My Dearest Reader - Chapter 8: It Was an Unfair Barter

Molitia Clemence was born sickly.

She forgot to cover herself with a blanket and caught a cold. She woke up next to her husband after 10 days just because of a slight cold.

Molitia barely survived between the thin threads of life and death. When she opened her eyes, she noticed that her husband was somehow acting differently than usual…?!

***

“Have you eaten?” (Husband)

“Yes.” (Molitia)

“This is the belly of a person who ate?” (Husband)

He frowned as he stroked her flat lower abdomen. He held her wrist carefully, as if it would break. His voice rose.

“Why is your wrist so thin? Are you even human?” (Husband)

“That’s…” (Molitia)

“Butler!” (Husband)

The butler rushed to his angry voice, fidgeting with his wrists.

“Get me food for my wife to eat. Something that will help her stay healthy. Anything is fine.” (Husband)

Molitia’s mouth opened at her husband’s words, but no sound came out. ‘I just had a meal?’

Soul System Online...][Vengeful Spirit Detected]Zero was once a legend a warrior feared and respected across the land, an SSS-ranked hero at the peak of power. But even the strongest are not immune to betrayal. His so-called allies turned against him, casting him into oblivion. Now, he lingers as a vengeful spirit, unable to move on, his legend seemingly forgotten.But fate isn’t done with him yet.When a mysterious boy with the rare ability to see and communicate with spirits crosses his path, Zero sees a chance for revenge and maybe even redemption. Armed with the enigmatic Soul System, he will carve a new path, defying death itself.The world thinks it has seen the last of him. They couldn’t be more wrong.The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker has returned. And this time, nothing will stop him.

In 2008 America, the advantages of being reborn were about to vanish, and Link could only rely on his powerful physique, attractive appearance, superior publicity tactics, and numerous scandals to gradually rise from obscurity to become a top influencer of the Times and a tycoon in the entertainment industry.

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?