# WebtoonLib — Happily Ever Afterwards #38

## Series
- title: Happily Ever Afterwards
- slug: happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227

## Chapter
- number: 38
- release_date: 2025-03-08

### Summary
The current chapter continues an extended flashback into Richt's past, deepening a major point of contention among the readership. The overwhelming sentiment expressed in reader comments is one of frustration and boredom with the prolonged diversion from the main romance, with many admitting to skipping chapters entirely. The audience's desire for a return to the present-day plot and the protagonist, Peony, is a dominant theme. The flashback itself explores the complex dynamic between a younger Richt, his brother Mikhail, and the crown princess Hestia, whom Richt is criticized for developing feelings for despite her being his brother's fiancée. This arc introduces a new antagonist, Empress Laga, who is praised by readers for her cunning and "genius" plan. However, even the introduction of a compelling villain and the added context regarding the political coup and Richt's trauma do not appease the majority, who feel the backstory is unnecessarily dragged out. While a small minority defends the arc as essential world-building, the consensus is that the flashback has stalled the narrative momentum, becoming a make-or-break point for readers invested in the Peony-Richt relationship.
- summary_source: graph_aggregator
- summary_verification: unverified

## Spoiler
- level: auto

### Safe teaser
The current chapter continues an extended flashback into Richt's past, deepening a major point of contention among the readership.

### Spoiler summary
The current chapter continues an extended flashback into Richt's past, deepening a major point of contention among the readership. The overwhelming sentiment expressed in reader comments is one of frustration and boredom with the prolonged diversion from the main romance, with many admitting to skipping chapters entirely. The audience's desire for a return to the present-day plot and the protagonist, Peony, is a dominant theme. The flashback itself explores the complex dynamic between a younger Richt, his brother Mikhail, and the crown princess Hestia, whom Richt is criticized for developing feelings for despite her being his brother's fiancée. This arc introduces a new antagonist, Empress Laga, who is praised by readers for her cunning and "genius" plan. However, even the introduction of a compelling villain and the added context regarding the political coup and Richt's trauma do not appease the majority, who feel the backstory is unnecessarily dragged out. While a small minority defends the arc as essential world-building, the consensus is that the flashback has stalled the narrative momentum, becoming a make-or-break point for readers invested in the Peony-Richt relationship.

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

## See also
- [WebtoonLib — Happily Ever Afterwards #38](/series/happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227/chapter-38)
- for_series_detail: /llms-series/happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227

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