Unrequited Love is Over, Fend for Yourselves (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 26
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Fernando had somehow come to stand beside her. Etienne blankly stared at him for a moment.
‘Fernando called out to me.’
“Just… thinking about flowers?”
It wasn’t untrue—she’d been reminiscing about the past while looking at the flowers, though it hadn’t been only about flowers.
Etienne picked up the perfectly arranged rose as if it meant nothing, then absentmindedly dropped each bloom one by one into the basket. After that, Fernando didn’t try to speak to her again.
‘It’s not easy to smile and talk with Fernando today.’
In childhood, he’d shown her a side different from the one she’d known, which had allowed them to be friends—but now that memories of her past life kept resurfacing, it was difficult to converse with him casually.
“You said you were late because of some business, right?”
Noticing Etienne’s discomfort, Reinhart smoothly changed the subject. Fernando’s gaze shifted from Etienne to Reinhart.
“We found a Mitri tree.”
Since Duke Schupraher had already stopped hiding it, Fernando spoke calmly. Yet his words were anything but trivial, and everyone reacted with surprise.
“So that’s why you were late.”
“They say a sword made from Mitri possesses strength unmatched by ordinary blades…”
“I once saw such a sword before. It was a wooden practice sword with a silvery sheen—quite extraordinary.”
The men seated around Fernando chimed in one after another. Their daily sword practice had clearly stoked their curiosity.
Once he judged they’d shown enough interest in Mitri, Reinhart casually dropped another remark.
“But when you hear ‘Mitri,’ doesn’t something else come to mind? Do you think it’s really true?”
“Something else? Ah…”
Someone trailed off knowingly, and everyone turned to look at him.
“You mean the rumor that near every Mitri tree, there’s always a space that looks like it was deliberately carved out by someone?”
He raised his voice at the end as if seeking confirmation and looked at Reinhart. Reinhart smiled and nodded.
“Exactly. That’s what I wanted to say. I’m curious whether it’s really there.”
Hearing Reinhart’s words, Etienne tightened her grip on the rose she held.
‘Now it begins.’
Depending on what each person said next, she’d be able to tell whether Reinhart had found the one he was searching for.
“Isn’t… that just a rumor?”
He was the heir to House Pigmen—typically timid and overly mindful of others’ opinions—yet surprisingly, he was the first to voice his thoughts.
But after speaking quickly, he fell silent again, clearly intending to withdraw his comment as soon as possible.
“Well, would such a thing really exist? Isn’t it just what people say because they want Mitri? They use it as an excuse to get close—after all, cutting just a branch lets you forge an excellent sword.”
Someone spoke up loudly, clearly trying to catch the Crown Prince’s attention. It was obvious to everyone that he wanted to stand out in Reinhart’s eyes.
“But if there truly was nothing there, would such rumors even spread?”
Another person voiced a contrary opinion.
“The only way to know for sure is to go and see for ourselves, isn’t it? For that reason, I think it’d be good for the ducal house to send an investigation team.”
Yet another suggested they go check it out. And then…
“I think it exists.”
Hana cautiously shared her opinion.
Reinhart’s gaze turned to Hana, and though she seemed embarrassed by the Crown Prince’s attention—flashing an awkward smile—she didn’t lower her head.
‘Hana will be included, then.’
The rumor about a hidden space near Mitri trees was just that—a rumor. It had originated hundreds of years ago, and while references existed in old texts, no one had ever verified it firsthand.
‘It wasn’t a cave, but a place hollowed out like one.’
Legend said that long ago, someone who approached a Mitri tree discovered a concealed space nearby.
Those who entered claimed it was no different from a cave, yet it was too neatly formed to be natural—leading many to believe it was man-made.
However, this didn’t apply to all Mitri trees; no such caves were found near others, so people dismissed the tale as mere fantasy.
But this time, near the Mitri tree discovered in the ducal domain, there truly was a cave-like space that looked as if someone had carved it out.
Most people didn’t care—after all, entering didn’t seem to grant any special reward—but Reinhart was using it to his advantage.
Everyone had offered an opinion, and soon only Fernando, Etienne, and Reinhart remained. Reinhart turned to Etienne.
“What do you think, Etienne?”
“I… think it’s better to go and check for ourselves.”
Etienne gave the safest possible answer, then avoided Reinhart’s steady gaze.
‘I already know the answer, after all. If I’d said it doesn’t exist, I’d only draw the Crown Prince’s suspicion—so I gave a suitably vague reply.’
“Is that so? Then…”
“Hmm?”
Etienne looked at Reinhart with a puzzled expression.
‘Why didn’t you ask Fernando?’
As if sensing her question, Reinhart smiled and answered.
“I don’t think he’d say it.”
He gave a reply only Etienne could understand, then fell silent, leaving the others’ curiosity unresolved.
“I should head over there soon. Enjoy the rest of your time, everyone.”
Reinhart rose with a smile, prompting Alex—who had been filling his seat on the other side—to stand as well.
Just before leaving, Reinhart turned back as if remembering something.
“Will you give me this?”
He pointed precisely at the arrangement made by one person. Everyone looked where he indicated, and Etienne saw her own floral piece.
“This one?”
“It’s called a flower-arranging gathering—can’t very well leave empty-handed, can I?”
‘Even so, there are others’ arrangements too… why mine?’
Unwilling to give away her creation, Etienne glanced subtly toward the others’ works.
But then…
She was stunned to see that not a single one was properly done.
‘Why…?’
“Everyone seems unfamiliar with flowers today—it being the first time and all. Even handling rose thorns was difficult. Next time, I’ll prepare something easier.”
Reinhart answered calmly and gave Etienne a meaningful look—a silent urging. With no choice, Etienne reluctantly held out the arrangement she’d been holding.
Reinhart took Etienne’s floral piece and inhaled its fragrance, then smiled with satisfaction.
“I’ll gladly accept the sentiment behind it.”
“Your Highness!”
She’d only given it because he’d asked—what sentiment was he talking about? Just as Etienne called out in protest, Reinhart added,
“You were the one who tended the flowers most carefully… I’m sure the blooms felt your affectionate touch. I’ll cherish that sentiment.”
Since he’d referred to her care for the flowers—not feelings for him—Etienne had no grounds to argue further.
“The perfect vase for this would certainly be that one.”
All she could do was watch as the Crown Prince took the arrangement she’d made.
[This is the timeline separator]Since the gathering wasn’t over yet, the young nobles moved on to afternoon tea. With tiered trays and teapots replacing flower stems on the table, their expressions visibly relaxed.
“We’ll have to handle flowers again from now on, won’t we? I’d better practice a lot.”
A girl stroked her teacup as she spoke. Unaccustomed to handling flowers, she’d struggled just to pluck and arrange petals.
And since this wouldn’t be a one-time affair, she seemed genuinely worried.
“Etienne’s lucky—she was chosen by His Highness!”
“There was no ‘choice’ involved.”
Etienne cut in sharply. Her arrangement hadn’t been chosen for its beauty—it was simply the only decent one there.
“Why do you have to be so harsh?”
The girl pouted, looking hurt.
“Did you know beforehand what kind of gathering this was? Did you practice in advance?”
Someone asked. She’d known, but hadn’t practiced—she could do it only because she’d done it before.
“It wasn’t like that.”
Once again, Etienne gave a brief reply instead of lengthy explanations.
“That’s so unfair.”
The girl stuck out her lip and muttered, and Etienne nearly sighed. This had always been her image—sensitive, prickly, inconsiderate of others’ feelings. She understood why, but it was exhausting.
“Sola, don’t be so disappointed. Next time, you can make the flowers for His Highness yourself.”
Right. I never said things like that.
When someone comforted her, Sola looked touched and called out her name.
“Hana.”
“You did pretty well for your first time, didn’t you? I couldn’t get the hang of it at all.”
“Really? Same here.”
“Even if flower arranging wasn’t originally your hobby, showing improvement has its own charm, don’t you think?”
“Hana really is the best.”
Before long, the two had lost interest in Etienne and started chatting between themselves. Etienne set down her teacup and stood.
“I’m feeling a bit stifled just sitting here—I’ll go take a look around the greenhouse.”
“But you already went earlier.”
Sola asked, remembering how Etienne had used the same excuse to slip away while looking for Crown Prince Reinhart.
“The flowers are so lovely—I want to see them again.”
Etienne answered casually and turned away.
‘I shouldn’t return until the gathering ends.’
With that thought, she quickened her steps. Once alone, she let out a long sigh.
“I’m worried about what’s coming too.”
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“…Fernando.”
Hearing a reply to her mutter, Etienne looked in surprise toward the voice. Seeing it was Fernando, she hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Yeah.”
“You could treat me well.”
Fernando was looking not at Etienne, but at the flowers planted in the greenhouse.
“You could treat me as kindly as you do them. Since you clearly understand how I feel, why didn’t you?”
Because Fernando acted as if he knew everything, Etienne felt free to speak her mind.
“In the past, that’s just how I was—and now, I want to be.”
Even as she spoke, something felt off, and Etienne gave a faint, deflated smile.
But it was the truth. In her previous life, she’d been too preoccupied with how Fernando saw her, and to avoid appearing pitiful if he ever noticed her feelings, she’d clung fiercely to her pride.
Now, she no longer needed to. Yet perhaps because of the memory of standing on the scaffold, she no longer wished to live by constantly accommodating everyone.
Caring for the people truly precious to her was already more than enough.
“My heart has a fixed size—no matter how I slice it, it won’t grow larger. Maybe that’s why I can only give it to a limited few.”
“Then I’ve received a piece of that heart.”
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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