The Dark Lord Obsesses Over His Fake Wife (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 2
In the original story, Betty was a minor character who led me into the mastermind’s trap.
The biggest problem here is that everything about me ends up in the mastermind’s ears.
‘But there’s nothing I can do about it.’
If I fear my private life being exposed, I’ll never earn the mastermind’s trust—instead, I’ll only fuel their suspicion further.
‘Besides, Betty isn’t particularly malicious.’
It would’ve been the same no matter who came. The only people who can get close to me are those who, like Johan, harbor deep resentment toward Libertan.
‘If I worry about every little thing like this, I’ll die from exhaustion.’
Suddenly, Betty’s injured hand caught my eye.
‘How did she get hurt?’
The moment my gaze landed on it, Betty quickly hid her hand behind her back.
“It’s a wound from my own carelessness.”
“Still, it must have hurt.”
“It’s nothing. It won’t interfere with serving you, my lady.”
It looked painful. But since she insisted she was fine, I couldn’t very well press further.
“Then be sure to go get it treated once you’re done with your work.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“You’re promising me?”
Betty, who had just nodded politely, opened her mouth.
“I’ll prepare fresh clothes for you right away.”
Only then did the wedding dress I’d hastily worn to keep up appearances start to feel uncomfortable.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
Betty quickly returned with dresses suitable for daily wear in the mansion.
“These are outfits prepared by Blanchet. I’m not sure if they’ll suit your taste, but if anything feels uncomfortable, I’ll make sure to take that into account for future preparations.”
“No, they’re perfectly to my liking.”
“Then I’ll prepare similar designs until the next time the dressmaker visits.”
True to her role as the mastermind’s first dispatched maid, her demeanor was exceptionally courteous and respectful—exemplary enough to be featured in a textbook.
“Then allow me to assist you with changing.”
“Oh.”
I gave an awkward smile at Betty’s natural gesture as she approached.
“I’d like to change by myself.”
“Yes?”
“It’s just… I feel uneasy having someone unfamiliar help me dress.”
Betty’s brown eyes wavered. After a brief hesitation, she said politely, “Understood. Please call for me once you’ve finished changing,” and stepped back respectfully.
I only changed my clothes after I saw Betty close the door completely.
‘I won’t be able to keep changing alone forever.’
I didn’t want to create unnecessary discomfort right from the start.
After changing, I tidied myself up in the mirror. Outside the window, evening was slowly approaching.
‘In the original story, I was alone for quite a while, wasn’t I?’
It seemed I barely saw my husband until the Libertan ducal house fell on charges of treason.
‘But I need to act differently.’
Normally, people grow fond of each other if they keep meeting regularly—though if I’m careless, it might only deepen his resentment.
While lost in thought, unexpectedly good news arrived. Betty knocked on the door from outside and spoke.
“My lady, the master says he wishes to dine with you at the upcoming evening banquet.”
The Duke of Blanchet’s study.
Johan stared indifferently at the Libertan ducal house’s lily crest placed on his desk. Strangely, that woman kept circling in his mind.
Her platinum hair, softly tinged pink under the dim candlelight; her navy-blue eyes, somehow different from other Libertans; the gentle crinkles around her eyes as she smiled sweetly at him.
‘I don’t really understand much myself, but since we’re married, I’ll do my best.’
Oddly enough, he didn’t find that absurdly naive remark unpleasant.
‘She must have grown up loved and cherished in Libertan.’
Perhaps it was because that foolish belief—that they could become a good couple with just a little effort—sounded rather endearing.
‘Her eyes are wide open like a rabbit’s.’
Johan frowned as he recalled the fragile, delicate woman who seemed as if she’d break if held too tightly. The more he thought about it, the more oddly irritated he felt.
“My lord, it’s finished.”
Erich, his aide, entered the study.
“The Libertan ducal house will soon collapse entirely—receiving back the very false charge of treason they forced upon us.”
“It’s not over yet.”
Johan declared coldly.
“I understand your joy, but complacency invites disaster. Remain cautious until the matter is truly concluded.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Erich nodded and, glancing at the lily crest, spoke again.
“Now that I think of it, that woman must have entered the Blanchet ducal house today.”
Estelle Libertan.
The adopted daughter of the Libertan ducal house, burdened with all sorts of ill rumors.
Erich, who bore deep hatred toward the Libertan ducal house, naturally despised her.
‘There’s no way those rumors spread for no reason.’
Even rumors don’t arise from nothing—especially ones like being rejected twice by fiancés or treating servants poorly.
“What kind of woman did she seem to you, my lord?”
Johan, recalling his wife once more, gave a faint smirk.
“She’ll do well enough as light entertainment.”
“At least she’s useful to that extent. The plan should proceed without issue.”
Just then, Betty entered Johan’s study to deliver news about Estelle.
“My lord, I’ve informed the lady about the dinner arrangements.”
“Good work.”
Johan, legs crossed in an elegant posture, looked at Betty’s face. Sensing her master’s gaze, Betty tensed immediately.
‘He’s frightening.’
Betty was one of the few who had watched over Johan for a long time. And as time passed, she grew increasingly afraid of her master.
After all, he was a demon who trusted no one and never let anyone close.
Even Betty, accustomed to blood and death, would sometimes flinch at the sudden flashes of his cruelty.
‘My lady must have been adopted into Libertan by chance…’
Unconsciously, Betty felt sympathy for Estelle, whom she’d just met. Once noticed by Johan, the woman had no future.
Johan fixed Betty with a suffocatingly quiet, icy stare.
“What are your impressions after meeting my wife?”
“The new lady… seemed very kind.”
Betty hesitated, then remembered Estelle’s gentle smile.
Honestly, the moment she first saw Estelle, Betty felt she understood why the Libertan ducal couple hadn’t disowned her despite all the terrible rumors.
‘She truly was beautiful.’
Her long, white eyelashes fluttering with every soft smile were as mystical and dreamlike as a fairy from a storybook.
“Contrary to her reputation as a villainess, she treated me—a complete stranger—with remarkable kindness.”
Her eyes, gazing at my insignificant wound, held genuine concern.
She was meeting me for the first time—and I was merely a servant attending to her.
Surprisingly, many noblewomen couldn’t hide their true, petty natures from insignificant maids.
Having been planted as a spy in multiple noble households before being assigned as Estelle’s maid, Betty felt that concern all the more deeply.
“Since she was sold here in place of a debt, it’s only natural she’d behave herself, isn’t it?”
Erich snorted.
“She’ll reveal her true colors soon enough.”
A mocking smirk tugged at one corner of Johan’s mouth.
“Did you notice anything suspicious?”
“Not exactly suspicious, but…”
Betty, who wanted to say something favorable if possible, finally spoke after some thought.
“She wished to change her clothes alone.”
Johan tilted his chin slightly upward, urging her to continue.
“She said it was because she’d just arrived at the Blanchet ducal house and felt uncomfortable being attended by someone unfamiliar.”
“Did she seem like she was hiding something?”
“No. The dress she wore initially wasn’t one that could conceal anything, and I checked again after she changed.”
Betty’s eyes, having served many nobles, were trustworthy.
Johan gave a quiet nod.
“From now on, observe even the smallest details without omission.”
After finishing her report, Betty left her master’s study. Absentmindedly, she looked down at her open palm and saw the wound Estelle had worried about.
‘I promised to treat it as soon as I finished my duties.’
As Betty started walking toward the infirmary, Erich stopped her.
“Betty. You’re not having any strange thoughts, are you?”
Erich glared at her sharply with his dull steel-gray eyes.
“Don’t go sympathizing with that woman recklessly.”
“…”
“She’s a fake anyway—never even formally registered as married. She’s just a tool for revenge, to be discarded afterward. If you pity her, you’ll only make things harder on yourself.”
Erich wasn’t wrong.
Lord Johan was not the type to change his plans. So even if Betty felt sympathy, it would only burden her—nothing would change.
‘But still…’
Betty bit her lip, her hand covering the wound.
I fiddled with the pink ribbon tied in my hair as I looked in the mirror.
‘Would it be better without the ribbon?’
To me, it was quite an important decision.
I didn’t think paying a bit more attention to my appearance would drastically change the mastermind’s attitude—but still, I hoped looking even slightly prettier might help.
After deciding on the ribbon’s style, I headed to the dining area.
‘Wow, it’s beautiful.’
The dining area was splendid. Fresh roses, as if just picked that day, and gently flickering candles enhanced the atmosphere.
I sat in my seat and looked across the table.
‘He’s not here yet.’
Silverware had already been set out for Johan’s place.
‘Will he really not come, just like in the original?’
Just then, a servant hurried in and relayed Johan’s message.
“Good evening, my lady. His lordship has urgent matters to attend to and will be late for dinner. Since we don’t know when he’ll return, he suggests you begin your meal first.”
Right. Waiting longer won’t make him come any sooner.
“Understood. But please tell the Duke that no matter how busy he is, he must remember to eat.”
“Yes, I’ll be sure to pass that along.”
Dishes from the Blanchet ducal kitchen began arriving. They must have gone to great lengths since it was my first day—every dish looked meticulously prepared.
‘Delicious!’
They were so tasty I felt tears welling up just from eating. Especially the veal steak served as the main course—it melted in my mouth.
‘I can’t believe such flavor exists.’
The Libertan ducal house had decent cuisine for a noble household, but Blanchet’s cooking seemed on another level entirely.
‘Well, even if it was delicious there, I probably couldn’t eat properly anyway.’
Just as I was anticipating my favorite part—the dessert—it happened.
“I’m very late.”
Through the silently opened door, Johan entered gracefully in a black formal suit. The subtle shadows cast by the candlelight made him seem even more unreal.
‘No—could it be that he’s so handsome he seems unreal by nature?’
Johan, seated across from me, rested his chin in his hand and asked,
“How’s the meal? To your liking?”
“Yes, it’s absolutely delicious.”
“Good to hear.”
Finally, dessert was placed before me—a cake featuring Eleon fruit as its main ingredient. Contrary to my expectations, I couldn’t help but feel deeply disappointed.
‘Of all things, Eleon fruit?’
Eleon fruit was a rare delicacy from the Southern Kingdom. Many nobles sought it for its addictive bitterness, but I didn’t particularly like it.
In fact, I couldn’t eat it at all.
Whenever I consumed food containing Eleon fruit, my body would run a fever or grow weak—though not seriously enough to be life-threatening.
‘Why did they serve this fruit as dessert of all things?’
Just as I was about to ask for a different dessert, it struck me—this wasn’t mere coincidence.
Eleon fruit desserts had frequently appeared at the Libertan ducal house.
‘This isn’t random.’
Johan, true to his role as the mastermind, was an extremely meticulous man.
Even if he couldn’t know everything about the inner workings of the Libertan household, he likely knew which dishes were commonly served there.
‘So this is…’
The moment I lifted my head, my eyes met his intense crimson gaze, fixed steadily on me.
‘He’s testing whether I’m truly the Estelle Libertan he expects.’
Perhaps his intelligence even included the detail that I loved Eleon fruit desserts—just as most in Libertan believed.
Johan raised an eyebrow slightly and asked,
“Is there a problem?”
“Oh, I was just wondering if it’s alright to eat alone.”
I gave a faint smile and naturally cut a piece of the Eleon fruit cake and took a bite.
‘I can’t afford to seem suspicious right now.’
Otherwise, I might be eliminated alongside the Libertan ducal house when it falls.
The subtle bitterness of the Eleon fruit hit my tongue hard, blending with the cake’s sweetness to create a remarkably deep flavor.
‘…It is tasty, though…’
Unbidden, I remembered the first time I’d eaten this fruit.
The reason Eleon fruit dishes appeared so often in the Libertan household—the reason everyone assumed I loved this fruit—
was because Yestella adored it immensely.
‘You’re just a replacement for our Stella. How dare you pick your meals? You’ve been living in luxury, imitating my daughter, and now you refuse to even play your part?’
‘You won’t die just from eating it, after all.’
Back then, to convincingly play Yestella before the Libertan ducal couple, I’d eaten Eleon fruit completely naturally.
“The dessert is absolutely delicious. Please be sure to tell the chef.”
Just then, my hand holding the fork suddenly went limp. The fork dropped onto my white dress, staining it with whipped cream.
‘They always told me to maintain my dignity!’
I turned pale and hurriedly grabbed a napkin to wipe the cream away.
“I-I’m so sorry. It’s just that I…”
“Wait.”
Johan rose from his seat and caught my wrist as I dabbed at the stain. An uncontrolled tremor slipped into his touch.
His crimson eyes narrowed.
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
5 Comments
Chapter Comments (65)
I’m not angry that Estelle fell for the fake display of interest and affection.
It’s all the fault of the Libertarian Duke and Duchess.They imprisoned Estelle like a slave.
You must have gone through great hardship and pain.
Servants, don’t you have any compassion?You evil people.
Estelle can’t eat it because she’s allergic. You’ve lost your minds.
Inline Comments (21)
Estelle was a greater villainess than even the Libertan ducal couple. Leandro al
Leandro sees himself as a chivalrous knight who will save even the wicked and bring them back to their senses. Arrogant.
‘She doesn’t understand what’s truly precious.’
What is valuable? An arrogant fiancé abandoned her.
All the composure he’d so skillfully maintained was utterly useless before such
Love works wonders. Johan is still unaware of his true feelings.
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agustus_orchid
Could Estelle be an important person? Could her family be high-ranking and have kidnapped her?
Estelle’s hair color is unique and seems rare.
agustus_orchid
My dear Estelle, you are very kind.
Estelle suffered just as much as you did. Your intelligence is wrong.
agustus_orchid
Estelle, eat well and grow stronger.
That’s the only action you can take in the enemy’s house.
agustus_orchid
Johan, your mental health is not right.
You need to receive therapy.
agustus_orchid
Estelle is the summer fairy. 💮
Johan, I think he’s the demon too.