He had to admit it. Even if Alexandre provided the excuse, it was something that shouldn’t happen since he was a prince.
“Indeed. When my wife returns, I must fully understand the situation and offer an appropriate apology.”
Then Alexandre waved his hand.
“No. Is it necessary?”
“……?”
“I only came to verify the divorce. As I told you earlier, I can deal with that issue later.”
“But given the situation…….”
“You said you wouldn’t blame Ellen, didn’t you? It doesn’t seem to be something the Count needs to worry about.”
“…….”
It was an attitude of making an issue out of the incident but defending Ellen. Alexandre seemed sincere, without a hidden agenda.
‘Even if Ellen messes up, it’s a relief I don’t have to clean up, but…….’
Philip felt even more uncomfortable.
‘What could it be? Why is he like that? There must be some scheme.’
No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t understand Alexandre’s intentions.
‘I never thought I’d face such a difficult psychological battle.’
Sweat trickled down Philip’s spine.
That was when,
“The tea has cooled, I will pour it again.”
Domingo put chrysanthemum in a new teacup, calmly pouring hot water.
A faint sound, and a thin stream of steam rose, drawing a gentle curve.
Seeing the brilliant golden hue of the chrysanthemum spread, Philip felt his mind momentarily calm.
At that moment, Philip remembered Alexandre talking about tea and Ellen at the same time.
[Dash]Oh, you are confident with tea, and it truly is beautiful. The light reflected in the tea is the same color as the Countess’s hair.‘…Perhaps?’
Only then did his thoughts turn in a completely different direction. Then, he realized that Alexandre was still unmarried.
‘Could it be…… Is he coveting Ellen? Is that why he’s waiting for the divorce?’
Anger welled up inside him.
Prince or not, he felt an uncontrollable urge to strangle the man.
Philip wanted to probe Alexandre to see if what he suspected was right.
Just then, Domingo intervened at the right moment.
“Please drink, Master.”
“……Ah.”
Philip’s rationality returned.
“Thank you, Domingo.”
For responding quickly.
Philip, maintaining calm only on the outside, lifted his teacup.
If Domingo hadn’t offered tea, he would have made a mistake. It was fortunate.
As he calmed down a little, Philip thought, ‘No matter what, Ellen is a married woman.’
Divorced noblewomen were not highly regarded among noble men.
‘I must have been mistaken.’
He reassured himself like that. But the unpleasant feeling did not go away.
‘Ah, all I have to do is ask.’
After some thought, Philip decided to confirm Alexandre’s intentions.
“Your Highness, do you plan to hold Ellen responsible?”
“Of course.”
“……?”
Alexandre’s confident answer looked like he had no doubts at all.
“Will Ellen be in trouble and suffer?”
Philip expected a yes or no from Alexandre, who was stroking his chin.
“Why would the Count, who will become a third party after the divorce, need to take an interest in our affairs?”
The answer to the question was unexpected.
‘Our affairs after the divorce?’
Philip, already on edge, became even more tense.
‘If that’s the way it is, I have my thoughts as well.’
Philip showed dignity with a calm smile.
“It is currently Lady Countess Morris. Divorce can be withdrawn at any time.”
Alexander’s brow noticeably furrowed.
“Divorce… withdrawal? You should fully realize that the count is a serious matter, shouldn’t you?”
“Since it is a serious matter, shouldn’t we reconsider it?”
At the mention of divorce withdrawal, a distinct displeasure and hostility shone in Alexander’s eyes.
“I intend to hold you heavily responsible. It will be better for you to divorce. That is, if you do not plan to take responsibility together.”
His words were a threat. But Philip was able to catch Alexander’s real intention.
He did not inform about Ellen’s behavior to punish her; it was to make Philip even more detached.
Then, annoyed by the contrary mention of divorce withdrawal.
‘Showing malice towards another’s wife.’
Philip’s mood worsened even further.
But since it was such a matter, even though he knew Alexander’s insides, he couldn’t rashly confront him.
“Domingo, when will Ellen be home?”
“She said she would go downtown, but she might stop by the mansion. She may have already gone.”
“Your Majesty, please excuse me for a moment.”
Philip sighed and opened the window.
If there was someone, he planned to ask if they had seen Ellen.
But a little farther away, two people were seen.
Ellen, who was returning with her dress hem fluttering, and Mild Kyung, who stood a step behind.
Philip focused his eyes by pulling up his own aura.
Perhaps something good had happened; Ellen seemed to be in a good mood.
Mild Kyung’s expression was as gentle as when he saw her in the morning. That expression today ignited a thousand fires inside Philip.
At the same sensation, Philip bit his lower lip slightly.
“Ellen is coming there. It’s better to hear the situation directly.”
Alexander’s expression brightened.
“Good.”
“Domingo, tell Ellen the situation and bring her to the reception room.”
.
.
.
A moment later.
Standing in front of the two men were Mild Kyung and Domingo.
Expecting Ellen to follow shortly, the two men glanced behind Mild Kyung’s broad shoulders and simultaneously asked.
“Ellen?”
“Ellen?”
Domingo respectfully bowed his head.
“I apologize. She said it would be difficult to come right away, so she sent Mild Kyung first. He can testify to the situation.”
At those words, Alexander, who had been momentarily stunned, burst into laughter.
“See. She herself knows how serious the matter is.”
Philip swallowed a quiet moan.
‘I wanted to see that behavior I usually disliked.’
It’s about her denying ever having such feelings and absolutely refusing to divorce, throwing a fit.
Even if Ellen was all wrong, according to Alexander’s words, it didn’t matter.
He wished she had brutally rejected the faithless and depraved Alexander in front of Philip’s eyes.
‘Then I would have seen Alexander suffer the wound of rejection…’
With a regretful heart, Philip put it aside and sternly ordered Mild Kyung.
“Then let Mild Kyung speak. Everything that happened that day. Everything that happened between Ellen and His Majesty, every word and action.”
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
