“We are solely speaking out of loyalty…”
“Aren’t you saying an emperor infatuated with a woman would ruin the nation?”
“Your words are gravely unjust!”
Aside from Duke Limon, the faces of the nobles turned pale.
Yet they couldn’t escape Nikolai’s icy gaze.
“Are you saying the emperor’s words are unjust?”
“Yoyour Majesty!”
“So you’re not accusing me of being a tyrant?”
“We swear to Heaven, never!”
“Or are you saying I’m not even qualified to be your lord?”
“What are you saying? Only Your Majesty is our lord, and the sky of the empire!”
“If you are truly my loyal subjects, why are you meddling in your lord’s private affairs?”
Nikolai sternly questioned.
Their lips trembled, yet no one answered.
“How dare you, mere subjects, discuss the conduct of the emperor… Isn’t death the proper penalty?”
Nikolai tilted his head and growled softly.
Only when the blade was pointed at them did the nobles realize the gravity of the situation.
“If you’re loyal subjects, instead of barking like a pack of dogs, you should be discerning your lord’s deeper intentions.”
“We never meant…”
“Still making excuses? How very brave!”
Smirking, Nikolai laid his sword on Duke Brenden’s shoulder.
The blade lightly grazed the flesh of his thick neck.
“Speak. You seem to have led today’s issue.”
“I am the head of a family that has received favor from the first Emperor!”
“Be proud of it. It’s why you’re still alive.”
“Aaagh!”
Duke Brenden forgot his dignity and screamed.
Then, a clear and melodious voice came from behind.
“Your Majesty, if you play such pranks on the guests, what will happen?”
Nikolai abruptly looked up.
Crimson hair scattered in the wind.
A radiant beauty that anyone would take a second glance at.
Simply by being there, the woman called forth a halo of light, smiling warmly at him.
(This is the time separator.)
‘Did I invite you to see this? It’s my first time at a swordfighting event, I had high hopes…’
He hid his disappointment and forced a smile.
He had heard unpleasant things from beginning to end.
Nikolai had even pointed a sword at the head of a powerful noble.
It was a scandal that the court ladies would savor.
Evil Nikolai knew this, too.
Knowing this, he stepped up to protect my honor.
‘I didn’t notice because I was busy putting out fires. So this rumor is going around.’
To be honest, it was shocking.
I thought I was conducting myself wisely.
But to the people, I was just another wicked woman like the original Elizabeth.
It didn’t matter what good intentions I had, or what results came out.
They didn’t even acknowledge that I protected Franz.
Wrapped in their fears of losing power, they didn’t hesitate to tear into even the slightest opening.
Would anything have been different if I had been born into a noble family?
I somewhat understood why Elizabeth, who had everything, was so concerned with social climbing.
The royal palace was a city unto itself.
Within the vast palace, I had only visited the canary room, the crown prince’s residence, and the library.
The servants in the crown prince’s residence were new hires by me.
I heard that the palace staff in the canary room had received special mental training from Nikolai.
The librarians and guards were indifferent to the lone visitor.
There was no one who looked down on me anywhere.
I had never been wronged due to my lowly status.
I thought I was lucky, but that wasn’t the case.
I had only seen the aspects that I wanted to see.
Under the perfect protection of Nikolai.
“Nikolai is being labeled more of a tyrant because of me. Who knew the situation had worsened to the point that the nobles would storm into the training ground….”
But who am I?
Am I not a femme fatale basking in the emperor’s favor?
If they see me as a wicked woman, I have no choice but to live up to their expectations.
“Your Majesty may not be familiar with their sense of humor. Perhaps it would be wise to hold back?”
I lightly parted my red lips.
Nikolai seemed relieved at my composed demeanor.
I was also surprised to be reminded that I was holding a sword.
Even in front of the emperor and the grand nobles, who were hastily grabbing their swords, I did not feel intimidated.
This situation was also something that noble families would find deplorable.
“This is not your place to intervene.”
“How insolent for a foolish woman to intrude into state affairs. Tsk tsk.”
“Remember that your actions disgrace His Majesty even further.”
If they had not been paying attention to Nikolai, even harsher words would have been flung.
But even then, I would have smiled brightly.
“I appreciate your invaluable advice.”
“It’s good that you understand.”
“I have something to say as well.”
“?”
“Since you all consider yourselves loyal subjects, you must know how precious His Majesty’s body is.”
As if questioning the point of stating the obvious, the heads of the families furrowed their brows.
Their sons openly snickered.
The only one listening seriously was Duke Riman.
“His Majesty uses the training ground to temper his body. Can you say that disturbing His Majesty here is the duty of a loyal subject?”
“Are you mocking us?”
“Did you catch on?”
“What?!”
“I am just a young woman. Is it such a critical and urgent matter to drive away one ignorant, lowly woman?”
“You, you…!”
“Since the heads of the noble families are speaking in unison, I must be quite the important person.”
“…”
“Since you treat me as significant, I will do my best to accommodate you in the future.”
Although angry, my tone and demeanor remained polite and elegant.
I made it clear that I would not endure any more.
In Nikolai’s gaze that fell upon me, a faint sense of pride flickered.
However, there’s always a reckless dog that doesn’t know when to tuck its tail and run when a pack comes charging in.
“Who gave you permission to speak freely? Seems like you can’t show your shoddy roots, so you’re frustrated!”
Duke Brendon squinted his puffy eyes and violently shook his gray beard.
So you’re the instigator today.
You’ve picked the wrong target.
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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