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

This will set the stage for the banquet, but also stir the pot with a bit of spicy, unpredictable drama — adding both external conflict (Crown Prince Lance) and internal conflict (Theodore's jealousy + Verbena's shaken emotions).

Chapter 39: The Crown Prince's Letter

Morning sunlight poured into Verbena's room, gilding her bed with warmth. She groaned, pulling a pillow over her face, hoping to delay the inevitable. Today was the banquet — a battlefield disguised as a social gathering.

Just as she convinced herself to stay in bed for five more minutes, a sharp knock rattled her door.

"Milady," the head maid called. "An urgent letter has arrived. From the palace."

She tossed aside her blankets and rushed to the door, snatching the envelope from the maid's hands. The seal was unmistakable — a golden crest of a serpent coiled around a sword.

The signature of Crown Prince Lance Auther Kalix.

Her heart stumbled in her chest. What did that troublesome man want now?

Tearing the letter open, her eyes skimmed the elegant handwriting:

It has been far too long since I last gazed upon your beauty. Today's banquet shall be a reunion most precious to me.

Your husband has kept you hidden like a treasure, but treasures are meant to be admired.

I eagerly await our dance under the moonlight. Do not disappoint me.

"This lunatic!" she hissed, crumpling the letter.

Why on earth was he acting like they were secret lovers? They barely exchanged more than a few words since her reincarnation into this world!

She paced back and forth, the letter still clenched in her fist.

Her stomach flipped. Theodore's jealousy wasn't gentle or poetic — it was the kind of jealousy that left ruins in its wake.

Suddenly, another knock sounded — softer this time. The door creaked open, and Theodore leaned against the frame, freshly dressed in his banquet attire. Black and crimson, sharp enough to cut through steel.

"You look…tense," he observed, his gaze flicking to the letter in her hand.

"It's just some noble gossip," she lied, tucking the letter behind her back. "Nothing important."

He stepped into the room, closing the distance between them in three slow strides.

The silence that followed was lethal.

"…No?" Theodore's brow arched, his smile ice-cold. "Since when do we hide letters, wife?"

Before she could dodge, his hand shot out, snatching the crumpled letter from her grip. He smoothed it out with elegant precision, his eyes scanning the words.

Verbena watched, heart pounding, as his expression darkened with every passing second.

"Devoted Crown Prince?" His voice was dangerously calm. "Dance under the moonlight?"

"Is that why you married me?" His voice dropped lower, sharp as a blade. "To use me as a shield while you entertained the Crown Prince's whims?"

Her eyes widened. "That's not true! I—"

"Enough." He turned away, letter clenched in his fist, knuckles white. "Get dressed. We're leaving for the banquet in an hour."

He left without another word, the door slamming shut behind him.

Verbena sank onto her bed, clutching her temples.

This banquet was going to be the death of her.

The end of chapter

Title: The Crown Prince’s Letter