Unfortunately, the ML hasn't established himself as anything but a little chose in the first 3 chapters.

I'm not sure if I hate him more, or the fact that there will be some inevitably contrived reason for her to fall for this waste of air.

Damn I really need to find a novel that doesn't have a awful ML. Why is it so hard for a guy not to be just awful?

MC is absolutely mentally challenged

She has ML by the balls in that he NEEDS her to stay married to him for one year or he wont get his inheritance

Shes doing the one year as a favor because his father treated her and her mother well

But ML is a HUGE piece of shit, constantly shitting on her or letting his family sh*t on her, and shes such a doormat she just lets him, he fires her own personal maid, she just lets him, his family physically abuse her, she just lets... more>> them

He even changes their contract, which had no benefits for her to begin with, to a worse one where she has to pay enormous fines if she breaks it and she just LETS HIM

And I figured hey thats just her personality, but then some distant cousins of hers arrive, huge pieces of sh*t that stole her inheritance and title and couldnt even be bothered to appear at her mothers funeral, and they start asking for money and shes about to give it for NO REASON until ML tells them to f*ck off permanently, now she suddenly grows a spine and gets pissed at him

HOW DARE YOU TELL THOSE SCUM TO LEAVE AND STAND UP FOR ME!?! I WAS ABOUT TO GIVE THEM MONEY BECAUSE IM FREAKING INSANE

So basically dogsh*t MC, dogsh*t ML, only worth of the series is some complicated emotions and hopeful regret when they get divorce

Update: got to the divorce, it was absurdly pathetic, MC can literally only step on people when they want whats best for her lol

Shes now being s*upid going to the pe*vert crown prince and revealing her artist career, which will basically guarantee shes mu*dered, robbed or r*ped because shes too s*upid to take precautions

Im honestly pissed at the story for making ML too sympathetic when it came to the divorce, it just felt like a pathetic small person stepping on someone on their last legs, they even robbed the satisfaction from it

My 1/5 score would now be at 1.5/5, and I regret wasting my time with this novel <<less

I can't really rate it now but I can give my opinion about the story so far. Tbh it's good. It really plays with your emotions.

I don't think this is your story to read if you can't handle the anger for the protagonist who is in a unfair situation. She did this to herself though. She didn't have to marry the male lead but she did it out of moral obligation.

The ML really is awful but I personally like it when they change because of the fl. He's just an... more>> arrogant as*hole and FL is this very upright lady. He holds an opinion that she's faking it all. So read this of you're curious on how they will handle this contract marriage. Because the feelss are real. <<less

I'm a very slow reader, and easily bored one at that, but this? With such a perfect writings, beautifully one and as easy to read as reading a fairytale, I just finished this in just 3 days. This angst is the kind of angst that keeps you invested and hooked. You would feel curious as to what would happen next in each chapter, will it gets worse? Will it gets better? Only after reading it through will make you know.

I love how the FL didn't forgive the ML easily, it... more>> took a long time (and a painful one at that) for the FL to finally forgave him. How the ML suffers was satisfying (even though I pity him a bit too) and how the FL reacts coldly to him was more than just satisfying, it was exhilarating, the redemption arc was good, too good even that when the last conflict arise just before the climax I have no way of knowing how and where the author will takes this through.

I loves the FL consistent integrity with herself and with what she believes, it resonate within me so much that when the FL was hurt I really really feel it deep within my heart how she felt and how much she suffered. The ML bearing the truth of his father was so much that I understand why he chose every action he has done so far.

For those of you who couldn't bear the angst but curious about the end you might need to endure a minimum of 80 chapter before the scene at the description begin, then you need to endure again until the end of chapter until it all ends well.

It was such a ride reading this, but I don't regret reading this a bit. I was thrilled and somehow hoped that the chapter was a little bit longer especially the part when they both feel happy and all harmonious. <<less

I would say this is probably one of my most favourite novels! The grovelling was just glorious up to the point that I was ready for the FL to forgive the ML >_< (but if she still continued to not forgive I would still root for her haha). This rarely occurs in most novels. I always find most FL are too fast to forgive but this novel is different. The ML really had to earn HARD for her forgiveness huehue

of course in order to reach the grovelling part you will... more>> have to go through a lot of painful angsty chapters with the FL. But it’s all worth it! I would say the FL isn’t pathetic, she quite stands up for herself and is very strong willed. Also the ML wasn’t exactly the tr*shiest ML but tr*shy enough for me to be happy to read his sad and sappy moments when he was full of regrets hihi

So yeah 100% recommend if you are into angsty and grovelling tropes. Please don’t mind the others who gave low ratings, pretty sure they probably just read the early chapters (which is the painful part for fl) or this kind of novels isn’t their trope. <<less

note: if you cannot stand at least 20% into reading the novel, it's best to deter from reading and leaving a bad rating

never thought I would enjoy this novel that much! I'm a huge fan of second chance romances and the grovelling tropes so this novel!!!! was such a perfect fit for my liking!!!

i adored how strong-willed the FL is despite all the hardships she faced throughout her entire life. she stood her ground strong and she is stubborn when it comes to injustices towards the people she loves.. the... more>> most important thing about their relationship is how the author made use of the slow romance trope. I loved how despite the attraction the two had for the other, they were careful and fragile.. it wasnt an instant forgiveness on fl's part and the ML took the time and patience when it comes to her... I loved it so so much I am sobbing

i believed the ML has redeemed himself by the end of the story though I did feel that some parts were just left hanging...

Spoiler

referring to benjamin and esmeralda

[collapse]

I think the ML really suffered a lot as he fully deserved and I find his suffering so satisfying!!!

and bless the author for the epilogues!!!!! it was endearing to see how they lived!!! I'm actually glad they achieved the endings they deserved!! <<less

What to say? If you like Angst, this is the perfect story for you.
If, however, you suffer from high blood pressure and lack of patience, avoid it like the plague, because with every damned chapter you will have an immense desire to smash something nervously.

To quickly summarize: the protagonist, Eleanor, is forced to marry the ML due to a debt of honor that she has contracted with his father, Duke Theodore, her protector since her father died in an accident in carriage leaving his mother alone and pregnant

She... doesn't have any kind of feeling towards the new duke, in fact she is clearly against him - although she finds his physical appearance pleasant - and faces the ordeal with the abnegation and tired resignation of an intern with a contract fixed term in an office where there isn't a single person, I won't say nice but at least decent.
Basically the only thing that keeps her going is the notion that a year after the wedding, she will never see all those people again, not even in their portraits, for the rest of her life. Only this gives her the strength to face everything.
But since she is a decent human being, she at least tries to be cordial and to have a relationship, if not exactly friendly, at least at the limits of the respect that should be had in a civilized society.

SORRY THAT THE ML IS A LOOSE SH*T, ONE OF THOSE THAT IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY STEP ON IT THEN YOU HAVE TO THROW ALL YOUR SHOES AWAY BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE...

Think of something horrendous and despicable that a ML could do in this story - excluding physical aggression, because thank god at least they spared us that... for now - to make himself hateable: well, he did it. Or he's about to do it.
- Offend her in every possible and imaginable way? Done.
- Humiliate and belittle her? Done.
- Don't believe her, always starting from the assumption (invented by him from scratch) that Eleanor always has an ulterior motive and that any action she takes is aimed at gaining something from his damned dukedom? Done.
- Force her to accept a noose contract in which she has no advantage and then modify it ONCE IT HAS ALREADY BEEN SIGNED without asking for her permission or opinion? Done this too.
- Demand her absolute obedience and deny her any kind of expression? Done.
- Keep the right to have public lovers to himrself while she is also forbidden from being able to TALK to other men? Done.
- Allow his sister - a spoiled unpleasant one - and his aunt - an old hag - to mistreat her by separating her from the very few people who seem to have a shred of humanity in this madhouse? Obviously, done.

And all this while they haven't even gotten married yet.

And I could continue, but I can already feel the nervousness rising up my throat like bile.
It can't even be said that MAYBE by chance Daryl (the ML) was misinterpreted by the FL's eyes, because almost all their exchanges are seen precisely from his point of view. We are forced to read his mind farts (although I suspect it's because if we read Eleanor's thoughts in those moments, it would just be an endless string of swear words and curses. Not that I can blame her, as that's MY train of thought too)

... In short, the only thing that keeps me here reading this story is the work of the translator - really well done - and the first chapter, which I really hope will connect to the story as soon as possible, even if we are at the 25th chapter. And there hasn't even been a wedding ceremony yet...

The story so far has only covered how lonely and painful the FMC's life is. This novel has been unreasonably rated low for the fact that it does well on making the male lead extremely hateable, which is essential for regret stories such as this one.