The Sword and The Shadow - Chapter 4 – A Muddy Monkey Picked Up

It’s been 11 years since I’ve lived for others and not for me.

The moment I cried out wanting to get away from my exhausting life, I opened my eyes in the body of some Count’s 20-year-old daughter.

Since this happened, I decided to live my life freely as a single woman.

But…

“I need a lady to act as my fake wife for a certain period of time.”

“A contract marriage?”

“The term is one year. When the time is up, I’ll give you divorce with no strings attached.”

The Duke of the Empire whom I had happened to meet at a ball was hitting on me.

Turns out he’s no other than the Emperor’s beloved brother, Duke Scade!

Hold on, it’s just going to end in a clean divorce with no strings attached?

“You should also give me alimony. Give me one of the best lands of the Ducal household with 10 years’ worth of profit.”

“…..What?”

“If you don’t want to do that, then we cannot get married.”

This time I’m going to live a life taking care of the things I need first!

***

“I’ll escort you since it’s late.”

Where to? My bedroom is just around the corner.

“Tonight, I’ll do my best.”

No, I don’t need you to do that.

“Did you just look at that man?”

Excuse me, Duke, you said it’s for a limited time only, so why do you keep obsessing over me?

When her father passed away, her mother married into a large family. She thought it'll be a new beginning of her life, but it only brought her an substitute marriage to a disabled husband her step-sister didn't want.On the second day of their marriage, the noble and aloof man said indifferently, “Divorce or live as a widow, choose one.”She pulled off his suit pants and touched his firm and sexy thigh, “I choose the third option!”Latter, she used her medical skills to healing and saving people, including her disabled husband, who turned out to be a hidden billionaire!Nobles and celebrities sought medical advice, flocking to her like ducks.Those who humiliated her regretted it deeply, begging for mercy on their knees.The billionaire smiled proudly, “My wife is a treasure, only her husband knows it!”She rubbed her waist and gritted her teeth, “Didn't you say that you wanted a divorce and warned me to stay away from you?”

She believes in true love.He doesn’t believe in love.But what is love, really?She is the epitome of success—a star people look up to and admire. To him, however, she is merely a business transaction, a partner chosen to enhance his status. To his friends, she is just a fool in love, a pathetic figure begging for affection.Then shocking news emerges: her first true love returns, throwing him off guard. He realizes he has been nothing more than a substitute for her first love.He should be angry, but instead, he finds himself overwhelmed by emotions he can’t express or understand. Is this possessiveness, or is he finally learning to love her?She is determined to return to her first love, but inside, she is torn. Did she really treat him as just a substitute, or did she actually come to love him?What are they supposed to do when love is a question mark?

She transmigrated into a novel of showbiz, becoming a member of a popular boy band. The original character dressed as a man and passionately showed her love to the male lead, only to be killed tragically in the end.As the most beloved daughter possessing great beauty in a rich family, how could she sacrifice herself for just a man?Thus, she transformed herself, becoming incredibly handsome, attracting countless fans.Her teammates found she began to focus on the career rather than the male lead, attracting tens of millions of fans and winning numerous trophies.The original male lead felt her ignorance and instead, found her hovering around his big brother...“Hey, this is tea that I had someone bring from Suzhou for you to try.”“Hey, this is Fish I made myself. Would you like to have a taste?”As the brother of the male lead, he was a big tycoon in the story, supporting the band with countless resources. Naturally, she tried to please him to climb higher, but why did the expression in his eyes become increasingly strange...He watched the 'little guy' busy around him, his eyes deep and secretive, suddenly pulling her into his embrace.She freaked out,“What are you doing?””The dish isn't tasty. I want to taste you.“”But I'm a man!“”Got it.“”No! Actually, I lied to you. I'm a woman!“”I've been lying to you too.“