What do you think?
Rate this book
婚約破棄のその先に ～捨てられ令嬢、王子様に溺愛（演技）される～ [Konyaku Haki no Sono Saki ni: Suterare Reijou, Ouji-sama ni Dekiai (Engi) Sareru] (Novel) #1
Fiancée No More: The Forsaken Lady, the Prince, and Their Make-Believe Love Volume 1
Estelle Flozeth is the sister of a countryside earl, and her newfound ability to see others’ emotions through their mana has brought her nothing but trouble! Her life drastically changes one day when her childhood friend and fiancé is swept away from her by the daughter of a capitalist. Heartbroken, Estelle attends a ball and winds up meeting Prince Arcrayne, a wicked man who soon finds out about her special power and decides he must have her for himself! To that end, he proposes to her and begins acting like a veritable Prince Charming, pretending he fell in love with her at first sight—a charade that might fool everyone else, but not Estelle and her perceptive powers. Yet in spite of everything, she gradually finds herself drawn to the prince... Will their make-believe love blossom into the real thing? Find out in this reluctant Cinderella story fraught with political intrigue!
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2023
39 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 22, 2023
I wasn’t fond of the way the MC h was forced to become engaged to the MC H and how he forced the issue for pre-marital sex with her. Also not fond of how the MC h’s former fiancée got screwed over and she’s like “meh, I’m angry with him so who cares”, even though they grew up like brother and sister. And he truly loved her and was forced to break the engagement. I feel badly for him. Worse for him actually then for the MC h.
2, I didn’t like this as much as I had hoped to, stars.
2, I didn’t like this as much as I had hoped to, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2023
My favorite part of this is the setting - Morikawa's tribute to19th century Europe is well done and feels like an homage or alternate universe rather than something derivative. I don't love the male lead and I really don't like what happened to poor Lyle, but I'll read a second volume when it comes out.
November 10, 2023
Stockholm syndrome with a sociopath?
At first, I felt like any relationship between the two main characters was going to be psychologically unhealthy. The Prince character seems so disconnected with human emotion that he comes off kind of sociopathic whereas in the lead female character is so caught up in everything going on and trapped that any feelings that she would develop feels like Stockholm syndrome. For the longest while, I was really turned off by the main character. But the thing is, the author does such a great job painting a picture of the world and the events going on in the politics etc, that I'm able to read and keep engaged without being overwhelmed by my dislike of the main character Prince. As you progress to the story and start to get a little bit more of his internal monologue and his backstory he becomes a little bit more understandable if not a little likable. As the story progresses and he begins to experience more and more human emotion through his connection to the MC you can actually start to like him.
The only reason I took a star off of my review is because of the unhealthy behavior in the beginning of the story even though it improves and will potentially be a non-issue I still could not in good conscience give it a full five stars.
On a side note, I'd like to talk about the author's skill instead of the story plot itself. The author does a very good job of building in just the right amount of intrigue and detail that it feels like a traditional novel rather than a light novel. There's just enough sophistication to make you feel like you have to pay attention to more than just the sappy romance or silly comedy moments. There's enough world building to get you to really visualize the world itself and start to wonder how things work. There's enough grounded reality logic in the behavior of the classes, for lack of a better word, that you can actually easily accept the elitism. I think that the hardest part for me was wrapping my head around the time period since they have their own calendar, but if you approach it thinking early industrial age/late Victorian it gives you a better idea of what to expect. Just substitute any electricity with magic powered stones and it slides into place pretty well. It does not have any steampunk-esqu feel, but it definitely has a sort of industrial age late Victorian with magic nobility setting. There's also some aspects to it that remind me a little bit of reading books similar to what Jane Austen writes, so nowhere near a sophisticated as Jane Austen, so the characters actually feel believable. The way each person has their personality in the way they interact with each other feels natural for the environment that they grew up in. You get to enjoy a little bit of culture clash, not much different than pride and prejudice but again fantasy setting. I think what I'm trying to say, is that reading this book did not feel like how I've read other light novels. Other light novels do not feel challenging to read they're just fun, this one is not just fun it's interesting and has sophistication to it. If you like light novels and the type of stories you get from this anime manga genre, but want something that's a little bit more sophisticated, and depth... More meat and potatoes less salad, then this one is a good one. There's a handful that I've read in the past few years that I would categorize as light novel plus or not a light novel but an actual novel. Each one of those that fall into that category seems to have the best of both worlds. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume when I can. I truly hope that my expectations for the relationship to become a little healthier will come about. I think the author has set up the possibility of a beautiful partnership between two capable individuals who have been thrown together due to outside influences. I think it would be quite satisfying to see them as a successful team and someday come to love each other passionately. Considering the backgrounds of the two characters, I could see them potentially changing some of how the system is done so that the political strife that they're having to deal with might not be something their children would inherit.
At first, I felt like any relationship between the two main characters was going to be psychologically unhealthy. The Prince character seems so disconnected with human emotion that he comes off kind of sociopathic whereas in the lead female character is so caught up in everything going on and trapped that any feelings that she would develop feels like Stockholm syndrome. For the longest while, I was really turned off by the main character. But the thing is, the author does such a great job painting a picture of the world and the events going on in the politics etc, that I'm able to read and keep engaged without being overwhelmed by my dislike of the main character Prince. As you progress to the story and start to get a little bit more of his internal monologue and his backstory he becomes a little bit more understandable if not a little likable. As the story progresses and he begins to experience more and more human emotion through his connection to the MC you can actually start to like him.
The only reason I took a star off of my review is because of the unhealthy behavior in the beginning of the story even though it improves and will potentially be a non-issue I still could not in good conscience give it a full five stars.
On a side note, I'd like to talk about the author's skill instead of the story plot itself. The author does a very good job of building in just the right amount of intrigue and detail that it feels like a traditional novel rather than a light novel. There's just enough sophistication to make you feel like you have to pay attention to more than just the sappy romance or silly comedy moments. There's enough world building to get you to really visualize the world itself and start to wonder how things work. There's enough grounded reality logic in the behavior of the classes, for lack of a better word, that you can actually easily accept the elitism. I think that the hardest part for me was wrapping my head around the time period since they have their own calendar, but if you approach it thinking early industrial age/late Victorian it gives you a better idea of what to expect. Just substitute any electricity with magic powered stones and it slides into place pretty well. It does not have any steampunk-esqu feel, but it definitely has a sort of industrial age late Victorian with magic nobility setting. There's also some aspects to it that remind me a little bit of reading books similar to what Jane Austen writes, so nowhere near a sophisticated as Jane Austen, so the characters actually feel believable. The way each person has their personality in the way they interact with each other feels natural for the environment that they grew up in. You get to enjoy a little bit of culture clash, not much different than pride and prejudice but again fantasy setting. I think what I'm trying to say, is that reading this book did not feel like how I've read other light novels. Other light novels do not feel challenging to read they're just fun, this one is not just fun it's interesting and has sophistication to it. If you like light novels and the type of stories you get from this anime manga genre, but want something that's a little bit more sophisticated, and depth... More meat and potatoes less salad, then this one is a good one. There's a handful that I've read in the past few years that I would categorize as light novel plus or not a light novel but an actual novel. Each one of those that fall into that category seems to have the best of both worlds. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume when I can. I truly hope that my expectations for the relationship to become a little healthier will come about. I think the author has set up the possibility of a beautiful partnership between two capable individuals who have been thrown together due to outside influences. I think it would be quite satisfying to see them as a successful team and someday come to love each other passionately. Considering the backgrounds of the two characters, I could see them potentially changing some of how the system is done so that the political strife that they're having to deal with might not be something their children would inherit.
April 16, 2024
Well. Undoubtedly readers will have opinions about Arcrayne and Estelle - is it toxic, is it Stockholm syndrome…he’s definitely not a stereotypical ML. I think the author managed to make him fairly understandable even so, and despite my mixed feelings, I give it 4 stars for being a generally well written light novel with a consistent story and characters (oh dear, the bar is kinda low). I feel sorry a bit for Lyle, who certainly took a turn for the worse - his whole life was ruined by the selfish whims of Diana and her overly indulgent father. Seriously, in what world do you imagine you’ll have a happy marriage with a man you forced to dump his childhood friend-fiancée? Especially since it was first money, which doesn’t help his self esteem nor give him good feelings toward her. I did think it was pretty crappy that Lyle didn’t even discuss anything with Estelle before the engagement was called off. Even without considering their engagement, they had been friends their whole lives.
Arcrayne and Claude are not likeable, particularly in the beginning. Claude…is it suggesting his first love was his aunt, the first queen? I was a bit taken aback by that. I’d like to see Estelle gain more control and also expand on additional abilities. She is not very good at interpreting what she sees. And the second prince…don’t get me started. Why would you raise a potential king to be a spoiled, selfish, undisciplined brat? Having great power makes it even more necessary to train him to be a better person. Do you want the country to be ruined when he takes over? I blame the king for the mess because no matter if he now loves his second wife, he doesn’t need to let her run all over his eldest son.
As problematic as their relationship may be, I appreciate that the author isn’t making it something it isn’t, and points out the manipulative, selfish behavior. He himself is aware and pities her a bit, but is committed to using her for his own survival. She is also aware of his manipulation and crappy nature, which makes it a bit more palatable.
It was an intriguing world, I’ll likely pick up the next book to see how things go. The artwork is fine, though sometimes I found it weird that the men were all dressed so very plainly, whereas the women had such elaborate dresses. And the amount of hair that Diana had in one illustration was kind of amazing.
Arcrayne and Claude are not likeable, particularly in the beginning. Claude…is it suggesting his first love was his aunt, the first queen? I was a bit taken aback by that. I’d like to see Estelle gain more control and also expand on additional abilities. She is not very good at interpreting what she sees. And the second prince…don’t get me started. Why would you raise a potential king to be a spoiled, selfish, undisciplined brat? Having great power makes it even more necessary to train him to be a better person. Do you want the country to be ruined when he takes over? I blame the king for the mess because no matter if he now loves his second wife, he doesn’t need to let her run all over his eldest son.
As problematic as their relationship may be, I appreciate that the author isn’t making it something it isn’t, and points out the manipulative, selfish behavior. He himself is aware and pities her a bit, but is committed to using her for his own survival. She is also aware of his manipulation and crappy nature, which makes it a bit more palatable.
It was an intriguing world, I’ll likely pick up the next book to see how things go. The artwork is fine, though sometimes I found it weird that the men were all dressed so very plainly, whereas the women had such elaborate dresses. And the amount of hair that Diana had in one illustration was kind of amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
rough read
This book is a complicated read. I have zero love for the prince in this story. He is manipulative and makes my spine scrunch. So the female lead saves the prince’s life which leads him to discover her hidden power. Since you can’t say no to royalty she is forced into an engagement, with him flat out telling her they will be having sex. (ick) This is followed by his plots on how he will make her fall in love with him and other ways to keep her loyal to him so he can have access to her powers. He is not as bad as prince number two but this story depressed me that the girl could not escape and can never trust any confession of love by the prince as he is figuring out how her powers work so that he can manipulate her feelings. She is developing Stockholm syndrome feelings for the prince and that is even sadder. :(
The three stars are for excellent world building, well written characters (even if I don’t like them) and an interesting enough plot that I’m tempted to buy book two even knowing that the likelihood of the girl being free of the awful prince will probably never happen. I can only hope both princes die a tragic death so that she can become whole.
This book is a complicated read. I have zero love for the prince in this story. He is manipulative and makes my spine scrunch. So the female lead saves the prince’s life which leads him to discover her hidden power. Since you can’t say no to royalty she is forced into an engagement, with him flat out telling her they will be having sex. (ick) This is followed by his plots on how he will make her fall in love with him and other ways to keep her loyal to him so he can have access to her powers. He is not as bad as prince number two but this story depressed me that the girl could not escape and can never trust any confession of love by the prince as he is figuring out how her powers work so that he can manipulate her feelings. She is developing Stockholm syndrome feelings for the prince and that is even sadder. :(
The three stars are for excellent world building, well written characters (even if I don’t like them) and an interesting enough plot that I’m tempted to buy book two even knowing that the likelihood of the girl being free of the awful prince will probably never happen. I can only hope both princes die a tragic death so that she can become whole.
October 26, 2023
Surprisingly Substantive
This premise has a fair share of competition so I was pleasantly surprised how well this was put together. It has the familiar entanglements of royal-noble intrigues to keep the plot going but they aren’t as frivolous as some other similar books. Enough attention has been put in world building that motives and relationships make sense instead of leaning on assumed archetypes. They’re still there, but they make sense and are woven into the story more elegantly. I especially like that the initial breakup isn’t just a fickle lord throwing over this long time relationship on a whim. Somehow that settles me. This story is worth a try if your tastes are drawn enough by the title to read this review.
This premise has a fair share of competition so I was pleasantly surprised how well this was put together. It has the familiar entanglements of royal-noble intrigues to keep the plot going but they aren’t as frivolous as some other similar books. Enough attention has been put in world building that motives and relationships make sense instead of leaning on assumed archetypes. They’re still there, but they make sense and are woven into the story more elegantly. I especially like that the initial breakup isn’t just a fickle lord throwing over this long time relationship on a whim. Somehow that settles me. This story is worth a try if your tastes are drawn enough by the title to read this review.
April 30, 2024
I really like how pragmatic she is, although she falls in love with him rather fast and he hasn’t done all that much to deserve her love.
It was entertaining but it was obvious it continues. According to Amazon Japan, the next volume (in Japanese) comes out in January.
I liked how it showed how the prince is slowly growing to love her. She’s also still very pragmatic, which I like. There’s still the mystery about the queen’s mana, and I’d like to see what happens.
It was entertaining but it was obvious it continues. According to Amazon Japan, the next volume (in Japanese) comes out in January.
I liked how it showed how the prince is slowly growing to love her. She’s also still very pragmatic, which I like. There’s still the mystery about the queen’s mana, and I’d like to see what happens.
March 25, 2025
it was ok. both of the MC are just kinda boring. i think i was expecting to much of the prince because everyone in the reviews kept bassicly saying how evil and sociopathic he was and while he was a little bit like that compared to how some of the H's in other books iv read (not light novels) behave/ think he was practically a puppy in comparison so i didnt really get that feeling from him, he was more just like a jerk than anything. :|
December 1, 2023
It started out so strong... How did it end up like this? It was so twisted, it was so twisted.
December 15, 2023
This is not it if you are looking for a nice fluffy romance. I liked this because it is on the darker side of romance. Lord Arc is very much a sadist and doesn't do anything that isn't going to benefit him. Estelle is quite naive and goes along with whatever Lord Arc says.
May 20, 2024
The male lead in this is really creepy. Not a fan! I might try the next one but it was a SLOG trying to read this. The second half is especially slow and painful.
March 12, 2025
I really enjoyed the perspective swifts and getting to see what other characters than the main character was feeling. The prince is not my favorite though
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews