The Villainess Proposed a Contractual Marriage

Chapter 0: Contract Marriage

At the end of a quiet street, all that remained was an empty yard and a dilapidated building.

In stark contrast to this desolate scene, a noble lady appeared unannounced one day.

"Harte of the Holy Knight Order. Correct?"

The woman, resplendent in a dazzling red dress, asked with an imperious look.

As I realized the intruder's identity, a cold sweat broke out at this bizarre twist of fate.

Elphisia Luminel.

That's the name of the beautiful woman who'd suddenly shown up.

She was the villainess from a romance fantasy novel I'd read in my past life. Elphisia's vicious words and ruthless actions often made me wonder if she even had a human heart.

She was such a formidable antagonist that she overshadowed the supposed final boss, making them practically irrelevant. Some even joked she was too competent for a villain, like she'd stumbled into the wrong genre.

All that awaits her is the bad ending orchestrated by this world's protagonists.

Bad ending... Yeah, just like mine.

"It was difficult to track you down. The temple protected you so well, I barely found you."

It must have been...

"Anyway, it worked out. I managed to find you, and now I can make this proposal."

"Proposal? To me?"

Elphisia, the precious daughter of a prestigious family and a ruthless strategist.

This woman, with who I had absolutely no connection, thrust a document at me without hesitation.

"Let's get married."

"What?"

"Well, more precisely, a contract marriage. These documents are to formalize our agreement."

"Uh... Marriage. A contract marriage, at that..."

Honestly, I felt like I might collapse from confusion.

As I struggled to form a response, my head spinning, I noticed small eyes peeking through the slightly open door.

Finally, I managed to speak.

"Let me get this straight... Are you in your right mind? We've never even met, and suddenly... marriage..."

"I have my reasons. Besides, I'm as determined as anyone can be to stand here and make this proposal."

"Then, were you prepared for this too?"

I gestured for the eyes peering from outside to come in. They hesitated for a moment before slowly opening the door and entering.

Two boys and one girl.

The girl, wearing a bright smile, clung to me.

"Papa!"

"... What did you just say?"

"Papa!"

As if to confirm it to Elphisia, who was holding the contract marriage documents, the child called me again by the title.

I stared at the frozen Elphisia and smiled awkwardly.

"As you can see, I've got a kid."

The answer seemed clear. However, just in case, I asked her again.

"Were you... prepared for this too?"

Her perfectly aligned white teeth were truly beautiful. That thought crossed my mind as Elphisia's mouth hung wide open.

The confused Elphisia barely managed to utter her next words.

"Y-You...!"

Maybe your answer at that moment could have changed our future.

I slowly recalled that first pivotal moment of fate.

The very day my life was turned upside down.

---

[Heya guys, raei here! It's a little early to say... but this novel might be my best tl yet!

It's got a beautiful cute love story between the mc and the fmc, heartwarming moments with the kids and some overpowered mc badassery! I'll be posting 20+ for the first week, then my usual mon-fri, 5/week. Advance chaps will already be available on Ko-fi for anyone interested! Link right below.

Click here for Kofi.

Thanks! and hope you all enjoy.]