My Contract Marriage Got Interrupted (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 6
Odette’s mother had caught the Emperor’s eye by chance while working as Empress Catarina’s maid.
But that was all.
“Even though you’re nothing more than a bastard child, why do you keep scheming after another woman’s man? Don’t you learn anything, even knowing how your mother died? They say daughters take after their mothers—and you’ve inherited her foolishness perfectly.”
Odette’s mother never even became the Emperor’s official consort and gave birth to Odette alone.
It wasn’t particularly rare for palace maids to occasionally fall into affairs with nobles and bear illegitimate children, but Odette knew well the story of how the palace had been thrown into uproar simply because the child happened to resemble the Emperor strikingly.
After all, her nursemaid had always repeated that tale, urging her to live as though dead.
“Your Highness, you are not welcomed in this imperial household. So no matter what people say, just accept it as your fate. Where else could a princess like you receive even this much privilege?”
Actually, upon reflection, Odette realized her nursemaid usually said those words right after she’d been insulted for being a bastard.
For instance, after a heated argument with Regina or Blake.
Whenever Odette returned home fuming after such humiliations, her nursemaid always told her she had to endure.
“You have no backing—drawing too much attention will only get you cut down before you even sprout. You must bear it, Your Highness.”
“But I spoke the truth!”
“Think carefully of the history books you enjoy so much. Was Count Turin executed under the tyrant King Arcur III because his words were wrong?”
“……!”
“Right and wrong don’t matter. Only power does.”
Her nursemaid’s advice was cold, yet wise.
And ever since Odette had gained sense, she had followed it faithfully.
She lived secluded within the palace, avoiding all social engagements, existing as though invisible.
She remained silent even when Regina slapped her face with absurd accusations, and smiled politely, calling Blake “older brother,” even when he hurled cruel words to provoke her.
Just as she was doing now.
“There’s nothing good in lashing out in a situation like this.”
She understood that clearly in her mind.
Losing her temper here would erase all meaning behind her years of bowing her head and holding her breath.
It would only push farther away the future she longed for—leaving the palace and living quietly.
“Besides, Ellie still has the letter to deliver to Count Clovis.”
Causing trouble here would only make it harder for Ellie to pass along the message.
Grinding her teeth, Odette endured—until Regina tapped her temple mockingly with her fan and sneered,
“As a bastard, you should be grateful just to be called an imperial princess. It’s shameful enough that someone as shameless as you shares our family name. Understand? Stay away from Duke Ertman. Act according to your station.”
At that insult, Ellie behind Odette clenched her teeth and whispered under her breath, “How dare she…!”
Anyone would have lost their temper—but Odette had to endure.
She was nothing but a weed in the palace, with no one to back her.
“…Yes, I won’t. I won’t involve myself with Duke Ertman again.”
So Odette smiled, as she always did.
At least smiling meant she wouldn’t get slapped.
“Just hold on a little longer—only until I receive a reply from Count Clovis.”
Walter’s sudden appearance had complicated matters slightly, but the situation wasn’t utterly hopeless.
Above all, thanks to Regina’s outburst, it was now clear that Walter’s interference hadn’t been orchestrated by either Catarina or Regina.
“Then… I still don’t understand how Duke Ertman learned of my plan…”
But as long as the Empress’s side hadn’t discovered it, there was still hope.
After Regina left, having thrown her tantrum, and Ellie departed to deliver the letter—
Odette stared down at the blank paper, calming her churning heart.
“There’s still plenty of time.”
All she needed was a reply from Count Clovis.
Once she met him, everything would be resolved.
[This is the timeline separator]…Or so she had thought.
It seemed Odette’s misfortune was far from over.
“Count Clovis… is ill and receiving no visitors?”
“Yes. Ever since returning from the victory celebration banquet, he suddenly fell ill and isn’t in any condition to see anyone…”
Hearing Ellie explain that she’d had no choice but to hand the letter to a steward and leave, Odette frowned in confusion.
“He’s been sick ever since the victory celebration? But I saw Count Clovis perfectly well that very day.”
“But it didn’t seem like a lie. The main residence was empty—I even had to go all the way to the townhouse.”
If a noble family’s main estate served as their official reception venue, the townhouse was a private retreat.
It was meant for long-term rest and rarely hosted guests.
Thus, Louis retreating to the townhouse truly signified serious illness.
“Besides, neither the main residence nor the townhouse showed any sign of visitors. Both places were completely silent.”
With such solid circumstantial evidence, it was highly likely Louis was genuinely unwell.
It was just… the timing felt suspicious.
“He seemed perfectly fine right up until I handed him my note—but the moment the banquet ended, he collapsed in bed?”
Even calling it coincidence felt too convenient.
It was as if every event had been orchestrated precisely to trap her.
Ellie seemed to sense the same, unable to hide her worried expression.
“Perhaps Your Highness should go see him in person? If an imperial princess visits, surely they’d let you in.”
“I’d like to—but you know well I simply can’t afford to right now.”
Ever since rumors spread about Walter, Regina wasn’t the only one who’d come to see Odette.
Empress Catarina herself—the very woman who’d been Odette’s mother’s employer—had also visited.
Though her expression was gentler than Regina’s, the empress’s piercing blue eyes always surveyed Odette with the same sharp scrutiny, as if assessing whether she posed a threat.
Then she stated her purpose plainly.
“You know well, without me spelling it out, what’s happening now. Because of this, your invitations have piled up considerably. Both I and Regino are quite… inconvenienced.”
Catarina always spoke this way—
stating the situation, then hinting at her request indirectly.
So Odette, quick to understand, immediately offered the appropriate response.
“I apologize deeply for the trouble, Your Majesty. If you could help me select which invitations are suitable to attend, I’ll go. The rumors should then quiet down somewhat, so please don’t worry.”
In short, Catarina’s request was this:
“Go around society and deny the rumors yourself.”
Of course, since Walter himself had admitted it, some gossip was inevitable—but at least this way, Regina’s dignity would be somewhat preserved.
Given that Catarina couldn’t outright reject all invitations sent to Odette, this was clearly her best option.
Thus, for several days, Odette had to travel from one social gathering to another, explaining herself repeatedly.
The sudden increase in outside engagements was bearable enough—but what truly wore her down was people’s reactions after hearing her explanations.
“So Duke Ertman must have misunderstood something. Honestly, it never made sense from the start—walking a tightrope between Third and Fourth Imperial Princesses?”
Those who dismissed her outright, saying “I knew it,” were almost preferable.
“Might you have hoped, just a little, when the rumors started spreading, Your Highness? One never knows what fate holds.”
“Oh my, don’t say such things about someone who might marry soon!”
“Isn’t Marquis Marbo’s son a year older than you, Your Highness? Since you’re close in age, you’ll get along splendidly.”
People made comments designed to prick Odette’s pride, watching closely to see if she’d flare up or look hurt—enjoying her discomfort like spectators tossing stones at a caged animal.
“This is truly the worst.”
Even without actively participating in society, Odette had long understood its mechanics—after all, the palace itself was a grand social arena.
Yet even for her, such blatant mockery was hard to endure.
Within just a few days, Odette’s face grew noticeably thinner. Once committed to light makeup, she now had to apply heavier layers to conceal her pallor and the dark shadows beneath her eyes.
Thankfully, Ellie was skilled with cosmetics.
“Still, Your Highness, you look absolutely beautiful.”
“I don’t care for flattery, Ellie.”
“Oh, have you ever seen me flatter anyone? I’m always sincere.”
Ellie grinned as she handed Odette a mirror.
And indeed, Odette’s reflection was stunning.
Her naturally long, lush lashes and round eyes gave her a modest yet fresh appearance—but the recent weight loss had sharpened the elegant line from her neck to shoulders, enhancing her grace.
Moreover, her deeper-set eyes and Odette’s characteristic quiet aura now carried a melancholic tenderness that stirred a strange urge to protect her.
“Ellie, your makeup skills seem even better than before.”
“It’s because Your Highness grows more beautiful every day!”
At Odette’s playful remark, Ellie smiled brightly and draped a sheer veil over her shoulders.
The dress Odette wore today was far more elaborate and ornate than her usual attire.
The reason was simple.
She had to attend the Emperor’s afternoon tea.
Though imperial family members were obligated to attend, Odette had always skipped it, citing poor health.
But after actively attending other social events, she couldn’t possibly avoid the Emperor’s gathering.
“At least… only imperial family sit at the main table—they won’t tear into me openly.”
Though that meant facing Catarina, Regina, and Blake all at once—was that really something to call fortunate?
Odette sighed and stood from her seat.
“It’s time to go. Ellie, visit Count Clovis once more. No matter the difficulty, you must get a reply.”
“Yes, I will. Please be careful, Your Highness—you haven’t slept properly since yesterday.”
Odette gave a light yawn and a smile, then left the palace.
But as Ellie had said, her condition wasn’t good. She’d lost sleep for days, fretting over marriage matters.
“There’s truly no time left.”
She’d managed to avoid it this long—but if she met the Emperor today, she couldn’t possibly dodge discussions about the marriage proposal from the Marquis of the Borderlands.
“And once that topic arises, the engagement will become a certainty.”
It was precisely this that weighed so heavily on Odette’s mind.
She had to prevent it at all costs—but…
“If circumstances turn truly desperate, I may have to take drastic measures.”
With a heart full of turmoil, Odette headed toward the tea reception.
All the way to the palace conservatory-turned-tea-hall, her thoughts were filled with Louis.
But the moment she arrived, she found herself unable to think at all.
Because something she’d never imagined awaited her there.
When yandere male lead believes she loves him — but she never did
“How dare you!”
“How dare you make me love you, only to cast me aside as nothing more than a friend?!?
“I will never accept that.”
“I will never let you return to him.”
“Even if I have to burn myself to ashes.”
“Even if I must shatter my purity, my dignity, my very soul.”
“I will never let you escape me!”
This was the first novel that introduced me to the matriarchal genre. I’ve read it three times already!
At first, the male lead despised the female lead. Later, he misunderstood that she liked him, so he condescendingly and reluctantly reciprocated her feelings.
Then, he suddenly discovered that she was kind to everyone in the same way, and there was already someone she cherished in her heart, and that person was not him.
The male lead couldn’t believe it, he became angry and crazy. He was determined to capture her body and heart by any means necessary.
Synopsis:
Want to see how a green tea bitch male lead falls in love with the female lead?
Want to see how he flirtatiously pursues the female lead?
Want to see how he gets slapped in the face repeatedly?
The male lead is a green tea bitch, a poisonous lotus, jealous, ruthless, unscrupulous, with a venomous heart, and he’s also a delusional maniac.
The female lead is righteous, positive energy-filled, kind, a holy mother.
Let’s see how two people with extreme personalities come together~
_____
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But wouldn’t it be the perfect time to speak with Xavier in a safe manner? There are plenty of people around and she needs information from him.
He isn’t suspicious of Duke Ertman? Considering the rumors the Duke amplified, he has motive to drive a wedge between Louis and Odette. Yet Louie doesn’t question Walter’s words? I’d think he’d be suspicious of Walter casting the curse. Walter’s motive for doing so might be unknown but his words, seemingly knowledgeable about the curse itself and blaming it upon Odette, whom the Duke has insinuated a relationship with while Odette says otherwise, gives plenty to be wary about.
Is this woman serious saying ‘I lied to them, why won’t they believe me?’ Wow she seems a bit delusional.