“The Duke seems to truly adore you, Madam. I’ve never seen him make that kind of expression before!”... more>>

Kaiden? Loving me? That can’t be right.

Ours is just a contract marriage. Nothing more.

“These days, the Duke comes home early all because of you, Madam.”

“Honestly, I can’t blame him. If a wife as adorable as you—a real bunny—was waiting for me at home, I’d rush back too.”

They only said that because they didn’t know the truth behind our arrangement.

I joined hands with him to escape the Emperor, and he needed me to protect the North.

I simply believed he was treating me with the proper respect due to a wife.

“Don’t just sit there watching. Eat something. You’ve barely touched your plate.”

“You really need to put on some weight.”

“No more talking—open up. And don’t even think of leaving my side until you finish everything.”

But… why does it feel like he’s only ever this kind to me? <<less

“Oh my, from childhood friends to fiancés- just look at how sweet they are together.”... more>>

“Isn’t it wonderfully romantic?”

No. Not even close.

“They’ve been inseparable since their academy days, haven’t they?”

Well, at least that part wasn’t a lie.

It all began at the Academy, where I was drowning in an endless flood of marriage proposals. Each day brought another hopeful suitor, another practiced speech, until that moment when everything changed.

“Then how about me?”

“What about you?”

“As a marriage partner.”

Those four simple words from Aivert changed everything. Before I knew it, I had signed away my freedom in an elaborate dating contract with my closest friend.

We crafted the perfect illusion – the inseparable couple, so in love we couldn’t breathe without each other. I would have bet my life we were nothing more than friends.

As time slipped through our fingers, the contract’s end loomed closer. I should have felt something – regret, perhaps? Instead, my heart sang with one thought:

“Finally, I will be free soon!”

Just when I thought we could finally end this embarrassing charade…

Fate had other plans.

—Clank.

The sound echoed like thunder in my ears as I stared, dumbfounded, at the handcuffs binding my wrist to Aivert’s.

Of all the twisted turns my life could take…

***

“Well,” Rodella thought, trying to be practical, “since we’re stuck together, we might as well make the best of it. This should make our act more convincing, right?”

How naïve she was.

The key to their freedom dangled from Aivert’s fingers as he tilted his head, his expression shifting into something she’d never seen before.

“What if I were to destroy it – would you be disappointed?”

Rodella’s eyes grew wide. Before her stood not the timid and cautious childhood friend she remembered. This was someone else – familiar yet strange, wearing an expression that stirred strange emotions within her.

“You said it yourself. That madmen need to be restrained.” he murmured, the chains rattling softly between them. “If these chains come off…”

If I become distant from you, if I lose this chance.

“I think I might go mad, so what should I do?”

Aivert’s gazes were intense and unyielding, demanding an answer to a question that went far deeper than mere handcuffs.

And for the first time since this charade began, Rodella found herself completely speechless. <<less

I was a detective, and one day, I died in an accident. When I opened my eyes again, I had become a newborn baby abandoned in the mountains.... more>>

"There's a strange-looking wild animal."

I was actually taken by a bandit group! I thought I’d be sold somewhere and end up facing all sorts of hardships. But what is this? These grim-looking men are treating me like I'm precious, taking care of me with so much attention.

"From now on, call me Dad."

Even the scary bandit leader claimed to be my dad!?

'Criminals are just criminals! I’ll escape from here no matter what!'

Don’t underestimate me! I promised myself I wouldn’t fall for their kindness, but...

"Helping the people and living for them, that is our path."

Something felt off, and it turns out, they weren’t just bandits—they were righteous thieves!?

“Your Highness!”

And to top it off, the true identity of the bandit leader... was none other than the former 'Crown Prince,' famous for his unwavering character?

I realized it too late! This is the world of the novel I had read in my past life!

*

"You saved my life, so I'll repay you someday."

I even became friends with the unpredictable heir of a pirate!

"I want to be with you. Even though we are enemies and come from different backgrounds."

I even formed a connection with the young master of the noble family, who is the protagonist of the original story and the enemy of the bandits.

Can I… survive here? <<less

In a desperate attempt to save the world, the male protagonist loses his comrades one by one, eventually succumbing to destruction in a bleak fantasy novel.... more>>

I found myself transmigrated into this story as the villainous princess, known for her excessively innocent mind. Obsessed with the male protagonist, I cause chaos and eventually die during a monster attack, tarnishing the reputation of the knight order the protagonist belongs to.

‘Wow, these knights are more like a bunch of mercenaries than a noble order!”

I exclaimed in disbelief, surveying the disheveled knights before me.

“Gentlemen, did you sign a proper employment contract? What about overtime pay? Compensation in case of accidents? Medical support for mental stress and physical injuries?”

“Um… why are you asking this all of a sudden, Princess?”

The male protagonist inquired with a suspicious look.

Well, I can understand why he’s wary of me considering my past obsession, but…

“You should call me ‘Administrative Officer’, not ‘Princess’.”

“Ah, but that’s…”

“Cassia Astrid, I am hereby assigned as the Administrative Officer to the Azure Dawn Knight Order, effective today.”

I flashed a grin at the stunned male protagonist.

“And you can rest assured that I will no longer be obsessed with you.”

The protagonist’s beauty? My obsession? A sweet and bloody romance?

What good are those when the world is on the brink of destruction!

____

“If you keep this up, I might accidentally send a letter of complaint to His Majesty the Emperor about this matter.”

I caused a scene in the commander’s office, acting like a typical villainess.

“Hey, do you expect our men to wash your socks too? Don’t you have hands? Huh!”

I also confronted the absurd barracks culture.

“Don’t be discouraged, gentlemen. It’s not your fault.”

I diligently looked after the future saviors whose mental state was in tatters.

“Long live the Administrative Officer!”

“You are the goddess who will save our knight order!”

“Our. Bright. Light. Cas.si.a!”

…Why have our knights turned into my fan club?

And…

“Our Administrative Officer will never leave us. Do you understand?”

Why has the once cold and aloof male protagonist’s eyes turned affectionate towards me?! <<less

While everyone else possesses a villainess or an extra, I reincarnated as the heroine.... more>>

I thought I would be the ultimate winner, achieving wealth and happiness.

But what lay ahead of me was a miserable life! A family obsessed with money!

I endured it all, thinking I'd finally see my happy ending… until—

"I want a divorce, Leticia."

The male lead I trusted brought in his mistress.

...This bastard?

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Falling victim to the mistress's schemes, I was expelled from the ducal household, abandoned by my family, and met my end in the cold, starving and alone.

And then, miraculously, I regressed to my second life.

'What… is this?'

Suddenly, the more expensive and valuable something was, the more it sparkled before my eyes.

Fine, I'll use this ability to make that male lead end up on the streets in his underwear!

...or so I planned.

"So, what is it that our duchess is proposing?"

The original villain. An illegitimate prince born in the slums. That man, flashing a sly smile, radiated an unfamiliar brilliance.

'So, you're saying that man could benefit me?'

Sigh, if that's the case, I have no choice.

"I'm planning to become the richest person in the empire from now on."

"....."

"Would you like to be my lover?"

And so, to exact my revenge, I proposed a contract romance to the original villain. <<less

One day, while living a new life after reincarnation.... more>>

I realized that this world was a setting from a dark romance fantasy novel.

And I was fated to be killed by the obsessive Northern Duke!

I tried to avoid his tastes by turning into a socialite celebrity with a loud presence in the noble circles, but…

“You’re the first woman who hasn’t feared me.”

My head is spinning because he actually likes that.

The only option left is to get married first!

“Is there really not a single man who could compete with the Northern Duke but who’s also low-key and kind…?”

There was. The famously unattractive Southern Duke of the social circles!

● ● ●

How is it even possible that the Southern Duke is actually handsome?!

I thought I’d finally escape the Northern Duke, and now this.

“You scammer! How can you even call yourself human?”

“Well, if I’m not human, should I become a monster?”

Short? No. Overweight? No. Timid? No. Ugly? Absolutely not!

This man doesn’t match any of the rumors!

What is going on?!

Not only does he offer a dangerously tempting contract marriage, but he’s also breaking down all the defenses I’ve put up.

“We’re married, so we should share the same room and bed, Eileen. I'm just saying I won’t touch you.”

He says that while lying down next to me, showing off his rock-hard abs.

Is this marriage really going to be okay…? <<less

"I understand that saying this so suddenly might surprise you."... more>>

...What is he trying to say?

"I have fallen for your soul."

...What?

The one who should be standing in front of me is the deranged male lead from a dark, captivity-themed story.

But who is this man, kneeling politely and smiling shyly?

***

When I reincarnated, I found out that my sister was the protagonist destined to be imprisoned.

My poor sister...!

"There's no other way! If it's come to this, I'll take my sister's place."

I confidently tried to change the original plot, but...?

"I know a ring that would suit this finger perfectly. May I give it to you?"

"I refuse."

A flirty, obsessive man is wagging his tail like a sly fox.

And on top of that...

"Duke, do you enjoy imprisoning people?"

He brazenly(?) declares his intent to lock me up.

Wait a moment. I didn’t mean I’d take my sister’s place in being imprisoned too!

I don’t want to get involved with you. Absolutely not!

"Then... maybe..."

"..."

But then...

"Loving me might be a better option, Duke."

For some reason, I don’t hate it... Why is that?! <<less

Calliope Verdi’s life was perfect.... more>>

At least, that was the case until her grandfather set a ridiculous condition that she had to fulfill in order to inherit the family title.

‘If I don’t get married within a year, I will lose my position?!’

[Requirements for a husband: outstanding abilities, skilled in both arts and combat, sturdy physique, handsome enough to be considered a national treasure]
Why were the conditions so detailed?

But to make matters worse, the person who was arranged to be in this marriage that seemingly fulfilled the requirements-

“It’s good to see you again.”

The madman of the royal family. The handsome troublemaker, the 7th prince.

On the day of the graduation ceremony, he had stepped on her.

All while smiling, his golden eyes squinting slightly.

Damn it.

Since it turned out like this,

Let’s become the couple of the century. <<less

I was South Korea's top assassin, but I was betrayed by the only person I trusted and died. In my next life, I hoped to trust no one and live a life unrelated to assassination.... more>>

"Wa?!"

Suddenly, I was reincarnated as a baby princess in the Joseon era?!

"Turn her over quickly!"
"Babies often die just from being laid on their stomachs. We don't even need to intervene."

And right from birth, I faced assassination threats as the "abandoned princess"!

"I don't want to be assassinated again this time!"

I must somehow gain strength and survive in the palace! I only tried desperately to stay alive.

"Seeing how clever you've grown, I believe you could become a great..."
"?"
"...general."

Even the merciless king, who killed his siblings to ascend the throne, thought so.

"Is it true that all you want is to live like a decent human being, not gold bars or power?"

My eldest brother, who is rigid and only recites Confucian teachings.

"Choose. Who do you prefer, me or our elder brother?"

My second brother, a psycho who played with me like a toy. All of them...

"Live. I will surely show you the world you dream of."
"Even if I can't continue writing?"
"It's fine."
"Even if I remain an unnamed abandoned royal?"
"Yes."

They all wish for me to live well. As if they were my real family.

'I decided never to trust anyone again.'

...My heart keeps fluttering.

But soon, I realized.
This place is actually the world of a novel I read in my previous life.

"Huh? I die when I turn ten?"

I am destined to die soon as an extra!
Can I survive in this bloodthirsty palace? <<less

I just missed a click, but I became the princess in the game!... more>>

[ Modify the user title to ‘debtor.’ ]

Even if I can’t pay off the 100 million gem debt, I can’t log out.

I have to be clever to survive in a system and even shed blood and tears!

“Are you not afraid of me?”

Huh, should I be scared?

When I was asked like that abruptly, I covered my eyes with both hands and bowed my head.

“I’m scared.”

“…I guess you’re not scared at all.”

Hmm, actually I…

I rolled my big eyes between my fingers and looked at the status window.

There was a single sentence that bothered me a lot, even before.

It was a sentence that is briefly hidden by the First Prince’s brilliant visage…

[ Current status: Gastralgia (100%) ] <<less

She tried to save her husband, the emperor, by turning her back on her father, Duke Lauchen, who dreamed of rebellion.... more>>

The result is a failure, and Izaya faces a terrible death.

She thought it was all over, but when she opened her eyes again, it was around the coming-of-age ceremony 10 years ago.

To protect him, she has to stay away from him.

'I have to step up and prepare to divorce.

So first of all ... let's use a separate room first!'

However, there was a problem that she couldn't ignore

"Don't go, I think without you...."

That is that her husband can't sleep without Izaya.

'I have to find a way somehow.'

***

"I'm unable to sleep without you, and you're leaving me? You can't."

Ern's gesture of wrapping her wrist was very polite and persistent.

"You made me like this, so you have to take responsibility, Empress."

His voice was friendly and sweet, but his gaze on Izaya was colored with a dark obsession. <<less