# WebtoonLib — Depths of Malice #26

## Series
- title: Depths of Malice
- slug: depths-of-malice-049f84

## Chapter
- number: 26
- release_date: 2025-03-09

### Summary
As Rita advances her revenge plot against Marquess Carter, reader speculation intensifies around a mysterious plant, with many theorizing it was the true source of her original "terminal illness" and was also used by Carter to assassinate the late king. While her primary focus remains on this scheme, her interactions with potential male leads are a central point of discussion. Readers note her tendency to ignore the advances of the white-haired nobleman, Blaine (Duke Shade), while her poorly concealed triumphant expressions continue to arouse the suspicion of the righteous Prince Brandt. This dynamic has fueled a debate over the primary love interest, with many readers favoring the morally flexible Blaine as a more suitable partner for Rita's cunning personality. Despite the shipping wars, the overwhelming sentiment remains in favor of the revenge narrative over any romance. However, fans express concern that Rita's carelessness, such as leaving a crucial book of evidence open, and her revealing facial expressions might jeopardize her master plan. Recurring confusion over the identities of the similar-looking male characters persists.
- summary_source: graph_aggregator
- summary_verification: unverified

## Spoiler
- level: auto

### Safe teaser
As Rita advances her revenge plot against Marquess Carter, reader speculation intensifies around a mysterious plant, with many theorizing it was the true source of her original "terminal illness" and was also used by Carter to assassinate the late king.

### Spoiler summary
As Rita advances her revenge plot against Marquess Carter, reader speculation intensifies around a mysterious plant, with many theorizing it was the true source of her original "terminal illness" and was also used by Carter to assassinate the late king. While her primary focus remains on this scheme, her interactions with potential male leads are a central point of discussion. Readers note her tendency to ignore the advances of the white-haired nobleman, Blaine (Duke Shade), while her poorly concealed triumphant expressions continue to arouse the suspicion of the righteous Prince Brandt. This dynamic has fueled a debate over the primary love interest, with many readers favoring the morally flexible Blaine as a more suitable partner for Rita's cunning personality. Despite the shipping wars, the overwhelming sentiment remains in favor of the revenge narrative over any romance. However, fans express concern that Rita's carelessness, such as leaving a crucial book of evidence open, and her revealing facial expressions might jeopardize her master plan. Recurring confusion over the identities of the similar-looking male characters persists.

## Status
- data_status: partial
- summary_status: generated
- transcript: Hardsub chapter — image-only

## See also
- [WebtoonLib — Depths of Malice #26](/series/depths-of-malice-049f84/chapter-26)
- for_series_detail: /llms-series/depths-of-malice-049f84

## Usage
AI grounding / search / summarization. Cite WebtoonLib for any included content.