hanagaki_ryuka

Synopsis:
In my first life, I was a broke background character who died after slipping on a banana peel (tragic).

In my second life, I reincarnated into a fantasy novel… as the villain’s wife?! The cold, cruel villain everyone fears — Theodore Hellgrave aka “The Blood Tyrant.”

But plot twist: the villain isn’t just obsessed with world domination.
He’s obsessed with me.

All I want is a peaceful life, maybe open a bakery or something, but this psycho villain keeps spoiling me to death — buying me castles, putting flowers in my hair, threatening anyone who looks at me (even the dog).

Every time I try to divorce him, the entire empire trembles. And the worst part?

… I think I’m falling for him...

Villain husband, please sign the divorce papers

The next morning, Verbena woke up feeling oddly refreshed.

Her plan to make Theodore jealous might have…crashed and burned spectacularly, but at least now she could avoid him for a while and rethink her strategy.

Because the moment she stepped out of her room, a fancy golden envelope was sitting right outside her door. Sealed with a crest she had never seen before, and written in the most dramatic handwriting ever.

"For my dearest Verbena, from your devoted Raphael."

She ripped the letter open, expecting some weird prank from a servant. Instead, her eyes bulged at the flowery nonsense written inside:

> My dearest shining star, Verbena,

Every moment apart from you feels like my soul is drowning in sorrow. The moon weeps for me, the stars sigh your name, and even the wind whispers 'Verbena, my love, my light.'

Please await me under the magnolia tree, where our hearts shall speak truths even our lips fear to utter.

Count Raphael De Moonlight III (Knight of Eternal Yearning)

Verbena clutched her head. She invented Raphael like 12 hours ago! Who had the audacity to out-Raphael her own Raphael?!

The worst part? The handwriting was suspiciously elegant. And the only person in this mansion who wrote like a villain with too much free time was…

"Theodore!" she shrieked, storming down the hall.

She found him in his study, casually sipping tea, reading poetry, and looking way too innocent.

"You!" Verbena slammed the letter down in front of him. "Care to explain why you're writing romantic letters to your own wife — pretending to be her fake lover?!"

Theodore glanced at the letter and gave the softest, most evil smile she had ever seen.

"Oh, Raphael sent you that? How romantic."

"But darling," Theodore's smile widened. "I only wanted to support your tragic forbidden romance. How could I, your villainous husband, stand in the way of such eternal yearning?"

He was enjoying this way too much.

Verbena turned red. "Y-You're a lunatic! This is harassment!"

"Harassment? No, my dear." He leaned closer, his voice dropping into that low, deadly purr. "This is called romantic competition."

Verbena stumbled back. "Romantic—what?!"

"Oh yes." Theodore smirked. "If your heart truly belongs to Raphael, then I must win it back."

He stood, towering over her, his golden eyes glowing with mischief.

"So, my dear wife, shall I start courting you properly? Or shall I let poor Raphael suffer in the shadows?"

Verbena's brain short-circuited.

What was happening?! This wasn't the cold-blooded villain she read about in the novel. This was a shameless romantic menace.

"I need air." She turned to flee — only for Theodore to gently catch her wrist.

"Don't run," he whispered. "It's rude to leave your husband and your imaginary lover waiting."

"AAAAAAAAAAA!" Verbena screamed like a kettle exploding, yanked her hand away, and sprinted down the hall.

Meanwhile, Verbena in her room:

"I'M GOING TO DIE FROM SECONDHAND EMBARRASSMENT!"

But deep down — way, way deep down — her heart skipped just a little beat.

Because for the first time since her reincarnation, Theodore wasn't just the terrifying villain from the story.

A man who could actually steal her heart.

End of Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Villain Writes a Love Letter