As time passed, the Emperor’s birthday party approached. Arriving first at the Bellarus Duke’s mansion, Rikel looked at Leia, who was dressing up, with unfamiliar eyes.
‘Now a noble lady… No, she looks like a lady of the house.’
Memories of the time spent together in the Hydren Duke’s territory flashed through Rikel’s mind. She was always wearing a white alchemist gown and smiling innocently.
However, seeing her dressed up like this made him realize once again that she had become the Duchess.
“Did you come?”
“Yes. You look beautiful.”
As Rikel approached, Leia, adjusting her dress, asked.
“Enough with those greetings. How’s the reaction to the Botox?”
“It’s a huge success. Tying it up with the hot spring tourism package was a brilliant move.”
“I’m glad it worked out.”
Leia had indeed released the developed Botox as a Bellarus hot spring tourism product. Even without that, the popularity of Botox among noble ladies interested in skincare was unstoppable.
Not to mention visits to Bellarus, inquiries about Botox flooded Magnoilia shops nationwide.
“Nobles from the capital frequently visit Bellarus for vacation, and thanks to that, the location at the top of Magnoilia has become quite good.”
At first, Leia considered selling it under the Bellarus Duke’s name, but to support Akkia and Magnoilia, she decided to sell it in Magnoilia.
As a result, the value of Magnoilia increased day by day.
“Yeah. I can feel that many people are visiting the top of Magnoilia.”
“…”
“How about the top of Parchia? Any unusual occurrences?”
As the hot spring business in Bialitzkal continued to create new legends, there was competition from Parchia that Leia was not aware of.
She remained vigilant, not knowing when or where an attack might come.
‘Lord Leorod or the Empress are not easy people.’
Seeing tension on Leia’s face, Rikel raised his head.
“There’s still no movement. Please be at ease, as we’re keeping an eye on it.”
At a time when Leia seemed to be satisfied with the appearance of a now respectable Duchess, a short knock was heard, and someone entered.
“On such an important day, I’ll just make a brief report.”
Leia hurriedly turned at the familiar voice in her ear.
“Duke!”
In the turned direction, Akkia, as splendidly dressed as Leia, was present. Leia unknowingly erased the expression that reflected her resentment towards Akkia.
Even though they had formed a bond as a couple, it was the first time Leia had met Akkia in almost ten days.
“Do we need to depart right away?”
As Akkia approached Leia, he asked Rikel. Rikel exchanged glances with a maid for a moment.
“No. Since all preparations are complete, it seems there is some time… but…”
“Then please step aside for a moment. I have something to discuss with the Duchess.”
Upon the Duke’s words, Rikel and the maid left the bedroom. Even though he subtly inquired about people, Leia’s sullen expression did not ease.
“Still, even though we are officially a couple, isn’t it been quite a while since we met?”
To avoid public attention, the two had been living separately in their respective mansions.
Despite trying to prevent rumors from spreading, seeing Akkia after such a long time was a bit much for Leia.
Even if she had been the only one longing, Leia pursed her lips. At her cute expression, Akkia, looking at her with tender eyes, chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I wanted to come see you, but there were too many eyes watching.”
“I thought the Duke had completely forgotten about me.”
“I would never forget you.”
As Leia pouted, Akkia, as if finding her expression cute, tilted his head and approached. In an instant, he parted Leia’s lips and delved into them.
The feeling of resentment toward him seemed to melt away as if asking when it had developed, leaving only the lingering emotions on that spot.
“Sigh…”
Leia, with her body entrusted to Akkia, placed her hand on his neck. The intensity of the light kiss that had started gradually deepened.
Knock, knock!
The sound of a brisk knock echoed through the bedroom.
Now it was time to go to the palace. Even though they knew they had to leave, the moment of feeling each other after a long time made it difficult for her to let him go.
When Leia, who had half-opened her eyes, looked at Akkia, he seemed no different.
It’s time to depart!
Once again, the loud voice of Rikel came from beyond the door, separating the two who had been pressed against each other.
The party was as grand as the day Illeie ascended the throne. To announce Leia as Illeie’s engagement partner, the Empress had prepared even more extravagantly.
Illeie sat in the Emperor’s seat, and next to him was the Empress.
“Your Majesty, happy birthday. May the blessings of the Goddess Helena be with you…”
“Thank you.”
The Empress, smiling and receiving the congratulations from the nobles, looked around. When Count Leorod, who seemed to be surveying the surroundings, approached the Empress.
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.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
