‘Agnes’ was a girl who saved the prince’s life by coincidence. Thanks to his kindness, she received the opportunity to serve as a chambermaid in the palace. Though initially staying with him as an old friend, An naturally fell in love with him. However, as time passed and he become emperor, she knew her unrequited love had to come to an end… “Do you like men much?” “…You’re going too far.” An’s face darkened. She stared at the man who’s eyes burned with an intense fire. His expression was grim and unrelenting. “It’s true, is it not? Jumping from one man to another, you’re insane…” “What’s wrong with me meeting with potential partners? I’m marriageable age, after all.” An bit her lip, while Lennox slowly parted his. “…What’s the problem?” “What do you mean?” Hearing her question, Lennox’s eyelashes trembled slightly. His claw-like hands clamped down on her, pressing her against the wall. An let out a cry and closed her eyes. But fortunately, his hand cradled the back of her head, shielding her from the wall. Trembling, she glared at him. “You said you didn’t like me.” “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” An blinked in confusion. It was clear he was referring to that particular incident. This man dug into her unwanted memories, her breath hitching as red crept upon her face. Lennox’s face twisted at the sight of her reaction. “You clearly said you hated me.” “Your Majesty.” “Did you really find me that unbearable?”
\"Oh my, from childhood friends to an engaged couple! Isn’t that so romantic?\" \"Yeah. No, it’s not.\" \"You two were always together back in the academy, right?\" \"Ah, that’s true.\" It all began during our academy days. I was exhausted from the constant stream of marriage proposals. ‘What about me?’ ‘What?’ ‘As your marriage partner.’ And so, I ended up signing a contract engagement with my friend, Aivert! Thus, we began acting like a couple who couldn’t live without each other. Of course, I can swear that he’s just a friend. But as time passed, and when the end of the contract was approaching… \"Soon, I\'ll be free!\" I thought the embarrassing couple act would soon be over! But… —Clank. An unexpected event occurred. I stared, bewildered, at the handcuffs now on both my wrist and Aivert’s. What kind of situation is this? *** I thought we’d just be stuck together, and as long as we did our part, everything would be fine. After all, acting as a couple would get easier, right? I kept thinking positively about it, but… Holding the key to the handcuffs, Aivert Royden subtly tilted his head. “If I break this, would you be disappointed?” Rodella’s eyes went wide. The shy and cautious childhood friend from her memories was gone, replaced by a stranger, yet someone familiar. He wore a look that stirred strange feelings in her. \"You said it yourself. A madman should be tied up.\" Clank. He shook his bound wrist. \"If I take this off…\" If I drift away from you, if I let this opportunity slip away… \"I think I might go crazy. What should I do?\"
Chapter 17 in Naver\'s 2023 Rookie Short Story Collection (2023 루키 단편선).
I wasn\'t being bullied, just isolated. That\'s all.
\"The world will become your enemy if you descend into Jianghu...\" The young patriarch of a declining family, Baek Mujin, prepares for a journey into the outside world to restore his family\'s fortunes. Despite the foreseen future where the world will stand as his enemy, Mujin begins his lonely battle.
The moment my engagement with my human trash fiancé was annulled, memories from my past life returned. I was formerly a hardworking agriculture researcher and a woman who went to farming college! After getting chased out of my family, I decided to stick to my strengths and live a worry-free and comfortable life while farming, but... \"That\'s my sword.\" \"No, it\'s my hoe?\" \"It\'s my sword!\" \"I told you, it\'s my hoe!\" Suddenly, a beautiful blond man—who looked perfectly fine on the outside—appeared to take the hoe I picked up from the ground away from me! This is the start of a farming romance where we\'ll meet our loved ones as well as pick mulberries (kill two birds with one stone)~
Chapter 29 in Naver\'s 2023 Rookie Short Story Collection (2023 루키 단편선).
Lee Minwoo, who suffers from a congenital heart disease, spends his days not wanting to live, yet not wanting to die either. One day, a red dust covered the city. People who breathed in the dust vomited blood and went mad, and unknown red plants began to grow on their bodies, blooming and spreading seeds. In a world full of infected individuals, outlaws, and numerous dangers, the true identity of the parasitic plants is gradually revealed. Minwoo, who couldn\'t find meaning in life, struggles to survive amidst many sacrifices and hopes.
Liat, who had experienced death due to her husband\'s betrayal, repeatedly rewound time at the cost of half her lifespan. Eventually, she broke the cycle by delivering her husband\'s head to the emperor. With only 1 year and 3 months left to live, she has one wish: \"I want to fall in love.\" Thus, a public announcement spreads throughout the empire for Liat\'s husband recruitment contest—with a prize of a staggering \"10 billion gold.\" As suitors begin to flock, suspicious individuals also start gathering around her...
Jiang Shu is a graduate student in the history department who accidentally traveled to the Great Qi. Because of her major in history, she knows a lot about the direction of history, and she knows that Qi Changning is a famous demon queen from history. Since her villainy has already been determined by history, Jiang Shu intends to embrace her opponent and be a peaceful licking dog so she can live a good life, but as they come into increasingly close contact she discovers the truth hidden in the history books. It seems that this demon queen is not the way that she thought she\'d be.....
A boy was deprived of emotions and color vision in order to make him a shinobi. A stranger stretches out the hand towards him in the ruined village. His new life begins as the boy takes it…
All Chulyong ever wanted was to sing. But dreams don’t pay rent, and now he’s stuck working part-time at a fish market, wondering when it all slipped through his fingers. One delivery gone wrong - a house, a famous composer, a bad first impression. Ruth touches him like he’s an instrument, and Chulyong, who’s had enough of life playing him, hits back - literally. A trophy to the head. A threat of a lawsuit. Words sharper than knives. Somewhere in the middle of the wreckage: a song that could change everything. Enemies. Rivals. Maybe something more. Defense carries more than just fish — it carries hope. It carries love.