‘If the plan is distorted because of the Northern Emperor and the future changes too much, it will be difficult.’
Interest arose in Ariana’s blue eyes, and Cyrus watched it with fascination.
The women who had faced Cyrus so far had one of two looks in their eyes. Envy, or fear.
But the emotion in Ariana’s azure eyes was different.
Caution, and a slight irritation.
Since Cyrus had never been considered an annoying existence to anyone, it was a little enjoyable to deal with Ariana. He looked forward to what attitude she would take, how she would respond.
“Does the Eastern Emperor know that you are treated this way?”
A cool chill circled and then disappeared from her small and pretty face.
Ariana spoke flatly, staring at the darkness over Cyrus’s shoulder.
“He may know, but even if he doesn’t, it doesn’t matter. The nobles will hear about what happened at the party today, so he won’t be able to pretend not to know if I ever intend to entrust myself to him. After all, even the Eastern Emperor wouldn’t want to be accused of casting off his abused, pitiful daughter.”
Ariana referred to her father as the ‘Eastern Emperor.’
There was no longing or affection to be found in her calm voice.
“You think a lot for someone with a small head.”
The blue eyes that had been staring into space fixed on Cyrus’s face.
Her red lips parted, and a refreshing voice, not matching the darkness, flowed out.
“Your Majesty’s head doesn’t look that big either.”
“You mean that a fellow like you thinks, so why can’t I?”
A smile flashed across Ariana’s face for a moment.
A genuine smile, for the first time during the days Cyrus had been watching Ariana.
A smile as clear as a winter flower that blooms on the peaks of the northern Graten mountains, as beautiful as a lotus blooming in the dark marshes.
Cyrus blankly watched her neat eyebrows spread gently, and her catlike eyes narrow.
The smile that began like a dream vanished like a daydream.
“Your Majesty speaks very amusingly.”
“You know how to laugh too.”
“If I need to laugh, I laugh. If it’s worth laughing, I laugh.”
Cyrus reached through the iron bars and gently grasped her small chin.
Even with his sudden action, Ariana did not seem startled.
“You’re the first to laugh at my words being funny.”
“Wouldn’t everyone laugh if you commanded it?”
Her calm response between her thick lips was amusing.
So he was curious.
“Do you cry too?”
What would her crying face look like?
“If necessary, I cry.”
“I want to see you cry.”
“If you command it, I’ll cry.”
Cyrus took his hand from her chin.
Ariana straightened herself as if nothing had happened. No matter how you looked, she did not seem like a young girl confined to the house, not receiving proper education.
With her back straight and her chin slightly raised, Ariana had the dignity of a woman sitting in the highest seat in the royal palace.
Cyrus was curious what use Ariana, the link between the Eastern Emperor and the Western Emperor, would be to them, and how they intended to use her as a pawn.
But from what he had seen so far, the Western Emperor seemed uninterested in Ariana, and Rachel seemed to genuinely dislike Ariana.
‘But there must be a reason why they brought her along when they divorced. There must be a reason why the Eastern Emperor pretends not to know about his daughter being treated like this.’
Perhaps Ariana was just being used by them without knowing anything. But her actions, uncharacteristic of her age, did not seem that way.
Rarely, Ariana spoke first.
“Is there anything Your Majesty desires in the Bronte mansion?”
“I don’t want to answer.”
“You question me endlessly, but answering a question seems beneath you.”
“You should know if you compare your situation to mine. Anyone can see that you are in a situation where you must answer.”
“Do you see me as fearing Your Majesty’s sword?”
It didn’t seem so.
Cyrus wondered if there was a moment when Ariana would be filled with terror.
But he didn’t want to frighten her on purpose to find out.
“A woman who fears neither darkness nor parents will not fear my sword either. But what about hunger? Thinking of the last time I saw you, you seemed to eat well.”
Ariana blushed, remembering her work in the food storeroom.
Luckily, it was dark around her.
“I am used to starvation. It’s painful, but it’s not scary.”
“Rachel Bronthe was very angry, do you think that thought will change even if you are trapped here for a few days?”
“You would be surprised if you knew how many days I have been trapped.”
“That there is still something to surprise me, I look forward to it.”
Cyrus spoke up to that point and disappeared. Suddenly, the lantern had been extinguished.
Ariana stared at the darkness where he had been standing.
The maids in the food storeroom had not noticed him and her right in front of them.
Could it be the same situation now?
The thought that Cyrus might be hiding somewhere in the darkness made her unable to rest comfortably.
‘Annoying.’
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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