Shadow Queen - Chapter 24

In the waves of steam and machinery, who could achieve extraordinary? In the fogs of history and darkness, who was whispering? I woke up from the realm of mysteries and opened my eyes to the world.

Firearms, cannons, battleships, airships, and difference machines. Potions, divination, curses, hanged-man, and sealed artifacts… The lights shone brightly, yet the secrets of the world were never far away. This was a legend of the “Fool”.

- Description from novelupdates

Lou Yao Yao wasted her life fighting over a man, only to find out he wasn’t worth it in the end. Because of this man, she accidentally killed her rival in love, and even ruined the man who had always been watching over her.

Xion Aijawa thought his life was finally coming together. That is, until he tried saving a cat stuck in a tree, fell into a pit, and... diedIn his disoriented sate of “Freshly dead” the silly Xion accepted a strange request and ended up transmigrating into the world full of dungeons and Mana.He became illegitimate child of Marquis family hated by his three siblings.According to the memory of the original owner of the body, Xion only had a month to live.So, taking the cover of the banquet, Xion ran away. Aided by a mysterious Mall System, he makes his way to the distant borderlands, hoping to put his past behind him.But fate has other plans-. Xion ends up saving Darius Rael Darkhelm, the feared Archduke of the North, notorious for his ruthless and deranged nature.The silly Xion tried to run away but...Xion's heart thumped loudly as Darius effortlessly pinned his wrists using only one hand.“I've heard you tried to run away.”Darius gently caressed Xion's pale cheek, “That must be a lie... After all, I've given you things even the royal family can't have. Isn't that right, my dear healer?”Xion gulped when Darius's thumb brushed his lower lip as a chilling smirk remained on his handsome face.“I-I think I should leave, Your Grace. I've overstayed my welcome...”The room grew cold, and struggling Xion shivered.Darius's green eyes dimmed before lighting up with a dangerous glint.Xion felt a pit growing in his stomach when he saw the deranged archduke smile. Darius never smiled. And whenever he did, it only meant trouble.“You're right,” Darius said calmly. “So, let's get married.”Xion “...!!!!”

“Pretend to be my lover and join the social circle.”

Selena, the top star that had the entire world’s attention, was suddenly warped to Northern Duke’s land during an accident while filming. Kalcion, the Northern Duke that saved her from the infernal beasts, offers Selena a chance to go back home in return for collecting information in various social circles by pretending to be his lover. Selena quickly accepts Kalcion’s offer, but…

“Why in the world can’t you do this!?”
“Don’t you think that the answer to that should be obvious to you, the actress, not to me, the duke?”

There was a critical problem. The Northern Duke’s acting skills are horrible!

“…Let’s change the plan. I’ll seduce you instead.”

And thus the contractual relationship between the two started. Will Kalcion’s acting skill improve first, or will he start to have true feelings for Selena instead?