My goal is to get divorced. 

Today was another day where the servants gawked over the handsome Duke Sylvester Ryzen. As usual.

His glossy black hair, thick brows, and sunken eyes were enough to capture the hearts of those who laid their eyes upon him. And the blue of his eyes? Although it was akin to that of the cold snow of the North, it couldn’t be anything but attractive.

Unfortunately, despite his breathtaking appearance, Duke Sylvester is no longer a bachelor. And to add salt to the wound, he was wed to Ophelia McGuffin, the evil witch of the century! Everyone clicked their tongue, finding the marriage to be ill-fated.

And then that happened.

“Honey!” Shrieking, Ophelia burst into the room, not even bothering to knock, just like an unruly woman with no knowledge of etiquette. 

However, Ophelia’s beauty was enough to coerce the people in the room into turning a blind eye to her discourtesy; silver hair cascading down her back, skin as fair as snow, and sparkling emerald green eyes that likens her to a snow fairy.

Ophelia McGuffin was the epitome of beauty.

Despite this, Sylvester’s gaze towards his own wife was heartless. “Is something the matter?”

Ophelia inhaled deeply at the tone of his voice. His lips were overly seductive, enough to seduce anyone as soon as they see them.

However, Ophelia was still an extraordinarily evil woman, and a black witch to boot, which is considered taboo.

‘I shouldn’t fall for that face.’

“I’m here because I wanted to tell you something.” Everyone started focusing on Ophelia.

“Let’s…”

Ophelia lifted her chin.

“Get a divorce!”

“Huh!” Everyone inside the room made the same sound.

Ophelia put her hands together close to her heart—she hopes the Duke will respond! Seeing things from the Duke’s point of view, she found that he has no reason to refuse. Even if Ophelia was the one and only child of the Grand Duke McGuffin, she was still from a family that was ruined due to gambling. Not to mention the fact that even though she was a married woman, she tirelessly pursued the Crown Prince.

She’s an evil woman who harasses everyone and a dark witch who has mastered black magic!

If he had accepted the request for a divorce and chased Ophelia away, there would be nothing but benefits for him

However…

“Ophelia.” Sylvester ripped the divorce document that Ophelia handed over to him in half. “Get out.”

“Yes.”

‘This was the fourth request already! When can I finally get a divorce?’ Ophelia sighed and turned her feet.

But before she stepped out, she turned her around one final time. “Then can I get a divorce tomorrow?”

“Get out!”

Aish.

He doesn’t love her anyway, but why can’t she get a divorce?

Ophelia wanted so bad to say ‘Let go of me! I’ll be free!’  but she couldn’t and so kept it inside. Sylvester’s eyes were too intimidating.

“I’ll shut up and go—” Ophelia left the room under a lot of pressure.

“Oh, it’s so hard to get a divorce,” she mumbled.

******

It all started when she picked up a book.

Doesn’t the title sound absolutely crazy? It was a magnet she couldn’t repel, especially since she absolutely adores drama.

The story began when the female protagonist, the Countess, picks up a boy.

When she found the boy lying near her estate, she brings him in and supports him both materially and mentally. But it turns out that the boy was the Crown Prince who went missing 16 years ago in the Imperial Household! The boy, returning as the Crown Prince, proposes to the Countess, even though she was already wed to another man.

That was how it started.

She was so excited to read the book, she didn’t realise how much time passed by. 

The love between the main characters was fun to read, they were just like Romeo and Juliet, and even the villains who appeared in the story were amazing. Every single one of them, except for one—Ophelia McGuffin.

Ophelia McGuffin was the only daughter of one of the two Grand Dukes in the Empire. Not only that, but she was also known to be so beautiful that her beauty was known even in other nations.

A perfect family and a perfect face.It was unfortunate that she donned an awful personality. Well, it was only natural.

Ever since she slapped a lady on the cheek during her debut, Ophelia was famous for her bad attitude. Keeping criticisms to yourself is what high society expects you to practice in social situations, but Ophelia chooses to ignore this unspoken rule and swears at everyone along with acting upon numerous other evil deeds.

She terrorised her servants every single day and makes harassing fellow nobles a recurring hobby.

‘She’s a bully.’

The Grand Duke, upset by his troublemaker daughter, finally came up with an idea—to marry her off right away. Not just with anyone either, but with the Duke of Ryzen who rules the North.

Ophelia strongly refused. Duke Ryzen was a half-demon!

Even if he was a lord who ruled the northern part, he was still half-demon! It was basically a marriage between demons and humans!

Ophelia was dead set against it, but the Grand Duke told her, “An evil woman and a half-demon. Is that not the perfect match?” 

Ophelia opposed further.

The Grand Duke, however, kept pushing for her marriage with the Duke since, naturally, the Grand Duke’s power and wealth were also involved.

Duke Ryzen’s proposal was not bad. Since the imperial family was trying to raise money, it would be much more profitable if the duchy joined hands with the Grand Duke. What’s more, there was no suitable marriage partner for Sylvester Ryzen since he was a half-demon.

Under these circumstances, the marriage proposal of the Grand Duchy was nothing but beneficial for him, so Sylvester Ryzen was willing to accept it, and that was how Ophelia married Duke Sylvester Ryzen.

‘This was where most of the problems started.’

As soon as Ophelia got married, her family’s debt was revealed, which was her father’s gambling debt!

Fortunately, unlike her father, Ophelia was able to escape the debt collectors because she changed her last name after marriage.

After suffering from the harrassment of the debt collectors, the Grand Duke ended his life by suicide. It was from then that Ophelia started learning black magic, and since then, Ophelia and Sylvester have completely separated themselves from each other. They lived pretending that the other never existed for years.

One day, Ophelia was invited to attend a royal ball, which was where she fell in love with the Crown Prince, the male protagonist who returned to the imperial family after 16 years.

What happened after that? She began to bully and harass the Crown Prince’s beloved, the Countess.

The level of bullying was not just playful teasing that young children do; kidnapping, isolation, assault—Ophelia harassed the female protagonist to no end. Due to this, the Prince wanted so bad to get rid of Ophelia but it was impossible, because Ophelia was the wife of Sylvester Ryzen, the most powerful man in the Empire.

Sylvester Ryzen. He was someone who interfered with everything the Prince did since his return. 

Yes, Sylvester was as bad as Ophelia in the novel.

What did the readers call him?

Ah, right.

Mr. and Mrs. Villains

At least, that’s what she used to call them, because they were written to be bad.

Eventually, the Prince who was always caught up by the Villains, succeeded in tricking them. He manipulated Ophelia who was crazy for him.

“If you truly love me, 

Kill your husband.”

Ophelia didn’t even think twice. She used black magic to destroy Sylvester’s mana, causing Sylvester’s death.  

What happened to Ophelia after that?

“You’ll be hanged for killing your husband.”

And this was how the Prince dealt with Ophelia.

‘Crazy b*stard.’ Reading the novel, she thought the Prince was not that good of a person. Isn’t it too much to use people’s minds like that!

Ophelia, too! No matter how in love you are, how can you kill your husband? ‘I don’t understand both of them.’

Of course, who she didn’t understand the most was the writer who wrote the damned novel. And with that, she fell asleep criticizing everyone endlessly.

But the moment she woke up, “Oh my God.” She possessed Ophelia. 

Ophelia, who was lying down in the pouring rain. 

After warming herself up under the watch of a maid, she lost her mind and hurriedly checked the timing. Fortunately, it was before she killed my husband. But unfortunately, everyone already knew how much Ophelia loves the Crown Prince.

I’m sure this was around the time she bullied the heroine like crazy.

Dear God. Why are you doing this to me?

She was frustrated for a few days, but eventually came to her senses, knowing she couldn’t just dawdle around doing nothing. So she made a plan.

Let’s get a divorce.

If she gets divorced, there would be no reason for the Crown Prince to use her! She just had to run away before the Crown Prince tries to manipulate her into following his evil plans.

There’s money allocated specially to the Duchess. She thought it would be perfect to just live wandering around with money, so she asked her husband one more time.

“Can I get a divorce today?”

The answer was as usual.

“Get out!”

No I mean, can’t I just get a divorce?

‘Ophelia looks pretty as usual,’ I thought to myself. I used to be an ordinary person before possessing this body. I’ve never been described as pretty, only average.

But it’s different now.

Ophelia was incredibly gorgeous.

Her silver hair that fell all the way to her waist in a beautiful wave was perfect with not a single strand out of place despite just waking up. How about her green eyes that complement her fair, snow-like skin? They looked like flowers blooming in winter. Other than her nasty expressions, everything else about her made her look like a snow fairy.

I blinked my big eyes several times, holding my cheeks with both hands.

‘Such a beautiful appearance, and yet…’

I couldn’t believe the amount of evil she’s done with this face. Remembering the story of the novel had me trembling as I lowered my hand.

In the novel, Ophelia isolated herself in an underground research room and did not come out for days after she found out that her father was dead.

And this happened around the previous month?

By the time people no longer remembered Ophelia, she had to finally reveal herself. With the help of a sticky lump of black magic.

She talked to the spirit in the lump, “Father. Come back, father.”

Ophelia was trying to use black magic to call for the spirit of the Grand Duke of McGuffin! Not to mention the command she used was a spell that violates the laws of the Empire. If the spirit she summoned ran away, it would have caused a big commotion, which is why Sylvester was furious when he found out and immediately imprisoned Ophelia. He also didn’t forget to burn the strange objects that were summoned by Ophelia.

‘After that incident, we’ve been completely estranged.’ But recently, I’ve been talking and moving little by little in this body.

But I wondered, “Can I… use black magic?” My hands shook at the thought. I could at least follow Ophelia’s usual tone and expression, but wielding black magic? I’m not so sure, I’ve never tried to do it after all.

‘I have to test it out later.’

Other faults of Ophelia included being someone who had to do everything she had decided to do—a woman faithful to her desires. If she dislikes something, she would raise her hand at it, and even if she likes something, she would refuse to show it, so she kicks it!

Wow, how bad must have you been to the female lead!

‘She even tried to sell her to a slave dealer.’

Fortunately, this hasn’t happened yet, but of course, such a terrible and insane thing happened before Ophelia’s death.

Ophelia had done countless awful things to the female lead. In addition to insulting and ostracizing her, the female lead’s husband’s business was ruined by her. There were already rumours that Ophelia loves the crown prince so much that she torments the poor female lead.

‘I’m going crazy.’

If I was going to possess someone, why couldn’t it have happened earlier in the story? Why now?

And why was Ophelia standing alone in the heavy rain anyways? Irene, who helped me, said she thought I was dead.

‘Unless…’

Did Ophelia die then? Is that why I’m here? But the book mentioned no such thing, so what actually happened?

My mind is in shambles, but, whatever it is, the most important thing now is that Ipossess Ophelia.

Yes, the ‘healthy’ Ophelia.

I contracted autoimmune disease, so I spent my life sick in bed. I don’t even remember the last time I slept while breathing properly. I used to lie in bed everyday, wondering when I would die; will I die tomorrow? Maybe the day after tomorrow? Or maybe the day after the day after tomorrow?

For me, who was so very close to death, transmigrating into this body was like winning the lottery. This body is healthy! And it doesn’t hurt!

I looked in the mirror again and saw her expressionless and indifferent face, but I also saw a strong body with a healthy complexion.

I’ve never felt so much ease.

‘I’m gonna survive.’

So I decided.

‘We need to get divorced.’

That way, I will no longer be associated with my villainous husband, and I will be able to get along with the Crown Prince.

But—

‘I’ve already been turned down five times.’

At this rate, I felt like I was going to fill up the divorce requests, but I’m determined.

“Let’s see for how long you’re going to refuse.”

I’m a dedicated Korean citizen. I’ll set up three plans to get a divorce.

The first order of business: Waste money.

******

“Oh… Oh my.”

Irene covered her mouth and quietly let out a sigh while I laughed at her.

“Oh, pleased to meet you, Duchess, I am Madame Jonah.”

“It’s an honour to meet you like this, Duchess, I am Antra.”

“Thank you for your invitation, Duchess, I am Shine.”

These are the representative designers of the best boutique in the capital city; one person alone is of incredible value, and since three people have been called, the amount of money to be paid will be enormous.

Of course, I didn’t mean to end the day by just calling them here.

Let’s say hello first.

“Nice to meet you.” I reached out to them, giving them the peculiar, arrogant laughter the Duchess has.

They shook and kissed the back of my hand, but I can see how nervous they all are. They seemed to be frightened by the fact that the evil Duchess called them.

‘I mean, did you think I was going to eat you alive?’

I wanted to, and it would’ve been possible since I’m now Ophelia, but then I’d be no different from the real Ophelia.

“That’s enough for greetings.” I looked at the three designers. “You’ve got a catalogue, don’t you?”

“Yes! We do!”

“We’ve got all the catalogues for this season.”

After glancing down at the thick books they stuck out to me, I raised an eyebrow and frowned slightly.

“I don’t even have to look at it.”

“Hiik”! Everyone was scared and closed their eyes tightly. I didn’t even do anything.

I raised my chin, pretending to be calm. “Give me everything.”

There are more than 10 dresses per volume in the catalogue, and a total of 3 books, so I can get at least 30 pieces even if I don’t get all of them. The combined costs of the designers and dresses would amount to half a year of living on a local estate.

If I’m going to be extravagant, I should at least do this much.

That’s how I can get divorce. Or at least, that’s what I thought.

“Oh my…” Irene approached me with a sigh, but then she proceeded to say something strange, “Is that alright, ma’am?”

I frowned, wondering what this meant. “Why, am I not allowed to buy this much?”

Badump badump My heart started to beat fast.

No matter how well I can show off as Ophelia, I was still a commoner through and through. I wasn’t bold enough to maintain my impudence while spending such a large sum of money.

“It’s just that you’re spending a lot less than usual.”

‘Huh?’

“You used to buy every dress for the next season. If they didn’t have it, you would’ve yelled, ‘Make it!’,” Irene said lightly.

“Then, Duchess, would you like us to make it for the coming season, too?”

I couldn’t bear to answer and kept my mouth shut.

‘Ophelia, you really spent your money like water huh…’

Abort mission. I failed because I was too much of a commoner in my previous life.

‘I have a second plan.’

Actually, I didn’t want to do this. But I had to. Because Ophelia is an evil woman.

‘Mistreating the servants.’

Inhale, exhale. 

I took deep breaths. The Duke of Sylvester was known to care about the servants of the castle, he even knows all of their names. Which means…

‘If I bully them, I’m sure I’ll get in trouble.’

If I mess with his beloved servants, wouldn’t he scold me? Which would then lead to a divorce!

‘So I have no choice but to do it.’

I took another deep breath and opened the door and strode towards the maid cleaning the hallway.

“Hey.”

“Y- yes, ma’am?”

Ignoring the startled maid, I swept the railing with my finger, gray dust sticking onto them. “Look at how much dust is still here.”

“Oh!” The maid’s eyes looked as if they were going to pop out.

“I-I’m sorry, I was careless.”

“You were careless, you said?”

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry, unknown extra.’ I shut my eyes tight and kicked the bucket filled with water.

Cak! 

Dirty water poured onto the polished hallway.

“Wipe it again.”

The maid’s mouth opened wide.

Badump, badump. 

My heart was about to burst, but I can’t show it—I’m an evil duchess after all.

“Go on, I’ll watch until you finally do it right.” Nothing is worse than having to see your boss at work, so I glanced down at the trembling maid with my arms crossed.

The maid clenched the mop in tears. “I- I’m sorry, I will clean it up quickly.”

Seeing her, my conscience ached.

‘Am I really allowed to do this?’ I felt guilt rise up in me.

It was then. 

“Madam!” The butler, Oliver, came running. “W-what’s going on—!”

He swallowed and breathed in, I wonder if he was that surprised at what I had done, so I raised my chin pretending to be fine.

“Why, am I not even allowed to educate the maid?”

Badump. Badump. 

My heart started beating hard again; if the butler opposes me, there would be a commotion, and if there’s a commotion, the news is going to reach Sylvester, and I’ll finally be kicked out!

Please get angry! Get angry at me, Oliver!

I opened my eyes bigger as if I was challenging him.

“No, that’s not the case at all!”

Oliver raised his two thumbs up and applauded.

“You did a great job!”

‘W-what?’

“This child must have been cleaning the hallway with dirty water because she was too lazy!”

“I apologise!”

‘This is not right—?’

The butler looked at the maid’s face and breathed a sigh of relief. “You’ve been disgraceful, and you’re even completely clueless of how lucky you are right now!” 

“…What?”

“Madam, you didn’t stab the child’s eye like you did last time!”

‘Was I that bad?!’

“And before that, you made her take a shower using a mop!”

‘Ophelia, you—?!’

“But this time, you simply spilled the water… You handled it very well, Madam.”

He looked at me. “I think I might be tearing up.”

‘No, I think I’m the one who’s going to cry… Ophelia, How the hell have you lived?’

Now, ‘Operation: Torture the servants’ has been removed because I failed. Badly.

******

We only have one last plan.

No matter how evil Ophelia was, I don’t think she could have done this. This is something that would destroy Ophelia’s pride.

It’s called, 

“Stealing money.”

If you’re a Duchess, you should definitely steal your family’s money. It’s normal to steal money and spend it on a man. 

‘But I can’t meet a man now.’ 

And there won’t be a man to meet me. My notoriety has already been spread all over the country.

Moving on, I was in the Duke’s study trying to take his money.

“It would be nice to steal something like a bill.”

That way, Sylvester will be more embarrassed to find out later that a bill is missing, then I’ll be one step closer to getting a divorce.

‘I mean, why the hell aren’t you giving me a divorce anyways?’

If I was him, I would have agreed without hesitation. I really can’t for the life of me read Duke Sylvester at all.

‘Well, we’ve never had a conversation either.’

But what kind of conversation can we have when he tells me to leave just by looking at my face? I almost get neurosis whenever I am told to go out.

I opened the drawer, and I saw a bunch of documents scattered inside.

“Is there anything useful here?” I rummaged through the drawers, flipping and turning the documents.

“Perhaps this is worth something—”

Then the door opened and Duke Sylvester came in.

He stopped and stared at me. The me that was searching through his drawers.

A thief caught red-handed was exactly what I looked like.

“What…” Sylvester’s lips slowly opened. “What are you doing?”

I swallowed nervously, trying to pretend like I didn’t care. “It’s exactly what it looks like—I was searching for something in your study.”

“Why is that?”

“I was wondering if you had any money, but I’ve seen nothing so far. The Duke is a lot poorer than I expected,” I said, doing my best to make Duke angry.

If he gets mad, he may agree to the divorce. However, my heart felt like it was going to explode from how fast it was beating. I’m very weak after all.

“You—” Sylvester’s handsome face crumpled.

‘Are you going to yell?’

I closed my eyes and prepared myself.

“You’re finally acting as the proper lady of the house.”

‘….What?’

“I see you’ve come to your senses.”

‘No, what are you talking about?’