The palace-owned museum was a beautiful building. A three-story stone structure adorned with small and quaint sculptures was situated in the middle of a serene lake, making it even more beautiful. Between the small lake, wide enough for three boats to navigate side by side, and the museum, there were four small connecting bridges in the north, south, east, and west directions.
Surrounded by the lakeside, a vast grassy field unfolded, creating a place for horseback riding against the backdrop of the museum surrounded by the lake or setting up tents for picnics.
“I didn’t know such a place existed.”
Alicia, who arrived with Chase, looked around after getting off the carriage.
“Since it’s owned by the royal family, it’s not open to the public. It seems to open briefly only when dignitaries come.”
“I see. The scenery is so beautiful.”
Alicia, escorted by Chase, took a step.
Even though she was wearing a veil, the autumn sunlight was still warm.
“Thank you for bringing me, Chase.”
“You’re welcome.” Perhaps Alicia had accepted her invitation to stay at the palace for Eric’s protection, but even knowing that, Chase was satisfied with the present moment.
“Who is Princess Valeri who sent greetings? She’s a magical practitioner?”
“Yeah. It seems she hasn’t arrived yet.”
“A princess who is also a magical practitioner, that’s impressive.” “It’s not that rare in the Valua royal family. Oh, there she is.”
Chase pointed in the direction, and Alicia turned her head.
Rather than Princess Valeri, Eric, who was following behind her, was more noticeable.
‘He seems to be in a bad mood.’ Alicia could tell at a glance, even though Eric was just walking with a neutral expression.
And she turned her eyes to the princess standing in front of him.
She had heard that Valeri was around her age, but she looked younger than her age with her small stature and cute brown curly hair.
While Alicia was observing, Valeri and Eric walked toward the tent where Prince William was.
“The weather is nice, Princess.” William greeted as they met at the tent.
“Hello. It’s quite hot for autumn.” “That’s true. Come over here.”
Following William’s guidance, Princess Valeri entered the shade of the tent.
Inside the tent, a table was already set up, and light snacks and delightful desserts were prepared.
“It’s okay. Let’s sit here together.” Princess Valeri turned to Eric, inviting him to sit together.
But as she turned her head to Eric, she stopped short. A gentle smile was hanging on Eric’s lips.
His eyes were warm.
Valeri, who had been looking at Eric with a neutral expression, was taken aback.
“Oh, Spencer Deputy Commander is here too.” William’s words made both Valeri and Eric withdraw their gazes from Alicia and turn their heads toward William.
“Even though he’s a guest officer from Valua. Let’s call him.” “No, it’s okay.”
Despite Princess Valeri’s refusal, William looked at her with a puzzled expression.
They were similar in age, and they had heard that she and Chase were quite close, so he was bewildered.
“I don’t like the fuss. I just want to stay quiet like this.” “If the princess wishes.”
Although William kept his mouth shut, he exchanged a glance with Eric, who seemed surprised and puzzled by the sudden change.
Princess Valeri quietly picked up a cool drink.
William looked at Princess Valeri’s refusal with a puzzled expression. Even more so, it was awkward because Princess Valeri and Chase were known to be close in age and quite friendly.
“I don’t like the fuss. I just want to stay quiet like this.”
“…If the princess wishes.”
While William remained silent, he exchanged a bewildered glance with Eric.
He had been in a good mood just a moment ago, so the sudden change was inexplicable.
Princess Valeri picked up a refreshing drink.
“If I call Chase, wouldn’t that woman come along too? I did ask Chase to bring her, curious about who she is. But I didn’t want to see her getting close to Eric.”
With a somewhat malicious intent, the princess downed the drink, not caring about appearances.
Thanks to Princess Valeri, Chase couldn’t approach the tent either. Consequently, Alicia couldn’t find an opportunity to talk with Eric.
Their eyes met occasionally, exchanging greetings with glances, but it was not enough.
Then, Eric sought permission from William and the princess and went inside a separate building. Alicia stood up from where she was sitting in the tent.
“I’ll be back in a moment, Chase.”
“Where to?”
“Just a moment.”
She replied as she left, not waiting for Chase’s response, quickly following Eric into the separate building.
“I’m sorry I startled you, Alicia.”
“It’s okay. I was about to scream.”
“Did you know I was following you?”
“Yeah.”
When a door opened beside her, Alicia was about to scream, but she was pulled in by the familiar scent of Eric.
“It’s me.”
“You scared me, Eric. I almost screamed.”
“Sorry, I was in a hurry.”
“Did you know I was following you?”
“Yeah.”
Eric, sitting on the back of the sofa, pulled Alicia closer, burying his face in her neck.
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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