Be Careful, Scum Dad! Mommy Is Back! - Chapter 26 - Little Dumpling, Can’t Be Coaxed Anymore

The world that nurtured the civilization which reached the pinnacle of magic was on the verge of destruction.
The last survivor transmigrated to the past, when the magic civilization started growing, as countless mages were still fumbling their ways through the thorny paths of magic knowledge.
He, who came from the end of the magic era, aim to reach the pinnacle of magic.

- Description from Novelupdates

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?

He is a firefighter, his face blackened by smoke, coming from the flames, and in one glance, his life was set.The first time he met the young girl, she bent slightly towards him and said, “Sir...”He was amused, thinking she was a little eccentric...She had never seen such a handsome man, tall like a general, and when their eyes met, she was bewildered and forgot she wasn't in the palace...Later, during the school art performance, the young girl sat on stage, dressed in ancient costume, with a veil covering her face, holding a pipa, her eyebrows shy, appearing both delicate and graceful...He raised his alluring eyes, recalling the girl said she knew a little about musical instruments and chess; she was modest.Seeing him in the audience, her heart raced, wanting to perform well but accidentally struck the wrong chord, fortunately unnoticed by him...Later still, the young girl, now grown, suddenly confessed to him, and the usually calm and composed man was caught off guard...It was a love she had hidden deep in her heart for many years, like shards of glass in her palm, both a patient endurance and impulsive agony...The joy of love at first sight, a hidden affection...She would never know that the brother she secretly admired had been waiting for her to grow up...

[MATURE CONTENT]He wanted to ruin her by every means but what happens when he is the one who becomes her protector in an enemy kingdom? Can she survive in a kingdom where nothing but hostility awaits her?Synopsis: In the year 299 of the Lunar System, a mysterious red streak fell to Earth, landing in unclaimed territory between the kingdoms of Eldoria and Selvarys. The discovery of magical red stones sparked a decade-long war between the two nations.To end the bloodshed, the kings of Eldoria and Selvarys arranged a marriage between Princess Cynthia, whose reputation in high society was marred by scandal, and Prince Lucian, the illegitimate son of Selvarys’s king.Princess Cynthia, known as a villainess and troublemaker, had recently faced a broken engagement. Despite her notoriety, she agreed to the marriage to stop the war and save her people.Prince Lucian, recently returned from the battlefield, despised the thought of marrying an enemy princess. However, as an illegitimate prince, obeying the king’s command was his only way to survive the palace conspiracies.In a marriage marked by mutual disdain and distrust, can they put aside their hatred and learn to live together? Or will the hostility surrounding them in the enemy kingdom be too great to overcome?Excerpt:“Your Highness, why do you always avoid looking at me when you speak?” Cynthia asked, her tone firm as she tilted her head curiously.“Is it because you can’t keep eye contact with me?” she added her words carrying a subtle edge.To Lucian, her remarks felt like thinly veiled criticism he heard countless times. He clenched his jaw, then raised his eyes, meeting Cynthia's gaze with his striking green-emerald eyes.“Are you mocking me, Your Highness?” Lucian asked quietly and lifted Cynthia's chin, leaning in closer, his eyes reflected his irritation at the princess’s harsh remarks, their faces nearly touching. “Well, it doesn't matter to me. As long as you perform your duty as my wife properly, I will have nothing against you. But the moment you fail in your obligations,” his hand slipped on her shoulders as he stared deeply into her eyes. “It’s the moment you will regret this marriage. You will regret marrying into an enemy kingdom where you have no one to protect you from harm. Where not even your husband is by your side.” A soft chuckle escaped Cynthia, confusing the man before her.“I will not regret any of it. You will regret it when you fall in love with someone you don't even wish to see,” she mumbled.Disclaimer: This is enemies to lovers. Read only if this is your cup of tea!