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My Beloved Oppressor
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Web Novel (KR)
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Rating(3.4 / 5.0, 274 votes)
5    51% (140 votes)
4    5% (13 votes)
3    3% (9 votes)
2    10% (28 votes)
1    31% (84 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
Year
Example: 2012
2023
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
128 Chapters (Completed):
⊱ 113 Main Story
⊱ 10 Side Stories
⊱ 5 Special Side Story
Licensed
N/A
Completely Translated
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
N/A
Release Frequency
Every 40.2 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #4658
Monthly Rank: #5871
All Time Rank: #3755
Reading List
[Graph]
On 2514 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #21362
All Time Rank: #3980

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

“Did you approach me on purpose from the beginning?”

“…… yes.”

“Must have been hard pretending to love the enemy’s daughter.”

Annette, of royal blood and the only daughter of a military general.

After two years of passionate love, she married her father’s loyal subordinate, Heiner.

The happiness she thought would last forever with her wonderful and loving husband.

Everything was perfect.
Everything seemed perfect.
Until her husband’s treachery caused the downfall of her family.

“I’m divorcing you, Heiner.”

“It is not granted.”

“Do you still have any use left for me? My parents are dead, the monarchy has fallen. I have nothing. Your revenge is over.”

“Madam, where do you intend to go to be happy?”

“…… there is nowhere I can be happy.”

Heiner stretched the corners of his mouth and smiled.

“If that’s the case anyway, you’ll be unhappy by my side for the rest of your life.”

Annette suddenly realized that his revenge was not over.

And that she had to break off this sickening toxic relationship with her own hands.

Associated Names
One entry per line
사랑하는 나의 억압자
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Things I Didn’t Know Because It Was The First Time (2)
My Husband Hates Me, But He Lost His Memories (2)
Beast of the Frozen Night (1)
The Devil Who Breaks My Neck (1)
My Husband Will Regret This (1)
Cry Pretty When You Come Back (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Its time for confrontation
  2. Something written so beautifully, I get mesmerized
  3. [Low rating but unexpected good] {KR}
  4. heart and gut-wrenching
  5. Dark Romance ( red or black)

Latest Release

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Review
40 Reviews


caroviee
caroviee
May 21, 2023
Status: Completed
I'm honestly not into angst novels with tr*sh male leads—unredeemable s*umbags who are hypocrites, yet, I find myself being immersed in this novel. It's the first angst novel I've ever truly liked. It delves deeper than the usual novels you've read. The male lead and female leads' backgrounds, the love-hate relationship, the depiction of war, and the loathing brought on by social settings are portrayed in a vivid and realistic manner against an early modern background— free of magic, possession, or regression. The neat writing style highlights a distinctive heavy... more>> atmosphere of devastation while at the same time unraveling the storyline swiftly without dragging it too much. The emotional lines and psychological portrayal— the author did a good job of conveying the characters' feelings and how they came to be the way they are now; you could really feel what the characters were feeling. The author even said that she wrote this work with a lot of thought— and indeed, she certainly did 😭👏🏻

Spoiler

Annette is a victim. She is merely a victim caught in the crossfire of monarchical and revolutionary forces. Ignorance is not a sin but refusing to learn is; Annette just simply enjoyed her position or privilege, devoid of the other side where poverty-stricken people suffer at the hands of the monarchical society and harbor such animosity towards aristocrats, especially Annette who has royal blood. Although Annette may not have known what her father was doing, she didn't merit such severe criticism or psychological ab*se because Annette is not accountable for her father's actions, although it's really evident that she was too ignorant like a princess being pampered or a damsel stuck in a tower. Heiner is currently beyond comprehension, and because of this, I find it impossible to empathize with him atm. He is also a victim but he shouldn't have put all the blame on Annette! I also find it difficult to comprehend why he is holding onto Annette; is it simply out of revenge? I doubt that. He harbor such hatred to her yet he also can't resist to show his care for her, though in an indifferent way.

Although you may have a better understanding of Heiner's mental instability by the middle of the novel, it is still difficult to empathize with him after what he did. But, to be completely honest, I can't despise him completely; given the life he endured and the fact that he made it this far because of her—the way he portrayed her and then blamed her for how f*cked he is. You can see from this how unstable he is, how drowned he is to insanity, how starved of freedom he is to the point of delirium, how he once revered her as a holy saint but that image was quickly destroyed, and how he cannot believe someone will love him just the way he is. We can't deny the complexity of his character, it is hard to fathom what was really going on in his head; the way how a person's love for another can be like a spark of light at first but eventually burn to the ground due to how they were raised in different evironments and social standing. Even still, he was truly terrible; how could he blame her for all of his misery when, at this point, he was the one to blame? Who brought it to himself? I can't even say if he truly redeemed himself...

[collapse]

It's just so remarkable how the author was able to make fictional individuals seem so real through the way the characters were formed, how they changed over time, what they went through, and how they were developed. Both of the characters are broken, have regrets, and incapable of making wise decisions which makes them more realistic, it's hard to imagine whether they will ever get back to how they were before.

I definitely recommend this one although you will have a hard time to find another novel to read once you finish this one :' (

edit:

the webtoon ver is getting a lot of hate 😭😭 can't blame some of the readers tho... but I think the novel ver would make you be in the story rather than just reading the story? honestly, I had mixed feelings about how this novel ended (i kinda didn't like the happy ending 💀) anw overall it was still a well-written novel <<less
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nobodyelsebut_elle
nobodyelsebu
Jun 27, 2024
Status: Completed
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This novel deals with war, child exploitation, systemic ab*se, emotional manipulation, and moral ambiguity. Proceed with emotional and critical maturity. For some reasons, I can't edit the ratings. This is a solid 4.5. Also, I don't know how to censor the spoilers. So, spoilers ahead.

If you're short-sighted—emotionally, critically, or intellectually—do not read this novel. If you lack media literacy, if you need clean-cut heroes, or if you're looking for comfort, this is not for you. Because what this book does is hold up a mirror to society—past... more>> and present—and show us what we often choose not to see.

There's one early scene that, while subtle to some, frames the entire emotional foundation of the book. It's when young Heiner—a child, barely a teen—is already knee-deep in war, molded into a soldier, stripped of his humanity. During this time, he catches a glimpse of Anette, the female lead. She sits at a table, worrying only about her piano lessons.

While he and hundreds of other poor, underprivileged kids were being forced into brutal training—essentially turned into weapons— Anette's biggest worry is failing a scale. This isn't just a contrast. This is trauma crystallized into memory. It brands itself into Heiner's soul. As he never forgot that moment. Children like him were starving, dying, breaking their bodies to survive, while someone his age lived without a care in the world. In a way, she came to represent everything he resented—but also everything he longed for. She's a symbol of innocence, yes, but also of ignorance, privilege, and everything he was denied.

Heiner isn't angry at Anette for what she did—he's angry for what she represents. For living in a palace built on the blood of the people. For never asking why her life was so safe and golden while others lived and died in dirt and smoke. What's even worse is that, the female lead is a relative of the emperor—or king—who rules the kingdom with an iron fist. His reign is merciless. While the nation suffers under his oppressive policies, he presents himself to the public as a kind and benevolent ruler. A man of peace, on the surface. But behind closed doors, he oversees war camps, forced labor, executions, starvation. A kingdom built on fear. Anette, unfortunately, was completely sheltered from that reality. She grew up in luxury, never knowing hardship. Protected, pampered, and kept in a golden cage

But here's where it gets complicated.

He never stopped thinking about her. When they met again, he made her fall in love with him. Not out of cruelty, but out of necessity. It was part of the plan. A selfish move, yes—but for someone who never had the luxury of choices, it was the only one he had. Infiltrate the palace. Get close. Use her affection to gain access, leverage, and ultimately dismantle the system from the inside.

He knew it was wrong. But he also felt justified. Because while she smiled and laughed and loved him, she never once asked about the blood on which her life was built. She never questioned the suffering around her. And that haunted him. He kept wondering: did she know? Was she just naive, or did she choose to look away? Did she just choose not to know? Was she complicit, or just blind? It was hard to believe she didn't notice. The kingdom's pain wasn't hidden—it was everywhere (Aside from the children camps). So if she saw it and stayed silent, was she complicit? Did she benefit from the very machine that destroyed his life? She was privileged. She lived a beautiful life, wrapped in luxury and safety, while people—children, mothers, soldiers, elders—were dying for that exact privilege to exist. Every easy breath she took was bought by someone else's blood.

Another powerful element in this novel is its unflinching exploration of inherited guilt—the burden of being born into power or privilege without having asked for it, yet still bearing its consequences.

Anette never directly hurt anyone. She's portrayed as gentle, soft-spoken, and sheltered. She didn't sign decrees or issue commands. She didn't orchestrate suffering. In fact, she is kind by nature—thoughtful, loving, and perhaps even naïve. But that doesn't absolve her in the eyes of someone like Heiner. Because the same system that protected and coddled her is the one that destroyed him. And even if she didn't build that system, she lived in comfort because of it. While others were suffering, she was allowed to thrive. And to many, that alone is enough to condemn her.

This brings forward painful and necessary questions:

Is silence a form of guilt?

Is ignorance an excuse—or is it a choice?

At what point does not knowing become complicity?

The novel doesn't hand you the answers. Instead, it throws you into the emotional trenches with both characters and asks you to wrestle with the weight of their realities.

Heiner and Anette are both prisoners of the past—but in opposite ways. Heiner, shaped by brutality, grief, and years of survival, cannot separate Anette from everything he lost. Even as he begins to recognize her humanity, even as she starts to change, he still sees the girl at the piano—the girl who lived in sunlight while he bled in mud. His love for her is real, but it's haunted by ghosts that won't let go.

Anette, on the other hand, begins to peel away the illusions her life was built on. As she learns the truth of her nation's atrocities—truths her family deliberately hid from her—she doesn't deny them. She doesn't defend herself. She breaks. There's a moment where a civilian confronts her in a moment of raw fury—not for anything she did, but for everything she represents. And it is in that moment that the full weight of her bloodline, her privilege, and her silence crashes down on her.

It leads her to attempt to take her own life.

Many readers misinterpret that moment. They believe she did it out of heartbreak—that Heiner didn't love her enough. But that's a shallow reading. Her despair wasn't just personal. It was political. Existential. It was the soul-crushing realization that her peace, her life, her music, her innocence—all of it was bought with someone else's pain. That while she was practicing piano in a sunlit room, children like Heiner were starving, training to kill, or dying nameless.

That moment of collapse is the end of her illusion—and the beginning of her reckoning. When she chooses to live after that, it isn't weakness. It's an act of strength.

Anette is often misread. People confuse softness with helplessness. But she is strong in the ways the world forgets to honor. Forgiveness takes strength. Grief that transforms into awareness takes strength. She questions everything she has ever known—her family, her privilege, her love—and still chooses to stand with Heiner. Not blindly. Not romantically. But with her eyes open. That is not fragility. That is courage.

And I love Anette for that. I love that she was written with emotional nuance and contradiction. She is not just "the kind one." She is the beneficiary and the accused. She stands in the middle of a storm she didn't create, but refuses to run from.

Heiner, meanwhile, is not just a revolutionary. He is a symbol, a vessel for his people's grief. He didn't merely witness injustice—he was forged in it. He was born into war, taught to kill, stripped of his childhood, and used like a weapon. And while other characters in history or fiction fight for freedom out of principle, Heiner fights because it is the only thing left for him to believe in.

So when people ask, "Why is Anette hated throughout the series?"—this is why.

To put it into perspective: think of the world we live in now. Some countries are in the middle of brutal wars. Children, women, men, the elderly—entire communities—are suffering and dying. And then, on the other side of the world, people live comfortably. They go to cafés, post selfies, plan vacations.

Now imagine someone from the war-torn side looks at us—the ones safe, privileged, and mostly silent—and hates us for it. Would you blame them? Would you call it unfair?

When they look at the ones responsible for their people's suffering—the architects of war, the ones who dropped the bombs, signed the orders, turned lives into statistics—and they turn that hatred toward the people of that nation... would you call that dumb? Would you call it selfish?

Would you really?

Because inherited guilt is real. It's the kind you're born into without asking for it, the kind that stains you simply because of where your cradle was laid. Even if you never touched a weapon, even if you never voted for the tyrant, even if your hands are clean—your silence, your safety, your life untouched by war... that's enough. That makes you one of them in the eyes of the wounded.

Take Israelis. Take Russians. Not all of them support what's happening in Gaza or Ukraine. Not all of them wanted blood spilled in their name. But to those watching their families die, their cities turned to ash, it doesn't matter. Because to them, silence sounds like approval. Comfort feels like complicity. And privilege? Privilege looks like a crime when you're living in the rubble of someone else's peace.

That's what inherited guilt is. That's what Anette lives with.

And if someone from the other side—say, Ukraine or Palestine—decided to hate every Russian, every Israeli, because their pain has nowhere else to go... would you really call them cruel for it? Would you look them in the eye, as they bury their children, and say, "That's not fair"? Would you dare call it selfish?

No. Because deep down, we all know the truth: when your world is burning, even innocent faces start to look like enemies. And that's the tragedy. That's the sickness. Not that the hate exists—but that it makes sense.

And that's the world Anette and Heiner live in. So when Heiner uses her—when he lies, manipulates, and breaks her heart for the sake of his people—it's not righteous. It's not clean. But it is human. It is the desperation of someone who never had a choice, using the only weapon he was ever allowed to wield: his heart.

You may not agree with his choice. But after understanding the world he came from—the world Anette was protected from—it becomes harder to judge him.

And that's what makes this story powerful. It refuses to give you easy villains or clear heroes. It only asks:

If you had been born on the other side—would you have done any differently? <<less
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doomscur
doomscur
Jun 27, 2023
Status: Completed
the angst. The writing. The translator. The feelings you get. The angst hits real good in this novel. It hits every cell within my body and oh boy I just want to take a shot of alcohol to calm my nerves lol.

here we have a terrible ML who absolutely hates wealthy families because he had a hard life growing up. He is indeed a flawed character but may I say, he has no redeeming value. He needs mental help. He is one of those men you stay away from. Intelligent?... more>> Yes. Has power? Well, yes. Hot? Of course, hes the ML. Mental illness? YES. Do I feel sorry for him? Not one bit. Yes his back story is full of traumatic experiences but that does NOT give him the reason to bully her so hard she ends up broken and done with life. A commentor said FL is also guilty. Excuse me, what? I dont think we're reading the same novel, sister.

then we have FL. Her luck is not good. Apparently being born into a wealthy family was the beginning of her downfall. SMH at the ML. She is not a weak character though. Her character growth makes me smile and cry at the same time. Its like watching your own child grow up. One of the FL that I want to protect. She is simply a person that got caught in the middle of ML's revenge and suffered the aftermath. FL is one of the if not the best FL ever in novel history (to me). She is not afraid to push towards her goals. She is not a push and pull kinda person. When she push, she pushes all the way through. Love it! I love the way she talks. Calm and gentle, never angry even though shes going through hell. 5 stars for the FL, 0 for the ML. ML is I swear a psycho. Not even the good kind too. Normally in novels its acceptable when ML gets their redeeming arc but this ML? No thanks. In a chapter
Spoiler

he played the victim. Tossing out the uno reverse card on her and I almost flipped the table. The audacity of this asshat! *Shakes fist in the air* got my blood boiling lol

[collapse]

however, if the ML wasn't such a person, we would not have this amazing novel. When you read this, you read it for the FL and you send her virtual hugs while also wanting to isekai into the novel and slap ML a bunch of times. <<less
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natanickii
natanickii
Jun 13, 2023
Status: c48
Honestly, probably one of the best in the genre of knovels with horrible marriages and MCs wanting a divorce. It's got great character depth and really beautiful writing. It is very very angsty.

If you don't like the genre, it's likely you won't like this.
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yuri_moon
yuri_moon
Apr 23, 2024
Status: --
I usually avoid novels similar to this like the plague. While I love angsty novels and flawed characters, most korean angst novels have the most disgusting and irredeemable as*hole as their male lead. Yet I was obsessed with this, I am not joking when I say this novel became my roman empire. It helped me get out of my kr novel reading slump and shattered my soul and heart and everything.

The male lead in this is also extremely shitty and comes in the category of males leads I would usually... more>> hate but I couldn't. He frustrated the f*ck out of me, there were times I wanted to castrate him but I couldn't hate him. You may wonder why? Honestly I was curious too, why the f*ck was I still sorta rooting for this s*um of the earth, should not be able to reproduce, the only redeeming quality about him are maybe his looks a**hole. And the only conclusion I could come to was, the male lead felt human, he is an extremely twisted and broken man conflicted about the convoluted obsession or love he held for Annette. The main reason for his conflict. She is the daughter of the man who made his loose his humanity, tortured him and treated him sub human. Yet he was in love/obsessed with her, which to him felt like he was betraying himself and all of his suffering. Also Annette was blissfully ignorant of life's suffering, whenever she talked to him about anything she found troublesome, it aggravated him. To help put this into perspective it's like an obviously privileged kid complaining about how their parents bought them the wrong ferrari. Now if you are normal person working hard to just survive and hear this you would be pissed because that's how human psyche is. Now replace the Ferrari kid with Annette and yourself with Heiner. He also had a very big inferiority complex. I am not kidding but I started to fcking sob when I read this
Spoiler

Heiner stood by the window and watched the small figure in the distance. Even after she had disappeared, he stood still in place for a long time.

Gradually the sun went down. His shadow on the wall hung long.

'Where did it all go wrong?'

Heiner thought vacantly.

At first, it was just a feeling of infatuation. All he wanted was to touch her just once. He dared not want her.

So, with persistence, he became the marquis' dog. To gain a higher position, to gain more power, to become a "suitable" person.

To get a little closer to her.

Because there was no way she would pay attention to a soldier who was an orphan and all he knew was to kill people...

Heiner looked down at his hand on the window pane. He could still smell the blood that had long since been washed away.

He tightened his fists.

I know that I am a dirtier and lower human being than you if I am to blame for wrongdoing.

I know that I am more of a sinner, having killed countless people and sent my colleagues to their deaths.

He didn't want to admit it.

He wanted to put all the blame on her.

You are so happy being noble while I rolled through the mud to bring you peace. You have no idea whose blood was shed and whose lives were sacrificed.

The hardest and saddest thing in your life is not improving your piano skills, that's all.

So...

I hated you for it.

A wave of every dirty, inferior emotion flooded his chest. Heiner's body slowly collapsed. She alone was the reason he struggled so much, but in the end, it turned out like this.

Heiner cradled his head in his hands. His breath came in gulps. He eventually couldn't hold it in and let it out. The man crouched in the corner sobbed quietly.

From far away, the sound of a piano carried on the wind.

He cried for a very long time.

WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FCK BRO LIEK WHAT DJEDJHEVVHE UR TELLING ME HE JOINED THE FCKING FORCES BECUS OF HER??!!! LIKE MY LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS MAN ISTG

***

He could see the girl's shiny blond hair up close, her soft cheeks, her fingers swimming over the keys. There, he was the girl's only audience.

Just as she was his only pianist.

Heiner awoke from his dream.'

WHAT IN THE ACTUAL f*ck. THE AUTHOR DESERVES JAIL TIME FOR THIS JAIL

***

Like Saint Marianne in the dining room mural at the Rosenberg residence... If someone asked him about religion, he would think of this girl.

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

***

"If you can't hide it perfectly.......... you might as well break it. So that it is no longer precious to others." (HEINER)

"What the heck, then it won't be precious to you either."

"Well..."

"Yes, thank you for your psychopathic reply."

[collapse]
LOOK BEFORE ANYONE SAYS I AM JUSTIFYING ANNETTE'S SUFFERING. I AM NOT, MY BABY DID NOT DESERVE THE AMOUNT OF sh*t THIS as*hole PUTS HER THROUGH, I am just trying to breakdown his perspective.

OK now let's move on to the actual super star, she deserves everything in the world. My bby Annette, my heart broke for her, I could literally feel her hurt in my soul. I know a lot of people will judge her for taking Heiner back? like girlie didn't you attempt su*cide just so he could finally let you leave. Well the human heart is cruel. Annette loved Heiner, he was her everything. All of her loved ones were practically dead and she had lost her one passion in life, playing the piano. Heiner was the one thing she could latch on to. Was he extremely bad for her? Yes. But did she have anyone else during that point? No she didn't. What did Annette do wrong and what caused her to be so hated by literally everyone? Annette was born extremely wealthy and pampered by her family. She was blissfully ignorant of the suffering and hardships normal people went through and those hardships mostly being caused her by her father. Just lead to everyone deciding lets make her our fcking punching bag becus why tf not. The analogy with the ferrari kid very obviously also applies here. That being said she is also a flawed person. She may not be complacent in the ab*se that her father did but she chose to ignore it even though it was happening which is pretty screwed up. Anyways I will be brutally honest and I have yet to complete this novel but it has completely encapsulated my mind and soul. I will be billing the author for my therapy <<less
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NovaleeXiao
NovaleeXiao
Dec 11, 2023
Status: Completed
This is one of my favorite stories and I’ve read a lot. It is a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of two very broken individuals. There’s a whole lotta hurt and cruelty, but not without sense. I know many readers abhor the ML, but I found myself understanding him. He isn’t a typical rich jerk that treats the FL terrible for no reason just bc he’s interested in her. I empathize with his struggles as well as the FL. Her story, her choices, her being - she’s a delicate yet strong character,... more>> written so beautifully. I would want to be her friend in real life. Both their arcs are touching, sad, bitter and full of courage. I wept for their pain, especially her loneliness. Gawd, what a great read. Dark though. Beware. <<less
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hasnanad
hasnanad
Apr 08, 2024
Status: Completed
this is sooo good. Beautifully written with solid plot and characters. I like how the author using the past dots to create highlight to the present moment. The progress feels natural, smooth, and detailed in way that it feels real. Many subtle expressions/symbolisms to portray the depth of the story. Overall, I really enjoy reading this one.

there might be some debate especially for the ML and some might not satisfied with the ending. But personally, I like the ending.

... more>>
Spoiler

Many may thought that they shouldn't end up together considering all ML' actions to FL in the past. I also don't justify his actions and even at some points throughout the story, he's still a tr*sh for meddling too much into her personal live. But at the same time, I understand his reasoning and where it came from.

at least in the mid story, he was really ready to let her go by trying to not meet her at the hospital. But Anette in the other hand, after learning the truth, persist on meeting him. They even go separate ways after Anette's being discharged. But somehow, Anette choose him again. He regrets his past actions after learning that the FL isn't someone he always thought to be. He assumed that she couldn't do anything because of her upbringing, he has prejudice on her that she's just a weak noble. But she proves it wrong. He came to learn that she's noble because she's naturally that way, no matter how harsh the environment would be, she choose to be 'right' and 'strong'. I really like her conversation with Elliot/Jackson, it also highlight Anette' personality.

in the end, he came to realization that there were better choices that he could make in the past, especially regarding his actions toward the FL. And he also recognize that it's because of his twisted mind that he was like that. He didn't push his feeling toward her at the end, but the FL once again, after thinking that they might be better to go separate ways, still choose to be with him. He's the sole reason of her broken live, but at the same the driven force of her growth. And they choose to focus in living the present&future moment and believe that they would be better as person going forward together.

+ the story always remind us that Anette has unconditional love to Heiner from the start. It's like what she want the most. What I still question about this story is the period after the revolutionary arc, like how she still become his wife even after her parents death. I know that she asked for divorce, but it seems like there's not significant hatred from FL toward the ML (even when she didn't learn the truth about her family' actions). That's why I think, her love for ML is THAT BIG to the point that later in the end of the story, after Heiner confessed his true feeling, she choose to be with him again regardless of everything happen in the past

[collapse]
<<less
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Amy.san
Amy.san
Mar 24, 2024
Status: Completed
I have read many. Many and I mean MANY novels but still I cant find the words to describe this masterpiece. This novel actually felt like the real world. The emotions, the characters and everything felt real and touched that I cried a few times, yes I was really mad and angry on the ML for what he did but then I flet sorry for him. This was beautiful how I wish to erase my memory to read it again. MUST READ
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Purplekitten
Purplekitten
Aug 25, 2023
Status: Completed
This is just so good, I registered just to leave a review.

Bittersweet story with great characterization, I loved every part of it.

I may be exagerating a little because I just finished reading and I'm still in my feelings, but I think Annette is the best FL ever, what a precious human being.
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Arechu_Nana30
Arechu_Nana3
Aug 23, 2023
Status: Completed
Personally, I didn't like reading too much angsty story that give me blood pressure everytime but this novel change my mind. This novel is so beautifully captivated gut wrenching!

... more>>
Spoiler

From the beginning of the story until in the middle I really want to drop because I can't handle the sadness and frustrated when Annete (FL) trying to commit su*cide eveytime and I decide to pickup again when she finally got divorce. But as I keep reading later on, the plot and the story keep making me draw in and the character development between Annete and Heiner (ML) tragic backstory are really done pretty well. The author know how to write the emotion especially Annete, she make me smile and cry. She's one of my fav FL and want to be better person and redeem herself eventho that's not her fault. But the causes of being ignorant to what her tr*sh father done and all the nobles, she willing to change and that's what make me like her so much. Her charater growth develop well and together with the pacing and the story whenever she face crisis. Eventhough I really hate terrible ML who keep torturing his FL mentally, but Heiner kind of somewhat I understand how he behave like that after reading his tragic backstory. But it didn't excuse him for blaming Annete and mistreat her for what her tr*sh father did to him. Both of them really are broken people and have their own flaw.

The ending, some of the reader didn't like but for me I like and satisfy about it. They don't necessary rekindled their realtionship quickly but willing to be close and give time for each other to heal. Their relationship is what I love about them and it's not necessary for the couple to profound affection and love by just getting marry and happy together. You need time to heal emotionally and it takes a little steps to be able to break free from your broken soul.

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After finishing the novel, there are many emotion that still lingering on my mind. It prove that the author really done well and have talent to write the story so beautifully emotion and captivated that kept the reader to draw into the story. It remind me of Solche, the author who write beautifully, but for me personally I like this author more because how she/he make her/his FL character develop more and finding her own self growth. And also the relationship between her and the ML as they are broken and traumatized they continue to be close but give space for them to heal each other before decided to be happy together. I TOTALLY RECOMMEND this pure realistic angsty story for those who like a character who well written and complex but interesting including a wonderful journey to find their own happiness. <<less
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powerup
powerup
Jul 30, 2023
Status: c100
MUST READ!

This novel is so beautifully written. Tbh I was not really the type that interested with the world building in a romance novels. Sometimes it just there to make the story long or simply too boring. So a lot of times I just skip it over to the main plot/MCs interaction part. But this one is so beautifully handled.
Spoiler

I also absolutely love the backstory of ML. He grew up in a cruel system supported by the MC father. So it was understandable that he grew with twisted personality. But still, it was not there to justify his action later to her.


And seriously this is kinda the first time I was so immersed reading the backstory of a character in supposedly romance fiction novel. So this quite a big deal. The author really did a great job making an interesting story with complex characters.
I also love the MC nurse arc. She became a field nurse during the war. Seriously she is so brave and just a strong person. I love her so much.

And a little ranting here:

Some of the comments in the site actually turns me off. They kinda depict her as a totally innocent person, even after the author has shown the flashback. But in actuality she is somewhat kinda guilty. Like a bystander in bullying, she most likely knows what her father was doing but she did nothing and just live the perfect life created by her father.

And thus they always blamed the ML. Like seriously you guys expecting a lovely dovey (not twisted person) even after reading his backstory??

And whats funny is that what they (the commenters) doing is actually the same thing as ML, who views of the MC as a saint, a holy being. Just like those commenters that put her in such high pedestal, when in fact she was also a flawed character too. That's why we got the nurse arc. And I love that so much.

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I really recommend this novel. And oh this not an isekai or reincarnation or coming back to life. There is no going back time. So this novel depicts how they handled with regrets and acceptance of the past to be a better version of themselves. It was a roller coaster ride. Enjoy the absolute masterpiece!
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fury emvio
fury emvio
May 06, 2024
Status: Completed
The main characters are beautifully written. They both have their faults but they also have a reason for being the way they are. The translation was on point and it is obvious that the translator took great care in bringing some very poetic lines and descriptions.

I love reading angsty novels with obviously tr*shy MLs because I love to see what authors can do with a character that is very unlikeable at first and then I can decide if I find him worthy of being the ML. All I can say... more>> without spoiling anything is that Heiner earned his place as the ML and had great character development, he sure has his flaws but as I cried and smiled throughout this novel I am happy to say that this is a great novel. <<less
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Preciousoduh
Preciousoduh
May 26, 2024
Status: c123
This novel is honestly so good and definitely my favorite knovel so far. The story is so beautifully written and you get immersed in the world of the characters, their experiences and the whole plot. I love how you can tell the author took her time writing this and was intentional in the kind of story she wanted to write. I have had a major reading slump all year but I binge read this in a day it’s honestly that good. I wish I had friends I could rant about... more>> the novel.

if you finish the novel and want to talk to someone about it do drop me a message on x @themusssee would really love to talk to someone about it <<less
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btrngx
btrngx
May 09, 2024
Status: Completed
Absolutely captivating. It is a long journey through love, pain, and redemption with a beautiful reconciliation between two souls torn apart by their pasts. A rollercoaster of emotions, lmao. The ending is heartwarming, and Annette and Heiner truly deserve that happiness.

Don't be too tough on the characters; they've both been through a lot. In no way am I justifying mistreatment; that's never acceptable. But it's important to consider both perspectives and empathize with the struggles each character faces. After all, it's just a story of two wounded souls learning to... more>> love while embracing each other's flaws and imperfections. Well, 'My Beloved Oppressor' is definitely worth a try, that's all I can say. <<less
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gazella
gazella
Feb 25, 2024
Status: Completed
Ugh, I read the novel in one sitting, it was good, the angst, the hate and everything but...the ending just ruined everything for me. It could be 5 star easily because how it was written but the ending...

... more>>
Spoiler

Let's go back to start how everything, their love and hate relationship, ML is basically obsessed with her since he is young, not love her just obsessed with her and in his mind she is like a goddess, he saw her and thought how angelic and how pure she look while he has to go through hell. While he goes through torture he always thought her saying "Annette" and the love slowly became hate, he thinks everything happened because of how she lived, happy and not knowing others suffering, and he really, really HATES her.

And his hate is not gone until they start to date and eventually marry. He not realizing his feelings and mentality torturing her for 4 years, made her believe, because how she raised she is actually not a good person, not caring about others, but I do not agreed with that. Anyway.

This sound not bad right but no. She goes war because of this thought. And I am saying author right her so damn lucky like, they could throw her a bomb and author probably write...but bomb was not working... funny anyway.

And after 4 years of mentality torture, no she did not s@uicide because her parents died, one of them is in front of her while she playing piano, or losing everything she actually do it because he tells her he hates her, she feels nothing left for her and then bum....

And him actually regretting what he did was after 4 years when she off herself, he still thinks she couldn't do that. And I am saying she is damn like she survived 2 attempted suuicade, war, burning house, a gun shot and kidnapping (?) what else you tell me. After a while I thought damn she can't be this lucky maybe he is dreaming all this and she died at rebellion or maybe after first sucisade?

Now I remember she was weird, she acted like nothing happened after the rebellion, going in his room to became pregnant... she was probably not okay even those times too...

Anyway I will get to the point about what I think about their relationship because this novel is basically about them right. The ending is suck especially the last ten chapters... what was that??? As far as saw he played, pretend loving you for 6 years (and that would give me trust issues) and what you did. Marring with him AGAIN. s*upid and ridiculous. SHE WAS SAYING TEN CHAPTERS BEFORE THEY CAN NEVER BE TOGETHER AND THAT WOULD NEVER WORK but what... they married after ten chapter. EVEN if he became the sweetest, the most loving and caring person (he is not he is normal man) but how she can marry him. She was actually smart saying I know I could never trust him again I LOVE WHEN SHE THOUGHT LIKE THIS but I was so disappointed with her when they got together and worse married. WHY WOULD YOU OR HOW could YOU MARRY HIM AGAIN?...

If I was her I would be overthinking about Is he loving me, or pretend like he did before because girl he did this for 6 years. She should have at least some thoughts about this maybe she had but author did not say that in the end. Just they got married and it happened in side stories ig.

I am so angry after what he did...

killing her parents, (author never mentioned about mother only father but her mother is off herself and Heiner basically killed her too. I don't know but I think author especially did not write about her because making her dad evil, what Heiner did was justified, understood but her mother offing herself is should have at least mentioned more or we could have what Annette thought about her.)

making everyone hate her (this was his actual porpoise, making everyone hate her, broke her so that he can have her and it did actually happen she did go back being with him and in my opinion because no one was left for her. He saw her in her worst so she felt like only he would be with her.)

made her think that living a luxurious and comfortable life, having a happy childhood is something she shouldn't have. she stopped enjoying everything, she can't play piano, not like dressing herself and probably when ever she but anything out of basic need she either won't buy or feel guilty buying it. She only wanted to be a mother but even that could not happen.

believing she is not a nice, good person and made her guilt about her father's doings. I am not saying shouldn't feel anything about her father's actions but their to different person and why would she take the blame for him. She did not know what her fathers did, she was young at that time and I am saying again she did not know a thing, she did not live a absurd life, she did live like how a normal person should life, and he and probably most people she meet hated her for that, they made her feeling guilty for being happy childhood. Now she have anxiety, PSTD from war, Panic attack, eating disorder, insomnia.

... he actually get what he wants.

Ughh... after suffering for so long war (almost got r@ped and killed), su||icades, lies, hating by everyone I kinda understand why she did get back together with that monster he destroyed her self-conscious so she probably thinks no one will love her but him and she was tired, she wanted to felt loved and believe only he could give her. Even it means pretending or maybe not. But what they have is definitely Trauma-Bonding. And not a healthy relationship and that is why they should have find other people.

She need someone can make her happy and love her, she need new start, far away from all those suffering and far from that man. He is too.

I wonder about their married love, did she actually trust her? Are they living like nothing happened? She said I don't hate you but I wonder is that really true or is she a saint. Why did she not at least dislike him? Just because his past? What he go through because of her father? She still feel guilty? Will she forget what he and live like nothing happened?

Anyway this is a well- written novel and Fl, Annette is actually a strong woman. Her thoughts and actions made sense (most of the time).

I love when she said...even though they love each other they can't be together... I know right I thought the same ughh...I wish they did not ended up together I feel like he get away with what he done so far.

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wormbooker
wormbooker
Aug 22, 2023
Status: Completed
Angsty novel that is not suitable for everyone. Contains themes of su*cide, war, PTSD, etc. The ending is bittersweet, leaning sweet. I wouldn't say that I was completely satisfied with the novel but for technical reasons and for the sheer amount of angst the author decided to put in there. I deemed certain parts of the novel were angsty and tragic enough without the author having to add more.

I'll elaborate below:

... more>>
Spoiler

So the entire novel starts out with the typical Romeo/Juliet-esque trope of star-crossed lovers. We understand that the ML 'betrayed' the FL and basically made her life sheer misery to the point where she wants to commit su*cide. For reasons unknown, ML wants to keep her alive and his attitude towards her is mixed which confuses the audience. If he truly hated her, then why keep her alive? If he loved her, then why did he choose to do what he did?

At this point, it is clear that the author is trying to make the ML some sort of anti-hero/villian type lead which then turns into someone deserving of FL's love. The tricky part of writing such a character is that there must be a redemption arc and that the readers must perceive ML as a suitable match for the FL. Of course, as with redemption arcs, there must be a point where the readers absolutely hate the ML. ML needs to hit rock bottom before he has character growth and thus his redemption arc.

Personally, I found the ~20 chapters dedicated to ML's backstory a little longwinded and unnecessary. It could have been shortened and there there was a lot of passive voice which made it a little boring. Coupled with the fact that the author was trying their best to justify ML's actions towards FL, it made it a little unbelievable. ML was obsessed with FL and she was his only reason for survival. The moment she unknowingly said something insensitive, it triggered ML to overthrow the monarchy, kill FL's entire family, then make her life hell for three years.

In the case of trauma, the response to a certain stimulus is sometimes not proportional, yet this should happen without conscious knowledge. The fact that ML was reasoning things out as he was doing all this points to the fact that all this is done consciously. That's probably why some of the previous reviews point out that ML is one of the tr*shiest MLs ever.

The second point that made me kind of iffy was how they portrayed FL's sin. Initially it was because she was an aristocrat, then it was because she was the daughter of Marquis Dietrich. Then it was because she was ignorant of the world and the atrocities commited by her father. The reason for FL's sin was ever changing and often times didn't make sense. It seemed like a whole lot of guilt by association. While that is a valid plot device to use to justify the actions of the people around FL and make her life miserable, it was also a tool that the author used to redeem ML and make him a worthy match for FL. Otherwise, how could the readers accept that she and ML deserve to be together? ML's sin was killing her family and making her entire life miserable while FL's sin was just being born as the Marquis's daughter? If she agreed to be with ML after suffering all that while not deserving any of it, then it would be a little Stockholm Syndrome-y.

The war arc in which FL has tremendous character growth and ML 'redeems' himself was well written. The descriptions of war and its effect on people were poignant and the imagery used was beautiful as much as it was haunting. For me, the fact that they were both able to be so concerned of the other person whislt in the midst of war was enough for me believe that they belonged together.

The following progression would have been fine:

ML kills FL's father --> FL finds out it was a hoax --> ML doesn't let her leave --> FL commits su*cide but ML stops her (not out of love, but because he recognizes that maybe he went a little too far) --> continue to war arc

The reason I emphasize that is because ML divorcing FL was not out of regret or even love. It was more that he was afraid of breaking something that he'd coveted for so long. In a sense, while they had strong emotions for the other, neither was truly in love with the other person. In the war arc, they both learn things about the other person that allow them to fall in love with the other person as they are and not as they are portrayed to be. We see the natural progression of their relationship and understand that the love they had before was more superficial and closer to obsession than love.

I think the author does recognize all the points I've mentioned since chapters 92+ are the true redemption arc for both leads (ML more deservingly than FL). Even though they did a spectacular job at tying up the emotional loose ends, I do think that cutting back a bit on ML's justification for what he did would have made it better (albeit less angsty). The author did a fantastic job at capturing human emotions like Catherine's forgiveness, Hans not wanting to go back and becoming a burden, Jackson's 'late' forgiveness towards FL and his apology towards ML.

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The one thing that the author was mistaken about was that relationships are not always smooth and that you can unintentionally hurt your partner emotionally (not physically; no violence please) with your actions. Sometimes, the effects of those hurtful actions can linger and last without ever going away. Complete forgiveness does not always need to happen before they are allowed to love. <<less
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shinnace
shinnace
Jul 07, 2023
Status: c68
This is one of my most love angst k-novels, and angst novels include tr*sh mls however, this ML is one of the most terrible or the most terrible one. I don't know if readers will agree with me or hate me for writing this comment about ml. He's not redeemable and I don't feel sorry for him. FL was born a princess and a piano lover. Before everything went south, I can say that FL is a happy and bubbly type of person. She was pampered.. Yes but she's not... more>> spoiled. I can tell because there was a chapter where FL told the ML that she don't want to be seen as a picky woman (they're talking about the food). I like fl's character progress. She's maybe weak against ML but she's not the type of self blaming and self victimized. She committed su*cide several times because of ml's garbage treatment towards her, but that doesn't mean she's s*upid. She's very unlucky to have someone like him as a husband. Even after their divorce, ML still wants to rule her life. Forgetting that he's no longer part of her life, ml's " you can't do everything without my permission" is so infuriating. Using his power as the Commander in chief, he's locking her. FL is smart but somehow, fate is harsh on her. Oh, I don't know why I am still reading this although I already knew that this tr*sh ML will win her in the end. I still love reading this novel and hope everyone feels the same <<less
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Mayuuuchaaaann
Mayuuuchaaaa
Mar 29, 2025
Status: --
The longing the male lead feels for her, is something so... Well described. I can feel his desperation, his struggle, his denial, and more importantly I can understand him.

I started reading the manhwa and all comments said he was "irredeemable". But why is it that every character has to be redeemable? He is a complicated character and you have to understand him to like his character and his story

I love this novel and a part of me will forever look for this kind of love and longing ❤

Ps:- Don't read... more>> this if you do not have the heart to accept that you can actually come to like "tr*shy male leads" <<less
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rompom
rompom
Aug 02, 2024
Status: Completed
I read everything for two consecutive nights, so I could say that I had the privilege of really immersing myself in the experience of reading it without having to cut the momentum by waiting for the next chapters. And so, I'm met with solid angsty romance, brought by a backdrop of class differences, war trauma, human rights ab*ses, and indifference. There are 2 works that I could roughly compare the story with: first, Wished You Were Dead, because of the ML's hatred towards the FL and more specifically to her... more>> family, and second, The Redemption of the Earl of Nottingham, because of it being a story of atonement and healing.

However, while I do believe it is a masterpiece, it is among the works that I'll just read once and won't be looking back because of the angst that's heart-wrenching enough. But of course, I'll give it 5 stars due to the painfully beautiful emotions I got while immersed in it. <<less
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sxyz
sxyz
May 26, 2024
Status: c123
I started this bc I was excited about how Annette would handle Heiner's hatred but this literally blew me away. This is what I'd call a rollercoaster of emotions for sure. The storytelling was phenomenal. The writer is a genius. Never had I ever read a story with this realistic characters and plot, truly a wonderful story. Heiner is the most vulnerable ML I came across until now and along with Annettes unconditional love... this novel made my heart ache and took a very special spot in it. I will... more>> never forget you „My Beloved Oppressor". The translation is well done and I highly recommend you read it for an extraordinary experience! <<less
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