Illusions, Lies, Truth - Side Story: Book Writer, Extra 3: Secret Little Matters

Ten thousand years later, ice has melted. The Soul Federation Scientific Exploration team found an egg with a golden and silver pattern on it in the far north of the land, and after examining it with an apparatus, they found out that there were vital signs inside. They hurriedly brought it back to the institute for hatching.

The egg hatched, but it was a baby, a baby exactly the same as a human – a baby born out of an egg.

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?

A festive day, a week have the kingdom of Polestin celebrated for their victory with the crimson general leading their army.The soldiers who served have been guaranteed a spot inside a local bar of the capital city.Clank!“The Crimson General despite being a woman is a talented warrior! Three cheers for the general!”“That woman saved me when I needed it! All hail the general!”“She's like a sister to all the soldier! All hail our general!”Every warrior kept on drinking as the news reached them that the war with their neighboring kingdom was over, the ruler raised their white flag as they asked for mercy- being beneath the crimson general.“General! Come drink with us!”“...”The Crimson General, for how she got her name is because of her crimson hair that became the trademark of her legendary name already spreading across the many kingdoms.“I don't drink.” she denies the invitation her comrades and just sat down on the table watching the others enjoy themselves.“Enjoy, general! You might even find a man here that suits to your liking! You know... your type I think...! The general would love a soft-spoken man!”“...No.”“Hah! That's a shame! In any case I heard that you'll be receiving a reward for helping win the war!”“A reward... I wonder what could it be.”...The reward:“You can choose any of my children to marry you. I have the finest royal princes for you to choose. That is my reward.” The King motions to his left side showing his sons who smiles, sitting in their throne meeting her gaze..“Eh?”“My liege, forgive me but this is...”“Are my children not good enough for you? General, I applaud your accomplishment. Isn't marrying into the royal family a good enough reward for the general?” The King asked the general who swallowed the lump in her throat looking at the princes in display.“I choose-!”Everyone stopped and waiting for the girl to continue.“I choose the princess instead!”

Twenty years ago, she was taken in as the Lin family’s young heiress through a twist of fate. But mistakes would eventually be corrected one day. When the real daughter of the family returned and her foster parents begged her to stay, she obliged. Unbeknownst to her, this was actually a scheme disguised as familial affection. They only kept her around to squeeze her dry of all her value!