Seducing the Tyrant Instead of My Favorite (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 2
The Camellia Party was originally a royal event.
The tyrant Nikolai entrusted the party to Countess Kensing immediately upon his ascension.
Countess Kensing sent invitations only to noble beauties and high-ranking officials.
Elizabeth, though the heiress of a grand trading house, was of commoner status and had never once received an invitation.
“Isn’t that Miss Elizabeth?”
“It’s strange—Countess Kensing would never have permitted it!”
When I appeared wearing a butterfly mask, curious gazes poured down upon me.
The mask couldn’t hide my fiery red hair, blazing like the sun itself.
My tall, slender frame, full yet graceful figure, and expensive jewelry—rivaling those of the highest nobles—were equally impossible to conceal.
I had chosen the plainest black silk dress from Elizabeth’s wardrobe.
I thought it wouldn’t draw attention, but lo and behold—
Amidst extravagantly adorned noblewomen, the black dress stood out like an elegant black swan.
“She hasn’t shown her face at parties in ages. What’s brought her here?”
“Must mean Miss Elizabeth has her eye on some handsome man, right? Haha!”
Whispers reached my ears.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Would I be able to adapt to this party?
Wouldn’t I just make the atmosphere awkward?
But my worries were brief—my body reacted the moment I stepped inside.
‘This air, this lighting—everything feels familiar. It’s as comfortable as returning home! Is Elizabeth just a natural socialite?’
Once relaxed, my eyes fell upon the dishes laid out on the table.
Kid goat pie, candied goose liver, cream-steamed snails, and so on.
Unfamiliar dishes and a corset squeezing my ribs killed my appetite.
If only there were spicy tteokbokki, yukgaejang, or chicken feet…
‘I miss gochujang, cheongyang chili peppers, capsaicin… fiery flavor, extreme heat, ER-level spiciness, hellish burn…’
Sadly, this world had no chili peppers.
There was pepper, but it couldn’t satisfy a Korean palate.
Unlike the original Elizabeth, I doubted I’d enjoy this party at all.
Loud music, heavy perfume, clusters of people whispering among themselves.
And besides that, another discomfort nagged at me.
‘The dress code is far too revealing! That lady spared no fabric over her chest! Are leggings really in fashion among men here too? How indecent!’
My inner Confucian girl clicked her tongue in disapproval.
Still, I couldn’t leave empty-handed.
I asked Susan, Douglas’s younger sister, to give me her invitation.
Though it was her first Camellia Party, Susan readily agreed to my request.
She didn’t even ask why.
Susan had always been like that since we first met.
‘Susan will fall deeply for Nikolai today. She’ll develop an unrequited love for the Casanova Emperor and eventually take her own life. Her death will become the catalyst that awakens Claudia.’
I had to prevent their meeting and instead seduce Nikolai myself.
Yet no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find the handsome emperor with black hair and green eyes.
Just then, Elizabeth’s admirers swarmed around me.
“To see Miss Elizabeth at the Camellia Party! You look especially beautiful tonight.”
“You’re as mysterious as a fairy of the night! I’d give anything to be even a hem of your skirt for just a moment!”
They were tall and handsome, but none were to my taste.
Worst of all was their oily, insincere tone—like fried margarine.
‘What do you even plan to do as a “hem”? If you’re hurt, go to the hospital, you pathetic fools.’
In my past life, my parents divorced when I was five after cheating on each other.
They both treated their only child like a burden.
Because of that, I grew up shuttling between relatives’ homes.
I always kept my guard up, striving to be flawless in everything.
I never wanted to hear anyone say I took after my parents.
How could someone born with the fate of a Confucian girl ever look kindly upon men who fawned over looks alone?
I lowered my head to hide my disgusted expression.
Unaware, the men cheered.
“Your shyness is also beautiful, Miss Elizabeth!”
“Even the moon and stars of the heavens would lose their luster before your beauty!”
A noblewoman wearing a yellow canary mask glared at me with irritated eyes.
‘If the Countess who dislikes me notices me, it’ll be hard to move freely. Should I just seduce her outright?’
I briefly considered it, then quickly dismissed the idea.
Seduction rarely worked on those who viewed me with hostility or negativity.
Even if it succeeded, it left me deeply exhausted.
The original Elizabeth didn’t know it, but some people were simply immune to charm altogether.
‘Those with convictions worth dying for.’
Claudia was the prime example.
‘The original Elizabeth, unaware of this, tried to seduce Claudia and ended up dragged to the guillotine. Today, I’ll be content just protecting Susan.’
[This is the timeline separator]Thinking I could soon bury myself in a comfortable bed, my steps as I turned to leave felt light.
Then, a mocking voice came from behind me.
“So the lustful she-cat is running away now? Has she finally grasped her place?”
That tone—tsk.
Countess Kensing and a few people around her tittered.
Unlucky as it was, I had to exchange at least basic courtesies.
“My apologies for the late greeting, Countess Kensing.”
“You’re finally speaking to me! I thought you’d ignore me to the end.”
“That would never happen. If I’ve been rude, please forgive me, madam.”
I gracefully lifted the hem of my skirt.
The Emster couple had spared no expense on their only daughter’s education.
Elizabeth’s governess had once been the royal etiquette instructor, and Elizabeth herself had been a remarkably bright student.
It simply meant she could act however she pleased—but was perfectly capable of displaying refined manners whenever she chose.
“How can I possibly relax when an uninvited guest is lurking about? Especially one from the lower class, wriggling her way into high society?”
“I’ll take that as advice to mind my conduct.”
“Is that even possible? Wearing black to a party—not a funeral! She’s practically screaming for attention.”
“……”
“Now that her overreaching engagement has ended, Miss Elizabeth must realize—even a few coins can’t hide one’s true bloodline. Hehe!”
This woman’s crossing a line.
I’ve always believed in never avoiding a fight I’ve walked into.
I learned young that showing courtesy to the rude only harms myself.
Besides, wasn’t Countess Kensing the very one who’d incited Elizabeth into breaking off her engagement?
“Madam, was it your family elders who taught you to sneer so openly to someone’s face?”
I asked with a radiant smile.
Countess Kensing’s face flushed crimson, and she snapped.
“Are you talking back to the mistress of a count’s household?!”
“No. I’m giving you a lesson.”
“What—what did you say?!”
“You may or may not have heard the saying, ‘Good medicine tastes bitter.’ Let’s leave it at that. Then I’ll quietly take my leave.”
“How dare a young girl like you—!”
“Don’t tell me you’ve never even heard that proverb? I suppose you never read books at all.”
Snickers rose from the crowd.
It was common knowledge that Countess Kensing had failed the academy she’d donated to.
Humiliated in her own home, Countess Kensing raised her hand toward me.
“Common trash like you only learn sense after a good beating!”
“And who are you to hit me?”
I sharply slapped away Countess Kensing’s slender hand.
Stunned by the unexpected retaliation, she gaped wordlessly.
‘My nickname used to be “Troublemaker Assassin in Disguise as a Part-Timer.” Don’t underestimate Korean part-timers!’
Offending a noble could get me seriously hurt.
But I had no intention of backing down here.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, right?
“To resort to violence the moment I strike a nerve—how impressive. Did you know your husband owes the Emster Trading House sixty million gold?”
“What? What nonsense are you spouting!”
“You must not have heard. Too busy drowning in gambling, I suppose. Even as we speak, the interest is snowballing.”
“You lowly thing—you’re even lying now?”
“I may be lowly, but promissory notes don’t lie. And you should stop mocking His Imperial Majesty.”
“You wretch! Are you trying to frame me by invoking His Majesty?!”
‘Do you think I came here unprepared? I know exactly what you did to Elizabeth!’
“Playing innocent, are you? After selling invitations on the black market?”
I glared at Countess Kensing, whose only claim to pride was her noble bloodline.
Intimidated by my presence, she stumbled backward.
“Th-that’s—!”
“Nobles without townhouses in the capital seek social connections. But profiting off a party entrusted to you by His Majesty? What pathetic desperation! Should I call it beggar’s mentality?”
A murmur of sighs and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Those who’d bought invitations on the black market couldn’t bring themselves to lift their heads.
I leaned close to Countess Kensing, frozen like a statue, and whispered in her ear.
“Leave quietly—before I spill everything, including your current affair with the stablehand.”
Claudia wouldn’t uncover that truth until much later, but I didn’t care.
Countess Kensing staggered away from the party.
I called out after her retreating back in a clear, ringing voice.
“Let’s give a round of applause for Countess Kensing’s hard work! This might be the last Camellia Party ever held at Kensing Manor!”
[This is the timeline separator]A maid carrying a silver tray passed before me, surrounded by guests.
On the tray sat a chocolate cake topped with cherries.
‘That’s Nikolai’s only favorite dessert! Have I finally found him?’
I followed the maid toward the terrace.
My heart pounded—this was it, my first encounter with the original story’s villain.
“Sister Elizabeth!”
A noble young lady with pink hair and gentle eyes approached me.
It was Susan, Douglas’s younger sister—who absolutely shouldn’t be here!
“I had something urgent to tell you, so I got an invitation from a relative.”
I adored Susan’s character—frail yet strong-willed.
I’d even left harsh comments during the arc where she took her life.
But this kind of strength was troublesome right now.
“I know it’s impolite, but could you possibly cancel the broken engagement with my brother?”
“Susan…”
“Please reconsider just once. You’ve always listened to me, haven’t you? And never held back your full support.”
“I’m sorry, Susan. It’s over between Lord Douglas and me.”
“What about us, then?”
Susan asked.
Clear tears shimmered in her eyes.
“I love you as much as I love my brother. I’ve waited only for the day we’d become true family.”
She must have gathered every ounce of courage to say those words.
I wanted to hug Susan, trembling like a fawn caught in the rain.
If Douglas hadn’t appeared, I might have actually embraced her.
“Susan. What are you doing here right now?”
“Brother!”
“I escorted her because she begged me… I didn’t expect to trouble Elizabeth. Please accept my apology instead.”
Douglas bowed deeply.
He looked thoroughly distressed by the situation.
The fact that even his sister’s pleading couldn’t change my mind must have tormented him.
“It’s because I don’t want to lose you, sister.”
“But you still shouldn’t do this. How uncomfortable must Elizabeth feel around us siblings?”
“I’ve committed a grave breach of etiquette. Please forgive me, sister.”
The tearful-eyed deer siblings clasped hands.
Inside, I screamed.
‘Stop being so sweet—it makes me feel awful! I’m not actually used to playing the villain!’
Brother Deer asked cautiously,
“Elizabeth, you look unwell. Would you like some fresh air?”
“Let’s go together, sister! That terrace over there looks nice!”
Little Deer pointed right toward the terrace where the villainous emperor was surely lying in wait.
“May I accompany you, Elizabeth?”
Brother Deer looked at me with humble hope.
Without thinking, a cold voice slipped out.
“How utterly tiresome.”
The innocent Nettleton siblings’ faces turned pale and stiff.
I couldn’t let Susan meet Nikolai—even if it meant earning their hatred.
“Using your frail younger sister to sway me? I’m truly disappointed.”
“It’s a misunderstanding, Elizabeth!”
“Just leave me alone. I’d appreciate it if you’d vanish from my sight.”
I spat out cruel words I didn’t mean.
A single tear fell from Susan’s eye.
“It’s all my fault. Please don’t hate my brother too.”
“I’ve caused you discomfort. My apologies. But I’m not shameless enough to exploit my only blood relative.”
Douglas looked genuinely wounded.
Though I knew it couldn’t be helped, guilt clung stubbornly to my chest.
‘If I’m going to play the villainess, I might as well do it thoroughly. Sympathy is nothing but poison.’
I turned my back coldly on them both.
Even the original Elizabeth would have acknowledged this as the perfect performance of a villainess.
[This is the timeline separator]I swept aside the terrace curtains without hesitation.
It was impolite, but I had no choice.
On a plush sofa, three people were entangled.
Two women flanked a masked man, staging a suggestive scene.
‘Two at once? Toss that straight into the biohazard bin! Classify it as incinerated trash!’
I didn’t want to look—but my eyes kept drifting back.
I hated to admit it, but the man was beautiful.
Taut chest muscles peeked through his unbuttoned shirt.
His shoulders were as broad as the Pacific, and his powerful thighs thicker than an average woman’s waist.
From his sensual yet supple, dignified muscular frame radiated an intense aura of allure.
Black hair spilled over his mask.
Between the strands, lazy green eyes—like a well-fed predator—glinted.
A forgotten fear surged over me.
‘If I say the wrong thing, won’t I be executed on the spot? Tyrants kill on a whim, after all!’
Nikolai, who’d been observing me sharply, asked in a low voice,
“Do you wish to join us too?”
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.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (95)
Oh my God, thank goodness he wasn’t a womanizer, hahaha. But their first meeting was hilarious! The hero thought she looked like a hamster and her last name was Amster 😭💗🤭
Hahaha, poor Elizabeth! She was manipulated by that deceitful and fraudulent tyrant.
What is this? Is there a system helping her? Douglas doesn’t seem kind to me; I think he’s hiding something.
Inline Comments (3)
Claudia had disliked Nikolai for a very long time.
Hahaha, how disgusting! She’s been completely manipulated for their own interests. I think there’s a group trying to get rid of Elizabeth and the Emperor.
It was astonishing that such a small, delicate girl had developed a medicine eve
What kind of medicine is it? It’s making me more curious
Nikolai, dressed head to toe in black, glared at her with eyes as cold as ice.
Oh my God, the hero has arrived! Hahaha, thank God! Thank you, writer! 🥺🤭💗
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Miioo
Oh my God, what kind of novel is this? Is the protagonist a depraved, degenerate, womanizing, filthy man?