Strategic Marriage with the Mad Villain (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 1
I entered into a contract marriage with the villain to safely escape my family. But this ends today.
‘I’m finally stepping out of the original story.’
Memories of all my struggles flashed through my mind one by one, and for a moment, my emotions welled up uncontrollably. But I quickly pulled myself together.
I can savor my joy once I reach my vacation spot.
In Belliata, where my new life will begin!
‘I should leave right away before it’s too late.’
I picked up my bags from the floor and headed toward the stairs.
But then I noticed a faint silhouette near the railing. Soon enough, I recognized who it was.
“…Reus?”
The man stepping out of the shadows was none other than Reus Rocheter—the very villain of this novel and the one I’d entered a contract marriage with.
I’d thought I might miss saying goodbye since he’d been nowhere to be seen all day, but luckily, we ran into each other right at the end.
“You must have finished work late today.”
“I had some urgent matters to handle, so I’m a bit behind schedule.”
Reus said that, then fixed his gaze on me—more precisely, on the bags I was holding in both hands.
“Reus?”
He’d been staring blankly at my luggage until I called his name, then finally turned his eyes to me, his eyes curving into a gentle smile.
“I just thought your bags looked too heavy.”
“Oh, these? They’re not as heavy as they look. I packed mostly light things.”
“Is that so?”
Money could always be withdrawn from the bank, and anything I needed, I could buy once I arrived in Belliata.
I gave him a reassuring smile and adjusted my grip on the bags again.
Then I hesitated briefly, looking at Reus, wanting to express my gratitude—since this was truly our last meeting.
After carefully choosing my words, I settled on a simple but sincere phrase.
“Thank you… for everything.”
It was a rather brief expression of thanks, but judging by Reus’s reaction, he seemed to understand that I truly meant it.
A brief silence settled between us.
I gave him an awkward smile and walked past him.
But then—
“You’d better put those bags down and get some rest for now, Roel.”
His words stopped me in my tracks after only a few steps.
‘What’s this sudden—’
There was no way Reus didn’t know where I was headed.
I’d told him endlessly—from the moment we first made our contract and all throughout its duration—that I’d bought a new identity and planned to start a new life in Belliata, the famous resort town.
‘…I guess he forgot. Well, maybe it’s natural. After all, we’re only bound by a contract.’
Thinking back to how Reus always reacted whenever I talked about Belliata, this was entirely plausible.
He’d always seemed utterly indifferent, either giving me a bored look or openly displaying his disinterest.
Still, since this was our final moment, I felt an explanation was necessary, so I turned back toward him.
“Reus, you seem to have forgotten—it’s today. The day I always talked about, the day I leave for Belliata.”
While I spoke, Reus stepped closer, flashed a faint smile, and then simply took my bags and started walking away with them.
“I know.”
“Yes, today—what?”
Caught off guard by his unexpected reply, I widened my eyes, and Reus added,
“I just meant there won’t be any ships at the harbor if you go now, so you’d only be wasting your effort.”
No ships…?
I couldn’t have possibly mixed up the departure time—I’d double- and triple-checked my ticket and schedule for days. Then it hit me: one plausible explanation.
“Oh.”
No wonder I’d felt uneasy all day. The wind had been strong, apparently causing the ferry to be canceled.
I nodded a few times in understanding.
“So… when did they say the next ferry would run?”
If I’d been told the ferry was canceled, I should’ve also been informed when the next one would depart—whether a time or a date or something. But no answer came to my question.
Reus merely kept smiling.
‘…Why does this feel so ominous?’
Whenever Reus smiled like that, things never ended well.
After holding my gaze steadily for a moment, Reus finally spoke.
“Didn’t I already tell you?”
“Tell me what…?”
“That there won’t be any ships at the harbor if you go now.”
As he said this, Reus looked oddly pleased.
While I was still confused, Reus set my bags down in the hallway and gently placed both hands on my shoulders. Then he turned me around and steered me forward.
“You’d better head back now, Roel.”
Straight toward our shared bedroom.
Though I moved my feet, my head remained stubbornly turned toward Reus—a silent demand for explanation—but I received none.
Eventually, I couldn’t hold back any longer and halted my steps.
“Reus, I won’t go back until you properly explain what’s going on.”
At my firm stance, Reus looked momentarily flustered. But seeing that I had no intention of changing my mind, he quickly spoke.
“It’s exactly as I said. Even if you go to the harbor now, there won’t be any ships.”
“That’s precisely why—doesn’t that mean the ferry was canceled? If you heard the cancellation news, you must’ve also been told when the next ferry would run—like a time or a date or something.”
“There are no nearby departures, so I have nothing to tell you.”
He claimed to know today was the day I’d long awaited, yet he seemed oddly relaxed.
A creeping sense of unease made my nerves taut.
“If there’s no ship soon… well, I suppose that can’t be helped. Then… what about after that?”
At my question, Reus’s expression brightened even more.
As if that was exactly what he’d been waiting for me to ask.
“There won’t be any.”
“…What?”
I responded dumbly because Reus’s expression looked as though he himself had canceled the ship bound for Belliata.
‘…No, that can’t be. He has no reason to do that.’
Reus, of all people, wouldn’t do such a thing—he’d sincerely said he wanted to help me.
‘Right. My plan’s been disrupted, so I’m just being overly sensitive… Reus would never do that to me…’
Just then, a large hand cupped my cheek. Reus gently tilted my chin up so I’d look at him, then softly spoke while meeting my eyes.
“That’s exactly right.”
As if he could read my thoughts.
“Roel, there won’t be any ships heading to Belliata—ever again.”
“……”
“Forever.”
Reus rubbed my cheek affectionately as he continued.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of you holding onto false hope.”
The face of this cruel villain, who spoke such heartless words, looked brighter and more radiant than I’d ever seen before.
001. I’m a side character trying to escape the original story.
My fiancé—no, the male lead Cassien Ershian—and I have been engaged for four years now.
Or, put differently, it’s been four years since Cassien began hesitating to marry me without even giving a clear reason.
And today, that man showed up at my house and said this outright:
“I’d like to delay our wedding by another year.”
He didn’t even greet me properly, let alone show any sign of apology.
“What do you think?”
“……”
And what did he mean, “What do you think?”
I was so flabbergasted I couldn’t even speak. Hadn’t he just recently claimed he wouldn’t postpone the wedding any further? Apparently, he’d already forgotten all about that.
After a long silence, just as I was starting to feel bored, his gaze—which had been fixed on the window the whole time—briefly turned to me.
“Roel. Did you hear me?”
“…Yeah.”
“So we’re postponing it, then?”
Without even waiting for my answer, Cassien moved on to the next topic as if he already knew what I’d say.
“Oh, and about meeting tomorrow—I’ve got an urgent appointment that just came up, so I probably can’t make it.”
Again, not a trace of guilt. After rattling off such unreasonable things, Cassien turned his head back toward the window.
“…Cassien.”
“Hmm, Roel.”
At his mechanical reply, something inside my head snapped with a clear *snap*.
What I said next was something I’d never have said in my past life.
“Let’s call off our engagement.”
It was entirely Cassien’s fault.
[This is the timeline separator]Ever since I gained the ability to think, I’ve instinctively known one thing:
That the world I live in is the very novel I read in my past life—.
Shortened to .
This novel was about an endlessly flighty male lead falling hard for a strong-willed female lead, but refusing to admit it—thus steadily walking the path of the regretful male lead. And in the latter half, he desperately clings to the female lead in a classic “regret” storyline.
In , my role was merely a side character.
A disposable tool used only to clearly illustrate Cassien’s personality and life, then callously discarded.
After being rejected by Cassien, I was engaged by my family’s decision to Reus, head of the Grand Duchy of Rocheter.
Does that sound a bit better for a side character dumped by the male lead?
‘Like hell it does…’
I’m deeply dissatisfied with my role and backstory in this novel.
Especially regarding my engagement to Reus Rocheter.
Because the Grand Duke Rocheter—Reus—is the villain in !
Shortly after our engagement, he leads the ducal knights to storm the imperial palace—but his rebellion fails. In the end, Reus, his fiancée (me), and my entire family meet a tragic massacre ending!
It’s already heartbreaking enough to be cast aside by the male lead—now a gruesome ending awaits me on top of that.
But… I never altered the original plot.
On the contrary, for 22 years, I’ve faithfully lived according to the original story.
I feared that if I recklessly changed things, the altered plot might trap me—or I might unintentionally die even sooner.
‘Ah, I did try to change things once… because of Cassien.’
But that was only a fleeting thought.
I quickly gave up once I realized Cassien wasn’t someone who’d change no matter how hard I tried.
In any case, what I’m saying is that, until just now, I’ve faithfully stuck to my character settings in this world in front of the male lead.
But Cassien’s behavior this time was simply beyond tolerance.
So, in a fit of anger, I suggested breaking off our engagement!
Yet this damn man didn’t seem to take my words seriously at all.
Cassien casually smiled, gave me his usual gentle eye-smile, and calmly asked,
“Huh? What did you say, Roel?”
“……”
What on earth did I ever see in this guy to have loved him so desperately I’d give him my liver and gallbladder?
“Roel?”
His face—normally one I adored just looking at—now made my blood boil just by seeing it.
Barely holding onto my composure, I spoke with a hint of irritation.
“Let’s break off our engagement.”
Cassien, who’d been lounging with crossed legs and gazing endlessly at the garden outside the window, finally turned fully toward me.
“…What?”
He frowned slightly, as if doubting his own ears.
To that Cassien, I gave a bright smile and declared the end of our relationship.
“Let’s just call it off, Cassien.”
[This is the timeline separator]
“Ugh, this is so annoying.”
I’d summoned real courage to say those words, but Cassien must’ve thought I was just making a small complaint. Claiming he had an urgent appointment, he said we’d talk again tomorrow and just walked out of the parlor.
Left utterly alone in the parlor, I sat down in the seat Cassien had just vacated and looked out the window. Rare, exquisite flowers bloomed in full glory, each showing off its own splendor.
“…They really are pretty.”
It was a garden so dazzlingly beautiful that you could forget the person right in front of you mid-conversation.
Just like my mother, Peria.
As soon as I made that connection, my mother’s face automatically appeared in my mind.
‘She couldn’t have already told anyone about my breaking off the engagement, could she?’
I’d acted boldly because I had some confidence, but if Peria heard about it right now, I’d be finished that very day.
“As long as Mother doesn’t hear about it…”
Ah, whatever. It’ll work out somehow.
Anyway, he didn’t seem to take it seriously at all. He’d probably go off meeting other women and forget all about it. He said he’d come tomorrow, but he clearly wouldn’t show up.
This wasn’t a problem I could solve just by thinking about it. Deciding not to waste more energy on something useless, I stood up and left the parlor.
On my way to my room tucked away in a corner of the annex, I passed through the corridor connecting the main house and the annex—only to stop short upon seeing someone standing right at the entrance.
My younger half-sister, Briella, had apparently been waiting for me and tilted her head with a smile.
“He cheated again, didn’t he?”
“……”
They say if you count to three with patience, even murder can be forgiven.
‘Just endure…’
I silently calmed myself and tried to walk past Briella. But then—
“This time it’s with Lady Verodika, right? Ah… judging by your expression, you didn’t know? You remember her—the one who’s been acting all nice to you every day? Ring any bells?”
The moment I heard Verodika’s name, I automatically froze in place.
After all, that woman—with her striking violet hair and red eyes—was one of the villains who tormented the female lead horribly in the original story.
‘So this is when Cassien meets her, huh.’
Briella’s news was surprising, but it didn’t make me angry.
‘I really don’t care at all.’
It should’ve been this way from the start. Why did I struggle so hard to follow the original story?
Anyway, even if I broke off with the male lead, it’s not like I’d immediately get engaged to the villain.
In the original plot, Reus only engaged me later, judging that the Yveler family could assist his rebellion.
Reus wouldn’t actually launch his rebellion for another two years or so. Would my calling off the engagement with Cassien really accelerate that?
Impossible.
‘Even if by some miracle it did, I’d probably escape with a new identity before anything else happens.’
Just then, Briella spoke again.
“They said they’re going on a cozy date tomorrow… Hmm… was it the theater? Anyway, too bad for you, sister.”
I didn’t know whether Cassien and Verodika were really meeting, or if they were really going to the theater tomorrow.
“That’s what I heard. And thanks for your concern.”
Yet I simply replied like that.
Briella seemed momentarily taken aback, then quickly curled her lips into a clear sneer—apparently assuming I was pretending not to care.
“He broke his promise again to go fool around, didn’t he? If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to show my face.”
“……”
“It’s already been four years of engagement—how pitiful. Oh, wait—didn’t he just ask to postpone it again?”
Since I kept staying silent, Briella gleefully launched into a full-blown tirade against me.
“What if Cassien really dumps you, sister! You should at least try harder! Who knows… maybe if you cling to his pant leg, he’ll feel sorry enough to marry you.”
“That’s right. He did ask to postpone it again. As for trying harder… well, I’m not sure.”
“What… what?”
Briella, who clearly expected me to burst into tears, now wore a foolishly stunned expression—as if she’d just been smacked from behind.
“I think you’ve said all you wanted, so I’ll go ahead first, Bri.”
A sharp voice immediately shot out from behind me.
“Hey! Are you insane? Stand still! Hey! Roel! Hey!!”
When I still refused to turn around no matter how much she screamed, she finally snapped—shouting that I’d only come to my senses once I was practically sold off to some old man in marriage, spewing all kinds of curses.
But I paid her no mind, walking calmly toward the annex.
‘After all, I plan to leave the empire long before that happens.’
With slightly lighter steps.
[This is the timeline separator]Perhaps thanks to my relieved state of mind, I’d slept deeply for the first time in a long while. But then, out of nowhere, a group of maids stormed into my little room first thing in the morning!
The maids dragged me—still half-asleep—to my room in the main house.
When I asked why, their answer was always the same.
“It’s the mistress’s order.”
‘Couldn’t she give me a heads-up when guests are coming…’
Normally, I stay in the annex.
Specifically, in a shabby storeroom tucked into the deepest corner of the annex, where sunlight hardly reaches. That was the only space my mother, Peria, ever permitted me to occupy.
But on days like today, when unexpected visitors arrived, I had to sit in the room they’d prepared just for show.
‘If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be simpler to just let me live here…’
I grumbled inwardly, but I knew better.
Peria was the kind of person who’d go to any trouble—but would never, ever stand to see me happy or comfortable.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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