“Right? As expected, His Majesty the Emperor is truly remarkable!”
Kieren said, boasting a bit. In response to Kieren’s gaze seeking agreement, Reneve nodded lightly.
“It seems that His Majesty plans to use the recovered gold from Viscount Zalt and the nobles involved for the welfare of the imperial citizens.”
“Ah, indeed! It looks like His Majesty is scrutinizing Basuker.”
Without refuting Kieren’s words, Reneve redirected her gaze to the Imperial Gazette.
Among various charges against Viscount Zalt, Reneve focused on one.
‘Receiving charges for assisting the escape of Princess Solti…’
Reneve found the related articles interestingly.
“…Lady Siren of the House of Viscount, who came from Paradion, early on noticed the fake identity of the princess. Upon learning of this fact, the king of Solti decided to eliminate her. They decided to send an assassin.”
Having read that far, Reneve let out a bitter laugh.
‘They included such details in the article?’
Only Icarus and a few of his close aides knew the detailed ins and outs of the incident.
Therefore, it was highly likely that the article in the Imperial Gazette was transmitted through Icarus or his aides.
If it was a task assigned by Icarus, there must be some intention behind it.
Understanding the hidden motive was crucial. Reneve was well aware of the atrocities committed by the Paradion royal family before her return.
For instance, there was not just news in the newspaper; there was no mere image-building, whether to tarnish someone’s image or build a positive one.
“What were your thoughts while reading this article?”
Reneve asked Amber to confirm if her assumptions were correct.
“My thoughts? Well… The fake princess seems quite malicious. And the lady who saw through the fake princess’s identity early on seems incredibly perceptive.”
“And Kieren?”
“I thought the same. Also, it feels like there’s a close relationship between His Majesty and the lady.”
With the answers from the two, Reneve immediately understood Icarus’s scheme.
‘Indeed, he’s truly extraordinary.’
While all the content was based on truth, there was no need to include such detailed circumstances in the article.
It was correct to see this as Icarus attempting image-making among the imperial citizens.
By increasing resentment towards the fake princess in Solti and portraying Reneve as a pitiable victim, he aimed to evoke sympathy among the imperial citizens.
Furthermore, the imperial citizens would likely have a positive impression of Reneve.
This was because Eshka quickly saw through the fake princess’s identity and informed the Emperor.
This undoubtedly played a significant role in mitigating the aversion from the imperial citizens towards a foreign empress.
Amused by the fact that she fell for Icarus’s scheme, Reneve laughed bitterly and seriously continued reading the remaining articles.
“…Thanks to that, we could have prepared in advance, but Viscount Zalt, who had a deep relationship with the fake princess, managed to help her escape. Some suggest that Viscount Zalt attempted to use the princess to play the role of Solti’s queen, but it hasn’t been accurately revealed.”
Since Reneve also lacked information on this part, she had no choice but to think based on the content of the article.
But one thing was certain.
Viscount Zalt would not be able to avoid accusations of assisting a fake princess for his own gain.
“…His Majesty, who considered the offer of peace from Basuker as betrayal and deceit, seems determined to wage war against Solti…”
Having read the entire article, Reneve almost clapped her hands.
‘Indeed, he’s not ordinary.’
She couldn’t help but imagine what would have happened if Icarus had attacked Paradion before her death.
She was grateful that she and Icarus were not enemies now.
Reneve envisioned the post-peace treaty era.
“As it was before the regression, in the war between Solti and Basuker, Basuker will gain the upper hand.”
“After that, it’s likely that Reyna and Venistan will raise the white flag.”
So, it meant that all the surrounding countries except Paradion would fall into Icarus’s grasp.
Reneve, putting down the newspaper she was holding on the table, shook her head.
Despite the successful resolution of the matter, Amber, perhaps due to Reneve’s less-than-pleasant expression, asked with concern, “Lady, why do you look like that?”
“There will be a war soon.”
Possessing a martial disposition, Kieren seemed quite composed. However, Amber, raised in Paradion, wore an uneasy expression.
“…Then, what will happen to us?”
Reneve gently reassured the anxious Amber, saying, “We’ll just continue living as we do now, and when the treaty period is over, we’ll return to Paradion.”
“Even if there’s a war?”
“His Majesty will lead the soldiers to Solti. So, it’s safer for us to stay in Basuker.”
Kieren asked, “How do you know that, Lady?”
“Fighting in my husband’s country would be foolish. Besides, His Majesty is someone who surpasses my expectations with remarkably wise judgments.”
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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