My subordinate and friend, the kingdom’s greatest genius of magical tools, Yulnisia, often said this.
“Indeed, the future of food lies in insects. I should research how to make insects delicious and palatable.”
Why bring up such a topic during mealtime?
As I was tearing into the dried turnips we were rationed, images of various insects being cooked floated into my mind. The instinctive repulsion made me shake my head.
“That seems a bit too much, Yul.”
“Then are you satisfied with the current situation, layering turnip upon turnip?”
“…….”
Of course, I wasn’t.
The war had been going on for years. It wasn’t a conflict between humans but a battle against other races trying to drive us out of our kingdom’s territory.
Born with a heart full of fire mana, I was dragged into the battlefield before reaching adulthood, wielding a sword. The most agonizing part of being on the battlefield was definitely the food.
Initially, it was bread and soup, but now, with supply lines strained, we resorted to eating dried turnips as if they were bread. Naturally, they were tasteless.
“Look at this plump grub. It’ll be nutty and chewy when roasted. I can stake the reputation of the kingdom’s greatest magician on it.”
Not just an offhand remark, Yulnisia began digging the ground with a twig, searching for grubs. Repulsed, I responded.
“I’d rather not eat that.”
Having spent most of my life on battlefields, now I have to eat insects too? Shaking my head, Yulnisia chuckled.
“In a situation of starvation, even you, princess, will have no choice.”
“No, I’d rather starve.”
“You won’t be able to say that when the situation arises.”
“…….”
Why is she so obsessed with making me eat insects?
Narrowing my eyes at Yulnisia, I eventually snorted.
“It seems the prolonged war has drilled holes even in the brain of our smart Yul. We must end this soon and feed you some delicious meat.”
My response made the other knights who were listening to our conversation chuckle. After gulping down the tasteless turnip bread, I clapped my hands.
“We’re close to the end now. Let’s all hang in there.”
Indeed, the war was nearing its conclusion. Once we drive them beyond those ramparts, we’ll have reclaimed all our original territory.
‘Defending the castle won’t be an easy task either… but it will certainly be much better than now.’
Reflecting on the path we’ve walked so far, I bit my lip. In a week at best, a month at the longest – that was our goal.
As I gazed at the castle we aimed to reclaim, Yulnisia, fidgeting with her fingers, asked,
“What would you like to do most after the war ends, princess?”
“Let’s see.”
Having spent almost half my life on battlefields, nothing came to mind when asked about my desires. Even the taste of food at the royal palace had faded from memory.
What could I do upon returning to the palace? Probably…
“I might get married right away. I’ve kept my fiancé waiting for too long.”
They will likely ask me to fulfill my duties as a princess. That means an arranged marriage.
Before I went to war, the royal family had already decided on my fiancé.
‘I hardly remember his face or name, but he must be waiting for me.’
The thought of someone waiting for my return wasn’t too bad. Just then, I smiled faintly.
“……Marriage?”
A sharp voice echoed from behind me. Turning around, I saw a handsome knight with silver hair shining like moonlight and bright blue eyes, frowning at me.
It was Espen, the second most powerful mana wielder in our army, a mage-knight.
He was a fallen noble, born with ice mana, destined to stand on the battlefield. However, perhaps due to our clashing manas, we never got along well. His voice was full of irony as I smirked back at him.
“Why, Sir Espen? Is it strange that a rough woman like me has a fiancé?”
My remark prompted a chorus of protest from the soldiers around us.
“A rough woman? Princess Marian is the hero of our nation!”
“Exactly. We are here because of Princess Marian.”
Ignoring their words, I fixed my gaze straight on Espen. His frown deepened.
“…….”
He abruptly stood up, throwing away his turnip bread, clearly infuriated. I shrugged.
“What’s with him?”
Was he annoyed that I was talking about getting married? As I watched his retreating figure in disbelief, Yulnisia shook her head and replied.
“Sir Espen has always been a bit contrary. He’s probably grumbling about talking nonsense in the middle of a war.”
“Ugh, I really can’t stand his way of thinking. Isn’t war tiring enough? How can we be expected to stay tense all the time?”
“I think so too.”
Taking the opportunity to talk about life after the war, we gathered around the campfire, sharing our thoughts.
“I’ll eat a lot of home-cooked meals when I get home.”
“I just want to soak in warm water and relax.”
We all knew that the homes we were returning to might not be as we remembered them after years of war. But we closed our eyes to that and dreamed of an everlastingly happy ending, like in fairy tales.
“Ah, I wish this war would end soon.”
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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