could he suggest?
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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