Ogilvie Empire’s most promising young painter, Mark McKinnon.... more>>

But in truth, he is none other than Juliet Blythewood, a spinster from a lowly count’s family.

Long treated as a disgrace in her own household and now being pushed into a forced marriage, Juliet makes a bold decision to secure her freedom to paint for the rest of her life—

She enters a contract marriage with the delicate, flower-like Casian Pietro.

Her parents are overjoyed—he’s the son of a wealthy duke.

As the second son, he lives quietly in the countryside, away from society’s eye,

And most importantly, Casian has been frail and sickly for the past ten years—clearly not long for this world.

He seemed like the perfect husband.

If he died soon, she’d finally be free.

Everything was supposed to go smoothly… until—

“Why is he getting healthier?!”

And wasn’t this supposed to be just a contract marriage?

Why does Casian’s gaze feel more intense with each passing day?

Why does it feel like… he’s getting closer? <<less

It was unbelievable, but Ellier had died once and came back to life.... more>>

Additionally, she, though it may seem far-fetched, was the Empress of this huge Empire, Pardinas.

The problem lay in that she woke up in the body of a certain s*ave girl, returning to 17 years in the past before she, the Empress, died.

“This toxic b*tch! Today’s events have made it clear that there isn’t any difference between you and a beast.”

The enraged s*ave trader placed Ellier in the middle of Rubelfast Square on display as a spectacle.

The surroundings were exceptionally clean and the people were particularly busy today.

‘Ah… So today was the day the s*ave market opened…!’

The s*ave market was held once every fortnight, and was possibly a day where s*ave traders have been waiting for. It was also the day that she has been anxiously awaiting, as it was a golden opportunity to screw with the s*ave traders and escape from this agonizing place.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

“You’ve woken up.”

The door swung open suddenly, and a tall and handsome young man of a stalwart build entered.

It was a very natural attitude for someone who entered without knowing that Ellier had woken up.

‘Oh my God, how the hell did this happen?’

To her surprise, it was a familiar face.

Platinum blond hair that evoked sighs of wonder, amber eyes that were beautiful enough to be an ornament, smooth and firm skin that was tanned by the sun, as well as a big and sturdy frame that left no doubts that he was a knight…

That’s it. Even if she died and came back to life, she would never forget that appearance.

‘Isn’t that Slarhan Ventiark!’

He was the strongest political adversary in Ellier’s previous life. <<less

“Let’s say you did it. Understood?”... more>>

Once again, Harriet couldn’t argue with her uncle’s decision to pin the blame on her for the trouble her cousin Bella had caused. After all, she was an orphan, living under the care of her guardian, her uncle.

Even though she became known as a scandal maker in society, even though people gossiped behind her back, Harriet believed that at least her uncle’s family would understand her sacrifice.

That was until she was accused of stealing the duke’s brooch and sent away to the strict convent, known for its harsh discipline.

“A scandal maker? Fine. If that’s what they want to call me, I’ll become a real scandal maker.”

With revenge in her heart, Harriet returned to the city, only to find herself face-to-face with Duke Kaylas, the man who had been the reason she was sent to the convent.

“They say people change after coming back from St. Clarissa’s convent. I guess it’s true.”

His cold, piercing eyes shone with a dangerous curiosity, almost as if he were suspicious. <<less

「Please, do not take the work regulations lightly as I did.... more>>

If possible, leave this mansion as soon as you can, and follow every rule while you remain here.

Article 3.

If you hear piano music at midnight, do not approach it.」

Just as I instinctively bit the soft flesh inside my mouth, trying to stay calm—

[Whe. re. are. you?]

A voice broke through the sound of the piano.

I knew it instinctively. It wasn’t far.

[Come downstairs.]

[Your prey is right in front of us.]

[Hurry and come here before the sun rises.]

This time, the ‘things’ inside the portraits covering the walls giggled before offering their advice.

[O. ver. there?]

There was no reason to hesitate anymore.

Now that ‘it’ had noticed me, the only option was to run for my life.

「One more thing. I know I’m in no position to say this, but let me give you one final piece of advice.

If you want to survive, choose a sacrifice.

Even if you follow the rules, danger will inevitably follow.

So, rather than waiting for it, choose someone to be sacrificed to ‘it’ in your place.」

Before the sentence could even be completed, the door burst open.

[Found. you.]

‘So, please—survive.’ <<less

The Day She Witnessed Her Fiancé’s Nth Affair... more>>

On the day Harin caught her fiancé cheating for the umpteenth time,

she received an unexpected proposal from her boss, Seo Ihyun, the head of headquarters at S Group.

"I can’t live without you, Joo Harin. So let’s get married. We can date afterward."

At first, she thought it was just a favor to help out a subordinate.

But… was he actually serious?

Shocked by the sudden marriage proposal, Harin was then offered a contract marriage by Ihyun—lasting one year.

If Harin didn’t fall in love with him within that year, he promised to let her go without regret.

But despite initially rejecting his proposal, Harin quickly finds herself falling for Ihyun, who showers her with more love than she ever imagined.

As if she had finally met the person she’d been waiting for all along.

When Harin’s face rested against Ihyun’s chest,

his heartbeat and warmth were transmitted directly to her.

His chest was warmer than she expected,

and his heart was beating faster than she thought.

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

“Because I really like you.”

“Why me…?”

“There’s no reason. Because you’re Joo Harin.

Because I fell for you the moment I first saw you.”

Though Harin’s heart already belongs to Ihyun,

a marriage that seemed so easy turns out to be anything but. <<less

"I tend to follow my instincts... and I want to get more serious about us."... more>>

For the first time in his life, Han Tae-seok finds something he truly desires.

She's different—unlike the glamorous women dressed in luxury from head to toe.

The moment he sees her, an intense desire to make her his ignites deep within him.

Her anxious, trembling eyes stir something familiar in his heart—a reflection of himself. And with it, a fierce need to protect her.

Everything begins the moment she meets him—a man from a completely different world.

He speaks of fate like it's second nature...

Then, out of the blue, he proposes marriage.

The more she tries to escape, the deeper she falls.

Cold on the outside, but burning hot with passion inside—Han Tae-seok is a dangerously man who gives his whole heart to one woman only. <<less

Mercenaries. Those who failed to become knights but possessed skills on par with them. Those who didn’t place as much value on honor as knights did, and would do anything for money. Thus, they were shunned.... more>>

Mercenary Regina did her utmost for every request. As a member of the Persona Mercenary Guild, whose days and nights were as different as the two sides of a mask—and though the nickname was embarrassing, as the princess of the mercenary world.

"I need a wife more than a guard. Someone who can protect a man whose mind isn’t whole, and clean out the rats gnawing away at my estate in my stead. The request is for you to become my wife."

On her way to collect the life-saving fee after nearly dying on the job, Regina unexpectedly receives a marriage proposal from the mad prince, Valentin.

"Are you joking with me?"

"Did I look like I was joking? I’m serious."

***

"Let’s take this opportunity. Through a duel, we’ll each get what we want. Depending on the result, I’ll either shut up, disappear from your sight, or whatever else you want."

To protect her mercenary guild, Regina accepts Valentin’s proposal. In a duel, she instantly subdues the knight commander who doubted her,

"Don’t try to scheme. I’m the only one who can open the door I’ve sealed shut."

And even forces the conniving head maid, who had been gnawing at the estate from within, to surrender through sheer mercenary grit… <<less

After her mother passed away, even her younger sister, Irene, took her own life.... more>>

Ludiana believed it was all the fault of her biological father, Jonas.

At Irene’s funeral, Ludiana stabbed Jonas to death and was dragged away as a parricide.

On her way, she encountered Kalos.

Like her, Kalos had been abandoned by his biological father, but he was living a completely different life.

Would things have turned out differently if I had carved out my own path in life…?

“The sentence for the parricide criminal Ludiana will now be carried out.”

With a faint smile, Ludiana closed her eyes—and returned to the time before her mother’s death.

I won’t sit back and be foolish anymore.

***

Ludiana’s mother, Roselin, looked at her with a smile, as if she had made up her mind.

“…Yes. You’re right. Even if we quietly live in the countryside, we might be happier than we are now.”

“Of course.”

Following her mother’s lead, Ludiana gave a gentle smile as well.

No, Mother. I have no intention of living quietly. <<less