전쟁이 끝나 평화를 되찾은 스완튼 왕국의 남서쪽, 작은 영지를 가지고 있는 베르디에 가문은 심각한 재정난을 겪고 있다. 아들이 없는 자작가의 아름다운 둘째 딸 앨리스가 이번 사교 시즌에 훌륭한 신랑감을 맞이하는 것 외에는 집안을 살릴 방법이 없어 보인다.
어디로 튈지 모르는 여동생의 결혼을 위해 다리가 불편한 장녀 ‘클로이 베르디에’도 고군분투하는 가운데, 그녀는 여름밤 무도회에서 재회한 ‘데미안 에른스트 폰 티세’ 공작에게 그만 큰 약점을 잡히고 만다. 3년 전 전쟁 중에 달갑지 않은 첫 만남을 했던 공작과의 악연은 현재 진행형이었던 것이다.
이 와중에 앨리스가 돌이킬 수 없는 사고를 쳐 버리고, 클로이는 결국 위기에 빠진 가족을 구하기 위해 오만한 젊은 공작을 직접 찾아가 그녀의 일생일대 가장 큰 도박을 시도하는데….
I perfectly understand the discrepancy in the novel’s rating, because it’s the kind of story you can either love or hate—and I count myself in the first group.
There were many sweet and romantic moments in the period after love confession and before the truth revealed. Chloe would have lived happily in the illusion of perfect love if only she never learned the truth. But once she knew the truth, she didn't hesitate to fake her death and left. Perhaps, one good thing about Damien is that he came to Chloe in the end as himself, not as a king wielding power, and gave her freedom to choose to come back or not. But I really wish that she would leave the ass***e forever after faking her death. That would be better ending and I would have given solid 5 stars if so. Unfortunately she chose to come back.... love is blind.
My honest rating should be 3.5 stars due to my dislike of the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
read the manhwa version in one sitting and all i have to say is 'meant to be yours' from heathers the musical defo inspired damien in the middle-end and ending defo felt rushed. idk how chloe forgave him for everything, tbh i would've just married guilles just to spite him. but im glad that chloe got what she wanted in the end :))
3★'s Betrayal of Dignity is peak 'I can fix him' trope. The story is deliciously frustrating, with two morally grey leads utterly obsessed with each other. Their relationship starts off messy, but the character growth is so satisfying to read—especially seeing a King who bends his knee for no one but his Queen. Highly recommended for someone who wants to read an angsty historical romance.
O esto esta muy bueno o yo tengo traumas y considero romántico que alguien haga que te señalen como la culpable de un asesinato para luego salvarte.
"It is true that I wanted to write a letter. But I felt like I shouldn’t use it as it is in my heart." "Tell me now with your mouth. What did you want to write?" "Shouting to the duke who is a scoundrel."
Aparte la tensión sexual que se cargan esos dos, amooo
Fuera de broma si está bueno, todos tienen un character development muy bueno y su amor retorcido es un estándar.
I reread this to try to figure out what was going on in the main characters’ heads: why does Damien treat “love” (sure, ok) like hunting a deer? Why does Chloe fall for him? I know what the author would want me to say, but ultimately, I don’t buy it. It doesn’t make sense beyond “these people have PROBLEMS.” Still a good story—murder! Attempted murder! International intrigue! Faked deaths!
THIS MANHWA WAS A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE It made me want to pull my hair out and also giggle but nevertheless it was so good and its definitely going to be on my list of manhwas to reread for the sole purpose to reread about how damien loved chloe i am someone who experienced love in every single medium of media possible but in this manhwa it something else entirely he LOVEDDDD her
DAMIEN ES UN HDP PERO LO AMOOOO, maldita seas manipulador de mrd🫶🏻
Chloe una noble de clase baja calló enferma cuando era una niña y no fue atendienda a tiempo por lo que tubo que pasar toda su vida caminando con un bastón por su cojera.
Tenía una vida relativamente tranquila hasta que conoció a Damien el Duque que iba a llevar a sus hombres a la guerra. Ella quedó fascinada por como manejaba a sus hombre pero poco después descubre que es un sinvergüenza con poco tacto que rompió su bastón.
Más tarde se vuelven a encontrar y se unen en apasionante drama.
Amor, pasión, traición y dignidad.
Chloe nunca pensó que podría amar y odiar al mismo tiempo a un hombre, y eso la asusta. ¿Cómo podría amar tanto a una persona que le hizo tanto daño? Le mintió y le quitó una pequeña vida que ella quería.
Damien nunca pensó que llegaría el día que una mujer pueda romperlo y descongelar su frío corazón, pero la idea de que esa mujer se solamente Chloe no podría ser más divertida y exitante para él.
--- La verdad es que Chloe me pena por llamar la atención de tremendo loco🥲
genres: Historical Drama Dark Romance ranking: a certified masterpiece that Lives rent free in my brain forever, a book hangover 10/10
the first line: You absolutely cannot make a scene this time, Alice. Do you understand?
I am grateful to this book for ... a man who believes in his woman, supports her and shows others how incredible she is.
notes: -- I adore this story -- something that started on a very wrong note, but transformed into something beautiful -- mmc is really really rude, harsh, foul mouthed & overpowering, evil, ambitious, determined, never gives up; he wants power but changes his mind -- fmc knows her boundaries & capabilities & quite brave to stand on her ground, compassionate and wants peace -- he makes controversial decisions which make you question your morals and want you would do ( I even discussed with my mom some parts, to get a fresh perspective) -- made me think a lot
I read the manhwa version and plan to read the novel later. Just review from manhwa side first.
Well, Damien was really unhinged man, truly Black Flag. His love contained obsession and he became jerk when he was jealous. Still, I could see how much he valued her in shadowing of obsession and arrogance. He was mad man that I supposed to hate him but I couldn't. He was such a complex character. 😩
Imo, Chloe was really someone matches for Damien's madness. She was the one who could handle and control him, she got that power without realizing. She was quite complex character actually, but she hid it under her resentment toward him.
The ending was beautiful for all characters inside the story. I wish to see the father side of Damien.
Jeśli lubicie czytać o toksycznych związkach, to jest to tytuł idealny dla was. Historia jest bardzo dobrze prowadzona i po kolei odkrywa przed nami karty - tego jak ML powoli osaczał naszą bohaterkę. Jednocześnie FL jest inteligentna i dostrzega rzeczy, ale próbuje ufać mężowi. Ostatecznie obawiam się, że wszystko skończy się jak zwykle: odkupieniem i wybaczeniem. Jeśli jednak osoba autorska zdecyduje się na coś innego, będzie to jeden z lepszych tytułów jakie czytałam. Polecam sprawdzić, bo dobre to i ładne wizualnie.
Been avoiding this bcs some reviews stated how pos the ml is but idk why i suddenly felt intrigued to read this and bam! I. LOVE. THIS. The ml is cunning & manipulative, yes, but I guess I could understand his reasons. Regardless of what he did, he only thinks of the fl. I love when he grovels but I'd love to see more actually. The fl is strong-willed and knows how to confront & control the ml so I think they suit each other. They both indeed betray their dignity & morale for one another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
No sé exactamente que pensar sobre esta historia... La ilustración es maravillosa, pero la relación me pareció muy turbulenta. Realmente no me agradaba el personaje masculino...tipo 🚩🚩🚩 Es fácil de seguir, pero en mi caso me lleno de impotencia y frustración y la relación "amorosa" no termino convenciendome en absoluto.
Read the manhwa version, so maybe the plot seemed kinda skimpy because of the format's constraints. Most of the emphasis seemed to be on the lovers' quarrels, and the story seemed to be in a secondary role.
Lowkey this book took over my brain for a few days. I wish it was a physical because I want it in my hands so bad.
I can’t even begin to describe how amazing these characters are. Damien is such an awful and manipulative man who is so obsessed with Chloe at first sight. He wants to capture her like a bird in a cage and keep her forever. And he tries his hardest to do so.
Chloe isn’t physically strong, she has a disability and cannot walk without a cane. Her family is also not doing great and her sister has run away, so she has to marry Damien to help her household. Little does she know, she is being carefully lead down a maze of his making.
Does she take it, being a helpless damsel? Sometimes. She knows when to fight back and when to let things happen as this is a society where women do not hold a lot of power. Eventually she is pushed to her breaking point and she does machinate a plan to get away from Damien. At this point, Damien is completely smitten and does not want to exist without her. The perfect revenge is breaking his heart and spirit.
Anyway it’s a HEA with kids and such but it’s such a dramatic and fun read, especially if you like yanderes. I probably have like 50 quotes I saved because the yandere lines were so good.