After My Son Broke Off His Engagement, His Former Fiancée Proposed to Me

My foolish son broke off his engagement in public the other day. Therefore, to make amends (as both a father and a King) I summoned his former fiancée, Libel, the daughter of a duke, to the palace. I said she could ask for anything… but got an unexpected reply?

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on After My Son Broke Off His Engagement, His Former Fiancée Proposed to Me "After My Son Broke Off His Engagement, His Former Fiancée Proposed to Me" is certainly a title that grabs your attention, and I went into it expecting a fluffy, slightly absurd romance. While it delivered on some of those expectations, it also left me wanting more. ### First Impressions My initial reaction was a mix of intrigue and slight discomfort, primarily due to the age gap between the king and the duke's daughter. Knowing it was a one-shot, I prepared myself for a fast-paced story, and that's exactly what I got. The premise is undeniably unique, and I was curious to see how the author would navigate such a potentially awkward situation. ### What Works Well The story's strength lies in its simplicity and straightforwardness. It's a quick read that efficiently sets up the scenario and delivers on its promise. I appreciated that the king was portrayed as a genuinely kind and reasonable character. It made the unusual pairing a bit more palatable, and the "revenge" aspect, as some readers called it, added a satisfying layer to the narrative. The focus on conversation and the negotiation of the marriage was also interesting, offering a glimpse into the political and social dynamics at play. ### Areas of Concern The biggest drawback for me was the lack of depth. Because it's a one-shot, everything feels rushed. I would have loved to see the characters more fleshed out, especially the prince and his motivations for breaking off the engagement. The reasons behind the prince's actions are only implied, and I felt that exploring this further could have added more substance to the story. Also, the suddenness of the romance can feel a bit unearned, relying heavily on a single act of kindness from the king in the heroine's childhood. This made her falling in love feel a little less convincing. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, let's talk spoilers for a second. Some have pointed out the confusing portrayal of the king as both doting and severe. The story implies he spoiled his son, leading to the son's poor behavior towards his fiancée. However, he then disowns his son after the engagement is broken. This apparent contradiction felt jarring and could have benefited from more nuanced explanation. ### Final Verdict Overall, "After My Son Broke Off His Engagement, His Former Fiancée Proposed to Me" is a cute but ultimately unsatisfying read. It's an interesting concept that could have been truly great with more development. As it stands, it's a quick, quirky diversion that might appeal to those looking for a lighthearted and unusual romance, but don't expect a deeply immersive or emotionally resonant story. I'd give it a tentative 3/5 stars.