SPOILER
lol as I'm reading the novel and Cale being the hero who sacrifices himself for justice and peace, i have to say him coughing up blood as way to recover is such a good scamming scheme lol. Cale complains but he has to admit it works to trick the people into thinking he's weak or dying or sacrificing himself to save people haha.
Did Bucci gang stop scanlating? Cuz i know chapter 27 onward is not them. Good thing I'm used to MTL'ing novels, so the odd grammar isn't that big of deal to me.
I just started the novel and now I'm on chapter 270ish after 3 days binging. Guys, I'm crying over how sweet and genuine Cale and Raon's father-son relationship is.
In fact, I really like how Cale look after his people. And even if he has them fight, he doesnt forget Lock, Raon, On, and Hong are kids.
I also like how Cale is like a stressed single-dad LMAOO
Lol yes. He wants all of his kids to grow up so well. He just wants to live a slacker life with him and his 30+ kids.
I also like the fact that his kids and his friends would literally fist fight anyone and anything that hurts or bothers Cale lmaoooo
Yes! Duuuuude, that's the whole reason why I made this post actually. I was legit crying and sobbing tears when Raon was going through his first growth phase and he was struggling to wake up to be with Cale when his plate was breaking. TOO PURE.
Lol I also like how Archie is really the only one who is like all you guys are abnormal. I'm known as the crazy whale and even then I think I'm normal compared to you guys.
BRO RAON'S GROWTH PHASE IS LEGIT FEELS. WHEN HE SMELLED CALE'S BLOOD AND LIFE FORCE FLUCTUATING EVEN THO HE IS ASLEEP HE WAS SO DESPERATE TO FINISH HIS TRIAL OMG
I WANT TO CRY BECAUSE IT JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT CALE IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO RAON OMGGGGG
I love how because of Raon's experience with cale contributes to his attribute. I legit got moved when Raon said that staying by Cale's side is his attribute. The 'present' is his attribute, staying by the side of the fainted Cale and telling him his attribute was so moving. Cale really feels like a single dad to me. ╥﹏╥
Killer Whale Archie really is a whole mood while reading the TCF: “NONE OF U GUYS ARE NORMAL”.
Also Alberu gives off the “cool uncle” vibe supporting Cale’s single dad adventures ε=ε=(ノ≧∇≦)ノ
BRUH OMG IM CRYING AGAINNNN
Cale after fainting while in pain:
"Human.”
Cale could feel Raon’s round front paw wiping blood off of Cale’s mouth.
“Human are you still in pain?”
The round head that was still the same after his first growth phase rubbed on Cale's side.
“I will tell you first, weak human.”
The young Dragon scooched up to Cale's ear and quietly whispered.
“Do you know what my attribute is?”
Raon wanted to tell Cale first before he told anybody else.
He wanted to tell Cale what he had achieved.
Raon whispered to Cale.
“The present.”
That was what Raon realized.
“My attribute is the present.”
Raon's attribute was abstract, but something that could be felt very easily.
Raon curled up next to Cale. As Eruhaben had said, there was nothing he could do right now. That was painful and frustrating, but Raon just laid down next to Cale in his spot and continued to speak.
“Right here and now is my attribute.”
He was able to return to the real world and be present right here.
That was the most important thing to Raon, so that became Raon's attribute.
Tap.
Raon rubbed his head at the shaking hand that was trying to caress his head.
It really was best to be alive right now.
He was happy that he, as well as everyone else, were alive.
Raon stuck right next to Cale so that Cale felt the child's body heat as he continued his time in pain.
This part was so moving with raon staying by his side while cale was in pain
BRO THIS. IF THIS ISNT WHOLESOME I DONT KNOW WHAT IS. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS IN THE MANHWAAAA
Here's the spoiler to what's going on. This is based off what I know from the novel. As far as I can tell, the manwha is 99% the same as the novel with a few things changed
(i.e. in the novel, Rizi actually had to climb a cliff for the antidote plant. She almost fell and died. In the manhwa, the antidote was given to her prior by Raphella. I guess it changed for better story telling purposes).
If you want to read the novel, you can read it here:
https://wordexcerpt.com/series/lady-to-queen/
Ch 31 of the manhwa corresponds to chapter 34 of the novel.
- Rizi is queen regent while Lucio is in a coma. She's able to take care of the small and easy to handle cases for the empire, but for bigger issues, she leaves them for Lucio.
-Rizi is in charge of the investigation, but it's stalled. Rose completely covered her tracks and there's no evidence left. Rose knows this so she isn't worried at all about Rizi condemning her. Rose also knows her maid is tight lipped. Another thing Rose is confident on is that Duke Ephriney will help her out. As long as she has Duke Ephriney's weakness and blackmails him, no harm will ever come to her. (Side note, it's because Rose found out Duke Ephriney's weakness that she was able to blackmail him into helping her meet Lucio. If it wasn't for the Duke, someone as low born as her wouldn't have been able to meet Lucio).
-While Rizi sits in court, she begins to notice that Duke Ephriney keeps getting in her away. For every little decision, no matter how small, he always disagrees with her decision.
-As it's been a few weeks (Lucio was in a coma for 10 days, I think? It was quite a long time), Rizi realizes she's going to lose her chance at executing Rose. Without conclusive evidence, she can't hold a noble imprisoned, no matter if she's only a baroness.
- Rizi ropes Duke Witherford to help her falsify evidence. Duke Witherford looked impressed. “Not at all, Your Majesty. There is something I’d like you to consider.”
Consider. Patrizia quietly tested the word on her mouth. If Duke Witherford wanted to talk to her about something, it had to be about the investigation. With that wording, it meant something that required her approval. Patrizia nodded for him to speak, and he opened his mouth.
“If we can’t get evidence, we can just make it. In addition, it’s not that difficult to do on a critical issue such as this.”
“You are right, Duke. In fact, I think you’ve already arranged someone for the evidence to point to. Is that right?” Patrizia asked with a knowing smile. From generation to generation, the Witherford family had always been below the Ephreney family. It was likely the person Duke Witherford had in mind was involved with Duke Ephreney.
“Duke Ephreney has no regard for you, Your Excellency. I’m sure he’ll try to side with Lady Phelps to maintain his grip on power.”
-Ch 40. Patrizia spoke in a firmer voice than before. “I will find evidence. She will not be able to escape punishment.”
Lucio had a pained expression, and Patrizia could understand why. Patrizia would punish Rosemond, and the punishment would clearly mean the taking of her life.
“Will you stop me?” asked Patrizia.
“What do you mean?”
“If I punish Lady Phelps. Don’t you…love her?”
“I used to think like this when I was young—If I was emperor, I could do anything. So I just waited until I was.”
“That’s true.”
“No. There is no absolute power in the world. If you cross a line, you’ll face the consequences. When that happens, absolute power eventually collapses.”
Patrizia noticed a hint of bitterness and anger in his words. “Then if I send her to the guillotine, and you will stand still,” she said in an emotionless voice.
“Empress,” Lucio said with a sigh. Patrizia nodded, curious about his next words.
Lucio spoke. “I’ll tolerate any punishment. I grant you royal permission. Just spare her life.”
“Your Majesty, I cannot do that. Attempting to kill or injure any of the Imperial Family are among the most serious of sins. You cannot just make an exception for your concubine.”
“I’m not telling you to do away with the death sentence. I don’t care if you make it look like she’s gone from this world, just spare her...After that, I don’t intend to interfere with her choices. At the very least…I just want to leave her with the minimum options.”
- Ch 43. Conversation between Duke Witherford and Rizi
“And there is only one reason why you’d see me, right?”
“Just as you predicted, Your Majesty. I have a witness.”
“Who is it?”
“A court lady from the Bain palace, Your Majesty. I chose someone who’s smart and good at judging situations. She will testify about the needed evidence.”
“What if there’s trouble later on?”
“I gave her certain conditions regarding her family in her hometown. She won’t do anything stupid. There is no need to worry,” Duke Witherford said reassuringly.
Patrzia nodded. “Good. Who knows about this besides the two of us?”
“No one else. We will present the results at the council meeting tomorrow morning.”
-Ch 43. Scene between Lucio and Rizi as they head to the trial
“Today is the day when the investigation will be closed,” he said briefly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“There is evidence.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Will you put her to death?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lucio suddenly stopped walking. Patrizia’s footsteps naturally halted as well, and she looked at his face for the first time. His expression was hard to read, but it didn’t look like one of resentment or hatred. He just stared at her. At that moment, it looked as if his gaze belonged to a small child, and Patrizia, feeling uncomfortable, turned away.
- Rizi presents the falsified evidence.
The court lady nodded and continued. “It is an accessory that Lady Phelps used to wear often, but one day she suddenly stopped. If you don’t believe me, then search Bain palace. I’m certain the other half is there.”
“Then it is decided,” Patrizia announced, but Lucio said nothing. She fixed him with a stare for a moment, before turning back to the nobles, who were in awe and panic over Raphaella’s and the court lady’s testimony.
-Rizi is about to sentence Rose to death but is interrupted by Duke Ephreney. Note, it wasn't Lucio that stepped in to stop the sentencing.
Patrizia was confident of her victory. The nobles did not say a word of objection, and she was finally convinced that the moment she had longed for had come.
“I believe we have reached a conclusion, Your Majesty. As Queen, I request the beheading of Lady Phelps, who dared to destroy the Imperial Family—”
“False, Your Majesty!” Someone’s voice suddenly interrupted her.
Patrizia’s anger flared at someone daring to cut off her moment, and she turned to see who it was. The door opened, and a familiar figure was walking in. Patrizia’s face hardened as she saw her opponent, and she let out a laugh.
“Duke Ephreney. You said you wouldn’t show up, and now you’re here.”
- Duke Ephreney presents a different witness, furthering muddling the case. So Lucio gets someone else to investigate thoroughly. Duke Vasi is a neutral house.
“Then there are two witnesses saying different things now?” Lucio said, and the room suddenly quieted. The choice was up to him now. He would either raise Patrizia’s hand or Rosemond’s hand. The answer was already set.
“Duke Vasi.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“There’s nothing we can do about the conflicting testimonies. I’ll have you take over this case and investigate.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do it to the utmost of my ability.”
Patrizia’ heart fell to the floor. Damn it. The longer this investigation took, the harder it would become to pin down Rosemond. Patrizia instinctively felt she was losing control.
- Lucio is completely disillusioned by Rose. While he doesn't behead her, he rescinds her title. She's now a commoner. Chapter 44
He was forced to realize it that day. The woman he knew so far didn’t bare to him her full side, and she wasn’t as kind and gentle as he thought.
He was the emperor. His Queen could have laughed at his stupidity for being swayed by a concubine, but he didn’t think she would do that if she knew what it was like to be in his shoes.
For him, his lover was everything in life, a pillar that supported him, his nourishment that made him last. Even a being such as an emperor could not help but fall in love. The queen, despite her aloofness towards him, would have to say the same thing.
It was a concept beyond good and evil. Survival took precedence in any situation. Furthermore, he was the only direct descendant of the royal bloodline. He had no choice but to fall for her. She would catch him.
It became clear, however, that there was a veil he hadn’t noticed before, and a different woman was standing behind it. She was dirty and ugly, but presented a face of beauty and good.
When he looked at Duke Ephreney’s eyes at the council hall today, he had no choice but to confront the fact that he was wrong. He had to fully acknowledge that day. The woman he had known was only an illusion. He didn’t know if it was his own mistake, or if she deliberately misled him, but what he knew was that she was complete fiction.
Of course, he didn’t intend to hold his concubine responsible for this. He didn’t intend to condemn her. She was not a person that he could judge in the first place. He just came to the realization that she wasn’t exactly the kind of person he thought she was.
He sighed. So this is what it had to be…
*
Under Lucio’s orders, Duke Vasi sought to investigate the matter and reveal the truth. Since all the evidence set forward by both sides were falsified, hunting for the truth was just the same as hunting for fish on dry land.
In the end, Duke Vasi had no choice but to report “Insufficient evidence” to the Emperor. Treason was a powerful crime that could destroy up to three generations, and punishment was only carried out after adequate presentation of proof. Any evidence put forward would also increase the likelihood of political exploitation.
In the end, the investigation collapsed. Lucio withdrew the charges against Baron Daiwadi and Baroness Phelps, then expelled the two court ladies who testified. It was the cleanest result, and everyone agreed on it.
Patrizia suffered the most damage from the incident. She decided to settle on calling the concubine just by Rosemond, not Baroness Phelps anymore. That alone was a good result.
-Rizi rubs it in Rosemond's face she's just a commoner now. She doesn't call her Lady and she makes Rose bow to her or something. Basically Rose feels humiliated that she has a lower position than Rizi.
-Rose also lost favor with Lucio. Although in the manhwa, it looks like Lucio is being cozy with Rose with Rose sitting in his lap, Lucio feels no love to her. Only obligation. He can see through her act now. Though she acts cute and innocent in front of him or favor, he knows she's vicious and cruel inside. Since the favor she asked for is to leave the palace, he allows it.
-The week that Rose is away from the palace is when Rizi gets closer to Lucio. Because Lucio feels betrayed by Rose (her personality is just a facade), he's drawn to Rizi because Rizi hates him lol. He at least knows where he stands with her.
Lol if you want to know the ending and Lucio/Rose/Rizi's relationship, please read this topic. I wrote an entire essay about it:
http://www.mangago.zone/home/mangatopic/6951229/ << I left a comment titled "A more detailed SPOILER below if you guys want to know more about Lucio and Rose's relationship and how the relationship between Rizi and Lucio develops. But this is simply MY interpretation because....."
Please expand it for explanation. It's about the 4th comment down.
Wait so she doesn't die?? What the hell is wrong with the emperor. I'm disgusted. He let FL whole family die publicly but can't even take a stand as the emperor for a concubine?? Ewww. I hate the fact the Fl get to do everything while the king can continue babying around.
He needs to grow tf up.
I- I don't think I can handle this much drama( ﾟ，_ゝ｀)
In the alternate timeline, there was evidence that Nilla did treasonous act. Although I'm not sure if Nilla really DID try to make Rose miscarry, Nilla admitted she did some heinous things because she tried to win Lucio's love. Sooo there's some precedence. (Though if I recall, Rose egged Nilla on and schemed to have Nilla bully her where other people could see her).
Lucio did not behead Rose for 3 reasons 1) yeah, he still has some feelings for Rose. 2) There's no evidence. At all. Not even Rizi could find one. 3) Rose has the backing of the most powerful family in the empire - Duke Ephreney
If it makes you feel better, Rose completely loses favor with Lucio and he begins to fall for Rizi. Rose is imprisoned again chapter 95 and is beheaded chapter 97
Oh Rizi hates him for sure. I believe that night when she found out about his psychotic mental breakdown she looks down on him and says to herself, "Stop showing this side of yourself to me. Stop letting me see how vulnerable and weak you are. I don't want to sympathize or pity you. Let me hate you in peace".
I saw your other post, so here's a timeline breakdown of their relationship by the novel chapter:
After the hunting incident, the emperor stops sleeping with Rose. He's still courteous to her because he pities her (even admits to Rizi, he feels obligated and pity towards her). After the hunting incidient, he starts to soften and like Rizi. Actually seeks her company out. Since he doesn't know what love is, he doesn't even know he's starting to fall for Rizi. (What I like is that Rizi is actually annoyed by Lucio falling in love with her lol. She's like, you had your chance when we got married. Now you're saying you love me? HA! Never. Rizi really makes Lucio grovel for her love).
Lucio begins to fall and seek Rizi's company out starting chapter 51 when Rizi found out Lucio's secret (the same secret Rose found out).
Lucio admits he's nicer to Rizi because he wants them to be husband and wife (he doesn't know he's in love with her yet, but knows he feels happier and around her) at chapter 64.
Lucio realizes he doesn't love Rose anymore ch 65. Lucio actually realizes he doesn't love Rose earlier than that, but up until ch 65, he was at least still nice to her because he felt like he owed Rose. But after chapter 65, once Lucio hates her guts.
Lucio finally works out his feelings and confesses he loves Rizi in chapter 76, but Rizi shuts him down.
Rose finally gets what's coming to her chapter 95, finds out Rizi poisoned her and made her infertile in ch 96, and is beheaded ch 97.
Rest of the chapters are about Lucio groveling and trying to make up to Rizi. Rizi finally gives in and allows herself to begin a relationship with Lucio around 103. The way I see how the novel ended, Lucio is dependent on Rizi like a child is to their parent. Rizi more or else is worn down by Lucio's persistence and tentatively gives this a shot. I don't view their relationship as healthy. Lucio is a very broken man. Nilla (who actually regained the memory of her past life too) tells Rizi that Lucio is too broken. She had a chance to take his love from Rose too, but loving him was too burdensome. Only Rizi was strong enough to stay with Lucio.
However, Lucio and Rizi's side story are so damn sweet. It's about them a year or two after the main story ending. And by being with Rizi and in a HEALTHY relationship, Lucio matured a lot. And Rizi is honestly happy because Lucio spends every minute trying to make it up to her.
Oh and before I forget, after Rizi finds out about Lucio's past, she pities him a lot. So her pities wins her over and so her attitude towards Lucio softens. BUT when she finds out why she was originally chosen as the Queen, SHE"S PISSED.
There was no way that Patrizia could ever forgive this man standing right in front of her. It was impossible for her to do.
“I hate the version of me that harbored a shred of pity for you.”
“…”
“I loathe you, and I loathe myself. I genuinely want to kill Rosemond.”
For the first time, Patrizia laid her feelings bare in front of Lucio. They were words filled with a truth that was equal to the shock that she felt.
Wait so Rizi didn't really love the emperor as much as he loves her till the end? Or did she slowly develop feelings for the emperor after seeing his efforts? Oh and thanks for the spoilers
^^;;; I edited my comment to include a topic link where I spoiled ending for Rose/Lucio/Rizi and about their relationship and it deleted all the comments haha... Welp. Here's a timeline for Lucio and Rizi's relationship The chapters I mentioned are for the novel:
https://wordexcerpt.com/series/lady-to-queen/
After the hunting incident, the emperor stops sleeping with Rose. He's still courteous to her because he pities her (even admits to Rizi, he feels obligated and pity towards her). After the hunting incidient, he starts to soften and like Rizi. Actually seeks her company out. Since he doesn't know what love is, he doesn't even know he's starting to fall for Rizi. (What I like is that Rizi is actually annoyed by Lucio falling in love with her lol. She's like, you had your chance when we got married. Now you're saying you love me? HA! Never. Rizi really makes Lucio grovel for her love).
Lucio begins to fall and seek Rizi's company out starting chapter 51 when Rizi found out Lucio's secret (the same secret Rose found out).
Lucio admits he's nicer to Rizi because he wants them to be husband and wife (he doesn't know he's in love with her yet, but knows he feels happier and around her) at chapter 64.
Lucio realizes he doesn't love Rose anymore ch 65. Lucio actually realizes he doesn't love Rose earlier than that, but up until ch 65, he was at least still nice to her because he felt like he owed Rose. But after chapter 65, once Lucio hates her guts.
Lucio finally works out his feelings and confesses he loves Rizi in chapter 76, but Rizi shuts him down.
Rose finally gets what's coming to her chapter 95, finds out Rizi poisoned her and made her infertile in ch 96, and is beheaded ch 97.
Rest of the chapters are about Lucio groveling and trying to make up to Rizi.
A more detailed SPOILER below if you guys want to know more about Lucio and Rose's relationship and how the relationship between Rizi and Lucio develops. But this is simply MY interpretation because.....
I see Lucio as a broken person. He can't love in a normal way. Which was why Rose was able to take advantage of him so easily, and eventually how Rizi was able to redirect Lucio's feelings from Rose to herself. The easy redirection later becomes one of Rizi's insecurity on the sincerity of Lucio's feelings.
Anyway, back tracking. The previous Queen is infertile. So the the previous Emperor had a child with one of his maid and thus Lucio was born. The Queen was driven to insanity by the fact she can't have a child and that her power was stripped away by a mere maid. So in one of her bouts of insanity, she stole the child from the maid and tried to raise the babe as her own. The emperor is pretty indifferent about the affairs of the inner palace, and so allowed it. He couldn't really reprimand the Queen either as she's from a powerful Duke Owsin house. At first the Queen was kind to Lucio, and so Lucio grew up thinking the Queen was really his mother. But then the Marquess Ephiney house started to scheme against the Queen, hoping to depose her in order to strip power away from house Oswin. They used her insanity and jealousy to make her resent the maid that stole the Emperor's love and hate the child she ended up birthing. This is when the Queen started to abuse Lucio. She would beat him black and blue, sometimes to the point where he think he might die. She would mentally and emotionally abuse him, call him dirty child, child of a whore, etc. She'd lock him up and starve him. Her abuse would lessen when the Emperor was in the palace, but the Emperor was often on expeditions, conquering neighboring countries, so there were long spans of time where the Queen could abuse Lucio with no one able to stop her. Since the Queen isolated Lucio from everyone, Lucio craved love and he tried to get it from her since she's his mother. He would try everything to please her, so when she beat him, he thought it was because it was his fault. It was his fault that he did something wrong to make her displeased. Then on his 15th birthday, the Queen invited Lucio to her palace (which is the current Queen's palace that Rizi lives in). Lucio still had hope that the Queen loved him and was happy she said she had a birthday present for him. Lucio was so delighted, thinking that this year might be different since she remembered his birthday and was giving him his first birthday present ever. (The palace never celebrated his birthday, although he's the crowned prince). She points to a figure tied to a chair with a white blanket covering them. The Queen says that's his present, and Lucio is like what do you mean? The Queen orders him to kill that person. Lucio, shocked, refuses. He doesn't want to kill someone. He begs her to not make him. The Queen takes a cane and beats him. She beats him so bad, he ends up fracturing a leg and breaking an arm (I think). He's bleeding all over the place and the pain got so bad, he started feeling numb. His mind goes hazy and he thinks he might actually die this time. So when she asks him will he kill the person or not, or does he want another beating, Lucio cries and begs her not to beat him anymore, he'll do it. He'll kill the person. Lucio ends up stabbing the person under the blanket several times, feeling nauseated from the blood and almost throws up from the feeling. After he's done, he falls to his knees, panting. The Queen is behind him, laughing. She congratulates him for becoming a murderer and tells him she's not his real mother. Hearing that, Lucio is relieved.....he's glad she's not his mother because how could a mother hate her own child? Then she reveals his REAL mother is the one he just killed. Lucio breaks. He tears off the blanket to look at his mother's face and touches her, the warmth of her body slowly dissipating in the rain. Lucio falls to the ground and screams and screams in agonizing pain at killing his own mother. And this is when Lucio psyche is truly broken. He thinks himself a monster, a murderer, someone that no one can love. He has nightly nightmares about the Queen's abuse, panic attacks if he sees sage (the Queen's favorite flower was sage flowers, and she's used to drag him to her garden to beat him), and his psychotic episodes are when he dreams of his real mother. In his psychotic episodes, he would be lost in his own world and scream until he tears his own voice muscle. He would also inflict pain on himself. Lucio thinks he deserves these nightmares though. It's God's punishment because he's a monster that murdered his own mother.
As for the Queen, once the Emperor came back from his expedition and found out, she was deposed. The Oswin house fell into ruin and the Ephriney house that orchestrated this rose from a Marquess to a Dukedom. Rose found out about this through January. January is accomplice of Rose and the concubine of Duke Ephriney. Rose blackmails Duke Ephriney with his treachery and says if he doesn't want Lucio to find out and wipe out the entire house of Ephriney, he will help her become queen. So through Ephriney, Rose "coincidentally" met Lucio despite being a lowly baron daughter. Through her charm and arts of seduction, Lucio fell for her. What Rose was good at was finding people's weakness and desires. Through their weakness, she blackmails or coerces them. Through their desires, she manipulates them. So knowing Lucio's trauma, Rose acts gentle and innocent in front of him. On his nights where he's having an episode, she pretends to be sympathetic and understanding. She takes Lucio in her arms and pets him, telling him toxic and gaslighting him with words such as, "My poor majesty. You're monster that no one loves. But I'm here for you. I'm the only one that will love you. I'm the only one who understands. You have no one else but me." While it's true that Lucio severely depends on Rose, that's not the only reason why he won't leave her. In order to tie Lucio even more to her, she tells him she's the only one who understands him because she also suffered abuse of her own.
Rose is also a pretty sad person. She is the daughter between a prostitute and Baron Darrow. When Rose was ten, she was rescued from the brothel by Baron Darrow and formally adopted into the house. However, rather than the daughter of the house, she was treated more like a maid. Then as she got older, she got the attention of her older half brother...........her brother repeatedly raped her while she lived in that house. Though the Baron and the Baroness knew what was happening, they turned a blind eye since if this was made public, it would be an embarrassment. And so that's why Rose is obsessed with power. She never wants to be looked down on or helpless ever again. Lucio is sympathetic to her. He knows how it is to be helpless, and so since he "loves her" and because she's the "only one that understands and helped him", he agrees to make her Queen, the highest position a woman can take in the empire. (In the side story where Rose becomes queen, Rose still isn't happy. No amount of jewel or riches was enough for her. She still felt empty. She often lashed out and got angry at people, accusing them of looking down on her despite being queen. So in truth, Rose thought being queen was enough to make her happy, but she was wrong).
So in short, Lucio and Rose /may/ have loved each other in the beginning, but in the past year they've been together, it dwindled down to Lucio feeling pity and obligation for Rose, but since he never experienced or knew what love was, he confused his feelings of pity for love. On Rose's end, she did love Lucio, but she loved his position as Emperor more. She loved the power and money his position gave her. Once Lucio stopped favoring her, she started to use his trauma and weakness against him in order to drive a wedge between Lucio and Rizi.
For Lucio and Rizi's relationship. The turning point to the relationship is after the Hunting Competition. Side note, Lucio and Rose's relationship start to sour after the Envoy Dinner. Lucio got to see a crack in Rose's facade, that she isn't as understanding or as sweet as he thought. Rose sends assassins after Rizi and Lucio ends up taking a poisoned arrow for Rizi. Lucio faints from the poison and Rizi becomes Queen Regent and puts Rose in jail while they investigate the case. Anyway, right around here, Lucio starts to waver between Rose and Rizi. He isn't in love with Rizi. It's more like he feels guilt and pity to her. He put her in this position in order to promote Rose, meanwhile, Rose is turning into a treacherous person....Rizi bumps into Lucio at the garden again and asks Lucio does he love Rose? And Lucio's inner monologue says usually he would immediately answer yes, but now he hesitates. Lucio finally answers and says he doesn't know... Around her, Lucio begins to realize what he feels for Rose isn't love. It may have been love, but now, it's more like he feels sorry for her. So he asks Rizi can she just spare Rose if she's convicted? Rizi can do anything - strip her of her title, exile her, even fake her death so that Rose becomes an invisible person with no status or name. But please, just don't kill her. Rizi refuses. Rose tried to kill royalty and Lucio even got injured and almost died. Rose can't escape the ultimate sentence. Lucio purses his lips, but doesn't argue. However, there isn't conclusive evidence, and with Duke Ephriney interfering, the case was closed without anything being resolved.
Okay, but afterwards, a couple of things happened between Lucio and Rizi. Rizi finds Lucio in the rain and Lucio ends up telling Rizi about his past. He tells her the entire story in a robotic, nonchalant type of way. Which breaks Rizi's heart. She cries for him and he wonders why she's crying? She tells him because she feels sorry for him. What he experienced, no one should ever go through. His life was sad and pitiful, so he should cry. Not only cry, but yell and scream at the injustice. Lucio realizes this is the first time cried on his behalf and told him it was okay for him to cry as well. I can't really remember, but Lucio and Rizi both end up hugging each other as they cried. Rizi woke up with swollen eyes lol. Also, Rizi wishes she never heard Lucio's story because now she feels sorry for him. She never wanted to feel anything for Lucio. She only wanted to see him as an emotionless and heartless ruler. Not someone with feelings. But now that she knows his tragic past, she feels sympathy for him. Lucio also begins to notice Rizi, and he appreciates that her feelings for him didn't change. Rizi tells him to his face that she still hates him, to which Lucio smiles and says okay. He tells her that usually when people find out about his story, they start to avoid him or treat him like he's fragile. So he likes that Rizi is still the same. It makes him feel a bit more normal. Another incident that happens is that Rizi also finds Lucio during one of his psychotic breakdowns. She was able to snap him out of hurting himself. While Lucio isn't quite lucid, Rizi tells him he needs to stop...He needs to stop making her feel sorry for him. She just wants to purely hate him, and she can't do that if he keeps showing her his pitiful and vulnerable side. Just as she gets up to leave, he holds onto the hem of her nightgown and begs her not to go. Rizi sighs and says, "It's not that you don't want me to go, it's that you don't want to be alone." Lucio looks at her with teary eyes but stays silent, because what she says is true. But Rizi is so tired, that she's like whatever and ends up falling asleep with Lucio holding onto her like a scared child.
Lucio begins to seek Rizi out like a child or puppy seeking love. I know in the beginning of the manhwa/novel, Lucio seems like a BIG JERK with capital letters, but after Rizi makes her ultimatum and threatens him about her being the one to give birth to a crowned prince, Lucio never does anything disrespectful to Rizi and tries to protect her in his own way. Rizi begins to notice that Lucio is VERY attentive to her. At banquets or when she's walking alone, Lucio would be the first one to find her. He'd ask in a worried tone where are her guards? He'd also take off his coat and put it around her since she looked cold. Lucio also would try to talk to her and continue the conversation despite Rizi cutting him off or acting cold. Rizi doesn't want to be moved by Lucio's kindness. She is basically fighting for her throne and the life of her family, so she can't risk wavering. But Lucio's consideration is putting a crack in the wall Rizi built for herself. During National Founding day banquet, Rizi finally confronts him and asks him why is he doing all this? Lucio says it's because he's doing his husband's duty. He should look after his wife's wellbeing. Rizi laughs sarcastically and calls him out on his bullshit. She says a husband's duty is being faithful to his wife and doing everything he for their relationship. And since he can't do either, he should stop while he's ahead. Before Rizi can walk off, Lucio whispers what if he can fulfill both? What if he could remain faithful to her and try at their relationship? Rizi laughs again and mocks him. He failed both since the first night of their wedding. Rizi says if he had done it from the beginning, Rizi would've tried as well, but since he couldn't keep his vows, there's no turning back time. A broken vow is a broken vow, so stop trying to pretend to be her husband, it's burdensome.
A couple of things happen and Rizi finds out the reason why she was chosen as Queen was because she's barren. Her relationship with Lucio completely breaks down here. Whatever sympathy or feelings she felt for him is gone. She tells him she hates and despises him. She regrets ever feeling sorry for him.
Anyway, the short story of Lucio's feeling to Rizi is more like he transferred his dependency from Rose to her. When Rizi tries to leave the palace, Lucio begs her not to go. He gets on his knees and says he can't live without her, that he has no one but her now. He'll do anything she wants, give her anything she wants, but she can't leave the palace. That is soooooo not healthy. Btw, that scene is less like a possessive creepy monologue, but more like a sad child begging his mom not to leave him. Majority of Lucio's feelings to Rizi is more or less like that. And that's why Rizi is so reluctant to be in love with Lucio. She fears so long as someone is nice to Lucio and comforts him, he'll transfer his feelings. He did so with Rose and fell in love with Rizi so easily. Rizi is afraid he'll fall out of love with her too, and then she'll be the next one to die. Lucio tells her he loves her, and Rizi rejects him hard. She draws a very clear line between them. She does NOT want to be in love with him. But Lucio, once he "loves" someone, he loves with all his heart, and he tells her she's different from Rose... Rose hurt people to gain power, and her beheading was her own doing.
Side note: while Nilla was framed for treason, Nilla DID do some shady things to try and win Lucio's love. Nilla said she hated the person she became to win the love of Lucio, she became mean and petty and did atrocious things in order to gain his attention. In the timeline where Nilla was queen, she ALSO found out about Lucio's past. Nilla also had the chance to take Lucio's love, but she couldn't handle Lucio's trauma. Nilla admits that she didn't have the fortitude or patience that Rizi did. She abandoned any chances to be with Lucio because she just couldn't handle the emotional burden at being with someone so broken.
In the end, Rizi finds Lucio again during one of his psychotic breakdowns. As she comforts him, she finally caves. Her inner monologue is something like I don't know where my pity ends and love begins. I don't know if this is love at all. She thinks she's too kind and softhearted, and that her softheartedness got her caught up with Lucio. It's more like Rizi was tired of her anger and resentment. Lucio is pretty sweet to her in the last few chapters, so Rizi decided to "fuck it", sure why not. Let's just try.
So the reason I enjoyed it despite how messed up their relationship is, is because it's not a "love cures all" type of story. Lucio is still very broken - he just changed the person he depended on. Rizi also never fully fall in love with Lucio. She's not even sure if what she feels for him is love or pity, or a mix of both.
A lot of people in the forum aren't happy with the ending or think the love story is too rushed, or that Lucio is a very weak male lead. I was pretty okay with the ending because stayed a very strong female character. HER happiness never depended on being with Lucio. And while their relationship isn't a traditional lovey-dovey type, it has the makings of one because both of them are working hard to make their relationship work. So the story ends with the two of them pretty content. Like some people think their romance is weak, but if you view it under a different light, their love is just different.
And when you get to their side story, it's soooooooooooo cute. Lucio matured a lot. And I love how happy Rizi is. One part is due to Lucio, but the other is that she's just less stressed.
If you've gotten this far, kudos to you lol. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk
I'm just compiling all my topics into one thread. Easier for me to keep track. This comment is about Rizi/Lucio Side Story
Rizi and Lucio are so freaking cute and wholesome in their side story. It really made me forget all the bullcrap Rizi had to go through. Lucio is 200% supportive of her and never let's her forget how much he loves her. Like the novel ended it where there were hints they'll have a happy and healthy relationship. But the side story really cemented it. It was sooooo sweet. It was also nice seeing how happy Rizi was. She got to act her age and just smile and laugh without worry. I've never seen her laugh as much as she did in her side story with Lucio. That man is a shameless flirt with Rizi lol.
When I got to the part where Rizi found out she wasn't barren, I was like oh dayum, you go girl. Rizi immediately canceled all her plans for the day and told her ladies in waiting she will be spending the rest of the day and night with the Emperor until tomorrow morning. She rushed off to the Central Palace (actually running) to pounce on Lucio lol. And I quote, "True to her words, she stayed with his Majesty until the next day." Aggressive Rizi? Heck yes.
The two of them end up having 1 son and 3 daughters (triplets). Haha Lucio gets his heart broken because all the kids when they're were around 7-8 all said they love their mom more and want to marry her. Lucio is like but what about your dad? Don't you love me too? And they're like, i like dad too, but I love mom more. Lucio looked so sad, Rizi laughs and consoles him but internally she's like, "I'm so proud of my kids." LOL.
Edit:
If you want to ready the novel up to chapter 126, you can find it here: https://wordexcerpt.com/series/lady-to-queen/
Chapter 31 of the manhwa corresponds to chapter 34 of the novel.
Chapter 127-140 (end) of the novel is available on patreon for $5.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/33251078
Luckily or not....side stories tend to not be included in the webtoons based off novels. So most likely we'll never see a confirmation or not if Rizi is fertile in the webtoon ^^;;;;
That's a really good point and it's something that's actually brought up at the end of the novel when Rizi is getting worn down by Lucio.
Nilla is actually also reborn with her memories. It's only after Rizi and Nilla have a heart to heart about when they both died, how Rizi sacrificed herself for Nilla and their family, about how she married the man Nilla loved and originally married, and Rizi asking how Nilla could forgive Lucio did a big weight fall off Rizi's chest. Rizi doesn't immediately fall in love with Lucio. Not in the main story. Not even by the last chapter of the main story. But a majority of why she was able to forgive him is because of her conversation with Nilla. I cant quote it atm since I'm on mobile but it had to do with them living in THIS timeline and getting a second chance. Nilla was also traumatized by the first timeline and she shook and was horrified whenever she saw Lucio. But after the help of Rothesay (a man she married later), she realizes she can't keep living in the past and allow the present to past her by. Something like that.
It's not a perfect ending for sure. And totally understandable why ppl can't forgive Lucio. But I think as long as Rizi is happy, regardless of Lucio, I can accept it.
I couldn't wait for the novel translation, so caved and bought the ending. SPOILER
Rizi and Lucio are so freaking cute and wholesome in their side story. It really made me forget all the bullcrap Rizi had to go through. Lucio is 200% supportive of her and never let's her forget how much he loves her. Like the novel ended it where there were hints they'll have a happy and healthy relationship. But the side story really cemented it. It was sooooo sweet. It was also nice seeing how happy Rizi was. She got to act her age and just smile and laugh without worry. I've never seen her laugh as much as she did in her side story with Lucio. That man is a shameless flirt with Rizi lol.
When I got to the part where Rizi found out she wasn't barren, I was like oh dayum, you go girl. Rizi immediately canceled all her plans for the day and told her ladies in waiting she will be spending the rest of the day and night with the Emperor until tomorrow morning. She rushed off to the Central Palace (actually running) to pounce on Lucio lol. And I quote, "True to her words, she stayed with his Majesty until the next day." Aggressive Rizi? Heck yes.
The two of them end up having 1 son and 3 daughters (triplets). Haha Lucio gets his heart broken because all the kids when they're were around 7-8 all said they love their mom more and want to marry her. Lucio is like but what about your dad? Don't you love me too? And they're like, i like dad too, but I love mom more. Lucio looked so sad, Rizi laughs and consoles him but internally she's like, "I'm so proud of my kids." LOL.
Edit:
If you want to ready the novel up to chapter 126, you can find it here: https://wordexcerpt.com/series/lady-to-queen/
Chapter 31 of the manhwa corresponds to chapter 34 of the novel.
Chapter 127-140 (end) of the novel is available on patreon for $5.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/33251078
Hi I really wanna know where you bought it plllsssss tell me I really wanna read what happens next
If you want to ready the novel up to chapter 124, you can find it here: https://wordexcerpt.com/series/lady-to-queen/
Chapter 31 of the manhwa corresponds to chapter 34 of the novel.
Chapter 125-140 (end) of the novel is available on patreon for $5.
What chapter should I start reading????
Ch 34 for the novel.
when does the Emperor stop being a simp for his harlot mistress?
Okaaayyyy thank you sooo much
LMFAOOO I see you raging everywhere and I love that shit
It's what I am here for.
SPOILER
After the hunting incident, the emperor stops sleeping with Rose. He's still courteous to her because he pities her (even admits to Rizi, he feels obligated and pity towards her). After the hunting incidient, he starts to soften and like Rizi. Actually seeks her company out. Since he doesn't know what love is, he doesn't even know he's starting to fall for Rizi. (What I like is that Rizi is actually annoyed by Lucio falling in love with her lol. She's like, you had your chance when we got married. Now you're saying you love me? HA! Never. Rizi really makes Lucio grovel for her love).
Lucio begins to fall and seek Rizi's company out starting chapter 51 when Rizi found out Lucio's secret (the same secret Rose found out).
Lucio admits he's nicer to Rizi because he wants them to be husband and wife (he doesn't know he's in love with her yet, but knows he feels happier and around her) at chapter 64.
Lucio realizes he doesn't love Rose anymore ch 65. Lucio actually realizes he doesn't love Rose earlier than that, but up until ch 65, he was at least still nice to her because he felt like he owed Rose. But after chapter 65, once Lucio hates her guts.
Lucio finally works out his feelings and confesses he loves Rizi in chapter 76, but Rizi shuts him down.
Rose finally gets what's coming to her chapter 95, finds out Rizi poisoned her and made her infertile in ch 96, and is beheaded ch 97.
Rest of the chapters are about Lucio groveling and trying to make up to Rizi.
Thanks boo. I like the FL can't stand the emperor. I dislike him more than the ho mistress.
when do they bang for the first time? curious... :/
Is it after she gives in or before?
Before. Ch 75. Their first time was NOT sweet. Rizi slept with him only because he was having one of his periodic mental breakdowns.
Poor Rizi :(
I love how Cale just casually adopts 3 kids. (Though it's more like Raon adopted Cale haha)
Roan is the Kingdoms name, Raon is the dragon XD
LOL I never even noticed they had the same letters! Just noticed after you pointed it out haha. Typo on my part, but yes, I meant Raon.
No isn't it Roan miru the dragon?
Raon kingdom??
Scratch that I just checked
I'm just gonna call him Miru haha.
Hehe
But the comment still is Raon?
I edited my topic after it was pointed out. But I can't edit a comment that was quoted
I once edited the topic and all replies got deleted.. idk why thought th same will happen everytime ( @_@)
Awwww...i got happy because I thought this was the webtoon for General Above, I'm below. (Aka Oh General for tv series). That one is HILARIOUS bc the FL grew up like a man and even converted the ML's harem into her fans bc of how cool and manly she is.
Did the project get snipped? The grammar was way off compared to previous releases
so lezhin is re-releasing this. Does anyone know why? Was the story rehauled?
Really? I don't even know why it was taken down in the first place, same story for tappy. Never had the oportunity to buy it :(
I believe they are making their own translation I bought one chapter to see what was different but it’s basically just the same some of the things they say are just worded different