The deal

Prologue: Death's Bargain

The taste of iron and poison still clung to her tongue. The burning sensation in her throat faded into an empty void, swallowing her whole. Cold. Weightless. Silent.

So this was death?

She expected fire. Or maybe endless darkness. But instead, she heard—

"Hey, human, are you listening?"

Amilia's eyes snapped open.

It wasn't an angel. Nor a demon. It was... a fox?

Not just any fox. A talking one, staring at her with glowing golden eyes.

---

"Wh… what?"

Amilia's mind was already spiraling from the fact that she was dead, but now this fox spirit—Chichi—was telling her she had lived inside a romance novel? And not just any romance novel—one where her husband was the villain?

"No, it's not convincing at all," she deadpanned, staring at Chichi like it had lost its mind.

"But it's the truth," Chichi insisted. "The world you lived in was a novel. And your husband, Prince Ceaser of Romano, was its main villain. He wiped out the entire kingdom in one night—including the male and female leads."

Amilia's head snapped up.

"Huh? But… I killed him."

She was sure of it. She had poisoned him with her own hands.

Chichi scoffed. "Do you really think a mere poison could kill the most feared prince of Romano?"

Amilia fell silent.

It was true. Ceaser was terrifying. Ruthless. His first kill was at seven years old. By sixteen, he had led armies into battle. People whispered that his gaze alone could send chills down the bravest warriors' spines. He never let anyone close, never showed emotions. That was one of the many reasons Amilia hated him.

"Did he really not die from my poison?" she asked hesitantly.

"No, he didn't."

A small breath of relief escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"Thank God. That's a relief."

"EXCUSE ME?" Chichi screeched.

Amilia blinked. "What?"

"Your husband slaughtered an entire kingdom in one night, and you're RELIEVED?"

"I mean… the thought of me actually killing him for someone who manipulated me was just awful," Amilia mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Chichi sighed. "Did you even hear what I said? Your husband wiped out the whole kingdom."

"But what can I do about it?" Amilia shrugged. "It's not like I can just ask him nicely not to commit mass murder, and he'll listen."

"That's exactly why you need to seduce him."

A long pause.

"Wh… what?"

Chichi flicked its tail. "You heard me. Make him fall in love with you."

Amilia's brain stopped working for a moment.

"That's impossible."

"No, it's not."

"YES, IT IS!" she shouted, throwing her hands up. "Do you even know who Ceaser is? I was married to him, and he never even looked at me. Not once. He's like a guy who doesn't even have emotions."

The memories flooded back—those cold, indifferent eyes. The way he ignored her completely, treating her like she was invisible. She had spent years trying to get his attention, but it was like trying to melt ice with a candle.

"And now you want me to make that man fall in love with me? That's beyond impossible."

Chichi yawned. "Then I guess you'll die here."

"NOOOO!" Amilia screamed, clutching her head. "This is crazy! You're basically telling me to do something harder than walking around the whole world barefoot!"

"Then make it possible," Chichi said flatly.

"But—"

"It's your only choice. Seduce your husband and make him fall in love with you. You can get your revenge while doing that. Just don't let him fall for the female lead. If he does, everything will repeat itself."

Amilia narrowed her eyes. "Wait… is she the reason he wiped out the whole kingdom?"

Chichi sighed. "Yeah. He fell in love with the female lead, but she chose the male lead instead. Heartbroken and furious, he went on a rampage, killing them both… along with everyone else."

Amilia's jaw dropped. "Wait, Ceaser was in love with someone?!"

Chichi scratched its ear. "Mmm. Kinda. Maybe. He was emotionally constipated, but yeah."

"Wow… and he destroyed everything over her? That's insane."

"Yup. So, are you ready to seduce your husband?"

Amilia sighed in defeat. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

"Nope."

She clenched her fists. "Fine. I promise you—no one will die this time."

A smirk stretched across Chichi's face. "That's the spirit. Welp, bye-bye then~!"

"Wait—at least tell me who the male and female leads—"

Before she could finish, darkness swallowed her whole.

---

Bright light. Too bright.

Amilia groaned, squeezing her eyes shut as pain shot through her head.

"Are you planning to stay like this forever?"

A cold voice. Sharp. Familiar.

Her breath hitched.

She forced her eyes open, blinking rapidly. As her vision cleared, she realized she was on top of someone.

Legs straddling either side of his waist. Hands braced on his chest.

Her face turned red.

She tried to scramble off, but a strong hand grabbed her waist, stopping her.

"AARGHH…" The man groaned beneath her, voice laced with pain. His grip tightened.

"Are you planning to crush my balls?"

Silence.

Amilia stared at the very annoyed, very handsome man beneath her.

Prince Ceaser Romano.

Her husband. The man she had poisoned in her past life. The man she was now supposed to seduce.

Fúck.

---

To Be Continued…