The Credentials of a Couple (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 26
“Why that look? Could it be because I was with Duke Pierne?”
“No. It’s nothing like that.”
“No matter what you think, nothing actually happened. We just happened to meet in the hallway. And as for the escort—he offered first, so I couldn’t very well refuse.”
“By coincidence?”
“Yes, by coincidence.”
Even though I emphasized the word “coincidence,” Bake’s expression remained unchanged.
And understandably so—his mind was likely swirling with all sorts of thoughts right now.
But Bake’s gloom didn’t last long—or rather, it couldn’t.
As long as I kept casting him worried glances throughout the carriage ride, Bake, who was merely playing the role of a devoted husband, had no choice but to force a smile.
“Don’t give me that look. I was just thinking about something for a moment.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I was worried you might misunderstand.”
“I wouldn’t do something like that.”
Bake tugged at the corner of his mouth once, then pressed his lips shut again.
After a long silence, he cautiously opened his mouth, having carefully gauged my expression.
“…Are you really going to accept His Majesty’s proposal?”
“I may not remember it, but it was a promise I already made. Of course I have to keep it.”
“…Do you trust His Majesty’s words?”
“He has no reason to lie to me.”
When I smiled carefreely, Bake could only purse his lips, unable to utter a word.
He clearly wanted to prevent me from getting involved with the Emperor at all costs—but unfortunately, I had absolutely no intention of doing so.
To escape the surveillance surrounding me, I had to go somewhere beyond Bake’s influence.
“Don’t worry too much. Everything will work out fine. It’s not as if it’s something unfamiliar—it’s imperial etiquette, after all. And more importantly, His Majesty is right about one thing.”
“Right? About what?”
“That I can’t keep resting forever.”
“If you want to, you can stay as long as you like. I don’t mind.”
“It’s not that I’m fine with it. Honestly, my body is already healed. It’s just my memory that hasn’t returned.”
I lowered my head weakly, my expression gloomy.
“I know you must be anxious. But there’s really no need to force your memories back.”
“You know as well as I do that it’d be better if you regained your memories.”
“Of course I know that. But you mean more to me than any memory. I don’t want to see you suffer because of my lost memories.”
As Bake gently covered my hand with his, I slowly raised my head again.
Seeing his tender smile, it was clear Bake intended to play the role of a good husband once more today.
“Do you really mean that?”
“Of course. Memories can always be rebuilt anyway.”
“…Do you think so?”
“What matters isn’t memory—it’s the fact that you’re my wife and I’m your husband. Just remember that for now.”
“…”
It sounded familiar—because it was something I had once said myself.
Recalling that memory, I met Bake’s gaze. Now, I could no longer treat my husband with the same feelings I once had.
“…Thank you. For saying that.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m the one who should apologize—for not being able to help you more.”
“Don’t say that. It’s because of you that I’ve managed to get this far. And I know I’ll keep going, thanks to you.”
“Huh?”
“Actually, you’ve given me even more courage. Seeing you stand firm like my pillar makes me want to do better myself. So… will you cheer me on, so I can do my best?”
Bake realized too late that he’d missed his chance to persuade me, his expression flashing with regret—but it was already too late.
Faced with my resolute declaration, Bake had only one possible reply left.
“Of course I’ll cheer you on.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
When I smiled, Bake couldn’t help but smile back.
Though I tried to appear calm, my trembling pupils betrayed my anxiety, and I clasped my hands together.
“But I have no memories now. His Majesty said he’d make allowances for us, and that since we’re young, it wouldn’t be a big issue—but I still can’t help but worry.”
“If it ever feels too hard, just tell me right away. I’ll speak to His Majesty myself.”
“It’s not that. I’d like to bring someone who can help me.”
“Someone who can help?”
“Margaret.”
Bake tried hard to keep his expression neutral, but I saw it clearly.
For just an instant, the corner of his mouth twitched upward when I mentioned Margaret.
“Then that’s settled. Viscountess Fisher is your lady-in-waiting, so there’s a proper reason. Bringing her along won’t cause any problems.”
Bake spoke confidently, though in truth, Margaret had only stayed as a temporary guest due to certain circumstances. She had never actually served as my lady-in-waiting.
But ever since I lost my memories, she had taken on that role and naturally resumed using the wing she’d occupied before.
Of course, she wasn’t the only one acting as if nothing had changed.
Forcing down a surge of nausea at the memory of the tangled heap of flesh I’d seen that day, I turned my head away.
Just then, through the carriage window, I spotted Margaret waiting outside the mansion.
So I turned back and smiled at Bake, deliberately taking his offered arm as I stepped down from the carriage—and even after alighting, I leaned naturally against him.
I knew exactly what kind of look Margaret was giving me, but I didn’t care.
Compared to the scene I’d witnessed before, this was nothing.
And compared to what was yet to come, it was even less.
“Did you like my gift?”
“It was truly wonderful—I can only express my gratitude.”
“Then it’s only fair you give me something in return. Don’t you agree?”
The Emperor kept his ever-friendly smile, but I didn’t trust him.
If he deemed me useless, I wouldn’t be the only one he’d dispose of—Duke Pierne wouldn’t be safe either. The Emperor was no different.
After all, he was the man who had crushed his formidable half-brothers to claim the throne. Though young, he was sharper than anyone in discerning interests and calculating gains.
“As you may or may not know from Duke Pierne, I have only one answer to give you.”
“Unfortunately, our Duke seems to enjoy keeping his words scarce. So you’ll have to tell me yourself—even if it tires your mouth.”
“I already said I’d do anything for you.”
But the Emperor’s strengths meant little to me.
I wasn’t here for profit—I was going all in.
“Anything?”
“Yes, anything.”
“That’s quite a dangerous phrase. So, what did Calix agree to receive? It’d be troublesome if our desires overlapped.”
“It won’t overlap with yours at all, Your Majesty.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Hasn’t Your Majesty always wanted the same thing?”
The greedy man had coveted everything belonging to Crayton from the very beginning.
Whether forcing submission to place Crayton under his control or swallowing it whole himself—either way, to a conqueror like him, Crayton was prey he absolutely had to claim.
“In other words, Calix chose love.”
“…”
“Even with that cold, indifferent face, you’re still a romantic at heart. No wonder I rushed to your aid without a second thought.”
“…”
“How fascinating. Even after being betrayed so cruelly, you still can’t let go. And not just anyone—Calix himself.”
The Emperor grinned widely enough to show his teeth, then tossed me the object he’d been holding.
I caught it instinctively and frowned slightly as I recognized what it was.
“I’m truly curious—what charm do you possess that drives men so utterly mad?”
“…”
“So here’s what I’m thinking—since we’re already at this point, why not propose a different condition? What do you say?”
“What do you want from me?”
“That you become Duke Pierne’s wife. That will be my condition.”
“…”
“You wouldn’t dare say no, would you? You clearly said you’d do anything.”
The Emperor gave a mischievous smile, like a playful child. Apparently, he saw this as mere entertainment.
I stared straight at the Emperor, clenching my fist tightly.
Because of that, the round shape of the object inside the pouch he’d thrown me felt even clearer.
“Did your audience with His Majesty go well? No problems, I hope?”
“Yeah. He only said to prepare properly for what’s ahead. It’s not a debutante ball, but since many are waiting for it, he’s naturally concerned.”
“I’m relieved. I was worried for nothing, thinking it was a private audience with His Majesty.”
Margaret covered her mouth and giggled softly. She seemed especially cheerful, probably because it was her first visit to the Imperial Palace.
Watching Margaret walk briskly ahead of me, I stopped in my tracks.
According to etiquette, a lady-in-waiting should walk behind her mistress—but she didn’t seem to care about that at all.
“Margaret.”
“Hm? What is it?”
Oblivious that I’d stopped, Margaret only halted after hearing my call.
Her wide eyes still showed no sign of realizing her mistake.
I deliberately looked her straight in the eye and gave a faint smile.
“You should walk behind me.”
“Huh? Oh?”
“You’re my lady-in-waiting, after all.”
I gestured with my chin toward the space behind me, still smiling.
Margaret flustered, her lips moving soundlessly—but I had no reason to accommodate her further.
I simply spoke once more, urging her to take her proper place behind me.
“In Crayton Mansion, it might not matter, but this is the Imperial Palace. You must follow proper etiquette. It’d be troublesome if your reputation suffered over something so trivial.”
“Oh—right, of course! I was so amazed by the palace I completely forgot.”
Unable to even show her displeasure, Margaret shuffled backward hesitantly.
I deliberately didn’t look back at her, instead smoothing the back of my hand.
Even through my glove, the firm sensation beneath was hard to hide.
“You’re not upset, I hope?”
“Upset? Of course not—it’s only natural. You are my lady-in-waiting, after all.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Don’t mention it. It was my mistake.”
Margaret tried hard to act composed, but her voice betrayed her.
Guessing what expression she might be wearing behind me, I stepped forward.
“Just do better from now on. I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to have you with me today. Honestly, I was worried—afraid Bake wouldn’t allow you to come along.”
“Why would you worry about that? I’m your lady-in-waiting.”
“Well… Now that I think about it, it seems a bit odd.”
“What’s odd?”
“A husband who kept me oppressed would surely want to place a spy by my side—but he didn’t.”
The footsteps that had been following me closely suddenly paused, then resumed.
But I pretended not to notice and kept walking at the same pace.
“He probably doesn’t need to. There are plenty of servants at the mansion.”
“But this isn’t the mansion right now. And more importantly, Bake doesn’t get along with the Imperial Family. Wouldn’t this be the perfect time to assign me a spy?”
“Maybe that’s exactly why he’s being more cautious.”
“Even so, it still feels strange.”
“In what way?”
“I’ve lost my memories, so I wouldn’t recognize anyone you brought. Wouldn’t now be the perfect time to place a spy by my side? For example, by disguising the spy as someone close to me…”
This time, the footsteps behind me stopped completely.
And I, too, halted after just a few more steps.
Slowly, I turned around.
There stood Margaret, her face pale as death.
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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