Lowly shepherdess. Illegitimate daughter. Disgraceful duchess.
Although she had married her beloved Duke Izar, Freesia lived as though she was trapped at the bottom of a bleak, hapless abyss.
Her family took complete advantage of her, and the people of the duchy hated her for being a stain on the household’s honor.... more>>

And then there was her husband, Izar.
Even after she had suffered a miscarriage, he remained cold.

"To be born to parents like us—happiness would forever elude that child."

At Freesia’s funeral, he had shed not a single tear.
But Freesia wished for one last thing.

Please, cry for me.
Shed even a single tear.
Dearly, I hope that your feelings might change.

Even if it means living for just one more year, that’s fine.
Once that time has passed, then.
Come and cry at my funeral.

*

For the first time, Freesia dared to glare at this man.
The dreadful document in her hand fell to the ground.

"How could you do something so cruel to me, to treat me worse than an animal!"

She was mistaken.
She thought, finally, this man held affection for her. That he trusted her.
That, perhaps... it could even be love.
But it was nothing like that. He deceived her.

"You ruined my life."

There were only five months left before her demise. <<less

She was the Diamond of the Empire, and the Beau Monde’s China doll.... more>>

‘Dolores Rochester’ believed she’d everything in life. Perfect looks, men who’d do anything to catch her eye, and a loving crown prince husband.

“Dolly…you dared to marry me knowing you were barren?”

But her perfect life was instantly ruined by just one flaw. Her loving husband took the child he bore with her cousin as his heir, and her family left her to suffer.

It was only after miraculously regressing to the time before her marriage did she realise. One mistake was enough. She didn’t need any more futile love.

‘All that remains is a calm and perfect revenge.’

And so, this time, Dolores chose her husband’s half brother. The beast of the empire, ‘Grand Duke Lesrexion Lancaster.’ With their marriage of convenience, the two of them would obtain everything they desired.

However.

“Oh, I’d like to add one more condition to the contract, Your Highness.”

“What more could there be?”

“Don’t fall in love with me.”

“Seems like this China doll has big dreams, Dolly.”

This contract marriage wasn’t going to be easy.

T/W (Because there’s no tags available):
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Eating Disorder
Body Dysmorphia <<less