Surveying the banquet hall, Liz felt a sense of excitement in her eyes. The ceiling was adorned with dozens of sparkling cut-glass chandeliers. In the center below, a granite fountain mixed with gold dust spouted water, and on either side of the path leading from the fountain to the entrance were dozens of life-sized statues of goddesses, adorned with aquamarine eyes and diamond-studded garments, raising their hands in a blessing.
If they continued hosting the founding anniversary celebration on this scale every year, it seemed only a matter of time before the royal family was buried in debt.
‘This will be the last time. From next year onwards, we will celebrate it in a simpler manner, whether the standard drops or not.’
Liz reaffirmed her resolution.
Something that caught her eye suddenly illuminated her confused mind. It was an array of objects scattered around. Liz wanted to take a closer look.
“Rosa, could you move me over there?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Rosa obediently complied and exerted strength in her hands. The wheelchair rolled smoothly.
The designated Boreas, who was now a military officer like Harbel, did not disagree.
‘You can walk a little.’
But Hercesis, who couldn’t let her guard down, lifted the wheelchair. Sturdy men, who were also placed there to ensure a safe ascent and descent of stairs, followed the instructions to keep their hands off her body…
“Wow…”
Looking at the floral arrangements, Liz exclaimed like a child.
The first thing that caught her eye was a splendid arrangement of delphiniums and roses surrounded by azaleas and solidasters.
Next to it, gladiolus and digitalis elongated gracefully, with small azaleas huddled beneath them like children.
Each flower exuded a fresh charm, without a hint of withering, and the combinations were layered without repetition. It was an exquisite arrangement, almost unbelievable that she had made the initial suggestion.
After carefully enjoying every arrangement up to the last, Rosa inquired when there was nothing more to see.
“Shall we move to your chambers now?”
“Well…”
…she was about to say something but stopped. It was because Liz saw the two aides, who had lowered her in the wheelchair, watching the young and lovely civilians, subtly exchanging signs of a budding romance.
Feeling sorry for disturbing them, Liz spoke to Rosa.
“Could you push me towards the garden for a moment? I’d like to enjoy some fresh air while I’m out.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Rosa lightly turned the wheelchair in the direction of the garden.
Liz comfortably arrived at the garden and, not long after, encountered someone.
“I greet Her Majesty, the Empress.”
It was Ishar. This was their first meeting since the premature childbirth.
He seemed quite different. A fresh spring breeze emanated from him.
Despite the neat black uniform and the smooth forehead visible between the well-shaped silver bangs, there was a freshness in the pair of clear gray eyes that could be seen without the need for single-lens glasses.
He was a man who could exude a winter-like coldness even in the midst of summer. What could have happened during her absence?
‘Ah…!’
Suddenly, there was a realization. Liz wanted to confirm.
“Rosa, could you please step aside for a moment?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will be nearby.”
After giving a courteous greeting to Rosa, who bowed respectfully and stepped aside, Ishar followed her with his eyes for a moment and then asked Liz.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Would you like to take a stroll and chat for a bit?”
Ishar nodded.
Liz placed her hand on the wheelchair’s wheel. However, before applying any force, the wheelchair moved forward. When she turned around, she saw Ishar holding the handle.
“Ah… it’s okay. I can push it myself.”
“I can push it too.”
“…”
The wheelchair stubbornly moved forward.
‘Did I suggest walking for no reason?’
Liz regretted it quietly, but it seemed too late now.
The wheelchair passed through the flower beds and next to the evergreen trees, eventually facing the fountain directly.
Even in winter, the weather was not brutally cold, so the fountain operated normally. The water continued to spout coolly, and there was no sign of ice forming.
It was when Liz was about to pass by the water stream falling to the ground, drawing a parabola.
“How far would you like to go before you speak?”
Ishar asked.
“Ah…”
Only then did Liz realize that she had left him in a state of curiosity for a long time.
Because there was no one in front, she had forgotten her existence for a moment.
“I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
“It’s okay.”
Ishar’s voice sounded gentle. Liz brought up the main topic.
“Have you heard any good news by any chance?”
“Good news?”
It was a question. She thought he didn’t know yet.
In the moment she was about to say it was nothing, Ishar’s composed voice was heard from behind again.
“Are you perhaps talking about the declaration of the Duchy’s independence?”
‘What? You already knew?’
Liz said with a disappointed smile.
“As expected, you knew.”
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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