After ending the meeting and returning to the Crown Prince’s palace, he found Hegelia waiting for him in the palace lobby.
“I heard you weren’t feeling well.”
Hegelia, with blonde hair similar to the Crown Prince’s draped over one shoulder, answered while carefully wrapping her outer garment.
“I’m fine now.”
“…”
“I came because I missed Your Highness. Do you know what day it is today?”
The Crown Prince spoke with eyes that just wanted to rest.
“I know.”
“Then how about spending time together after dinner?”
“I’m tired today, so I’ll visit your room tomorrow night.”
“But…”
“My lady. A healthy body is necessary for a child to be conceived well. It’s not like today is the only day, is it?”
Hegelia’s grip tightened on her outer garment.
“You said the same thing last time. You told me to wait but never came to my room in the end.”
The Crown Prince carefully wrapped Hegelia’s outer garment. Then, stroking her hair that was as soft as waves, he opened his mouth.
“Please understand. The position of Crown Prince is busier than you think.”
He smiled kindly, which was unusual for his usually expressionless face. Hegelia, who had been frowning as if about to get angry at any moment, slowly relaxed her face at the Crown Prince’s smile.
He gently stroked her hair. Hegelia released her grip on her outer garment and placed her hand on top of his. Then, feeling his body heat, she smiled sweetly like a woman in love.
“My lady, do you know?”
He suddenly spoke as if he had just remembered something, withdrawing the hand that had been stroking her hair.
“I heard that Duke Artenbach is getting married.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Since it’s none other than an Imperial Duke, the Imperial family will have to attend the banquet as well.”
Hegelia said nothing. As if finding this interesting, the Crown Prince continued speaking with an ambiguous expression.
“Since marriage is a major event, that Aron will attend too.”
His eyes were sharp, as if not wanting to miss even the slightest change in Hegelia.
In the end, she took a step back while biting her lips tightly. Then she bowed politely and turned around. The sound of the Crown Prince snickering could be heard.
[This is the timeline separator]We rushed the wedding preparations. Outside the mansion was bustling with the Artenbach festival, while inside was busy preparing for my wedding.
For me, who had never prepared for a noble’s banquet before, Askal called in Baroness Tirel.
She taught me everything from choosing fresh flowers for the banquet table to selecting wine glasses, which was really helpful for me who knew no one in social circles.
Spending mornings working for Black Swan and afternoons busy with wedding preparations with Askal, before I knew it, the last day of the festival had arrived.
“Mom, Dad still hasn’t gone to see the festival.”
“Is that so?”
He must be busy dealing with work that piled up while he was out on the subjugation. Still, it would be nice if he could take a moment to see the smiling and enjoying faces of the domain’s people.
“So, I pulled some strings to get Father to come out of the government office.”
“You pulled some strings?”
Rublion smiled meaningfully.
“I arranged to meet Baron Tirel at Lyube Square at six o’clock… You’ll come too, right Mom?”
Hearing this, I roughly understood what he meant. It seems Rublion recruited Baron Tirel because he wanted to go to the festival with Askal.
“I’d be glad to go again.”
“I thought you’d say that. Then shall we meet in the lobby a little later?”
Rublion disappeared with a whoosh without even waiting for an answer. He seemed to be becoming more and more like the twins these days.
While waiting for the appointed time, butler Gaben brought the news I had been waiting for. The Imperial family had decided to investigate Rumps.
The day after Askal returned from the capital, he told me about his private audience with the Emperor, and I was shocked to learn that he had the power to move the Imperial family.
‘I wouldn’t know the inside story of a great noble, after all.’
Anyway, from that day on, it really hit me that I was becoming the wife of an incredible person.
“My lady, it’s time to start getting ready.”
Anna said with a brush in her hand. These days, she was only handling tasks like choosing my clothes, doing my makeup, or managing accessories.
On days when she had free time, she would gather colleagues who dreamed of becoming ladies’ maids and teach them makeup techniques. She showed talent for captivating people in this way, so the head maid had her eye on her as a potential successor.
“You know I did a real work of art today, right?”
Anna whispered, holding up a mirror. Her hand skills were improving, and her flattery was increasing as well.
“You worked hard.”
“Hehe.”
I quietly observed Anna’s side profile as she organized the cosmetics. She’s looked noticeably different lately?
“Have you been to the festival?”
Anna answered with a smile at my question.
“Yes, I have.”
Oh? Why is her face turning red?
“It must have been boring if you went alone.”
Anna’s ear tips turned red and she said nothing. No wonder she’s been wearing makeup she never used to and dressing up more lately.
Right. Our Anna is at an age where she wants to date and get married too.
“Tell me. Who did you go with? Is it someone I know?”
Anna waved her hands, saying it wasn’t. But what kind of relationship do we have? We’re close enough to know what the other is thinking just by looking at their eyes.
“I won’t spread rumors. Who is it? Someone from the mansion?”
“It’s not someone from the mansion. He’s a painter.”
My eyes opened wide involuntarily. There was only one painter I could think of who had any connection to Anna.
“Don’t tell me… Mürten?”
Anna jumped in surprise and waved her arms roughly.
“I hate that pervert who only chases after women.”
It’s a relief it’s not him, but then I can’t think of anyone else.
Oh, could it be?
“By any chance… Leodnil?”
Anna silently nodded her head. I had sent her on errands once or twice for the series work, but there shouldn’t have been enough time for them to develop feelings?
“We just… agreed to meet with good intentions.”
Anna, grinning broadly, looked truly happy. It’s really gratifying to watch the happiness of people I care about.
So I hope Anna and Leodnil will nurture their love beautifully and give us good news.
[This is the timeline separator]Even though Askal realized he had been tricked by Baron Tirel, he didn’t say anything. It seemed to be because of me and Rublion, who looked like tourists who had come to see the festival.
“Father kept refusing, saying he was busy, so I had no choice.”
So this is what he meant by pulling some strings.
“Askal, if you haven’t had dinner yet, let’s eat together around here. Have you tried spider meat? It’s really delicious.”
He answered with a slight frown.
“I ate a lot of it in the subjugation area, so not really.”
“Ah…”
The atmosphere suddenly turned chilly. Rublion looked back and forth between me and Askal, then grabbed one hand each and said,
“Come on, let’s go somewhere first. Instead of just standing here like this.”
Rublion, Askal, and I moved our steps towards the square where the festival was in full swing.
Festival booths were gathered in a circle around the central fountain, with various wild beast meat dishes, accessories made from trophies, and spaces set up for various activities.
‘If there are too many people, Askal might feel uncomfortable.’
I walked around avoiding crowded areas. Fortunately, the festival grounds were so large that it was sufficient to just walk around the outskirts.
“Rublion, shall we try that?”
I pointed to a booth full of darts. There was a target with scores written on it, and prizes were given out according to the score. A competitive fire lit up in Rublion’s eyes.
“Mom, I’m really good at throwing darts!”
“That’s news to me.”
Askal muttered as if in disbelief. I took the child’s hand and approached the booth.
“Welcome.”
The booth owner rubbed his palms together and explained the price per game and the prizes according to the score as if reciting a script.
“Mom, want to make a bet with me?”
“A bet?”
Rublion snorted and said,
“The one who gets the lower score has to grant a wish for the one who gets the higher score.”
“Hmm, what should I do.”
You’ll regret it. I’m not bad at dart throwing either.
“Come on. Please?”
Rublion grabbed my arm and puffed out his cheeks, acting cute.
“Alright. But you have to accept whatever the result is, okay?”
“Got it!”
Rublion said he’d go first and pulled the basket of darts in front of him. Then he put his palms together in prayer, and with a serious expression, he started throwing the darts.
Thwack. Thwack.
It seems his claim of being good wasn’t a lie. Rublion hit the center with six out of ten darts.
“Wow, you’re good!”
At my praise, the child’s shoulders slowly rose. Askal said nothing but stroked his head once.
“Now it’s my turn, right?”
Thwack. Thwack.
The more darts I threw, the more Rublion’s face hardened. I had already hit the center more than six times, but there were still two left in my basket.
After cleanly hitting the center with the remaining two as well, I asked the dejected Rublion,
“How many did I hit?”
“…Eight.”
It seems he didn’t expect to lose. Or rather, he didn’t know my skill level.
“Well then, shall I state my wish?”
Rublion looked up at me like a cardinal waiting for an oracle.
“Return to morning training starting tomorrow.”
“No!”
The child dragged his hands down both cheeks with a desperate expression.
“Can’t it be a different wish?”
“No, it can’t.”
His shoulders drooped to the floor. Askal patted Rublion’s back a couple of times and then walked to the dart basket.
“Does that rule apply to me as well?”
He boldly declared his intention to participate. I nodded, saying of course.
Thwack. Thwack.
The darts stuck to the center as if they had magnets attached, every single throw.
While Rublion and I watched with our mouths wide open, perhaps feeling our gaze, he threw a total of nine darts and casually tossed the last one.
“Now I’ll state my wish.”
He said as he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands.
Rublion looked up with cute eyes, hoping his beloved and respected father would revoke the wish for returning to morning training.
“My lady, have a drink with me.”
His golden eyes gazed steadily at me.
“Now?”
“No, after Rublion falls asleep.”
Thump thump. Thump thump.
It would be late at night after the child falls asleep.
“Just the two of us. Tonight.”
Rublion looked at me and Askal with drowsy eyes.
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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