Duke Croft's daughter, Ellia, fell in love with an illegitimate prince, Raymond, of the imperial family at a young age and they grew up together as childhood friends.
However in their late teens Raymond shares the happy news with her: he's fallen in love with a young marquis' daughter, Regina.
Heartbroken, but supportive of her friend, she hides her feelings and stays on sideline during her friend's short romance that ends when Regina is married of to a neighbouring country's old king.
Raymond is naturally distressed, but it becomes worse when his mother is executed due to the pettiness of the crown prince.
Enraged, Raymond stages a rebellion, and with the help of Ellia's father, he topples the imperial family and takes the throne.
When he needs a wife, he marries Ellia to reward the Duke for his contributions.
He can't promise her love in the marriage, so he promises faithfulness instead, which is good enough for Ellia. At least until the day Regina returns from the kingdom with her young son in tow, whom she claims is the emperor's.
At this point the relationship between the emperor and the empress has grown cold and strained, and the emperor's old flame returning with their supposed love child, is the last straw.
Ellia herself just found out that she was pregnant a few days prior to Regina's return, but she chooses to keep this a secret and file for a divorce instead. Partly to protect the unborn child, partly to not get in the way of the past lovers, and partly because Ellia is exhausted from heartbreak.
At first the emperor is shocked and angry at her suggestion, rejects it and actually locks her up in her palace for a couple of days, but when she pleads with him he finally gives in.
And so she leaves the palace and, with her father's help, finally the country.
The comments already warned me, so I knew it'll be a frustrating read... But still, god. Frustrating!
And if spoilers are right, the emperor/ex-husband is the ML. Which I really don't like.
Some people argued that he's "done nothing wrong" since he didn't cheat on her etc, but emotional abuse is also abuse. And yes, it's also still abuse even if the abuser is unaware that they are being abusive.
This type of story really frustrates me. Bc the woman always end up settling. Yes, the ML might learn something and improve, but never beyond the bare minimum. And this change is also only ever achieved through a woman's suffering.
But because the man goes from being an awful human being to a tolerable man, he apparently deserves her.
Like no, bitch. Achieving the bare minimum does not earn you a gold star or the right to a woman's love. And it most certainly does not erase the hurt you caused.
But I see a lot of these stories that push this idea. Which just shows that the bar is on the floor when it comes to the patriarchy and women's expectations.
Some comments say he will get a lot better, she won't forgive him right away, they will have a happy ending, and yadayada. But my expectations are not high.
However I will probably continue to read, if for no other reason, than to have my suspicions confirmed.
Ch. 41
I Wont Accept Your Regrets