The Substitute Bride's Retribution: A Kiss to Seal His Arrogance

When young Nina, brimming with innocence, confessed her love to the handsome, older Max, he mocked her as a "doll-playing kid" before shattering her heart further by forcing her to witness her sister Celia's intimate night with him.‌
‌In a single day, her world collapsed. Fleeing the pain, Nina vanished overseas to rebuild herself through education.‌
‌Four years later, the now-polished beauty returns—only to be shackled by her father's gambling debts into marrying Max, the man she loathes most, in her runaway sister's place. As past and present collide, their wounded prides clash like dueling swords, igniting a war of twisted passion that will either forge a new bond… or destroy them both.

Charm to Attract the Soul

Andini was just a little girl who tirelessly worked to provide for her family. However, her life turned into a nightmare when her sacrifices were betrayed by her own brother, Yogi, who cruelly sold her to his friends for dirty profits.

Desperate, Andini took an extreme step—she sought out a legendary shaman, known for his mystical powers and sought after by many. With the shaman's help, Andini implanted a *susuk genderuwo*, a mystical charm that ensured she remained a virgin and bled every time she was intimate with a client.

But this dark power came at a cost! To keep the *susuk genderuwo* from losing its potency, Andini had to offer life after life as sacrifices.

Her life changed drastically—she became unimaginably wealthy, but at the same time, she was consumed by terrifying dark forces. However, as the darkness continued to tighten its grip on her, she found herself losing control over her own fate.

The Mad Wife of the Tyrant

As the unrecognized daughter of the Northern King, I've never felt a bond with my father or any kin of his line. To them, I've always been merely a tool, fit for political alliance or to be sold off for coin.

One day, out of the blue, I was dragged in front of my estranged father.

"Good news, my dear daughter. Your husband has been chosen." The King, my supposed father, uttered with misty eyes.

"Um... you realize this is our first meeting, don't you, 'dad'?" I needed not to ask why he suddenly showed interest in me; I was certain I was about to be auctioned off to some rich lord. Those watery eyes must have been from joy at the money he'd reap from selling his illegitimate daughter.

"Be glad, my child! The offer comes from Emperor Ícaro Brown himself!" The King exclaimed with a smile.

Emperor Ícaro Brown? The most savage emperor to ever live?

Even within the confines of the castle, word of the tyrant emperor had reached me. People are always discussing how many people he killed, or how many kindom he has destroyed. I believe that everyone in the empire, at this moment, is taking a bet on how long the new empress will survive in the hands of that tyrant.

Knowing I was destined to be sold off was bad enough. However, I'd much rather be shipped off to some charming northern duke than this heartless monster.

Yet, despite my fear, I was pushed into a carriage set for the empire. Well, if I am destined to die anyway, I might as well make some waves before I breathe my last. I will make a name for myself as the unhinged queen, the perfect match for a brutal emperor.

However... after I made some crazy actions, the emperor embraced me instead of chopping off my head?