In the Kingdom of Nerta, three dukedoms held unmatched prestige.

Among them was the House of Duke Lois, renowned for its exceptional standing. However, it was in complete disarray.

This was due to something unbelievable that had happened in broad daylight.

“Madam must have gone mad!”

The servants whispered anxiously as a woman with chestnut-brown hair strode past them, her sharp heels clicking with a fierce rhythm.

Her pale, delicate face was framed by waves of rich brown hair that cascaded down her back.

Her dull green eyes weren’t just cold; they were as sharp as polished blades.

Amidst the flurry of murmurs, she walked forward without so much as batting an eyelid, calmly sliding her right glove back onto her hand — the very hand that had just slapped three maids who had tried to block her path.

Each of her movements was elegant, making it hard to believe that she had just sent three women tumbling with nothing but a slap.

“She’s possessed… possessed by a ghost…”

Whispered one of the servants, pale with fear.

How else could someone change so completely?

Saronne Lois, the lady of House Lois, had always been gentle and soft-spoken.

Though recent scandals surrounding the ducal family had somewhat tarnished her reputation, she had never treated anyone harshly.

She was so kindhearted that even when the mistress brought in by Duke Lois stole her place, and the power-hungry servants openly disrespected her, she never once raised her voice.

She never once raised her voice.

She was the perfect example of a dignified fool.

“Ugh… hic…”

And yet now—

The maid who had most recently been struck by the Duchess sat trembling on the ground, quietly sobbing.

She was the mistress whom the duke cherished so much that he stripped his wife of all her authority as lady of the house and handed it over to her.

As the maid helped the woman off the floor, and the servants murmured as they watched the Duchess’s elegant figure disappear into the distance, they were all thinking the same thing.

It was as if Saronne Lois had changed overnight.

The sharp clicking of her heels finally came to a stop.
With the murmuring servants left behind, Saronne entered her husband’s office.

At once, an irritated glare was thrown her way.

“…It’s been noisy outside. I assume that was because of you?”

“I had no intention of causing a scene, but oddly enough, people kept trying to block my way.”

Saronne smiled calmly, unfazed by the sharp look aimed at her.

Her husband, Diego Lois, let out a short laugh and casually returned to flipping through his documents, responding with clear disinterest.

“Ah, that. I told them not to let you in. Since you brought up divorce last time, I figured you’d only come to bother me.”

He glanced at her with mockery, waiting, as always, to see her freeze in shock.

“So if you’re here to throw another tantrum—”

“Perfect. I actually came so I wouldn’t bother you anymore.”

“…What?”

“Let’s get divorced.”

A bright smile played at her lips as she met his gaze coldly.
Then she pulled out a document she had carefully hidden within her clothes and placed it in front of him with a loud thud.

“The royal family approved it easily. In a month, our marriage will be annulled.”

“What…?”

Diego’s eyes widened in disbelief as he checked the papers containing the royal seal of approval.

After staring at the document for a long while, he abruptly stood up, swallowing a hollow laugh as his eyes flared.

“Are you out of your mind? Do you think pulling something like this will make me pay even the slightest attention to you? Lost your sanity after losing the child, have you?”

At his cruel words, Saronne’s gaze turned icy.

In the past, she would’ve swallowed every insult he hurled at her—
Always believing that one day, her husband’s wandering heart would return to her.

But the moment she lost the child she had longed for because of them, everything became meaningless.

“That’s unfortunate. We both agreed to the divorce, yet… are you trying to stop me now?”

Her voice held a tone of genuine pity, laced with faint mockery.

For a moment, Diego sensed something off about her—
This was not how Saronne usually spoke.
But rather than dwell on it, he scowled, more concerned with his growing anger.

“Stop spouting nonsense. You’re the one clinging to me now, aren’t you? Ha, fine. Just this once, I’ll—”

“Oh? That’s perfect.”

Diego’s words—about to offer to ‘pretend this never happened’—were cut short.
Seeing his face stiffen unnaturally, Saronne raised her lips into a smile.

“I’ve found someone I love, too. Just like you.”

For a brief moment, something warm flickered in her usually cold smile.

When everyone else had turned their backs on her, there had been one man who reached out and held her hand. It was after losing her child, in the depths of hell, that she realized—

She had once died, slandered and betrayed, while living in that same hell. And now, at the end of that bitter curse, she had awoken into this second life.

‘Divorce is only a minor beginning. This time, I will destroy all of you.’

Unlike her past life, this time she had an ally at her side.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

Leaving her dumbfounded husband behind, Saronne stepped out of the mansion. As she passed through the large gates, ignoring the buzzing whispers behind her, a familiar voice greeted her.

“You’re back?”

The onlookers who had secretly followed her, curious about her bold actions, were left utterly stunned. For standing at the gates, waiting for her, was none other than Leobint Hethrian.

The most handsome man in the kingdom, who constantly filled the gossip columns with scandal after scandal—
The second prince of the royal house of Clamir, known for never refusing the company of any woman.

Glancing briefly at Duke Lois’s estate behind her, Leobint let out a soft chuckle.

“Seems like things went smoothly. Judging by the mess inside.”

“Mm. Thanks to you, one problem is taken care of.”

Now, all that remained was to expose the disgusting truth of those who had driven her to death, and to make them pay for everything.

Leobint lowered his gaze, his flawless smile never faltering.
Without hesitation, he stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Saronne’s back.

“Then it’s my turn to play my part now. And I’d say we have enough of an audience for it…”

Right on cue, a desperate shout echoed from behind.

“Saronne!”

It was her husband, Diego Lois, who had come rushing out after her.

Even from a distance, he yelled furiously.

“You think pulling something like this means you won’t come crawling back eventually?!”

As though warning her not to do anything she might regret—
Though he was the one who had inflicted countless wounds on Saronne without a second thought.

“You really don’t stop talking nonsense, do you?”
Muttering as though amused by his own words, Leobint looked into Saronne’s green eyes. Their gazes met at close distance.

With a graceful motion, Leobint lifted his hand, tucking her chestnut hair behind her ear before gently cupping her cheek.
He whispered softly.

“My role is to pretend to be your lover, isn’t it?”

“Mhm. You’re doing well.”

A relationship forged for revenge—a contract relationship.
Saronne and Leobint had fabricated this arrangement after meeting in this second life, where he had become her ally.

Seeing the intimate contact between them, Diego Lois, who had been angrily marching forward, suddenly froze in place.
At that moment, the sly smile on Leobint’s lips deepened.

His hand, still resting on Saronne’s back, slid down to pull her waist even closer.

“But tell me… how long am I supposed to just pretend?”

“…Huh?”

She had simply intended to display their closeness, to show everyone that he was on her side. The unexpectedly intimate touch left Saronne momentarily flustered.

Leobint tilted his head toward her, as though about to kiss her.
His half-lidded eyes shimmered mischievously, hovering just inches away.

“Wait—”

Gasps erupted from the onlookers.

Yet their lips never actually touched. To others, it may have looked like they were kissing, but the truth was different.
Leobint whispered at a breath’s distance, their mingled breaths sweet in the narrow space between them.

“Shall I be honest? I rather covet the spot beside you.”

Saronne’s eyes trembled slightly—this was something she hadn’t anticipated. She had only been thinking of how to destroy those who had wronged her after serving Diego with divorce papers.

Smiling, Leobint continued as he watched her startled expression.

“I’m a man with quite a lot to offer, you know. At the very least, I’m far better than him.”

The man he boldly pointed at was none other than her soon-to-be ex-husband, Diego Lois.

Saronne, her lips parting slightly, finally spoke.

“What… are you saying?”

“Saronne, did you think you could keep using me without paying a price?”

“……”

“I’m an incredibly greedy man. Ever since I first heard your plan, I’ve been waiting for this very moment.”

The playful tone faded from his voice, and the smile at his lips slowly disappeared.

What remained was nothing but intense desire—
And a raw, possessive longing directed entirely at her.

“I’ll give you everything you want. I’ll make those who tried to bring you down realize just how foolish their choice was.”

“……”

“So be with me, Saronne. Not as an act — but for real.”

As he spoke, he gently lifted her chin. Startled, Saronne instinctively closed her eyes, but even then, their lips remained suspended at a dangerously close distance.

Slowly, she reopened her eyes. Before her was his face—so handsome it could charm anyone, man or woman—wearing a soft, mischievous smile.

‘…Is this really okay?’

In her quest for revenge, she had reached out to the man who had once helped her in her previous life.
Yet unlike her plan, which had been cold and calculated, this man — constantly the center of every woman’s attention — now gazed at her with unmistakable desire.

…But it would be fine.

And so, the social circles began to buzz once more.

If before it had been the tragic love story of Duke Lois and his “one true love” that stirred gossip—
Now it was the scandal of Duchess Lois and the kingdom’s most handsome man, Leobint Hethrian.

Within that whirlwind of change, Saronne calmly retraced every humiliation she had once endured.

All for the sake of delivering perfect, merciless revenge —
To her husband and the woman who had once been his first love.