# WebtoonLib — Happily Ever Afterwards #60

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

## Chapter
- number: 60
- release_date: 2025-03-08

### Summary
The political fallout from Richt’s decision to rescue Peony over Empress Hestia has intensified, drawing widespread reader condemnation for the imperial court, who are seen as hypocritical and incompetent for blaming the exiled duke for their own failures. This external pressure exacerbates Richt's profound internal crisis, as he is torn between his past duty to the crown and his love for Peony. Consumed by a self-punishing guilt, he attempts to push Peony away, a move she correctly interprets as a misguided effort to protect her. The central conflict has expanded with the arrival of Peony's family from Garten, including her brother Lahern, who plead for her to return home, fearing they will lose her a second time. This has created a sharp divide among readers, who debate whether Peony is being selfish or is justified in pursuing her own life, especially under the looming threat of the original Peony’s soul. With the romance now overshadowed by immense political and familial pressure, many readers suggest the only viable solution is for the couple to abandon the hostile empire and relocate to Garten, as all forces seem to be conspiring to drive them apart.
- summary_source: graph_aggregator
- summary_verification: unverified

## Spoiler
- level: auto

### Safe teaser
The political fallout from Richt’s decision to rescue Peony over Empress Hestia has intensified, drawing widespread reader condemnation for the imperial court, who are seen as hypocritical and incompetent for blaming the exiled duke for their own failures.

### Spoiler summary
The political fallout from Richt’s decision to rescue Peony over Empress Hestia has intensified, drawing widespread reader condemnation for the imperial court, who are seen as hypocritical and incompetent for blaming the exiled duke for their own failures. This external pressure exacerbates Richt's profound internal crisis, as he is torn between his past duty to the crown and his love for Peony. Consumed by a self-punishing guilt, he attempts to push Peony away, a move she correctly interprets as a misguided effort to protect her. The central conflict has expanded with the arrival of Peony's family from Garten, including her brother Lahern, who plead for her to return home, fearing they will lose her a second time. This has created a sharp divide among readers, who debate whether Peony is being selfish or is justified in pursuing her own life, especially under the looming threat of the original Peony’s soul. With the romance now overshadowed by immense political and familial pressure, many readers suggest the only viable solution is for the couple to abandon the hostile empire and relocate to Garten, as all forces seem to be conspiring to drive them apart.

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

## See also
- [WebtoonLib — Happily Ever Afterwards #60](/series/happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227/chapter-60)
- for_series_detail: /llms-series/happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227

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