Unfriendly Stepmother

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Belladonna, the Magpie Duchess.

Having sacrificed everything to repay the Duke’s favor for saving her, she was no longer as kind as before after her return.
ㅡㅡㅡ
She wanted recognition in everything related to the Duke, desiring to be embraced as part of his family. With one life to give, she had done her best for the Duke’s house and had died doing so. So, she did everything she could.

“Good.”
What needed to be unraveled would be unraveled, and what needed to be kept would be kept. Following the Duke’s last wishes, she would protect the Duke’s estate until Kaelan came of age.

And in three years, she would leave this place without any regrets.

So, my dear children.
For you, this should be good news.
You will no longer have the attention that you have always rejected.

ㅡㅡㅡ

“…Why aren’t you scolding me?”
I smiled gently at the wicked child who asked me with a trembling voice.

“I already told you. Reina.”
“…”
“I don’t plan on scolding you.”
“Why?”

I don’t want to do anything that would relieve your burden, and I don’t want to help you anymore.

“Just because.”

I no longer want to help you.

ㅡㅡㅡ

“I want to be happy.”
“Is that all?”
“I’m not sure. What makes people happy?”
“Family, delicious food, loved ones, and… things you want to have? You can be happy even with small things.”
“What do you want then?”
“I… well. I just… want a pretty hairpin.”

The child, momentarily distracted by a bright smile that didn’t match the current situation, suddenly spoke with determination in her voice.

“A hairpin. I’ll give you one.”

And the long-forgotten connection from the distant past slowly approached like flowing water.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Unkind Stepmother
불친절한 계모
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
The Life Of A Cannon Fodder Mother-in-Law (Quick Transmigration) (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. [Mystery~supernatural] (KR)
  2. Mix of Random Tags

Latest Release

Date Group Release
07/08/24 Salmon Latte Translations c65
07/08/24 Salmon Latte Translations c64
07/08/24 Salmon Latte Translations c63
07/08/24 Salmon Latte Translations c62
04/14/24 Salmon Latte Translations c61
04/10/24 Salmon Latte Translations c60
03/31/24 Salmon Latte Translations c57
03/27/24 Salmon Latte Translations c56
03/27/24 Salmon Latte Translations c55
03/20/24 Salmon Latte Translations c54
03/17/24 Salmon Latte Translations c53
03/13/24 Salmon Latte Translations c52
03/06/24 Salmon Latte Translations c50
03/03/24 Salmon Latte Translations c49
03/03/24 Salmon Latte Translations c48
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wolikethat
wolikethat rated it
March 7, 2024
Status: c199
My real rating for this novel would be a solid 4.5

The narrative does some very interesting things with what would otherwise be a cliche story.

When I first started reading, I began feeling frustrated around the 40 chapter mark because of a lack of development in the relationship between the MC and her step-children or between MC and a ML. That is, until I realized that those relationships aren't and never were the point of the story. If you're looking for a lot of romance, manage your expections because there isn't... more>> a ton of it. There is a ML, but his appearances are limited for the first half of the novel, and even after that, he still doesn't get a ton of screentime with the FL and much of their feelings for each other were forged before the start of the novel, when the two met as children. Moreover, if you're looking for a feel-good child rearing story about the children changing their ways, letting go of their misguided hostility, and becoming a happy family with our stepmother MC, this is not that story.

I think some readers who go into this expect it to be like A Stepmother's Marchen, when, in many ways, it's the opposite of that novel. What you will get instead, however, is a lot of complex and well fleshed out characters, realistic character growth, a lot of very compelling mysteries, more than a little political and court intrigue, a main character who is the furthest thing from OP but is smart and strong and clearly growing into her own power, and some unexpected story turns. In a sea of novels where its very easy to tell who is good and who is a villain, this one does a good job of playing with certainty and uncertainty and challenging what we (and the MC) think we know about the centeral characters and their motives.

There are times when the pacing and the plot feel a little slow, which is the reason for my not being able to give it five stars, but all the things that happen are important for the MC's growth and the unravelling of the web of mystery, lies, and a political struggle that encompasses multiple shadowy entities.

So despite it's flaws, I still highly recommend this novel. <<less
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Queen-O-Blood
Queen-O-Blood
May 27, 2024
Status: --
Ahhh yes nothing like a grown adult acting like a teenage girl and Dispite realizing that she raised them wrong and acting like a toddler gets a second chance but this time she feels nothing towards them and treats them like strangers.

Honestly when reading this novel my only emotion was blatant boredom. At no point do I root for the main character as she keeps going on about how she rudely stepped into their family and when the going got rough locked herself up in her room and cried while... more>> leaving the children without a mom or dad for months. Like what did you expect to happen? You were there for one month and then their dad mercilessly disappeared with no explanation and instead of trying to find him or something you just cried for half and screwed over their family while acting pitiful.

This is a story about a toddler aging into a teenager and realizing that things are slightly better if she acts more mature but because she still doesn't have a mentality of an adult she still throws emotional fits and ignores her loved ones while edgily going I hate you!

I can't wait for the part of the story where she finds out how to be a normal adult and not to hate her own children! :) <<less
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